America?s Obesity Epidemic "How fat is your state"

[RAM]

Sad but true:

Welcome to today?s America, where the food arrives fast, the TV is always on and the numbers on the bathroom scale are creeping up. Are we doing enough to stem the nation?s ballooning obesity epidemic?

Read the whole thing here:
http://health.msn.com/reports/obesity/default.aspx

[Manowar]

Tons of other countries are becoming the same though, not just the US on this one

[CamsLord]

nothing new USA is the fattest country in the world

[psili]

Listened to an NPR story a few months ago about a poor town in the south, think it was Texas. The story was about how people were living back in the depression compared to now. Back in the depression, people in that town were generally under-nourished and skinny because they couldn't pay for shit and there wasn't a lot of resources to help them out: Not much money to provide for any substantial food. Today, the people are generally under-nourished, FAT and many are diabetic. Apparently, the help money they get now from government and local resources is spent on sweets and fatty snack food for the family, rather than food of nourishment and substance.

Where do you lay the blame?
- On the free money?
- On the ignorance and laziness of the person who uses the money?
- On the snack food industry pushing advertisements for "healthy" food that's not really that healthy?
- Others I can't think of?

Personally, I'm going with "All of the above, Bob, for my answer.".

[SirMoby]

Lack of concern and education are wonderful things.

[SirMoby]

It's interesting how there are no more blue states and a bunch of red states now

[NaughtyJulie]

Originally Posted by psili

Listened to an NPR story a few months ago about a poor town in the south, think it was Texas. The story was about how people were living back in the depression compared to now. Back in the depression, people in that town were generally under-nourished and skinny because they couldn't pay for shit and there wasn't a lot of resources to help them out: Not much money to provide for any substantial food. Today, the people are generally under-nourished, FAT and many are diabetic. Apparently, the help money they get now from government and local resources is spent on sweets and fatty snack food for the family, rather than food of nourishment and substance.

Where do you lay the blame?
- On the free money?
- On the ignorance and laziness of the person who uses the money?
- On the snack food industry pushing advertisements for "healthy" food that's not really that healthy?
- Others I can't think of?

Personally, I'm going with "All of the above, Bob, for my answer.".

All good points, another thing to take note of is that the fast food industry is so huge these days. I saw a McDonald's commercial the other day that basically said you can get every meal there for $1. When you don't have much cash and your stomach is growling, a double cheeseburger for some spare change doesn't sound bad. I think a lot of people with limited finances look at fast food places as a regular, daily (or many times per day) option for a cheap meal.

Of course, it has some horrible health consequences! Cheap meals made of cheap sources usually means little to no real nutrients. But high in the fat, sodium, sugar, and cholesterol departments. Yikes.

[tony286]

our numbers are growing soon we will take over the world ba hahahaha

[RAM]

Originally Posted by NaughtyJulie

All good points, another thing to take note of is that the fast food industry is so huge these days. I saw a McDonald's commercial the other day that basically said you can get every meal there for $1. When you don't have much cash and your stomach is growling, a double cheeseburger for some spare change doesn't sound bad. I think a lot of people with limited finances look at fast food places as a regular, daily (or many times per day) option for a cheap meal.

Of course, it has some horrible health consequences! Cheap meals made of cheap sources usually means little to no real nutrients. But high in the fat, sodium, sugar, and cholesterol departments. Yikes.

I have to say another very sad and very true point

[latinasojourn]

Originally Posted by NaughtyJulie

All good points, another thing to take note of is that the fast food industry is so huge these days. I saw a McDonald's commercial the other day that basically said you can get every meal there for $1. When you don't have much cash and your stomach is growling, a double cheeseburger for some spare change doesn't sound bad. I think a lot of people with limited finances look at fast food places as a regular, daily (or many times per day) option for a cheap meal.

Of course, it has some horrible health consequences! Cheap meals made of cheap sources usually means little to no real nutrients. But high in the fat, sodium, sugar, and cholesterol departments. Yikes.

very true.

if you are on a high nutrition diet you will find that (in general) you will spend more than if you live on so-called processed or factory foods.

a surprising amount of cash can be spent on high quality fresh fruits and vegetables, shelled walnuts, salmon and other "health" type foods. and if you live in the northern states your fresh stuff is coming now from mexico and south america. the usa citrus crop (oranges) was apparently bad this year so to get the very best navel oranges i had to buy a bag that came all the way from australia, about 6 oranges were 6 bucks.

freeze frozen blueberries are now about $3/lb. stuff like that. easy to spend a 100 bucks on half a cart of fresh fruits and veggies if you buy top quality.

most folks on a tight budget will not go this route and fill up on the "super value" menu.

[vvq]

Originally Posted by NaughtyJulie

All good points, another thing to take note of is that the fast food industry is so huge these days. I saw a McDonald's commercial the other day that basically said you can get every meal there for $1. When you don't have much cash and your stomach is growling, a double cheeseburger for some spare change doesn't sound bad. I think a lot of people with limited finances look at fast food places as a regular, daily (or many times per day) option for a cheap meal.

Of course, it has some horrible health consequences! Cheap meals made of cheap sources usually means little to no real nutrients. But high in the fat, sodium, sugar, and cholesterol departments. Yikes.

Fast food isn't good, but I think lack of exercise is the real problem.

[mardigras]

I come from an area that can turn even lettuce into a high fat food

[websiex]

Certain types of food should be banned in the United States. At this rate, illegal drugs are a lot safer than the food we eat here in the US.

If people need their hand held for drugs, then they need their hand held for food, fair is fair. After all, it is the same argument.

