The Skinny on the U.S. growth of the fat people

Espressocycle

we don't need it anymore, same logic as unions. (Oops I probably just opened up a hge can of worms )

I'm not a big fan of unions myself, but the decline of unions has coincided with falling wages for more than half of all Americans and public policy played a huge role in that. Policy on economics, public health, etc. matters. Maybe that's not the way it ought to be, but that's the way it is.

Government policy had a role in creating the obesity problem. Highway building and zoning regulations favor suburbs where people drive everywhere over cities where they walk more while reducing the amount of farmland outside cities where local produce was grown. Keeping wages low through trade agreements, reduced regulations, union-busting, etc. made people poorer and we know lower income correlates with obesity.

Espressocycle

60 years ago, school lunches were introduced because too many young men were unfit for military service due to malnutrition. Now, potential military recruits are too fat.

Showcase_Brodown

What will we do?

Let's start temperance leagues and anti-vending-machine organizations. Let's beg the government to outlaw calorie-dense foods. There must be a new amendment to make it effective nationwide. That will fix everything and we'll be a great nation once more. Proving once and for all that public policy is the solution.

And when that happens, you'd better watch out for the bacon cartel. They'll be great and powerful.

Showcase_Brodown

And of course, there is always the possibility of the Twinkie Tax.

bcattoes

Obesity is not a contagious virus. People are obese for many different reasons including genetics

There is actually no genetic link to obesity.

This is NOT true.

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity-causes/genes-and-obesity/

bcattoes

Everyone says they agree on keeping/upping PE in schools, but very few actually want to shell out the extra tax bucks to keep it up.

We should cut geography to fund it, because Google Earth.

ldrosophila

When more than a quarter of the population is hit by an epidemic it just doesnt become the affected individual who is responsible it become all of our responsibility.

I have no answers NO ONE has the answers...its such a multifaceted state of emergency. It's very scary

soldier4242

Obesity is not a contagious virus. People are obese for many different reasons including genetics

There is actually no genetic link to obesity.

Practically everything about you is linked to your genetics.

RGv2

When more than a quarter of the population is hit by an epidemic it just doesnt become the affected individual who is responsible it become all of our responsibility.

I have no answers NO ONE has the answers...its such a multifaceted state of emergency. It's very scary

Do you think part of the problem is the absolutely absurd definition of obesity......technically I'm obese.

Loasaur

I would say that I'm on the "larger" side because of my economic status. Growing up, my parents didn't have much money, and therefor, they bought what was cheap. Kraft Mac & Cheese, Hot Dogs, and Ramen Noodles. That's what I ate for most of my life. I wasn't taught, until a lot later, that these things were bad. Who wants to spend 300$ buying "good" food for 5 people, when you can buy 10 boxes of Kraft for 10$ and almost a whole flat of Ramen for the same? Especially when you can barely afford to pay your bills? There are problems with our country, but I don't think that making the government baby us through them will fix anything. We have to hold OURSELVES accountable for our actions as well and stop placing the blame on someone else (things us Americans tend to do in excess). Just because a Cheetos commercial blasts it in your face that Cheetos are awesome, does not mean that you have to go out and buy Cheetos. The same goes for everything. Snacks are not bad, our problem is that when people can sit down and eat a whole bag of chips in 1 sitting and think that's okay.

bcattoes

When more than a quarter of the population is hit by an epidemic it just doesnt become the affected individual who is responsible it become all of our responsibility.

I have no answers NO ONE has the answers...its such a multifaceted state of emergency. It's very scary

Do you think part of the problem is the absolutely absurd definition of obesity......technically I'm obese.

No, because it's a very tiny portion of the population that measures as obese and does not have high BF.

RGv2

When more than a quarter of the population is hit by an epidemic it just doesnt become the affected individual who is responsible it become all of our responsibility.

I have no answers NO ONE has the answers...its such a multifaceted state of emergency. It's very scary

Do you think part of the problem is the absolutely absurd definition of obesity......technically I'm obese.

No, because it's a very tiny portion of the population that measures as obese and does not have high BF.

I find that highly debatable. Ideal body weights are absolutely absurd.

MyPureSteez

When you eat like crap and sit on your butt all day what do you expect? I have no more symptom for people with excuses on "why" they are overweight? They blame the restaurants, fast food, government, schools and whoever else they can find.

Push away from the buffet, break a sweat and quit complaining.

or just stay fat.. The choice is yours.

wrentrotter

Most people who are obese are unhealthy, or will become unhealthy in a matter of time, there are exceptions, but they are just that, exceptions. I don't think the definition of obesity is absurd.

