Society & Obesity

[Francisco d'Anconia]

I'm bumping this thread because I've been doing some research for school and I've been seeing some things which VERY disturbing.

We've all heard that here in the states over 62% of people are overweight, almost half of them (about 30%) are considered obese. Now what are we doing about it?

Short of the government changing the food pyramid and the bevy of weight watching books, videos, clubs and what not; Americans have not as a whole been getting any more healthy. What have we done? We've changed what we consider as "fat" or even avoided things that shows just how fat we are! WTF???!!!

Everything from removing numeric sizing of clothing and going with generic denotations of Small, Medium, Large and XT (Extra Tall :confused: ), to changing how we personally describe ourselves. Do we even use the terms "overweight" and "fat" any more? I've seen more non-athletic people categorize themselves as "muscular and toned" these days than ever before.

The purpose of this particular rant is that people who are either fit or heaven help us, THIN are beginning to get flack about not being healthy ourselves! They say that we obsess over our looks, our health regime and our eating habits. Excuse me for being vain but I enjoy looking good!!!

So if anyone else would like to embrace their vanity of their health, feel free to post! Especially post if you feel that you merit dating someone who takes pride in their health and appearance! STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHT TO CHOOSE FIT, THIN WOMEN!!!!

[diablo]

Response split into a new thread, moved to AE.

[LowPlainsDrifter]

A lot of feel-good liberal claptrap tells us that venerating thinness and a good physique is some sort of sick, twisted aberration, and that it's an especially American anomaly.

Hmm... how odd that statuary dating back to ancient times and many statues since then celebrate the human form in a lean/muscular build.

So I disagree with their party line - I've always enjoyed being physical with women in good shape, vs. the blobs.
I admire both men and women who've achieved a lean figure and a good physique.

I'm always stunned when I see thin, decent-looking guys with very rotund women of girth.

[Lost In Translation]

chicks using the line they are models

they can't all be models

then i see the fat b*tches saying it so i ask them wtf ?

they say OH.... I AM A PLUS SIZE MODEL

society is encouraging people to be unhealthy by changing the language

:D

[LowPlainsDrifter]

Oh yeah, my favorite lines from personal ads:

1. The "few extra pounds" category in profiles
2. "Rubinesque."
3. "I'm a BBW - Big Beautiful Woman"

[MindOverMatter]

very good post, and I agree with it 100%, but honestly this isn't something that you can change. the fact is, people have less willpower now then ever before and they are used to getting everything the easy way. if it's hard, they give up and make excuses.

whatever, it was bound to happen. the healthy people live long and fullfilling lives and mate easily, the obese people can't walk up the stairs and end up dying alone from heart attacks. theory of evolution right?

only thing that bothers me is when I see fat kids that are not even 10 yet. wtf are their parents thinking?

[LowPlainsDrifter]

I saw one kid who was all of eleven or twelve at Border's one day.
He was short and very, very stout - his stomach protruded so far, he was actually using it as a handrest... in a standing position.

[Oxide]

I just dropped $200 on my gym membership and i can tell you... i've never been happier.

I ALWAYS get advice and critique from parents/friends about my diet ( very specific ) and supplements (scares them) but what i always think is "HAVE YOU LOOKED IN THE MIRROR LATELY?!" MY dad has a huge gut and he used to be skinny athlete. 2 strokes by the age of 40. My mom is a bautiful woman and in last 7 years started storing fat and complaining "why you make the pcitures of me look fat" :rolleyes: My step brother tells me not to worry and has a gut at 21! What the Hell?!

I see plenty of people working out at my university and lifetime fitness but the truth is, we are the minority. Everyone wants to look good but they end up not putting effort into their own bodies, they'd rather buy the hype and get "an amazing pill that makes you lose 100lbs in two minutes!"


Guys, i took a look around yesterday while i was at a piano concert. Out of 30 guys there 28 were balding and 27 were with guts.... welcome to america.


P.S. DEFINATELY watch Supersize Me. I stopped drinking soda/pop about 8 months ago. I eat fast food may be 3-4 times a year.

