America's "Growing" Problem...
By DallasFAN99
@DallasFAN99 (210)
United States
June 10, 2008 6:20pm CST
**Disclaimer: This is a sticky subject, and I mean NO disrespect!
I have noticed that "American-society" is taking on a different appearance. We are becoming known as a "fast-food" country. Over the past 20 years there has been a DRAMTATIC increase in obesity in the U.S. As early as 1985, the prevalence of obesity was in the 15% - 19% range (state-by-state), and not higher.
As recently as 2006, however, two states had a prevalence of obesity 30%. The remaining 48 states linger in the 20% - 29% range, with the exception of 4 states still in the 15% - 19% prevalence of obesity range (Hawaii, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island). No state has a prevalence of obesity less than 15%. This is a problem.
In the year 2000, poor diet including obesity and physical inactivity caused 400,000 U.S. deaths -- more than 16% of all deaths and the No. 2 killer! A mere 35,000 deaths behind smoking related deaths that year, the No. 1 killer. But, why is it that we see so many anti-smoking ads and next to nothing regarding THIS disturbing fact?
If some of you reading this are obese, this is not a personal attack on you, by any means. It is just a concern of mine. In many cases, people with weight problems are actively trying to get it under control. But, in several cases, it seems, people just don't care...this baffles me. I fully understand that it is the individuals right to live how they would like! What I don't understand is why have we, as a society, have gravitated towards high-fat foods so frequently. I don't understand why we've moved away from home-grown and/or home-cooked meals.
Why do we as a society eat for taste alone???
It seems like we've successfully forgotten that food is our body's FUEL. We seem to think it is for pleasure ONLY. Healthy food can be enjoyed too.
Have we become too busy for exercise? Or too lazy? Now-a-days practically everything is readily available at the touch of a button, is this why we're no longer eating healthy or exercising regularly?
What are we to do? Or, should anything be done in the first place?
6 people like this
7 responses
@kenzie45230 (3560)
• United States
11 Jun 08
I think lots of people are in denial or just don't realize how fat they've become...if it's been a slow process. My hubby was that way. We married just over 3 years ago and I insisted that he get a physical right after we were married. He knew he was overweight, but he had no idea that he would be termed obese. His waist was over 50 inches and he was over 300 pounds (probably about 340), but when he looked in the mirror he didn't see that. He saw the guy that weighed 185 in high school (and was over weight even then).
I do blame a bunch of this on fast food. They've helped perpetuate the idea that it's easier to eat there. They've probably also helped perpetuate the idea that it's cheaper to eat there - especially with "value" meals.
But it's not true. Eating healthy foods can be done inexpensively. As one who had $100 a month food stamps for myself and a son, I could give lessons!
3 people like this
@angela38 (122)
• United States
12 Jun 08
The thing that concerns me is when soime talk about how others are over weight and look in the mirrors and see the way they were as a youngger youth I just wonder if the ones doin g the commplaining ever stop to look at theirselves in the Miorror day in and day out and ever step on a scale at least once a week and do their own walking and start trying to go to the right doctors to maybe see if some have sleep apnea that causes tirdness and weight gain they might see a change in that weight they are so worriedc about and most possably immbarrassed by. It has been my exsperience in my quest to find out is wrong with myself that I was taught that sleep apnea is a major factor inweight gain and in heart deises and diabetis and high blood pressure and strokes. I also was taught as a child you lovew people for the inside of them not what is on the out side because when you find you dont love a person as is it is not ever been love to start with.
2 people like this
@DallasFAN99 (210)
• United States
12 Jun 08
I totally agree with your assessment on fast food. If you ever get bored, check out the McDonald's website, it's full of "sporty," "active," - healthy suggestions. Yet, look at their food! They've come out with "healthy" foods like salads, chicken sandwiches, etc. but if you look at the calorie and fat content, it's outrageous.
You really should give lessons! It sounds like you've got a great handle on things.
1 person likes this
@coffeeshot (3783)
• Australia
11 Jun 08
Yeah America is the fattest country in the world. However Australia is up there too in the fatty stakes. Of course this is because people are lazy. They are lazy and don't exercise, drive everywhere, eat too much fast food and junk. It's basic, stop eating cr@p and go for a walk every day.
Also, 40% of America's dog population is overweight. I guess the dogs get the scraps, which of course are junk. There needs to be a major diet and health overhaul in America and other places all over the world. Australia is already aware of its problem and lots of people are losing weight. There is a diet that is quite popular here called the Tony Ferguson diet. The difference between this and other diets is, it actually works. My mother, auty, uncle and a few of my mother's friends have been on the diet and I have seen amazing results. Something like this needs to be made available in the US.
I also believe television programs like The Biggest Loser is inspiring many people to do something about their weight and general health. I can't begin to imagine how much money is spent in the health system every year treating obese patients.
3 people like this
@DallasFAN99 (210)
• United States
11 Jun 08
Exactly! My thoughts precisely! I had not heard about the dog stat but, that is astounding as well. I'm not sure what can be done to fix the problem, per se. Perhaps the Tony Ferguson diet you mentioned! I just think, like you, that a major overhaul is necessary.
The money "lost" for the cause must be astronaumical!
2 people like this
@magsburg (88)
• Canada
23 Jun 08
Hi again. Maggie here. As I've continued to read through this discussion, I am astounded at the depth of your feelings on this issue.
The show: "The Biggest Loser" is absolutely finominal! I really love it! One of the things I really like about it is that it promotes living a healthy lifestyle rather than going on diots. This approach to weight loss seems to work much better for more people. Maybe the short term results don't exactly prove my claim to be true, However, if you study the long term changes in the people who approach their weight problems in this way, the results would shock you.
