The American \"Obesity Epidemic?\"
 

So people are apparently readjusting their "normal weight" perceptions.

But it seems like there is a growing, perhaps more affluent, segment of people that are uber health nuts, or at least more conscious about their diets (e.g., eating only organics, multigrain breads, soy and nonfat milk, etc., etc.).

Is there such an obesity epidemic? And if so, why? It sounds more like a social problem (meaning that there are many variables, not just blaming, say, HFCS). Marketing has become more "science-esque", cheap processed foods widely available (e.g., corn subsidies and sugar tariffs), increased restaurant meal sizes, etc. I mean, people ate white Wonderbread, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and Hostess Twinkies in the 1950's or whatever. (But then again, people smoked cigs a lot more. So maybe that impacts food intake.)

Maybe it's too hard for the populous to fight against what our genes have told us to do...eat and hump as much as reasonably possible. It doesn't help that dumb people, and children, are more susceptible to marketing messages, it seems.

Also, I ain't no doctor, but the body mass index (BMI) seems like a woefully inadequate yardstick for a good individual weight range. People's body types vary and so forth. Is being somewhat fat really that bad for you? In other words, being overweight is not a causal for bad health in and of itself, but rather a correlate of unheathly living.

Re: The American \"Obesity Epidemic?\"
 

I dont understand why we still see stories about body image issues. The problems of bulemea/anorexia PALE in comparison to the continent of fatties we've got going on.

Re: The American \"Obesity Epidemic?\"
 

seems like when people think of obesity it relates only to diet...but like most health issues there is exercise as well as diet...people are sedentary, this makes people get fat...

and yes, bmi is a crap way to measure health/weight range...

Re: The American \"Obesity Epidemic?\"
 

Something that my girlfriend and I were noticing recently is that is has become socially acceptable to eat [censored] food. When I bring healthy food to work, people always comment about how much of a health nut I must be.

Its just acceptable these days to eat fatty foods

Re: The American \"Obesity Epidemic?\"
 

Getting berated for eating healthy food is sooo annoying

Re: The American \"Obesity Epidemic?\"
 

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Getting berated for eating healthy food is sooo annoying

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QFT. The real problem is that kids and adults are so woefully undereducated when it comes to healthy foods and the effects of eating poorly. Many people are brought up to believe that they are just naturally fat and can do nothing about it.

No one tells them that yes, it is natural for some people to have "better"/faster metabolisms but that does not mean that they have to be overweight. It simply means they have to control their diet in a different way, but they CAN look as good as naturally skinny people.

Re: The American \"Obesity Epidemic?\"
 

Look at the rate of type 2 diabetes it is climbing rapidly. Reason being Dual income homes. parents allow the TV,computer and Video games to raise there kids as they feed them junk food regularly.

Re: The American \"Obesity Epidemic?\"
 

I go to schools alot and put on health fairs for kids. It's mostly because their parents dont have good food for them to eat.

No one eats veggies and fruit.

It also sucks that good food cost so much. Poor people cant afford to eat as well.

Re: The American \"Obesity Epidemic?\"
 

Here is a specific example of obesity not being a cause of bad health, concerning type II diabetes.

http://www.thincs.org/Malcolm2.htm#oct11-2004
http://www.thincs.org/Malcolm2.htm#oct22-2004


There are 4 parts to the essay but I can't seem to find the last two anymore.

Re: The American \"Obesity Epidemic?\"
 

Right now im 5'10" about 202. This is down from when I was at about 225 after college from drinking/eating bad/eating out.

In high school I was at about 160 due to being a soccer player for 2 teams.

My mom has actually commented that I look like I am losing to much weight b/c the clothes I had to buy when I was up at 225 do not fit anymore. Shes actually not happy that I am back down to a safer weight, but i think is generally worried I am losing to much weight.

My g/fs parents accused her of having an eating disorder b/c she wanted to have grilled chicken and a salad instead of fried food and carb loaded food.

People amaze me

Re: The American \"Obesity Epidemic?\"
 

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Getting berated for eating healthy food is sooo annoying

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QFMFT

Re: The American \"Obesity Epidemic?\"
 

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It also sucks that good food cost so much. Poor people cant afford to eat as well.

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Is this really true though? Oatmeal is 85 cents a pound. A dozen eggs costs a dollar. A head of lettuce costs a dollar. I've seen boneless, skinless chicken breasts as cheap as $1.99/pound. Etc. Etc. Maybe you have to limit your choices a little bit, but IMO it's fairly easy to eat healthy on a low budget if you're willing to put in the effort.