The choice is yours, but dont you dare whine to me when you have a heart attack at 35.

[themanwithnoname]

There's a difference in making fun of someone looks versus putting them down to make yourself look better.

[Jake-inator]

You'll love the new crase that's going around: 10 lb burgers. I saw some guy trying to eat one... it was bigger than him. :D

here's the link:
http://auntliz.blogspot.com/2005/05/can-you-finish-this-burger.html

[Julian]

I dont care about fat people honestly.

its just the ones that ***** about everything that piss me off.

The ones that do something about their weight i have the UTMOST respect for.

But people who stick to a diet or a workout plan for a week then quit and ***** about it just piss me off. feed em to the lions i say.

[harwell]

I can't stand any overweight individual who says something like "it's genetic, i can't help it." (I know there are exceptions, but i'd be willing to put money on it that it's a lack of motivation/determination) Do they seriously think that everyone who has a great body was born like that?! Hell no they weren't! Most of them probably worked their asses off in the kitchen and gym to obtain good muscle mass and a decent body fat percent! A good HEALTHY AND BALANCED diet can do A LOT more than people think!!

I definitely agree with the post above about determination. Not many people have it anymore. Everybody wants the "quick-fix" without a hint of work or sweat.

[diplomatic_lies]

Am I the only individual in the world who wants to get fatter? (well, bulkier, not fatter).


Anyway here are common excuses for people to avoid getting healthy. Eh, and some comebacks to them. Feel free to throw out your own when you meet a fat person who makes excuses :D

"Only vain people care about their looks"
(Only morons deliberately shorten their lifespans)

"I don't have time."
(Of course not, you're gonna die of fat-related diseases soon!)

"Fat people are people too!"
(More like 3 people)

[check_mate_kid_uk]

I keep in shape, i do more excersize then almost anyone i know. People Have told me i am boring for doing so, yet the same person latter asked me how he can gain muscle mass.

Do not be haters, these people are jelous of you, they do not like being overweight but when you attack them they autmaticly defend themselves there for convincing themselves that they are right.

In my oppinion what is happening is ridicilious but by fighting fire with fire you will only make them resent you even if you do win you will there for still lose.

Next time some one you know criticizes your lifestyle firstly try and understand their lifestyle and their point of veiw, sympthasize with them, telling them you understand where they are comming from completly only once yu win them over can you try and explain to them where you are comming from otherwise you will make them feel stupid and they will resent that.

[Porky]

Excuse me for being vain but I enjoy looking good!!!

More importantly, I bet you enjoy feeling good.

And we've all seen this: http://money.cnn.com/2004/11/15/news/funny/hardees/

although damn, it pales in comparison to that 10 pound burger...I'm drooling right now.

[Francisco d'Anconia]

Originally posted by diplomatic_lies

"Only vain people care about their looks"
(Only morons deliberately shorten their lifespans)

"I don't have time."
(Of course not, you're gonna die of fat-related diseases soon!)

"Fat people are people too!"
(More like 3 people)

:crackup: :crackup: :crackup:

[Francisco d'Anconia]

Originally posted by check_mate_kid_uk
...

Do not be haters, these people are jelous of you, they do not like being overweight but when you attack them they autmaticly defend themselves there for convincing themselves that they are right....

Although they may be jealous, there are those that berate those that aren't fat. We see them on the television in the states all of the time. They feel that anyone who's fit and trim must be addicted to health clubs and health foods; that we're shallow and vain.

Hell, I have to be careful about talking about the sports I play because some people take offense to my passion for cycling. Just because they don't want to take up a sport, they feel persecuted because I enjoy talking about cycling and how it makes me feel.

Yeah, there's jealousy on their part and condemnation on our part. it may be hard work to stay healthy in the states nowadays, but it isn't impossible. What's difficult is listening to people constantly complain about the lack of facilities for overweight people. Instead of changing themselves, they'd rather use their energy changing the system.


Americans in general are typically clueless about how we are perceived by the rest of the world. We're a joke around the globe. We seldom do anything in moderation. This is why the Parisians look so much better than us, moderation. It's amazing what a bit of self control does for your life.