[GrouchyAdmin]

It's amazing how I always buck the trend. I went from thin to fatass to waif. I'm wearing my jr. highschool pants again. Aren't I trendy?

It's incredibly easy to do: If you're hooked on TV, learn how to do low impact exercise. If you're stuck on the computer (as I am) all day, take a few minutes out, go to get the glass of water - don't leave it at your desk, and stretch.

Try giving up the high cal shit: Instead of ranch, try a small bit of vinegar and oil on the salad. Not everything needs to be fried, etc. It's possible to eat a can of soup for lunch and survive. Forget the saltines, have another cup of water to go with it - there's 200 calories instead of 900 - right there!

Small things like this will make you leaner and sexier in a short span. My problem is now I'm still ugly, and have the personality of a mollusc

[godisdead]

"Oh no, we have more than enough food to eat! How horrible." On a planet where thousands of children die of hunger this is fucking pathetic. Honestly.
And of course it's everyone else's fault but never the fat people themselves. "McDonalds made me do it!!". Yeah, sure. They forced you with their evil advertising. Jesus! Just keep the goddamn fork out of your face for a while.
And then you hear these morons talk about how wonderful the times were when we all had to do hard labor for 14 hours a day because we got enough exercise. Boy, those were the days weren't they!

Things are really getting out of proportion. Come on, having lots of fat people as the worst problem is not a bad situation.

[Pointless]

australia is getting just as bad

[latinasojourn]

Originally Posted by godisdead

Come on, having lots of fat people as the worst problem is not a bad situation.

very serious problem for everyone who pays for health insurance.

life spans are beginning to decrease in the civilized world because of this.

and, there are few things more important than life.

[tical]

i hear they're looking to ban trans fats in NY

not a bad move

[godisdead]

Originally Posted by latinasojourn

very serious problem for everyone who pays for health insurance.

life spans are beginning to decrease in the civilized world because of this.

and, there are few things more important than life.

What's the problem? Fat people should then just pay more for life insurance as they have more health problems. It's not like they shorten your life by eating too much. They shorten their own life and what you do with your own life is still your own choice.

This is nothing of public concern really. If the fat people don't want all these health problems, they should eat less. If they don't, that's their problem, not yours.

And I'd bet it's even cheaper to pay for increased health insurance than to be taxed for thousands of fruitless government attempts to force people to be thin.

[Georgio]

Yeah I hate Mcdonalds and fast food restaurants they should stop that shit, I remember when I lived in Canada that I would eat that shit all the time and I looked like it too. I had more kilos when I was 15 then when I was 20, now that I live in Czech Repubic I still have a bit of a belly but thats from the Good beer that they have down here. Plus they got like all the Mcdonalds open 24\7 thats bad I eat at Mc like 3 times a year and thats when I go home late at night and everyting is closed.

[Matt_WildCash]

Originally Posted by Pointless

australia is getting just as bad

Thats for damn sure, Australia is right up there with America on the obesity stakes.

Sad but true.

[Paul Markham]

When someone tells me they can't buy content from us because they do not look "American" I think back to the last time I was in the US, January 2006.

No our girls do not look "American" they are slim and cute, fat bitches are in short supply here.

Seriously. When Victoria was born I insisted that she ate nothing that was processed, out of a can or jar until she was a lot older. She does not like MacDee's burgers, but does like the fries. She prefers spaghetti or pizza as fast food, all cooked properly.

When I compare her to my grand daughter, they are the same age, I'm sad to say she is slimmer, brighter and better behaved. My grand daughter is fed on burgers, micro waved and tinned food. She is over weight, highly strung and bad tempered. She is nearly 5 years old.

It's not the fat they put into foods, it's the chemicals that scare me.

[Klen]

America people-big,fat and loaded with fat hehe.But what is paradox,here if you have 100 kg you are fat,but in America you are skinny beacuse there average fatness is 150 kg or even 200 kg.

[Fizzgig]

When the nuclear holocaust comes, all you skinny people will be at a big disadvantage.

[psili]

Originally Posted by Fizzgig

When the nuclear holocaust comes, all you skinny people will be at a big disadvantage.

How is having a large supply of fat people to snack on a disadvantage?

[E$_manager]

There are many fat people in Ecuador too. They are not worried. They even call me thin.

[Barefootsies]

One word.. laziness.

Laziness to cook a well balanced meal.
Laziness to get out and walk, or run around the neighborhood.
Laziness to be a fat couch loving oaf.

[LAJ]

Remember this... fat, stupid and unhealthy Americans are easily manipulated and controlled Americans. Pharmaceutical companies love this kind of info. The govt. knows this... people with average intelligence on up know this. Stories like this are great news for bush and other fascists in charge... it lets them know that their job here at home is a bit easier.

[E$_manager]

Originally Posted by LAJ

Remember this... fat, stupid and unhealthy Americans are easily manipulated and controlled Americans. Pharmaceutical companies love this kind of info. The govt. knows this... people with average intelligence on up know this. Stories like this are great news for bush and other fascists in charge... it lets them know that their job here at home is a bit easier.

Yes, i remember. Americans should remember it on first place and do something.
But i think the problem is that they eat modified food with hormones and other stuff.

[kristin]

Arizona has been a fat state for quite a while ...

Surprising cause it's so hot and most people don't like eating when it's that hot.

[E$_manager]

Originally Posted by kristin

Arizona has been a fat state for quite a while ...

Surprising cause it's so hot and most people don't like eating when it's that hot.

May be they eat maiz and some grains atht make them fat?