Re: The American \"Obesity Epidemic?\"
 

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It also sucks that good food cost so much. Poor people cant afford to eat as well.

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Is this really true though? Oatmeal is 85 cents a pound. A dozen eggs costs a dollar. A head of lettuce costs a dollar. I've seen boneless, skinless chicken breasts as cheap as $1.99/pound. Etc. Etc. Maybe you have to limit your choices a little bit, but IMO it's fairly easy to eat healthy on a low budget if you're willing to put in the effort.

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Ya I wouldn't necessarily say that, although if you're shopping at Whole Foods like I've had to this summer, you're often going to be paying a premium. But at least for me it DOES take a certain level of dedication, and I eat very, very clean. I feel like I'm always making food as soon as I get home from work each day, for dinner, for tomorrow's breakfast, lunch, pre-bed meal, etc. My approach is probably overly-meticulous considering I'm not trying to lose fat, but it's partly my nature.

But think about what other people do. They wake up late, no breakfast, rush to work. Starving, pass a Dunkin Donuts on the way, bingo. Let's say this is at 9 A.M. Then they have a soda at like 11, pack of M&Ms or some horrible lunch at noon. Then they basically don't eat until 5 and completely pwn their metabolism, order take-out when they get home etc. No energy by then so they can't work out and the cycle repeats. Or then they hit the gym on Monday (Bosu ball situps ftw) to "work off" the weekend caloric surplus. Most people do so little right (or even close to "right") it's ridiculous.

But it's also easy to see why.

Re: The American \"Obesity Epidemic?\"
 

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My approach is probably overly-meticulous considering I'm not trying to lose fat, but it's partly my nature.

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This is what has to change in people - their nature. It's hard, really hard. The usually good advice of "don't be a pu**y" makes sense on a visceral level, but just manning up and hitting the gym and cutting calories isn't enough. You need to know that you are changing your lifestyle over to something different, that this isn't going to be a quick fix.

Re: The American \"Obesity Epidemic?\"
 

What people need to realize is that you are paying a bit more money to extend and make your overall quality of life better. If people realized that paying just a bit more will raise the odds of not living your later years in pain going in and out of surgeries from obese related illnesses then maybe they wouldnt mind as much.

Re: The American \"Obesity Epidemic?\"
 

The same reason they don't realize that is the same reason so many of the citizens carry ridiculous loads of debt and no savings.

Re: The American \"Obesity Epidemic?\"
 

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Getting berated for eating healthy food is sooo annoying

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I definitely know what you mean, having gotten into an argument with my girlfriend who is into the organic, high-quality food. All other things equal, I'd rather have organic veggies than regular, etc. However, she berated me for eating all this "junk" (like tuna from a can, protein shakes, etc.) but I just couldn't explain that eating a planned-out, balanced, healthy diet is WAY better than eating any amount of tasty, farm-grown, organic butter, potato chips, and cake. It's frustrating, and it's another example of ways that people tend to have misconceptions about proper diet/nutrition.

Re: The American \"Obesity Epidemic?\"
 

Yeah people are dumb. You bring in mixed vegetables and a chicken breast in one day and they're like "Ooo Mr. Health Nut!" Then the next day you're eating like 95% lean ground beef and they say "omg wow so unhealthy."

And I can't even count the number of times I've heard stuff about all the eggs I eat. lol cholesterol.

Re: The American \"Obesity Epidemic?\"
 

Human beings, in general, are conditioned to follow the path of least resistance.

It has never been easier than it is in this day and age for humans to be sedentary, and follow that path.

I have read where humans are the only species that experience heart disease.

The problem is not obesity. Obesity is the effect. The cause is simply the ability for humans to remain in denial about the real problem; ignorance.

Re: The American \"Obesity Epidemic?\"
 

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The same reason they don't realize that is the same reason so many of the citizens carry ridiculous loads of debt and no savings.

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This is way off topic for this forum, but people should not have savings. Savings are a loss. Both of utility, and usually in interest paid not beating inflation.

Re: The American \"Obesity Epidemic?\"
 

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The same reason they don't realize that is the same reason so many of the citizens carry ridiculous loads of debt and no savings.

