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33.8 % of adult Americans are OBESE.

13

Replies

  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    These statistics are based on BMI - and BMI is faulty. All it is is a height to weight ratio. A body builder can have the same BMI as an obese man.

    I wouldn't put too much into those numbers.

    While true, that doesn't account for changes over time (e.g., 17% in year X and 33% in year Y). There just aren't that many bodybuilders (or similar) to have much of an impact on the overall rate, either, I would guess.

    And it's only male bodybuilders. I have yet to see a woman where BMI didn't apply correctly.
  • junyr
    junyr Posts: 416 Member
    The obesity epidemic plaguing our pets is what I'm really worried about. The obesity rates for cats and dogs is at 54%! Stay away from kibble and friskies, people! Canned food kills!

    Again, portion control there too... My cats and dog are all on kibble (I used to give canned food too, but not so much anymore, though I hope to again soon just because I know they like it) and they are not overweight at all nor are they starving... the problem here is people are putting out those big huge feeders, instead of feeding them everyday.... When we got our second cat, I noticed she was getting huge, partly due to being spade, but also due to her eating /her/ food AND the other cat's food. I then seperated the food and put one bowl to where she couldn't get (she can't jump as high as our male) but that the other could... now she is a much healthier weight. Not to mention that the people don't give their pets opportunity to exercise....

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/506130-my-dog-lost-1-5lbs-she-can-t-speak-so-i-have-to-say-it-for
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    While I think body shaming is wrong (no matter what size you are) this whole "embrace your womanly body" bullshiz makes me crazy.

    I am an ardent supporter of embracing your womanly body. Unfortunately we fail to embrace the fact that a womanly body comes in lots of different packages.

    For some women that means curvy hips, for some that means muscular thighs, or big boobs, or small ones, or big arms, or small ones. The best thing you can do is be your best YOU. Your best "you may not look anything like my best "me."

    This is VERY true. I have small boobs, wide shoulders, and BIG thighs. I'm okay with this. I'm working to make my thighs smaller but if that doesn't happy, I'm okay with that. The point of this post is NOT that we should all try to look like Hollywood. That wasn't the point at all. The point is that obesity rates should be more of a concern then what is going on in a very small percentage of the population (Hollywood).
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I think my favorite "this is what's wrong with the media" moment was an interview I saw once with Mary Kate & Ashley Olson. They said (paraphrased), "According to news reports, one of us has anorexia and the other is fat. We don't know which one of us is which."
  • k8blujay2
    k8blujay2 Posts: 4,941 Member
    The obesity epidemic plaguing our pets is what I'm really worried about. The obesity rates for cats and dogs is at 54%! Stay away from kibble and friskies, people! Canned food kills!

    Again, portion control there too... My cats and dog are all on kibble (I used to give canned food too, but not so much anymore, though I hope to again soon just because I know they like it) and they are not overweight at all nor are they starving... the problem here is people are putting out those big huge feeders, instead of feeding them everyday.... When we got our second cat, I noticed she was getting huge, partly due to being spade, but also due to her eating /her/ food AND the other cat's food. I then seperated the food and put one bowl to where she couldn't get (she can't jump as high as our male) but that the other could... now she is a much healthier weight. Not to mention that the people don't give their pets opportunity to exercise....

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/506130-my-dog-lost-1-5lbs-she-can-t-speak-so-i-have-to-say-it-for

    That's awesome!! We have a huge backyard and our Sheltie runs laps around it as if he were trying to herd the squirrels... *lol*
  • marekdds
    marekdds Posts: 2,234 Member
    I can really relate to this. People keep asking my staff if am sick or am I losing weight on purpose or is something wrong? I get "you are skinny enough don't lose anymore", I am not skinny. It would be nice to hear "you look great" or "good job"/ Shish!
  • renu74
    renu74 Posts: 90 Member
    People will accept fat ONLY if its on Biggest loser, no where else. When those people can lose weight then anybody can. Why not accept it now and work on it.
  • ebaymommy
    ebaymommy Posts: 1,067 Member
    With so many obese folks, overweight is the new "normal"

    Totally agree. I went from "normal" (a US size 12) to my current size (US 4) a couple years ago - I lost about 30lbs in the process. I run a lot with a friend of mine and she's small as well (US 2) and we had this discussion several times. She gets told to eat (a lot) and the smaller I got, the more I got the comments as well about needing to eat more and being "too skinny". WTH? Nobody every called me a fatty when I was overweight but they have no problems commenting on me when I'm apparently too thin? BTW, I'm 5'5", 123lbs and 20% body fat, so I'm pretty sure I'm not going to be blowing away in the wind anytime soon, I just happen to be very fit and healthy these days thank.you.very.much.
  • sabinecbauer
    sabinecbauer Posts: 250 Member
    The obesity epidemic plaguing our pets is what I'm really worried about. The obesity rates for cats and dogs is at 54%! Stay away from kibble and friskies, people! Canned food kills!