[Bonhomme]

Yeah, everyone should definitely see Super Size Me.

I won't hate anyone for being fat, but, unless they're anorexic, I surely won't congratulate them for it...

Let's face it: Americans spend most of their non-work waking hours watching TV, and eating crap that is full of empty calories, bad fats (and too little of the good fats), and meats that are from critters that were megadosed with female hormones to make them soft and fat ... just like the people who eat them (duh)!

A formerly very fit friend of mine complains about his gut all the time, but half of what he eats is white bread and potatoes, and he won't touch green vegetables. Genius level IQ, too.

Welcome to the fat farm...

[Aztec]

Originally posted by Francisco d'Anconia

The purpose of this particular rant is that people who are either fit or heaven help us, THIN are beginning to get flack about not being healthy ourselves! They say that we obsess over our looks, our health regime and our eating habits. Excuse me for being vain but I enjoy looking good!!!

So if anyone else would like to embrace their vanity of their health, feel free to post! Especially post if you feel that you merit dating someone who takes pride in their health and appearance! STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHT TO CHOOSE FIT, THIN WOMEN!!!!


It's a mindset that branched out from ultra left libertarians. You know the P.C. culture that is destroying, in this case, our outlook on health. I agree that he/she should love what God has given them but giving excuses for not taking care of themselves is just preposterous. On the other end of the spectrum we also have that tofu-eating, tree-hugging groups that irritate me. But I rather be in that group than the being a candidate for lipo on Dr. 90210.

[check_mate_kid_uk]

Francisco i love cycling aswell and i get the same problem! People could be babling on aobut computer games for half an hour, if i mention cycling for a second then they tell me i talk about it to much!

At least here in the UK being overweight is still seen as an undesirable thing. Yet actuly staying in shape is seen as shallow and i have had people say i am boring because i do no drink beer.

Fact is people like themselves and there for the voice of the majority always comes out on top.

At least girls apreciate me working out, although they still think £1100 for a bike is crazy :p

[Aztec]

Originally posted by check_mate_kid_uk

At least girls apreciate me working out, although they still think £1100 for a bike is crazy :p

That's crazy! :D

[Vincent]

Originally posted by diplomatic_lies
"Fat people are people too!"
(More like 3 people) That is probably one of the funniest things I've ever read.

I think it's funny how people are always complaining about how models are "Unhealthy". Which one can run a mile? the fat chick or the skinny chick who works out. Hmmm.

[WesCottII]

Leave 'em to it. I recently got voted as having the best body in the school. My motivation? Every person who cannot be bothered to get themselves to a gym. Can't be bothered to run. Thats why I do it.

Plus it helps me to get laid.

[SELF-MASTERY]

I dont know where any of you are from, but being thin, fit, buff, and concerned about health is not considered negative where Im from.

The new thing i've noticed in the media concerning being thin is that the focus is abut being healthy not having the perfrct body. Being realistic about your goals is the most important thing....That is why scales are trash....

At the same time I do see more fat acceptance; fat guys with hot hos on tv, that whole bbw thing (not entirely negative).....

The truth is thAT NO one wANTS a fatty!!!

Healthy to me consist of----

a good fat to muscle mass ratio

a whole food diet (no processed food--from Gods kitchen to my dinner table)

Blood pressure within a healthy range

Low blood lipid profile, cholesterol readings, better than avg heart rate....

[Francisco d'Anconia]

Originally posted by check_mate_kid_uk
Fact is people like themselves and there for the voice of the majority always comes out on top.

At least girls apreciate me working out, although they still think £1100 for a bike is crazy :p

I think that the reason the majority comes out on top in this case is because fat is more buoyant.

And even though they may feel £1100 is a lot for a bike, people tend to spend more here in the states each year on health club memberships (which they may not use) or eating fast food each year. Give me my road bike and I'm happy!

[Oxide]

Yesterday i went to the grocery store. I decided to actually pay attention to people and what they are buying... and of course there was a nice correlation: all the fat people had 24 packs of soda in their carts, plus some quick snacks.