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This is way off topic for this forum, but people should not have savings. Savings are a loss. Both of utility, and usually in interest paid not beating inflation.

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lol wtf

Re: The American \"Obesity Epidemic?\"
 

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The same reason they don't realize that is the same reason so many of the citizens carry ridiculous loads of debt and no savings.

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This is way off topic for this forum, but people should not have savings. Savings are a loss. Both of utility, and usually in interest paid not beating inflation.

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lol wtf

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Savings != investments.

Re: The American \"Obesity Epidemic?\"
 

either way it's econ 102. Individuals smooth consumption over time through borrowing/saving-so no, saving is not a "loss of utility". Also I very much doubt inflation is higher than 4.5% because that's what an intelligent person is getting on their near term savings.

Re: The American \"Obesity Epidemic?\"
 

Historically inflation is higher. And those kind of savings rates are a recent development.

With modern credit and market liquidity there is no need whatsoever for near term savings. Either invest it long term or spend it.

Re: The American \"Obesity Epidemic?\"
 

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Something that my girlfriend and I were noticing recently is that is has become socially acceptable to eat [censored] food. When I bring healthy food to work, people always comment about how much of a health nut I must be.

Its just acceptable these days to eat fatty foods

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Absolutely. It has become pretty socially acceptable to eat garbage, and pretty acceptable even to feed it to your kids.

Re: The American \"Obesity Epidemic?\"
 

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Savings != investments.

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lol for god's sake are you kidding me

i was simplifying it for everyone. besides, having some liquid capital earning 5% is totally fine for a lot of people. end of discussion pls.

Re: The American \"Obesity Epidemic?\"
 

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Yeah people are dumb. You bring in mixed vegetables and a chicken breast in one day and they're like "Ooo Mr. Health Nut!" Then the next day you're eating like 95% lean ground beef and they say "omg wow so unhealthy."

And I can't even count the number of times I've heard stuff about all the eggs I eat. lol cholesterol.

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Yeah, anytime I'm out to dinner with friends and I get a chicken-based dinner with a baked potato or something I get plenty of comments, but when I'm eating lean ground beef or lean steaks they're like omg wtffff you are ruining your diet

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Getting berated for eating healthy food is sooo annoying

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QFMFT

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Ditto

Re: The American \"Obesity Epidemic?\"
 

Secreprankster nailed it on the garbage diets related to schedule/poor time management.

Re: The American \"Obesity Epidemic?\"
 

Yup. What's needed is lifestyle changes, not diets. Going back and forth from cramming ice cream in your face to living off grapefruits is ridiculous and unhealthy. You just have to start eating like an adult, once you're an adult. I think a lot of people have trouble making that adjustment to reality. You can't cheat reality. It's just, there. And it's not going away.

Re: The American \"Obesity Epidemic?\"
 

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Secreprankster nailed it on the garbage diets related to schedule/poor time management.

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I do think that poor time management plays a significant role, but I think the majority role is ignorance, like others have pointed out. Never has it been more acceptable to eat McDonald's on a daily basis, and despite the efforts of Subway, that type of food is still looked down upon.

Somehow that reminds me that I should try the new lobster sub at Subway. Or not.

Re: The American \"Obesity Epidemic?\"
 

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Secreprankster nailed it on the garbage diets related to schedule/poor time management.

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I do think that poor time management plays a significant role, but I think the majority role is ignorance, like others have pointed out. Never has it been more acceptable to eat McDonald's on a daily basis, and despite the efforts of Subway, that type of food is still looked down upon.

Somehow that reminds me that I should try the new lobster sub at Subway. Or not.

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I feel like the people I work with and associate with on a daily basis have a reasonable idea of what they should and shouldn't be eating. What they do with this information is a completely different story though. Usually it comes down to time related excuses and not caring.

I think you're probably right though Kyle about alot of it being plain ignorance (which is amazing in this day and age.)

After that lobster sub at Subway why don't you see if they'll cook you up an oyster poboy. TR please.

Re: The American \"Obesity Epidemic?\"
 

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The real problem is that kids and adults are so woefully undereducated when it comes to healthy foods and the effects of eating poorly. Many people are brought up to believe that they are just naturally fat and can do nothing about it.

No one tells them that yes, it is natural for some people to have "better"/faster metabolisms but that does not mean that they have to be overweight. It simply means they have to control their diet in a different way, but they CAN look as good as naturally skinny people.

