Why are people in the U.S. getting so FAT?

[Nepa]

I'v been kicking thing around for a few months and came up with a few reasons. These are in no particular order.

* We eat too much fast food
* Portions have gotten bigger and bigger
* Too much TV too little exercise
* Processed Foods
* Cars, Nobody walks anymore
* The goverment has something to do with it. ie. giving too much money to the corn farmers
* Too many carbs in most peoples diets

Any other Ideas? Thanks

[Ray Zee]

the change over from sugar to high fructose corn syrup for sweeteners. you body proceeses that differently.
carbs have nothing to do with it. a calorie is a calorie. it is a measure of heat.

[Sooga]

My parents and my parents' friends always told me that when they were growing up in the 50's and 60's, their families didn't have TVs, so the only thing there was to do was go outside and horse around. Play stickball. Play cowboys and indians. You know, exercise. These days, with all the playstations and HDTV and all that, no one's outside actually using their bodies.

[Glenn]

The answer is too little excercise. A close second is junk food. Carbs are not the problem. It's eating 3 meals of crap a day, and snacking between them.

[superleeds]

They eat too much and they don't exercise enough

[benfranklin]

[ QUOTE ]
They eat too much and they don't exercise enough

[/ QUOTE ]

That can't be it. That would mean that fat people are fat as a consequence of their own choices. It has to be someone else's fault, since no one really wants to be fat, do they?

I think it's a conspiracy. I'm not quite sure who is behind it. I'm gonna go watch TV and have a snack and think about it.

[beerbandit]

Don't forget about the 12-15 Budweisers every night before bed.

[Oski]

Every time I am in Munich, I remark at how many people ride bicycles or walk (to work, I presume since many are in suits). Furthermore, in the evenings, many families take a stroll and say "hi" to their neighbors, or go SOMEWHERE for awhile to unwind and talk, etc. (Nobody does this quite as well as the Italians, but many European countries have something similar).

What I have discovered is that television is not a primary form of entertainment for many Europeans.

Nevertheless, I am of the understanding that things are changing in many European cities. Fast food is becoming more acceptable and accessible. Video games are turning up in homes and the internet (as well as computer games) are becoming extremely popular.

Europeans are getting fatter. We can blame it on "Americanization," but these things just happened in our country first. All of these things that make us fatter, also serve our base desires. Having more free time and more interesting (albeit more sedentary) forms of entertainment would have happened to Europe anyway.

I have read studies proclaiming the native Hawaiian as the fattest people on earth. As little as fifty years ago, obesity among these people was rare. However, as Hawaii grew, the natives began to eat other foods. Among these new foods was fast food (and Spam, or course - Largest per capita consumption of Spam in the world in Hawaii). Draw your own conclusions.

As far as placing blame. This is not so simple. I certainly look at this situation (fast food) as similar to cigarettes. Of course smoking is a choice, but was made under the specter of aggressive, false advertising which did not disclose all the relevant factors one needed to make a proper choice...then many became addicted.

Since I was a child, I have been bombarded with fast food (or food products in general - processed, etc.) adverstisements. I cannot believe these did not affect my choices and "tastes." Many argue that fast food is patently unhealthy and this is obvious to those who choose to eat it. I do not agree. Many of these unhealthy foods are advertised as part of a healthy life-style (even recently, McDonalds unveiled a "healthy" menu which has proven to be no less loaded with calories than the items they purport to replace). Furthermore, the advertisements are directed at children and teeenagers.

You can get everything you need at a grocery store if you were to take a "lap" around the outside aisles. All the staples are found therein; also the only (with few exeptions) healthy choices are there. If you pick foods from the inner (and marked) aisles, you are coming home with a bunch of garbage. This is targeted marketing, the effects are significant.

I guess if you don't want to look like an American, you cannot live like an American - not an easy accomplishment.

[ThaSaltCracka]

you forgot one.
Sitting on your ass for several hours a day playing poker..... /images/graemlins/grin.gif

[benfranklin]

[ QUOTE ]
Don't forget about the 12-15 Budweisers every night before bed.

[/ QUOTE ]

Those don't count if they are "light" beers.

[Sincere]

Only in America are people condemned for being fat. If you were a fat person in Eithiopia you'd be considered a God.

[Oski]

[ QUOTE ]
Only in America are people condemned for being fat. If you were a fat person in Eithiopia you'd be considered a God.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not so. Recently, Ireland has considered implementing a "fat tax."

Your point is well taken in some respects, however. In many countries of the world, being fat is a sign of prosperity. In other words, these people are "showing off" the fact they can afford to be idle and not work the fields.

[brick]

yes, lack of excercise is the main reason.

but, I've heard that it's best to eat smaller meals and eat snacks in between meals.

this helps keep your metabolism kicking.

[brick]

[ QUOTE ]
They eat too much and they don't exercise enough

[/ QUOTE ]

ding, ding, ding. You win!

[elwoodblues]

Don't worry...I won't forget them.

[brick]

I do not believe that fast-food, in itself, causes people to get fat.

I eat fast-food once a day. Sometimes twice. I'm not fat.