This guy was at the register when i had to get by. I said "excuse me" and tried to get by, however he was so fat he had to move out of the isle in order for me to get by... i looked at his wife... fat lady with a gut..and then his daughter, who was joyfully singing while carrying a 24 pack of coke on her already overweight stomach. She was around 9-10.


This is nuts. In foreign country fat people stick out and usually are critisized. Francisco, you just pointed out that we miss this while living in US, and i completely agree... i myself havent been paying much attention after living here for 6 years...it is more like "yeah, another old guy" rather than "he is WAY to fat"...

I dont know about you guys, but this all just adds to my fire of desire to stay healthy and fit.

[Gus]

I think that the reason the majority comes out on top in this case is because fat is more buoyant.
:crackup: :crackup: :crackup:

If you do a Google search on "causes of obesity" the first cause everywhere is "genetics". I have NEVER EVER EVER seen a consistently physically active person who is obese. I think we can partly blame our doctors (who are also obese) for this problem. Perhaps it's even intentional...more obesity = more health problems = more drugs (Americans like quick fixes) = more money for the drug companies.

<rant>
People get fat and then lose 20 years of their life...and they KNOW it's going to happen, but they don't even care...they want to die...deep down inside there's nothing really that motivates them to live. Life is just a boring, stressful routine...there's nothing to shoot for, no goals, no aspirations, no dreams...just...sliding by.

Meanwhile...it makes it a whole lot easier for those of us who choose to live.

</rant>

[Alpine]

Of course the big thing now is 'Passive Fattening', research has discovered that just by being with people who are fat you are 10 times more likely to become fat yourself.

This is a very worrying although some medical authorities disagree with these findings.

Experiments with rats found that fat rats gave off chemical 'signals' similar to pheromones that made other rats eat more. The findings concluded humans may well have a similar chemical 'messenger' that induces overeating where fat people are present.

[MetalFortress]

The overabundance of fat acceptance is something that has been done to death because of the whole eating disorder problem in this country, but maybe if there were less single-mother homes, the eating disorders would be less effing COMMON.

Funny, I bet there are people who will think I'm shallow for requiring that any girl I date care for her body and appearance, too. I expect no less from myself, either.

[Francisco d'Anconia]

Originally posted by Alpine
Of course the big thing now is 'Passive Fattening', research has discovered that just by being with people who are fat you are 10 times more likely to become fat yourself.

This is a very worrying although some medical authorities disagree with these findings.

Experiments with rats found that fat rats gave off chemical 'signals' similar to pheromones that made other rats eat more. The findings concluded humans may well have a similar chemical 'messenger' that induces overeating where fat people are present.

I believe it. Masses of people tend to reflect the environment they share. I was in France for several weeks last winter and without working out I ended up loosing weight and became more fit! All I did was eat like the Parisians and walked instead of driving. I didn't change what I ate, just the amount plus I ate more frequently. It was difficult the first week but after that it was a piece of cake! :crackup:

Now I understand why Health Clubs aren't on every other corner in Europe as they are here in the states. They just aren't necessary.

[Alpine]

Despite being only 30miles from the English coast, France's culture and lifestyle is very different to ours, in fact ours is much more like the US, and increasingly so.

One main area is diet, in so far as if you go to France most food is home prepared and unadulterated with fat and sugar. They drink a fair bit and eat fatty meat, but they are still much healthier than us.

My theory is a big part of it is social eating. Years ago people here used to sit around the table and eat together.

It was at a liesurely pace and people talked to each other. This still is the norm in most European countries, but not UK.

I suspect unwittingly we eat less when eating as a family and unhurried.

[check_mate_kid_uk]

like many other genitc problems being fat could be one, but even so it would effect under 1% of the population, i bet for every 100 fat people maybe 1 could genuinly have a genetic disorder. Yes some people have slower motabilisms but as mentioned above, if you are buying 24 packs of coke how can you blame it on genetics or even motabilism. I have been eating badly recently and my weight was climbing up and then I droped some and it would climb up again.

I sotped eating all choclate, anything with sugar in basicly, and guess what i can eat as much regular food as i want and im actuly loosing weight, which i want to do a little bit so im lighter on my bike.