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I think people in this thread are underestimating both people's intelligence and their lazyness. I'm overweight because I have a slow/medium natural metabolism, eat like crap, and don't work out. It's fairly obvious to me that if i were to eat better and exercise i wouldn't be fat....I'm sure anybody who's not a complete idiot knows this.

Re: The American \"Obesity Epidemic?\"
 

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I do think that poor time management plays a significant role, but I think the majority role is ignorance, like others have pointed out. Never has it been more acceptable to eat McDonald's on a daily basis, and despite the efforts of Subway, that type of food is still looked down upon.

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I'm convinced that the lack of information and education regarding proper diet and exercise is a huge factor in why americans are getting so fat. When people do try to eat healthy, they don't know what they're doing and don't realize that it's a long term commitment, so when they don't get instant results they go back to being fatties, except that they're even more depressed about things.

There's just so much misinformation and "get thin fast" crap out there that no one knows what's going on.

edit: forgot to say that most people go on crash diets to lose some weight before big events, which just further skews their perception of what is healthy and effective and what isn't

Re: The American \"Obesity Epidemic?\"
 

I agree with what almost everyone has written. Furthermore, I propound that until society stops hooking up with fat people there will continue to be fat people. Exchew the fatties from your social lives and they will either 1) Form gross fatty communes that we all can avoid 2) stop exisitng.

Re: The American \"Obesity Epidemic?\"
 

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I agree with what almost everyone has written. Furthermore, I propound that until society stops hooking up with fat people there will continue to be fat people. Exchew the fatties from your social lives and they will either 1) Form gross fatty communes that we all can avoid 2) stop exisitng.

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You can't hate on fatties though because they get all up in arms about how it's a lifestyle choice just like smoking or being an alcoholic. I saw some show or commercial on tv the other day and it was basically women who were all at least 100 lbs overweight saying they didn't care that they were fat and they were beautiful. There's nothing wrong with big or chubby women but these porkers were just gross.

Re: The American \"Obesity Epidemic?\"
 

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I'm convinced that the lack of information and education regarding proper diet and exercise is a huge factor in why americans are getting so fat. When people do try to eat healthy, they don't know what they're doing and don't realize that it's a long term commitment, so when they don't get instant results they go back to being fatties, except that they're even more depressed about things.

There's just so much misinformation and "get thin fast" crap out there that no one knows what's going on.

edit: forgot to say that most people go on crash diets to lose some weight before big events, which just further skews their perception of what is healthy and effective and what isn't

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Take me for instance...I totally understand that a lifestyle change is in order if i want to get healthy. I just lack the will power / disipline to do it. Every once in a while i'll go on a crazy diet but it's not because i'm uneducated or don't know better. It's because i want instant gratification. I think many overweight people are like me.

If education/intelligence was a major factor in obesity i'm sure you would find significant correlation between the two. I doubt such a correlation exists

Re: The American \"Obesity Epidemic?\"
 

Your right about the effort people take. Just recently I found a butvher that has the best steaks lean 8 oz. Turns out he laso has chicken breasts that are organic from the hutterites. Cost wise not much difference. I have added Organic carrots, apple sauce and chicken. I have switched to whole wheat pasta. The one thing no one has brought up is the added cost on the health care system by the increase in obesity.

Re: The American \"Obesity Epidemic?\"
 

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If education/intelligence was a major factor in obesity i'm sure you would find significant correlation between the two. I doubt such a correlation exists

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Income correlates VERY strongly to health/obesity. Id be very surprised if intelligence/level of education didnt as well.

Re: The American \"Obesity Epidemic?\"
 

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seems like when people think of obesity it relates only to diet...but like most health issues there is exercise as well as diet...people are sedentary, this makes people get fat...

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Yeah, and then there's the exercise component. Forgot to mention that.

People are more sedentary these days. Kids didn't used have Pac-Men and internets, so they're on their butts more. Phys Ed seems to be put on the back burner, and many food and beverage corporations have "invaded" school cafeterias and hallways re-enforcing bad habits. Some schools even subsidize costs by allowing fast food joints and beverage companies in since voters will often say no to any school taxes.

Anyway, while exercise is very good for overall health, caloric intake is much more important. Is is much easier to down a box of Tastykakes w/ a bottle of Coke than it is to use, or work off, those same calories.

Also, people, esp. in more urban environments, are tending to be office workers since our economy has largely been shifting to more specialized knowledge type jobs.