I think it should be mandatory for the big chains at least to provide calorie counts on their menus. It would be great if everyone had to do this, but I don't see how it could be implemented. I know I make different choices if that information is there in restaurants. I think it also encourages the chains to offer lower calorie options. Some people won't care regardless, but it is nice to be able to make an informed choice. I'm in the UK and most supermarket foods now have the nutritional values on their packaging. If it isn't there, I usually won't buy it.

The_Enginerd

What else can we do?

I vote we change the definition of obesity.

Cheapest solution IMO

http://youtu.be/hRoSJ1y1FSY

kathleennf

The website referenced by OP is 2010 data. Could we see something more recent?

meeper123

There has to be some personal responsability here pure and simple. I also think at the very least they need to provide the public with basic information about what they are buying in fast food and resturants. It still boils down to a choice though and a lot of people are so hooked they would rather die than stop eating it. We regulate drugs because they are harmful to the health.

kathleennf

When more than a quarter of the population is hit by an epidemic it just doesnt become the affected individual who is responsible it become all of our responsibility.

I have no answers NO ONE has the answers...its such a multifaceted state of emergency. It's very scary

Do you think part of the problem is the absolutely absurd definition of obesity......technically I'm obese.

No, because it's a very tiny portion of the population that measures as obese and does not have high BF.

I find that highly debatable. Ideal body weights are absolutely absurd.

I believe you are incorrect. IBW is based on what is healthy. In fact the most recent information I have seen is that people at the LOWER end of the "normal" BMI range have longer life expectancy. Too bad we are used to seeing obese people- but the fact of the matter is it's not healthy to carry around excess fat.

acheron03

I'm not sure that this post really belongs on this forum but I think it is an important topic.

I think that one of the biggest issues we need to address are the messages we send children about food. No more soda machines, candy machines, in schools. My high school's lunch menu was curly fries, pizza, noodle cup, pop tarts. It's not as big of a deal in high schools, granted, but most middle and elementary schools are the same way. Any many kids really do rely on that food. One of the reason the obesity rates are higher for lower income households is probably that the kids on free and reduced lunch are being taught that tater tots are an acceptable side dish to any and every meal.

one of the problems with the "good" school lunches is that schools lose money b/c the kids don't want a salad and so either bring food from home or just go hungry. There are schools dropping out of the healthy lunch program because they are losing 1000's of dollars. (just so someone doesn't assume it. I have no problem with kids bringing lunch from home. I did it 98% of the time when I was in school but schools lose money on that when too many kids do it)

ddky

Obesity is not a contagious virus. People are obese for many different reasons including genetics

There is actually no genetic link to obesity.

I actually do think there is a genetic tendency regarding weight. I watched a program about identical twins that were separated at birth and found each other later in life. The program talked about their similarities such as favorite colors, jobs, hobbies, etc.. they never mentioned weight. But each set of twins were very close to the same weight, within probably 10 pounds. Some sets were thin, others were heavy, but there was not one set where one twin was heavy and one was thin. I can't think of an explanation for this other than genetics. I remember one set were women in their late fifties and had spent their whole lives apart, but they looked to be the exact same weight.

BeachIron

We need to introduce sumo wrestling into every middle and high school in the United States.

It's really the only reasonable solution.

Mr_Knight

It's a capitalist society.

Not unless Medicare has somehow turned into a private insurance plan.

fittocycle

I live in CO, having moved here from KY 16 years ago. Immediately after moving here, I noticed several differences in the lifestyles of those who live in the states. In CO, people are active-all the time. Not only are there many types of gyms available, there are also community recreation centers in every town which offer more affordable options. Walking/biking trails are common in neighborhoods in CO. They are easy to access and people use them-all the time, even when there is snow on the ground. It's a way of life here.

While living in KY, I found it difficult to find a decent place to bike. The streets were not bike friendly and there were no bike paths or many sidewalks for that matter. There weren't that many gyms available and there were more restaurants in a square mile than I have ever seen!:noway: However, when I go back to visit family now, I have seen some changes. More people there are getting out and walking or biking. Maybe things are starting to get more health conscious now. I hope so because the people there are some of the nicest people in the country!

CoderGal

We need to introduce sumo wrestling into every middle and high school in the United States.

It's really the only reasonable solution.

bcattoes

When more than a quarter of the population is hit by an epidemic it just doesnt become the affected individual who is responsible it become all of our responsibility.

I have no answers NO ONE has the answers...its such a multifaceted state of emergency. It's very scary

Do you think part of the problem is the absolutely absurd definition of obesity......technically I'm obese.

No, because it's a very tiny portion of the population that measures as obese and does not have high BF.

I find that highly debatable. Ideal body weights are absolutely absurd.

We can debate it all day long but it won't change whether it's true or not. Unless we were debating what constitutes a "very tiny portion".