    Again, portion control there too... My cats and dog are all on kibble (I used to give canned food too, but not so much anymore, though I hope to again soon just because I know they like it) and they are not overweight at all nor are they starving... the problem here is people are putting out those big huge feeders, instead of feeding them everyday.... When we got our second cat, I noticed she was getting huge, partly due to being spade, but also due to her eating /her/ food AND the other cat's food. I then seperated the food and put one bowl to where she couldn't get (she can't jump as high as our male) but that the other could... now she is a much healthier weight. Not to mention that the people don't give their pets opportunity to exercise....

    Exactly. Yes, my dog gets kibble, but what she does NOT get is an all-you-can-eat buffet. 2 2/3 cups per feeding, two feedings a day, which is perfectly sufficient to sustain a 171 lbs Mastiff. Precisely because of her size I've been watching her weight like a hawk from the get-go; #1 cause of death in Mastiffs is heart failure as a result of their weight.
  • k8blujay2
    k8blujay2 Posts: 4,941 Member
    I think the reason that overweight or obese people tell their skinnier counterparts to "go eat a sandwich" or things of that nature, is probably because they are then facing their guilt for being overweight... and perhaps some jealousy... so instead of dealing with their problems and become healthier, they take the easy way and deride others for not eating enough (in their eyes)...
  • The obesity epidemic plaguing our pets is what I'm really worried about. The obesity rates for cats and dogs is at 54%! Stay away from kibble and friskies, people! Canned food kills!

    Again, portion control there too... My cats and dog are all on kibble (I used to give canned food too, but not so much anymore, though I hope to again soon just because I know they like it) and they are not overweight at all nor are they starving... the problem here is people are putting out those big huge feeders, instead of feeding them everyday.... When we got our second cat, I noticed she was getting huge, partly due to being spade, but also due to her eating /her/ food AND the other cat's food. I then seperated the food and put one bowl to where she couldn't get (she can't jump as high as our male) but that the other could... now she is a much healthier weight. Not to mention that the people don't give their pets opportunity to exercise....

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/506130-my-dog-lost-1-5lbs-she-can-t-speak-so-i-have-to-say-it-for

    That's awesome!! We have a huge backyard and our Sheltie runs laps around it as if he were trying to herd the squirrels... *lol*

    we have a sheltie too. and boy does he have some ENERGY!!!! he can run and run and run and run for as long as we let him. i actually lost 10lbs after getting him because i was actually taking him for walks. we are in an apartment, so we have to take him out ourselves for walks/bathroom breaks, instead of just letting him out to run the yard.
  • NiciS72
    NiciS72 Posts: 1,043 Member
    I honestly believe Americans have a warped sense of what is "normal" anymore. My husband and I are on this journey together. He's lost 105 pounds and went from a 44 to at 32 waist. He's 6'1" and is by now means too skinny. YET everyone is telling him (other than me and our Dr's) that he needs to eat more and gain weight. They've NEVER seen him this thin in his adult life. He says he probably wore that size the beginning of High School. I think he looks GREAT and I get to see him NAKED! I wish people would just STFU if they don't have something nice to say, keep it to themselves. I agree with those that say it's because then those saying these things would have to admit they are fat/overweight!

    P.S. for those of you who have them I have two Shelties!
  • The obesity epidemic plaguing our pets is what I'm really worried about. The obesity rates for cats and dogs is at 54%! Stay away from kibble and friskies, people! Canned food kills!

    Again, portion control there too... My cats and dog are all on kibble (I used to give canned food too, but not so much anymore, though I hope to again soon just because I know they like it) and they are not overweight at all nor are they starving... the problem here is people are putting out those big huge feeders, instead of feeding them everyday.... When we got our second cat, I noticed she was getting huge, partly due to being spade, but also due to her eating /her/ food AND the other cat's food. I then seperated the food and put one bowl to where she couldn't get (she can't jump as high as our male) but that the other could... now she is a much healthier weight. Not to mention that the people don't give their pets opportunity to exercise....

    Exactly. Yes, my dog gets kibble, but what she does NOT get is an eat-all-you-can buffet. 2 2/3 cups per feeding, two feedings a day, which is perfectly sufficient to sustain a 171 lbs Mastiff. Precisely because of her size I've been watching her weight like a hawk from the get-go; #1 cause of death in Mastiffs is heart failure as a result of their weight.

