What do you think of the obesity epidemic in the U.S.?

SanteMulberry

I've noticed that it's definitely related to family income. I drive around a lot for my job and I go to the high-end and low-end areas. In the more affluent areas, obese people are not the norm. I got stuck a school crosswalk the other day in a better neighborhood and had about 150 kids pass in front of my car, and I didn't see a single fat one. But if I'm in an area with cheaper housing, more than half would be chubby or bigger. It's cultural as much as anything. I have a theory that kids tend to be about the same size as their mom, and financially successful men don't generally marry obese women.

I don't make much money, but I am educated, and I am an perfectionist. I get very irritated with those poeple who do use income as an excuse to be overweight. You can't tell me that healthy food costs more when an apple costs less than a candy bar. Eating healthy on a budget is about planning. I did it 8 years ago when I had just had a baby, was a single mom, and lost my job. I still do it now, although I am better off than I was at that time. Exercise can be cheap too. You don't need to spend a lot of money to work out at home or take a walk!

One of the problems among the very poor is that they frequently have no working kitchens, even if they are not homeless. The other problem is that a great many of the "working poor" couples are working several jobs each and they neither have the knowledge or the energy to cook healthy meals. One couple that I was helping thought that a healthy meal was a hotdog and boxed macaroni finished by a serving of jello with canned fruit in it. While not awful, it was hardly nutritionally complete. They neither liked nor knew how to cook vegetables. Cooperative community gardens might be quite helpful for those folks but there is little help in getting them going.

Francl27

I don't understand why people keep pointing their fingers at restaurant portion sizes as a reason for obesity. That implies that everyone eats out 2-3 meals a day and have no other choice, and must always clean their plates.

Instead you should be asking: Why do people eat out so much, if they do? Why do people clean their plates even if the amount of food is too much? Why do people make poor choices at restaurants?

People can binge on bad food without going to a restaurant. People can make poor choices at a grocery store instead of a restaurant. People can eat out too much because they don't have the time to cook, or the knowledge.

Blaming obesity on the fact that the Big Gulp or the Baconator exists is a huge leap from the more academic question of "why do they exist?"

The answer is more like higher stress, harder work for lower wages, less time for shopping and cooking and lack of education...among other things.

You can't deny that portions have a role with it. Not many people have the skill or willpower to stop when they're not hungry anymore. If you have a big portion of good food available, you'll be more likely to eat more of it than if you had a small portion. It's basic logic.

I think people would make smarter choices at the restaurant if they were aware of the calories of the things they are eating, personally. But you don't. Even the 'healthy menu' has meals with 35g of fat or something at times.

As for eating out more than Europeans? Nope. I worked in 5 different places in Paris and only one had a cafeteria. Everyone else ate out for lunch 5 days a week. None of those places even had a fridge or microwave and nobody brought their own lunch.

I agree with your other points though!

47Jacqueline

I think it's really sad that so many people are obese, including children. I live in NYC where the mayor has had many actions to convince people to be more aware of what they are eating, but people tend to ignore them. I especially like that chain restaurants have to post their calories because I do pay attention to what I'm eating.

I have a good friend who is overweight and is a heavy smoker and I wish she was open to changing her habits, but she's not. I try to talk to her about it, but she doesn't want to hear it.

FitGuyWillDoIt

It is scary. I was walking around New York last summer and saw a tour group of kids. Sadly, I knew they were not American as they all looked athletic and ready to run. Turned out they were French. Not one overweight kid in the bunch.

I know we adults have problems, but it really depresses me when I see kids with soda guts and it's the norm. I'm determined to be a fit parent and make sure my kids are fit and healthy too.

bluefox9er

Today, while I was out and about shopping...I saw something that broke my heart and then scared me. Almost everyone I saw, men, women, little boys and girls, teens and even babies...so many people, I'd say 10 to 1 people were/are obese, morbidly obese and overweight and while it sadden me greatly...it SCARED me too. Everywhere I looked people are totally obese and morbidly obese and overweight EVERYWHERE! Of course, I'm one of them, which is why I'm here, but still--it was like something from the movie Wall-E or the Twilight Zone or something:brokenheart: :embarassed: :ohwell:

I literally started counting how many slim/trim people I saw, because they were so few and far in between--I could literally count them. I saw many overweight people (especially young people) as well, I mean A LOT, everywhere.