I order just enough to fill me up.
I stick with burritos, hamburges or salads.
I don't drink soda at all and I limit the french fries.
I exercise.

[Oski]

[ QUOTE ]
I do not believe that fast-food, in itself, causes people to get fat.


[/ QUOTE ]

Neither do I.

[SossMan]

[ QUOTE ]
I do not believe that fast-food, in itself, causes people to get fat.

[/ QUOTE ]

Nah...it's probably EATING the fast food that turns out to be the problem. /images/graemlins/grin.gif

[ThaSaltCracka]

[ QUOTE ]
I don't drink soda at all and I limit the french fries.

[/ QUOTE ]
You are dead on here. The burger is not the problem. Its the 32oz soda people drink. I try to limit the amount of soda I drink as well, I might drink 2-3 12oz cans of soda a week. If that soda your drinking isn't diet, you are drinking around 300 calories every 12oz's.

[Zeno]

[ QUOTE ]
a calorie is a calorie. it is a measure of heat.

[/ QUOTE ]


Calorie - The amount of heat necessary to raise 1 gram of water at 15 degrees Celsius, 1 degree Celsius.

Damn, Mr. Zee - How did you get to be so smart? You are probably smarter than John Cole. And John is one smart cookie (postmodernism aside).

What next - are you going to lecture everyone about the Carnot Cycle or the Clapeyton-Clausius equation?

You Montana Rednecks are full of surprises (scallium aside).

/images/graemlins/grin.gif

-Zeno

[Boris]

because we invented the hamburger. The greatest meal ever invented. we also improved greatly on the pizza. Taste wise it is a great thing but for my expanding beer gut it sucks.

[BruceZ]

Calorie - The amount of heat necessary to raise 1 gram of water at 15 degrees Celsius, 1 degree Celsius.

What we refer to as a food calorie is actually a kilocalorie or 1000 calories of heat by this definition.

[Ray Zee]

and basically there are about 3500 calories to a pound of fat around your gut. this is in general. but for every 3500 less calories you eat than what you burn up(about 2500 during a day for most people) you will lose about a pound. or gain as much if you eat more. i used to fight the middle bulge battle alot more before many years ago giving up cream and sugar in my coffee. that was enough calories a day(200-400) that my waist stayed reasonable.

[ChipWrecked]

[ QUOTE ]
you are drinking around 300 calories every 12oz's

[/ QUOTE ]

Coca-Cola has 140 calories per 12 oz., most are in this range. But no argument, just nitpicking. It is easy to take on way too many calories in liquid form.

I've become a diet root beer fan myself, Barq's or A&W (whatever's on sale). The diet clears (Sprite, 7up, Sierra Mist) are pretty good also.

Watch out for those bottled teas and sports drinks too. Arizona green tea (2 servings per bottle, ha!) will bloat you quickly.

[Zeno]

Thanks for the claraification.

-Zeno

[gonores]

Nothing really new to state here, just rephrasing it.

The emphasis on diet and the emphasis on exercise needs to be reversed. It is pathetic what people will tell themselves to get out of exercising, while they alter their diets (and shock their system) to whatever fad diet happens to be out there.

Also, the tradition of 2-3 squares a day is completely illogical, given what we now know about metabolism. Eating 6+ small meals throughout the day needs to become the norm. Skipping a morning meal, especially, is a ticket to obesity.

I predict the obesity epidemic will not change in my lifetime. There are too many ingrained ideals in Americans that are not conducive to finding time and motivation to exercise.

[daryn]

wasn't the hamburger invented in germany?

[Oski]

[ QUOTE ]
wasn't the hamburger invented in germany?

[/ QUOTE ]

Ask the Meatman (no porno here) (http://www.askthemeatman.com/where_get_name_hot_dog_art_updated_9300.htm)

[ QUOTE ]

Where Did the Name "Hamburger" Come From
and Other Food Name Origins

HAMBURGER:
It's thought to have come from the town of Hamburg, Germany. Here is where it's thought hamburger (originally called "hamburger steak") was "invented". The word hamburger first appeared in English in the late 1800's.

[/ QUOTE ]

But, I am pretty sure Americans invented the "Hamburglar"

[M2d]

I was pondering (Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?) the same thing this morning as I stood in line at starbucks (very late night last night chasing striped bass that were busting bait but not hitting my damn lure). I couldn't see the counter because of the size of the patrons in front of me, but I could clearly hear them order creamy drinks with whipped cream and a couple of those nice pastries in the glass counter.

[ThaSaltCracka]

[ QUOTE ]
Coca-Cola has 140 calories per 12 oz., most are in this range. But no argument, just nitpicking. It is easy to take on way too many calories in liquid form.


[/ QUOTE ]
some sodas like Mountain dew are in the 200's per 12oz serving, sorry about the mess up. Also, apparently soda makes you put on water weight as well, so in a sense you are a little bloated by drinking soda.

If I drink soda, which isn;t that often, I try to sneak a diet coke and hope no one sees me /images/graemlins/blush.gif

[M2d]

drinking straight water ironically helps you carry less water weight. since your body gets used to being hydrated, it doesn't force itself to retain water.

[M2d]

drink "dry" beers. since there's more alcohol in them you only have to drink 10-12 of them before bed.