The crayzest thing is, theres this girl i know, HB8 she kind of got osme meat on her, i dont mean shes fat shes just not one of those really skinny girls. So she is always trying to diet with no success and she wont listen to me! I tell her that she is doing it wrong because she is cutting back her food so much that her bodt thinks there is no food and decreases motabilism. I used to weight over 11 stones when i was 14 yes i was fat and then i lost 3 stones in 2 months, i ate healthy but no i hardly decreased what i ate i just started excersizing yet people seem to want to give up food before they are willing to excersize.

[Alpine]

In life, animals always follow the path of least resistance, even if they know it's no good for them.

Let's face it, most people know by now diets don't work and that our bodies in nature would be self regulating ie Hungry---go hunt some food---burn cals etc. Today you just drive to the shops.

I have yet to see a fat marathon runner.

[check_mate_kid_uk]

the problem is not only the lack of excersize, although this plays a large part, there was no mucdonals, or coke or cadburys 5000 years ago.

Life back then was hard manual labour it reflected something like working on a ranch it was not like now where you are behind a desk all day and drive home.

[Francisco d'Anconia]

Originally posted by Alpine
Despite being only 30miles from the English coast, France's culture and lifestyle is very different to ours, in fact ours is much more like the US, and increasingly so.

One main area is diet, in so far as if you go to France most food is home prepared and unadulterated with fat and sugar. They drink a fair bit and eat fatty meat, but they are still much healthier than us.

My theory is a big part of it is social eating. Years ago people here used to sit around the table and eat together.

It was at a liesurely pace and people talked to each other. This still is the norm in most European countries, but not UK.

I suspect unwittingly we eat less when eating as a family and unhurried.

You are correct about the Parisians diet however they do four noticeable things that I feel contribute to their healthier appearance:

[list=1]
Although they us fat and sugar, they primarily use non-processed foods.
They eat MUCH SMALLER portions.
They eat more slowly to enjoy the food experience. This leads to better digestion and use by the body.
They are not tethered to automobiles for transportation. They primarily walk everywhere.
[/list=1]

Surprisingly I just received an invitation to a presentation at our Mayo Clinic by a doctor from the UK who has been working on an interesting study on exercise and weight loss. He's determined that even the most basic activities such as chewing gum and fidgeting burns calories. In addition, walking or even standing for two hours of the work day can burn over 300 calories a day. That could translate to 30 to 50 pounds per year (so he says). He also regularly works on his computer while walking on a treadmill! This will definitely be a interesting presentation.

[Luveno]

THe most disturbing thing I have ever witnessed was a 5 year old kid being hospitalized for atherosclerosis(hardening of the arteries). It was not genetic. It was because his parents fed him junk and nothing but. The kid has the heart of a 75 year old man.

VERY FEW kids should be fat. In our society, thin is the rarity.

It's a shame.

but maybe if there were less single-mother homes, the eating disorders would be less effing COMMON.

This is one of those generalizations that ruin the credibility of this site.

Accepting fatness was not really used as a way to curb anorexia. It was an excuse so fat people could stay fat. Far more people die of obesity related disease than anorexia. If anything, fat people should be treated like smokers: go be fat somewhere else, and pay fat tax. They should be continuously reminded that it's not sexy. Heck, they should be given subpoenas to the gym!

Sure, That's extreme and would never work but it would be nice if it did.

[Aztec]

Originally posted by Alpine
Of course the big thing now is 'Passive Fattening', research has discovered that just by being with people who are fat you are 10 times more likely to become fat yourself.

This is a very worrying although some medical authorities disagree with these findings.

Experiments with rats found that fat rats gave off chemical 'signals' similar to pheromones that made other rats eat more. The findings concluded humans may well have a similar chemical 'messenger' that induces overeating where fat people are present.



Thank you for pointing that out. For example, kids see that their parents eat like they're eating their last meals, children will obviously emulate what they witness especially the young, impressionable ones. Monkey see, monkey do.