What do you think of the obesity epidemic in the U.S. ?

What do you think when you see soooooo many obese, morbidly obese and overweight people(men, women, children, teens and even babies) far out numbering the so-called normal weight (I like to call slim and trim---NOT skinny...I did see a couple/few skinny people (mostly girls) but hardly any skinny/underweight people at ALL). What do you think of this--or do you think about it at all?

What do you think will happen to us as a society--because this isn't news, but obesity seems to be spreading outta control--it looked terrible and sad and scary and I'm super concerned--are you?

Corporate America wants people to be unhealthy so it can continue to make $$$$$$'s from the junk food industry and $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$'s from the pharmaceutical industries who thrive on the ill health of a society to remain profitable.

I live in the UK and the obesity epidemic whilst not quiet as dramatic as the United States, is very noticeable.

Interestingly, even less visible in southern europe and even more than that in Scandinavia.

People can easily beat this by cooking for themselves instead of eating fast foods.

I see often in these forums how so many people ' HATE' eating their veggies..that blatant piece of nutritional ignorance and lack of creativity is all part of the greater problem.

overhaul12

I didn't give it much thought until I started my ICU clinical rounds for my RT degree. Literally, 3/4 of the people in the ICU are morbidly obese- like every room you looked into. It really hit home for me when I started to notice the hospital populations.

The same thing happened to me in nursing school and then once I started working on the unit. I would say at least 3/4 of my patients are overweight, obese or morbidly obese. ( I am talking about civilian patients, as I work at a military hospital and military members are somewhat within target BMI range. I say somewhat because even military members are getting heavier...) It is in this same group of patients that diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and high cholesterol are running rampant. Nutrition consults are always given to these patients, but it's definitely not enough. To get someone to completely overhaul their diet and the way they think about food and exercise is quite a feat...

SanteMulberry

I think a large part of the problem is also "food addiction". Here is a link to the proceedings of a recent scientific conference on the subject. The list of presenters and their credentials is pretty impressive. The conclusion of many at the conference is that consumption of sugar (i.e. sucrose) and specifically the fructose portion of it (sucrose is 50% fructose) appears to cause an "anti-satiety" effect and is responsible for food addiction. And nearly all processed food contains added sugar. http://www.foodaddictionsummit.org/index.htm

Just from an informal observation of those I have known who appear to be food addicted, I would say that sugar plays a large part in their addiction.

SanteMulberry

I didn't give it much thought until I started my ICU clinical rounds for my RT degree. Literally, 3/4 of the people in the ICU are morbidly obese- like every room you looked into. It really hit home for me when I started to notice the hospital populations.

...I say somewhat because even military members are getting heavier...) It is in this same group of patients that diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and high cholesterol are running rampant....

Recent research is focusing on sugar consumption as causing all three. Since I stopped eating sugar and simple carbs, my blood pressure has returned to normal, my blood sugar levels are also now normal and my triglycerides and cholesterol are all normal. It would be great if people could understand that their health is in their own hands.

RoadsterGirlie

It's a horrible epidemic. It's especially sad when you see children like that and they are ALL obese. I see it all the time at the grocery store, mall, parks, etc. and it almost ruins my day. Literally, it makes me want to cry.

mistesh

I don't understand why people keep pointing their fingers at restaurant portion sizes as a reason for obesity. That implies that everyone eats out 2-3 meals a day and have no other choice, and must always clean their plates.

Instead you should be asking: Why do people eat out so much, if they do? Why do people clean their plates even if the amount of food is too much? Why do people make poor choices at restaurants?

Apart from the addiction of processed food and the lack of education and healthy options, my guess is that many people, often the poor with little security net, perceive the need to conform to those around them as far most pressing than the more distant consequences of picking up potential pounds. When parents urgently pack pounds on their children, it may well stem from a wish to have them reach a certain height and size to fit in socially the sooner the better and ask questions later. People don't take home the second half of the over-sized restaurant dish because they are afraid no one else is doing it. When they in public pop the straw of a giant Coke-labeled bottle into the mouth of their six month old baby, these parents signal to the group around them that they are a part of the community and as such hope for their approval and support. Surrendering themselves to feel safe within the identity of the norm is beyond why. In their scared mindset, the slightest hesitation to do so might leave them being viewed as, well, un-American!