    I totally agree with this too! our sheltie is small, even for the breed. he is MAYBE 13 inches at the shoulder and maybe about 12lbs. but that is a good weight for him. there is hardly any fat between his skin and ribs. you can feel his ribs, but they are not poking out or anything. he gets kibble as well. I really think a lot of it has to do with what kind of kibble you are feeding your animals. We give him Blue Buffalo which is a good, higher end brand, and he only needs 3/4 cup of food a DAY. if we were to feed him any more then that, he would start packing on the fat. he probably isnt getting as much exercise right now as he should but thats because it is cold outside. once it warms back up he will be back outside a lot. but he does run inside a lot as well.
  • kala_rebecca
    kala_rebecca Posts: 51 Member
    I used to be "too fat" and now I'm "too skinny".

    At 149 lbs, I'm hardly skinny, but people will find something wrong with you no matter what.

    I also agree that it seems as though Americans have a warped sense of a "normal size". I am just noticing this now that I'm closer to a healthy size, though. I wear a size SMALL. SMALL! Who would think that 149 lbs wears a size small!? I'm 5'4", so it's not like I'm tall either.
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    I used to be "too fat" and now I'm "too skinny".

    At 149 lbs, I'm hardly skinny, but people will find something wrong with you no matter what.

    I also agree that it seems as though Americans have a warped sense of a "normal size". I am just noticing this now that I'm closer to a healthy size, though. I wear a size SMALL. SMALL! Who would think that 149 lbs wears a size small!? I'm 5'4", so it's not like I'm tall either.

    I wear a small in some things too. I'm 160lbs and 5'9". I feel sorry for truly small women.
  • ElPumaMex
    ElPumaMex Posts: 367 Member
    I honestly believe Americans have a warped sense of what is "normal" anymore. My husband and I are on this journey together. He's lost 105 pounds and went from a 44 to at 32 waist. He's 6'1" and is by now means too skinny. YET everyone is telling him (other than me and our Dr's) that he needs to eat more and gain weight. They've NEVER seen him this thin in his adult life. He says he probably wore that size the beginning of High School. I think he looks GREAT and I get to see him NAKED! I wish people would just STFU if they don't have something nice to say, keep it to themselves. I agree with those that say it's because then those saying these things would have to admit they are fat/overweight!

    P.S. for those of you who have them I have two Shelties!

    I relate to this as well !
    I have not yet reached my goal of 187 lbs, but after losing 41 lbs already I get comments as "it is not you".

    BTW, what is the weight of your husband? I am interested since I am also 6'1"
  • Yanicka1
    Yanicka1 Posts: 4,564 Member
    These statistics are based on BMI - and BMI is faulty. All it is is a height to weight ratio. A body builder can have the same BMI as an obese man.

    I wouldn't put too much into those numbers.

    While true, that doesn't account for changes over time (e.g., 17% in year X and 33% in year Y). There just aren't that many bodybuilders (or similar) to have much of an impact on the overall rate, either, I would guess.

    And it's only male bodybuilders. I have yet to see a woman where BMI didn't apply correctly.

    <---- barely out of overweight (by half a pound yay) and will probably get back into it at my next bulk
  • k8blujay2
    k8blujay2 Posts: 4,941 Member
    I used to be "too fat" and now I'm "too skinny".

    At 149 lbs, I'm hardly skinny, but people will find something wrong with you no matter what.

    I also agree that it seems as though Americans have a warped sense of a "normal size". I am just noticing this now that I'm closer to a healthy size, though. I wear a size SMALL. SMALL! Who would think that 149 lbs wears a size small!? I'm 5'4", so it's not like I'm tall either.

    Yay! For vanity sizing? :glasses:
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    These statistics are based on BMI - and BMI is faulty. All it is is a height to weight ratio. A body builder can have the same BMI as an obese man.

    I wouldn't put too much into those numbers.

    While true, that doesn't account for changes over time (e.g., 17% in year X and 33% in year Y). There just aren't that many bodybuilders (or similar) to have much of an impact on the overall rate, either, I would guess.

    And it's only male bodybuilders. I have yet to see a woman where BMI didn't apply correctly.

    <---- barely out of overweight (by half a pound yay) and will probably get back into it at my next bulk

    Really? I stand corrected then. I could gain 7 more pounds before getting out of a healthy BMI.
  • doughnutwretch
    doughnutwretch Posts: 498 Member
    The obesity epidemic plaguing our pets is what I'm really worried about. The obesity rates for cats and dogs is at 54%! Stay away from kibble and friskies, people! Canned food kills!

    FTW!!! HAHAHAHA... will you be my friend? :flowerforyou:
  • Yanicka1
    Yanicka1 Posts: 4,564 Member
    These statistics are based on BMI - and BMI is faulty. All it is is a height to weight ratio. A body builder can have the same BMI as an obese man.