I still cringe when people defend the genetic theory. I'm not saying that it's not true, I'm just saying that most likely children are fat because of what they are accustomed at home. I have to relate that to drug addiction. None of the supposed theories have convinced me that it is genetic. But that's another topic.

[Aztec]

Originally posted by Luveno

Accepting fatness was not really used as a way to curb anorexia. It was an excuse so fat people could stay fat. Far more people die of obesity related disease than anorexia. If anything, fat people should be treated like smokers: go be fat somewhere else, and pay fat tax. They should be continuously reminded that it's not sexy. Heck, they should be given subpoenas to the gym!

Sure, That's extreme and would never work but it would be nice if it did.


That's what we get when we live in a excessively liberal, PC nation.

[GlutusMaximus86]

Originally posted by Aztec
That's what we get when we live in a excessively liberal, PC nation.

Oh yes our nation is just so liberal right now, especially with the Republicans running all 3 branches of government :rolleyes:. If you really think our nation is too liberal, go move to Australia.

[Aztec]

Originally posted by GlutusMaximus86
Oh yes our nation is just so liberal right now, especially with the Republicans running all 3 branches of government :rolleyes:. If you really think our nation is too liberal, go move to Australia.


Based on your age, I'm not even going to debate on this.

[Francisco d'Anconia]

Originally posted by GlutusMaximus86
Oh yes our nation is just so liberal right now, especially with the Republicans running all 3 branches of government :rolleyes:. If you really think our nation is too liberal, go move to Australia.

Consider this; Americans aren't guided by government (especially the current one). Americans are guided by the media. Other than Fox News, the elite media in the states leans left.

[diplomatic_lies]

Liberal or not, there's no excuse for fat people!

[harwell]

Originally posted by Aztec
That's what we get when we live in a excessively liberal, PC nation.

Originally posted by Francisco d'Anconia
Americans are guided by the media. Other than Fox News, the elite media in the states leans left.

More than agree.

[aftershock]

Agree with a lot of what people have said above and couldn't have stated it better myself.

I think that the fat tax is an excellent idea! Weigh everyone, and say "lose 10 pounds by the end of the year, or your tax is going up by 5%". Would kick people into action. Shame it would never work.

[Derek Flint]

Sugar and Processed foods are inexpensive and tasty, so they will be marketed more and purchased more.

Drop the sugar and processed foods, and not only will the weight come off, but you'll feel much better.

Bread, Sugar, Pasta etc...jack up your insulin levels, which cause you to become and stay fat.

Also, your energy levels crash from those foods.

Meat, Chicken, Fish, Vegetibles all keep your insulin levels stable, so your energy levels stay stable as well.

[Francisco d'Anconia]

Originally posted by aftershock
Agree with a lot of what people have said above and couldn't have stated it better myself.

I think that the fat tax is an excellent idea! Weigh everyone, and say "lose 10 pounds by the end of the year, or your tax is going up by 5%". Would kick people into action. Shame it would never work.

I say give people credit for being healthy. After yearly physical evaluations if they are deemed 'healthy' within established agreed upon guidelines, they would receive a rebate on moneys that they had paid into health care. I know that there would be a lot of flack about inequalities but hey, does it make sense to pay as much as someone who will probably have a coronary withing 10 years while you are as healthy as a horse?

[aftershock]

At least in the UK, the health service is paid for by taxes rather than medical insurance, so I'm subsidising the fatties. It's rather annoying.

[WesCottII]

That is indeed true. It is estimated that fat people put about 2 billion pound costs on the NHS a year.

It's not right......fat people, higher taxes anyone?

[Francisco d'Anconia]

It could be worse guys, you could live in the States.

The US just may be the greatest country in the world; the one with the greatest girth! :crackup:

[Alpine]

Regarding longevity and calorie restriction, my cat is 15 and it runs around like a kitten. Even when I took it in to the vet the other week she didn't believe me when I told her it's age.

Now when the cat was about 2 she swallowed something that got stuck in her gullet and they had to operate. Ever since she could only eat small amounts of catfood or else it would all come up again.

I suspect she has about half the calories she could have and I think this explains her age/condition.

BTW she is lean and not hungry all the time.