SanteMulberry

I don't understand why people keep pointing their fingers at restaurant portion sizes as a reason for obesity. That implies that everyone eats out 2-3 meals a day and have no other choice, and must always clean their plates.

Instead you should be asking: Why do people eat out so much, if they do? Why do people clean their plates even if the amount of food is too much? Why do people make poor choices at restaurants?

Apart from the addiction of processed food and the lack of education and healthy options, my guess is that many people, often the poor with little security net, perceive the need to conform to those around them as far most pressing than the more distant consequences of picking up potential pounds. When parents urgently pack pounds on their children, it may well stem from a wish to have them reach a certain height and size to fit in socially the sooner the better and ask questions later. People don't take home the second half of the over-sized restaurant dish because they are afraid no one else is doing it. When they in public pop the straw of a giant Coke-labeled bottle into the mouth of their six month old baby, these parents signal to the group around them that they are a part of the community and as such hope for their approval and support. Surrendering themselves to feel safe within the identity of the norm is beyond why. In their scared mindset, the slightest hesitation to do so might leave them being viewed as, well, un-American!

Interesting point of view. Eating habits in the context of conformity bringing security.

SammiSpring

Considering the fit people in New York threw when giant sodas were about to be banned, is it really a surprise??

dperich1968

Today, while I was out and about shopping...I saw something that broke my heart and then scared me. Almost everyone I saw, men, women, little boys and girls, teens and even babies...so many people, I'd say 10 to 1 people were/are obese, morbidly obese and overweight and while it sadden me greatly...it SCARED me too. Everywhere I looked people are totally obese and morbidly obese and overweight EVERYWHERE! Of course, I'm one of them, which is why I'm here, but still--it was like something from the movie Wall-E or the Twilight Zone or something:brokenheart: :embarassed: :ohwell:

I literally started counting how many slim/trim people I saw, because they were so few and far in between--I could literally count them. I saw many overweight people (especially young people) as well, I mean A LOT, everywhere.

What do you think of the obesity epidemic in the U.S. ?

What do you think when you see soooooo many obese, morbidly obese and overweight people(men, women, children, teens and even babies) far out numbering the so-called normal weight (I like to call slim and trim---NOT skinny...I did see a couple/few skinny people (mostly girls) but hardly any skinny/underweight people at ALL). What do you think of this--or do you think about it at all?

What do you think will happen to us as a society--because this isn't news, but obesity seems to be spreading outta control--it looked terrible and sad and scary and I'm super concerned--are you?

Corporate America wants people to be unhealthy so it can continue to make $$$$$$'s from the junk food industry and $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$'s from the pharmaceutical industries who thrive on the ill health of a society to remain profitable.

I live in the UK and the obesity epidemic whilst not quiet as dramatic as the United States, is very noticeable.

Interestingly, even less visible in southern europe and even more than that in Scandinavia.

People can easily beat this by cooking for themselves instead of eating fast foods.

I see often in these forums how so many people ' HATE' eating their veggies..that blatant piece of nutritional ignorance and lack of creativity is all part of the greater problem.

I tend to be very closed minded with regard to the US obesity problem. Parents need to take a much larger role with their children. Family meals at the table, without TV or cell phones, if sports cannot be a part of your daily lives, then go outside and play. Leave the chips, donuts, soda pop, and all other sugary foods at the grocery store. Make a conscious effort to eat vegatables and that does not mean just corn. Eat an apple a day, cheaper than a candy bar.

With that said, I am not discounting anyone on MFP that happens to be in the obese catagory, at least you are here and putting forth an effort. Good for you and may you achieve your goals.

I have to agree that money does help make being healthy a little easier but I have been on both ends of the financial ladder and though it took a little more effort with less money. Activity and eating right had to be a priority, who wants to spend time wasted at the doctor office? I would much rather be outside enjoying the fresh air and activities with my children.