Another show that uses the perminent lifestyle change approach to weight loss is the "Doctor Phyl" show. In our discussion group: "bignews", we are going to be going through Doctor Phil's book: "The Ultimate Weight Solution" If you would like to join us for this, and other fun and informative activities, please email the bignews moderator at rachelr@mdirect.net or contact me on here.
God bless:
Maggie.
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
11 Jun 08
I think that there are 2 causes for the obesity here in the U.S. make that 3. If we set down to watch TV for a while we are bombarded with commercials at least once ever 30 min. Look at all the cooking shows that are on too. We as a nation are nutritionally ignorant. We depend too much on our cars to get any where.
Due to an illness I went from 165 down to 125, but when I looked in the mirror I still looked the same because my shaped didn't change and one does expect to see our body change with weight loss. We need to star teaching real nutrition in our schools at a very young age. We also need to get a stringent exercise program in all our schools from kindergarten to the 12 grade. Healthy foods don't really cost more then unhealthy ones. You pay at least $1.o00 for a candy bar and you could buy at least 1 or 2 pieces of fruit for that. he average American drinks more than 50 gallons of soda a year. Now that a huge amount of sugar. Most people don't realize that they are starving them selves with all the empty calories that they consume. Just because people walk around being big doesn't mean that they aren't starving. They are just not getting the good nutrition that they need. They are starving the same as those poor little kids that we see on TV with the stick thin arms and legs with the protruding bellies.
2 people like this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
11 Jun 08
I often wondered how they got this way. I live in Manitoba in Canada and we have problems with our weight because well six months of the year, it is not that warm and it is hard to get around when it is cold and snowing, so half the time we are gaining weight, and half the time we are losing it. I think it has something to do with the additives they put in the meat and the fact that high carb and high cal food such as macaroni and cheese are cheaper as well as using margarine instead of butter. Also with low wages, you are forced to work all these part time jobs that add up to more than a full time job and much of it is sitting down. No time for meals.
They have to make healthy food cheaper and I also wonder about the exercises. Surely with a warmer climate and a longer growing season, they should be skinnier than us, but even me with my 205 lbs and large frame seem skinny compared to some I have seen on Tv.
2 people like this
@CherylsPearls (1269)
• United States
11 Jun 08
I don't think it's just one reason, but several things. Fresh vegetables and fruits are more expensive and some people just can't afford them. It's sad, but true.
Then again, we have become a snacking nation. I don't remember snacking on chips and cookies all the time when I was growing up. My grandchildren always have a bag of some chip or another in their hands. Worse, they sit at their computers and snack!
Women going to work is another reason for fast food. It's so easy to go by McDonald's or pick up a pizza on the way home so you don't have to cook. Then it just gets to be a habit. When women were mostly at home, decent meals were cooked.
Then there is the fact that people are just lazier than they used to be. People don't get out and walk, ride their bikes, etc., like they used to. Cutting grass used to mean pushing a lawn mower, but now everybody seems to have a riding mower (even if they have a small yard). I think we can improve, but I think it will take a lot of effort!
I remember when my friend's child was about 15 months old, she stopped at McDonalds. I was surprised to see this child eat a hamburger and fries. I don't think my daughters knew what McDonalds was for years! If you start kids out eating fast food, it's harder for them to change.
2 people like this
@grammasnook (1871)
• United States
11 Jun 08
I do not understand why people tend to blame the fast food places for the obesity. If you took all the obese people I am willing to bet that 75% are in the poverty level. It is the financial reason most people are not eating right, they are eating what they can afford. It can be very costly to eat healthy. Alot of these people are working 2 jobs and unable to eat healthy. It all boils down to money. I know myself I am considered being middle classed, both my husband and I work full time jobs mine being salary can mean an extra 20 hours a week. Most people are over weight because they do not eat enough. I eat 1 time daily because when I get home that is when I think about eating. it is not enough calories taken in to burn. I know what my problem is but I have had this "eating disorder" for many many years. I think this needs more research.
3 people like this
@DallasFAN99 (210)
• United States
11 Jun 08
I suppose I see what you're saying -- it is cheaper to get a 99-cent hamburger than most "healthier" things, or so it seems. In actuality, buying things like bread, cheese, lunch-meat, and a few condiments can be a little cheaper and astronomically healthier in the long-run compared to its 99-cent per day hamburger counterpart.
I don't understand, however, how eating one meal per day (cause it is all someone can afford) would provide more calories than someone working two jobs could burn off in a day....
2 people like this
@AnimeMom (516)
• United States
21 Jun 08
Well something should be done but what that something is, is beyond me. I can't comprehend why people "let them selves go" it's not all that hard to keep yourself in good shape, and with regular "maintenance" you can stay that way. A problem with most over weight people is they really just let themselves go and then once they reach that breaking point they have an even harder time getting themselves back to normal. Now no offense meant to anyone, but it's really not that hard to not become obese. And I hate hearing those people excuse their actions with genetics or bad parenting, or (of all things) motivation! I mean come on, seriously? You are annoyed with being overweight and so instead of eating healthy and exercising you have a weight loss surgery done? If you had taken care of your body in the first place you wouldn't need the surgery! (I might need to start a post about that one...) But what really "grinds my gears" is after said person has the surgery they revert back to their original habits and wonder why the weight loss treatment Isn't working for them. Makes me want to tear my hair out. What would be nice to see is some healthy fast food restaurants and better options at the fast food places. But until people stop being lazy and stop blaming their weight problems on everything and everyone but themselves I dont see those percentages dropping any... 