    I wouldn't put too much into those numbers.

    While true, that doesn't account for changes over time (e.g., 17% in year X and 33% in year Y). There just aren't that many bodybuilders (or similar) to have much of an impact on the overall rate, either, I would guess.

    And it's only male bodybuilders. I have yet to see a woman where BMI didn't apply correctly.

    <---- barely out of overweight (by half a pound yay) and will probably get back into it at my next bulk

    Really? I stand corrected then. I could gain 7 more pounds before getting out of a healthy BMI.

    I think BMI is really weird for us shortis
  • kala_rebecca
    kala_rebecca Posts: 51 Member
    I used to be "too fat" and now I'm "too skinny".

    At 149 lbs, I'm hardly skinny, but people will find something wrong with you no matter what.

    I also agree that it seems as though Americans have a warped sense of a "normal size". I am just noticing this now that I'm closer to a healthy size, though. I wear a size SMALL. SMALL! Who would think that 149 lbs wears a size small!? I'm 5'4", so it's not like I'm tall either.

    Yay! For vanity sizing? :glasses:

    Wearing a size small has done wonders for my vanity, but it doesn't feel like I earned it :P
  • ahhh! I agree with you. I eat a ton of veggies and fruit, and overweight people always comment "don't you want real food" and start listing stuff like burgers, pizza and fries....People are just uneducated about what is healthy and not healthy. It's frustrating, but carry on being healthy :)
  • Huffdogg
    Huffdogg Posts: 1,934 Member
    That's it?
  • brooksingletary
    brooksingletary Posts: 34 Member
    Slightly OT, but still trying to get my head around the concept of "deep-fried butter"...

    Yeah, they have it at the Texas State Fair (along with deep fried oreos, snickers, queso, bubblegum, bacon...you name it, us southerners can deep fry it). It's basically like a biscuit completely soaked in butter then thrown into the deep fryer. It makes my arteries clog up just thinking about it.

    It's quite surprising that we don't have a higher obesity rate than Mississippi or Alabama, because of all this... we also *love* our BBQ and chicken fried (insert meat here)...

    And don't forget the gift from God that is Mexican food (a little more prevalent the further south you go in TX). Good lord I could go to TOWN on some Mexican food. Hence why I'm 30 lbs overweight...

    MMM.... yes, Mexican food... There is a place in OKC that makes AWESOME tortilla's and queso... and it's a good thing they aren't here in Texas otherwise, I would be more overweight than I already am.

    Please PLEASE tell me you are talking about Ted's. Took some people there from Philadelphia this fall (OU grad) and they about died when we sat down at Ted's for all the free tortillas, queso, peppers, onions...okay...getting hungry
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    That's it?

    What do you mean? Were you expecting more controversy?
  • BAMFMeredith
    BAMFMeredith Posts: 2,810 Member
    While I think body shaming is wrong (no matter what size you are) this whole "embrace your womanly body" bullshiz makes me crazy.

    I am an ardent supporter of embracing your womanly body. Unfortunately we fail to embrace the fact that a womanly body comes in lots of different packages.

    For some women that means curvy hips, for some that means muscular thighs, or big boobs, or small ones, or big arms, or small ones. The best thing you can do is be your best YOU. Your best "you may not look anything like my best "me."

    That's what I mean. I realize it probably came across wrong--by the "embrace your womanly body" thing I meant when people tell us to embrace being overweight because it gives us womanly curves. A woman can be fit and still womanly! Or naturally curvaceous, or whatever. People focusing less on the health but more on the appearance bothers me.
  • Huffdogg
    Huffdogg Posts: 1,934 Member
    That's it?

    What do you mean? Were you expecting more controversy?

    I was responding the the OP. I'm surprised the number is only 33.8%
  • InvidiaXII
    InvidiaXII Posts: 315 Member
    I agree completely, it's very annoying! I got "you're too skinny" when my body fat was 27%! Some people will say that to anyone smaller than themselves, lol...
  • EpiGaiaRepens
    EpiGaiaRepens Posts: 824 Member
    I'm sorry, but i agree to a certain extent about people being concerned with media portrayals of both men and women being underweight. I don't think that being overweight is something to be encouraged, but you only need be on these boards 10 minutes before coming across some form of disordered eating, someone pushing the limits of caloric deficit in the name of quick results, or a 19 year old at 114lbs complaining about her "saddlebags". One of my bosses daughters asked me how many calories were in the jelly beans on my desk. She's about 9.

    I think both extremes are pretty tied into one another and the fixation on "weight" rather than healthful living.
    ^this^

    <3
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