NewLIFEstyle4ME

I don't understand why people keep pointing their fingers at restaurant portion sizes as a reason for obesity. That implies that everyone eats out 2-3 meals a day and have no other choice, and must always clean their plates.

Instead you should be asking: Why do people eat out so much, if they do? Why do people clean their plates even if the amount of food is too much? Why do people make poor choices at restaurants?

Apart from the addiction of processed food and the lack of education and healthy options, my guess is that many people, often the poor with little security net, perceive the need to conform to those around them as far most pressing than the more distant consequences of picking up potential pounds. When parents urgently pack pounds on their children, it may well stem from a wish to have them reach a certain height and size to fit in socially the sooner the better and ask questions later. People don't take home the second half of the over-sized restaurant dish because they are afraid no one else is doing it. When they in public pop the straw of a giant Coke-labeled bottle into the mouth of their six month old baby, these parents signal to the group around them that they are a part of the community and as such hope for their approval and support. Surrendering themselves to feel safe within the identity of the norm is beyond why. In their scared mindset, the slightest hesitation to do so might leave them being viewed as, well, un-American!

Wow...something to certainly consider--this is really DEEP to me, what you've said here....

hiyomi

I have always wondered why unhealthy foods are so cheap and healthy foods are god awfully expensive. Analysts are always saying the government needs to implement programs for health and all this stuff. I think just switching the prices around would save us all! 4 bags of chips for a dollar. A tiny bag of 10 asparagus sticks for $5.....Drives me nuts! Its to the point where my parents tell me not to buy "healthy food" because its too expensive.....

hiyomi

prolly gonna get reported for this and have people yell at me
but obese people piss me off.
stop being a fat lazy piece of *kitten*. i shouldn't have to look at that.

i think it's ridiculous, and causing more problems than it's worth (with insurance, equipment that hopsitals have to but bc people are larger, people on the clock getting injured trying to lift fattys at hospitals).

seriosuly, it really makes me angry.

You know there are people with thyroid problems that can't help being fat? Skinny people piss me off too though. ^^

Timshel_

Today, while I was out and about shopping...I saw something that broke my heart and then scared me. Almost everyone I saw, men, women, little boys and girls, teens and even babies...so many people, I'd say 10 to 1 people were/are obese, morbidly obese and overweight and while it sadden me greatly...it SCARED me too. Everywhere I looked people are totally obese and morbidly obese and overweight EVERYWHERE! Of course, I'm one of them, which is why I'm here, but still--it was like something from the movie Wall-E or the Twilight Zone or something:brokenheart: :embarassed: :ohwell:

I always think of Wall-E when I see this.

keem88

I've noticed that it's definitely related to family income. I drive around a lot for my job and I go to the high-end and low-end areas. In the more affluent areas, obese people are not the norm. I got stuck a school crosswalk the other day in a better neighborhood and had about 150 kids pass in front of my car, and I didn't see a single fat one. But if I'm in an area with cheaper housing, more than half would be chubby or bigger. It's cultural as much as anything. I have a theory that kids tend to be about the same size as their mom, and financially successful men don't generally marry obese women.

I don't make much money, but I am educated, and I am an perfectionist. I get very irritated with those poeple who do use income as an excuse to be overweight. You can't tell me that healthy food costs more when an apple costs less than a candy bar. Eating healthy on a budget is about planning. I did it 8 years ago when I had just had a baby, was a single mom, and lost my job. I still do it now, although I am better off than I was at that time. Exercise can be cheap too. You don't need to spend a lot of money to work out at home or take a walk!

One of the problems among the very poor is that they frequently have no working kitchens, even if they are not homeless. The other problem is that a great many of the "working poor" couples are working several jobs each and they neither have the knowledge or the energy to cook healthy meals. One couple that I was helping thought that a healthy meal was a hotdog and boxed macaroni finished by a serving of jello with canned fruit in it. While not awful, it was hardly nutritionally complete. They neither liked nor knew how to cook vegetables. Cooperative community gardens might be quite helpful for those folks but there is little help in getting them going.

i had no problem eating vegetarian and healthy while on food stamps. people are just lazy and make up excuses

jsickman12

prolly gonna get reported for this and have people yell at me
but obese people piss me off.
stop being a fat lazy piece of *kitten*. i shouldn't have to look at that.

i think it's ridiculous, and causing more problems than it's worth (with insurance, equipment that hopsitals have to but bc people are larger, people on the clock getting injured trying to lift fattys at hospitals).

seriosuly, it really makes me angry.