[snakehead]

a couple of you say carbs are not a factor. then why is the atkins diet so effective?

[M2d]

a dietary calorie (C) is 1000 calories (KCal).

[M2d]

posted the same info as previous posts.

[ThaSaltCracka]

[ QUOTE ]
a couple of you say carbs are not a factor. then why is the atkins diet so effective?

[/ QUOTE ]
because it allows to you eat essentially whatever you want(minus high carb food) and lose weight.... all while not having to exercise. Not having to exercise is the key. In the modern day battle of the bulge people are constantly looking for the easiest way to lose weight, essentially they don't want to do any hard work, and the atkins diet affords that. But bottom line, if you excerise, and eat proper portions, you will lose weight, IMO, and atleast in my experience.

[benfranklin]

[ QUOTE ]
a couple of you say carbs are not a factor. then why is the atkins diet so effective?

[/ QUOTE ]

The Atkins diet, for most people, is a more palatable way of reducing calories than other plans. Technobabble aside, even the Atkins advocates know and admit that the only way to lose weight is to burn more calories than you take in.

[John Feeney]

I think most any half way reasonable "diet" is effective. In fact, a few months ago in the news was a large scale study that compared the results of Atkins, Ornish (very low fat, but not especially low carb), and some other well known diet that I can't recall. They all came in pretty close to one another in results (over a year or something), with the Ornish diet doing slightly better than the others.

From what I've seen the Atkins diet is frowned upon by many experts because it leads many adherents to a diet that's way too high in fat.

A dietary factor that, practically speaking, may overlap with "low carb" (I think... Don't quote me. /images/graemlins/crazy.gif) but which I suspect has more validity is the "glycemic index." It's basically a measure of the degree to which a food raises your blood sugar. Foods that do so too intensly seem to increase triglycerides (one of the fats that accumulate in arteries), make you hungry again sooner, and may lead to more weight problems for many (not all) people. This factor appears to be increasingly acknowledged by even fairly conservative physicians, dieticians, etc.

For burning fat, though, real men do heavy "interval" training workouts.

BTW, Ray's probably right about the high fructose corn syrup.

[theBruiser500]

I'm hiking and burn somewhere between 4000-6000 calories a day. I eat whatever I want, when I get into a town after hiking I'll eat an appetizer and a main dish like a double chessburger, then a pint of ice cream. The next day I'll have a big breakfast like two eggs, biscuit, bacon, hash browns. A lunch such as grilled chicken sandwich with bacon and cheese on it and french fries. Some sort of a snack, then another big dinner like steak and probably be hungry again before bed. Net result of a few days hiking and a day in town like this: loss of weight.

[Ray Zee]

6000 is alot to burn while hiking. i would be surprised to see 4000 unless you really hoof it all day like 25 miles. i would be interested in knowing how you got that figure. i hike alot.

[Oski]

Still, the weight may be down, but cholesterol up.

[pretender2k]

Because they can watch Jerry Springer and find people that are more f**ked up than they are so they can eat with peace. Does anyone else understand that you rate yourself against your heroes not the lowest common denominator of society?

[Nepa]

The funny thing is I have never went on a diet in my life. I'm about 15 lbs. over and I'm trying to lose it without makin' any huge diet changes.

Here's my plan so far. Cut down on the pasta and sugar drinks. Any I hate to say it, exercise. This has been the harder of the two but I took up an easy sport. Rollerblading.

[John Feeney]

Nepa,

About a year and a half ago I discovered, after not stepping on a scale for years, that I was about 12 pounds over my "fighting trim" of days gone by. Over about a year I took it all off through exercise and just thinking a little more about how much I ate - like not eating when I wasn't hungry.

A caution though: It so happens I took up rollerblading too. You may have already found that hills are the *big* problem. Effective stopping takes a good deal of practice on inline skates. I actually suffered a slight fracture of my tibia as a result of a fall I took when I didn't see a little speed bump at the bottom of a hill, and failed to jump it successfully. I was okay in about 5 weeks, but do work on your stopping!

Rollerblading is too easy an exercise, I think, in hilly areas because you coast too much. I hear it can be a very good workout though in a flat area.

The most effective fat burining exercise is said to be interval training. (mostly due to the residual fat burning that it triggers for hours afterward) You can do them running, but if you're an old guy like me, and don't need the impact on the knees, then a stairmaster is good too. It's hard work though, and not really necessary if you stick to any other exercise I guess. Interestingly, studies have found the most effective intervals to be very short - like under ten seconds. Anyway, you can google it and find a lot.

[Nepa]

Thanks for the tips. I'v been staying away from the downhills because of the stoping thing. So it is not just me. It is very tough to stop. Ice skating I can skate backwards and stop on a dime(but this is a different trend).

[Mark Heide]

Nepa,

The problem is due to processed foods. This includes most fast foods and snacks like french fries and potato chips. A few years ago they did a study on children in China that were getting fat like children in the US. Some research has proved that processed food have a tendency of not making people feel full after they eat, therefore, they tend to eat more. Skip fried foods and snacks like potato chips and eat a few apples instead.

Good Luck

Mark