英语听力精选进阶版 6472

I'm glad I'm not alone. The number of people in the world who are obese¹ or overweight has topped 2.1 billion, up from 875 million in 1980, according to figures published in a medical journal The Lancet.

I'm a fat Londoner – one of many fat Londoners, it seems: this 188-country study placed the UK near the top of its 'obesity² list'. And the study placed the US and China at the top of the global list, with the highest rates.

Yes, China is on the list, I'm afraid. They might be talking about you, too.

Professor Hermann Toplak, at the University of Graz, in Austria, said: "Over the past decades, the modernisation of our world, with all the technology around us, has led to physical inactivity on all levels."

I don't blame anybody but myself for my love handles. I have a sweet tooth and I give in to temptation easily. Obesity is all about calorie intake³ and exercise.

The British National Institute for Health and Care said even a 3% weight loss – probably just a few kilos – would cut blood pressure and reduce the risk of type-2 diabetes⁴ and some cancers.

I must say that this latest study made me think hard about my bad habits. It's said to be the most comprehensive to date and included researchers across the world, led by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation⁵ in Washington.

I might be included in their statistics this time, but not anymore. I'm giving up fast food – for good!

Experts say the best way to keep the weight off is to try planning menus for the entire week and eating regular low-calorie meals and snacks to stop hunger pangs⁶.

I'll try to eat moderate amounts of protein and opt⁷ for good carbohydrates⁸, such as brown rice.

And what about exercise? Well, feeling a bit sweaty and breathless in the gym is OK if it makes me lose weight and feel healthier. I won't be on that 'fat list' much longer!

Quiz 测验

1. Which countries are at the top of the list for obesity?

The US and China.

2. Why is technology contributing to obesity?

According to Professor Hermann Toplak, at the University of Graz, in Austria, it leads to physical inactivity.

3. Which health risks are increased by obesity?

High blood pressure, development of type-2 diabetes and cancer.

4. What is the author going to eat in order to lose weight?

Moderate amounts of protein and good carbohydrates.

5. Which word means 'complete, with all the necessary information'?

Comprehensive.

Glossary 词汇表

obese 肥胖

overweight 超重

fat 脂肪

physical inactivity 缺乏运动

love handles 腰间赘肉

a sweet tooth 爱吃甜食

obesity 肥胖

calorie intake 卡路里摄入量

exercise 锻炼

weight loss 减肥

blood pressure 血压

type-2 diabetes 2型糖尿病

cancer 癌症

fast food 快餐

low-calorie 低热量的

hunger pangs 饥饿感

protein 蛋白质

carbohydrate 碳水化合物

1 obese   

adj.过度肥胖的，肥大的

参考例句：

• The old man is really obese,it can't be healthy.那位老人确实过于肥胖了，不能算是健康。
• Being obese and lazy is dangerous to health.又胖又懒危害健康。

2 obesity   

n.肥胖，肥大

参考例句：

• One effect of overeating may be obesity.吃得过多能导致肥胖。
• Sugar and fat can more easily lead to obesity than some other foods.糖和脂肪比其他食物更容易导致肥胖。

3 intake   

n.吸入，纳入；进气口，入口

参考例句：

• Reduce your salt intake.减少盐的摄入量。
• There was a horrified intake of breath from every child.所有的孩子都害怕地倒抽了一口凉气。

4 diabetes   

n.糖尿病

参考例句：

• In case of diabetes, physicians advise against the use of sugar.对于糖尿病患者，医生告诫他们不要吃糖。
• Diabetes is caused by a fault in the insulin production of the body.糖尿病是由体內胰岛素分泌失调引起的。

5 evaluation   

n.估价，评价；赋值

参考例句：

• I attempted an honest evaluation of my own life.我试图如实地评价我自己的一生。
• The new scheme is still under evaluation.新方案还在评估阶段。

6 pangs   

突然的剧痛( pang的名词复数 )； 悲痛

参考例句：

• She felt sudden pangs of regret. 她突然感到痛悔不已。
• With touching pathos he described the pangs of hunger. 他以极具感伤力的笔触描述了饥饿的痛苦。

7 opt   

vi.选择，决定做某事

参考例句：

• They opt for more holiday instead of more pay.他们选择了延长假期而不是增加工资。
• Will individual schools be given the right to opt out of the local school authority?各个学校可能有权选择退出地方教育局吗？

8 carbohydrates   

n.碳水化合物，糖类( carbohydrate的名词复数 )；淀粉质或糖类食物

参考例句：

• The plant uses the carbohydrates to make cellulose. 植物用碳水化合物制造纤维素。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• All carbohydrates originate from plants. 所有的碳水化合物均来自植物。 来自辞典例句