You know there are people with thyroid problems that can't help being fat? Skinny people piss me off too though. ^^

So majority of Obese people have thyroid problems? Come on now, lets get real here. Skinny people piss you off? Thats fresh too. :explode:

zillah73

I have always wondered why unhealthy foods are so cheap and healthy foods are god awfully expensive. Analysts are always saying the government needs to implement programs for health and all this stuff. I think just switching the prices around would save us all! 4 bags of chips for a dollar. A tiny bag of 10 asparagus sticks for $5.....Drives me nuts! Its to the point where my parents tell me not to buy "healthy food" because its too expensive.....

Corn and soy are commodity crops heavily subsidized by the government. Corn and soy are used as livestock feed as well as being processed into a host of food additives – the demand for them is astronomical. If you were a farmer and had to choose between growing corn or soy, which would generate tremendous revenue at a subsidized cost to you (70% of soybean value comes from the government), enabling dozens of companies to purchase your crops and manufacture hundreds of processed food products or growing asparagus which can really only be eaten as asparagus and struggle to make ends meet, which would you choose? Not saying it's right – far from it – but it's fact.

t2kburl

The *kitten* we call food is too often processed chemical experiments designed to trigger the places in the brain to like them and demand more of them in the name of making more MONEY for a few giant corporations. These industrial farms and feed lots are killing us and destroying the environment at the same time. For profits!
Wake up people!
This has to stop!

keem88

prolly gonna get reported for this and have people yell at me
but obese people piss me off.
stop being a fat lazy piece of *kitten*. i shouldn't have to look at that.

i think it's ridiculous, and causing more problems than it's worth (with insurance, equipment that hopsitals have to but bc people are larger, people on the clock getting injured trying to lift fattys at hospitals).

seriosuly, it really makes me angry.

You know there are people with thyroid problems that can't help being fat? Skinny people piss me off too though. ^^

good. im glad i piss you off.

yes, i'm sure most of the obese population has thyroid problems, so they're excused.

oh, wait....

ps. sorry i eat healthy and i don't have to use the *kitten* out of my insurance to go to the doctor constantly for health problems i gave myself for being unhealthy in the first place. i'm such an a*sshole

bbubble5

It is sad but here are the reasons:

A. Fast food resturants are in every corner now. (More parents are working long hours and more women are working outside, which makes it easier to grab fast food on their way back
B. FDA Allows a 20% Margin of Error on Food Labels and restaurant food (so you think you ate 1000 calories and it's more like 1200 and maybe even more.
and other reasons that other people already stated

olDave

I have always wondered why unhealthy foods are so cheap and healthy foods are god awfully expensive. Analysts are always saying the government needs to implement programs for health and all this stuff. I think just switching the prices around would save us all! 4 bags of chips for a dollar. A tiny bag of 10 asparagus sticks for $5.....Drives me nuts! Its to the point where my parents tell me not to buy "healthy food" because its too expensive.....

If you compare fresh fruit and vegies to processed food...pound for pound...fresh will ALWAYS be less expensive. For example...compare a potato to the same weight of potato chips. It's simple math.

keem88

I have always wondered why unhealthy foods are so cheap and healthy foods are god awfully expensive. Analysts are always saying the government needs to implement programs for health and all this stuff. I think just switching the prices around would save us all! 4 bags of chips for a dollar. A tiny bag of 10 asparagus sticks for $5.....Drives me nuts! Its to the point where my parents tell me not to buy "healthy food" because its too expensive.....

If you compare fresh fruit and vegies to processed food...pound for pound...fresh will ALWAYS be less expensive. For example...compare a potato to the same weight of potato chips. It's simple math.

thank you, someone who isn't ignorant.
to reiterate. i had no problem on food stamps buying fresh produce and making well balanced vegetarian meals (after i graduated college and didn't find a ft job for a few months, then was able to get off assistance. which is another thing that pisses me off, people who use the system long term instead of actually trying. nothing wrong with temporary assistance, but no need to leech all the tax payers money. that's for another discussion board i suppose)

dbkrantz

I was born and raised in France which is why I am very critical about this whole thing.

I blame it on the lack of food education. When I was about 10 years old, we had several nutrition classes where we learned about protein, fiber and so on. Which foods to avoid and which to enjoy.

I have never been overweight in my life until I got depressed and stopped moving two years ago.

I don't blame children, of course, but parents. You have access to internet and you can educate yourself as to what good choices are.

In Paris once, a daughter of one of my father's friend from the US came to stay with us. She had never tasted asparagus, fennel and so on in her life!

indisguise

I have always wondered why unhealthy foods are so cheap and healthy foods are god awfully expensive. Analysts are always saying the government needs to implement programs for health and all this stuff. I think just switching the prices around would save us all! 4 bags of chips for a dollar. A tiny bag of 10 asparagus sticks for $5.....Drives me nuts! Its to the point where my parents tell me not to buy "healthy food" because its too expensive.....

Corn and soy are commodity crops heavily subsidized by the government. Corn and soy are used as livestock feed as well as being processed into a host of food additives – the demand for them is astronomical. If you were a farmer and had to choose between growing corn or soy, which would generate tremendous revenue at a subsidized cost to you (70% of soybean value comes from the government), enabling dozens of companies to purchase your crops and manufacture hundreds of processed food products or growing asparagus which can really only be eaten as asparagus and struggle to make ends meet, which would you choose? Not saying it's right – far from it – but it's fact.

So true! I've been noticing that nearly everything has some form of corn in it for quite a while now.

SanteMulberry

I have always wondered why unhealthy foods are so cheap and healthy foods are god awfully expensive. Analysts are always saying the government needs to implement programs for health and all this stuff. I think just switching the prices around would save us all! 4 bags of chips for a dollar. A tiny bag of 10 asparagus sticks for $5.....Drives me nuts! Its to the point where my parents tell me not to buy "healthy food" because its too expensive.....

Corn and soy are commodity crops heavily subsidized by the government. Corn and soy are used as livestock feed as well as being processed into a host of food additives – the demand for them is astronomical. If you were a farmer and had to choose between growing corn or soy, which would generate tremendous revenue at a subsidized cost to you (70% of soybean value comes from the government), enabling dozens of companies to purchase your crops and manufacture hundreds of processed food products or growing asparagus which can really only be eaten as asparagus and struggle to make ends meet, which would you choose? Not saying it's right – far from it – but it's fact.

So true! I've been noticing that nearly everything has some form of corn in it for quite a while now.

The only corn that is semi-safe to eat is organic. Organic blue corn is even better.

fun_b

I used to be Obese (now overweight) and the shocking thing is that you never really see yourself as obese. I was a young 20 something who was surprising quite fit despite carrying all the weight around. I told myself that I can run up the station stairs and I don't get breathless at work so I must be okay. When I looked in the mirror, I saw someone who was a little chubby but looked pretty once I got the makeup on. It's all about denial.

I agree it is sad because when I was an overweight child in the 80's/early 90's I was in the minority. People would be shocked and call me names and all sorts just because it was so unusual to see this in the area I lived where other kids were naturally thin. These days however it seems to be common and it is a little upsetting as it seems to be seen as normal.

SammiSpring

prolly gonna get reported for this and have people yell at me
but obese people piss me off.
stop being a fat lazy piece of *kitten*. i shouldn't have to look at that.

i think it's ridiculous, and causing more problems than it's worth (with insurance, equipment that hopsitals have to but bc people are larger, people on the clock getting injured trying to lift fattys at hospitals).

seriosuly, it really makes me angry.

If you're so perfect, how come you're here to lose weight at all? Fat is fat, doesn't matter if it's 20 pounds or 200. And I could judge you for being on food stamps, but I'm not hateful like you are.