Why are US citizens rapidly becoming more obese?

It's not just the US. The UK, Canada, much of Europe have obesity issues. It's what we eat. Junk food tastes good and veggies suck. 100 year ago there were no fast foods and Fritos and you were happy for veggies because you were hungry. That's progress for you.

Have you ever watched a show called "My 600 lbs Life". I just can not understand why people wait to get so big before they do something about it.

That is also what is happening here. Even the children are already obese. With many burger outlets affordable compared to restaurants that offers fine dining, people opts for the burgers and fries. I think this is one reason and another is that people are now so much into just their TVs and mobiles. Not much movement anymore, even with the kids.,

Genetically modified foods. Refined carbs and grains. They feed cows grains instead of grass.

First they eat too much, they drink all those garbage sodas that are full of sugar, they do not move enough, always use the car even for short distance.

People are so busy with their lives that they eat a lot of fast food on the run, That really packs the weight on.

i think it is a global problem, in indonesia too. people do less outdoor activity, sugar, and junkfood (including snack with high calories)

It's everywhere not just the US and as others pointed out already its mostly about what people choose to eat

Because they eat too much bad food and don't exercise enough. Anytime, my husband and I go to buffet restaurants, the majority of the people who eat there are fat. They heap their plates with so much food, it is scary and sad.

There are a variety of reasons. Lack of exercise, over-indulging, mental health issues, comfort-eating, eating without thinking due to boredom or loneliness, using a car for a journey which would only take five minutes by foot, undiagnosed health conditions, mobility issues ... It's nice to read that most of your responders have never had an issue with their weight. I have. My weight has yo-yo'd since I was a teenager. I walk a lot, my job involves being on the go, I try to eat healthily, and still I have excess baggage. Husband was HUGE and they kept saying it was fat. It turned out to be water retention due to kidney failure. Not all obese people are obese because they are lazy and eat junk food; it's cruel to generalise and tar them all with the same brush.

Fast food would be number one, sedentary being another.

In the UK it seems to be an explosion of fast food and that few people seem to be willing to walk anywhere when the car is parked by the front door.

Lots of reasons: Poor education in school concerning diet. People know less in the kitchen than before Cheap junkfood is generally cheaper than say a fruit or vegetable tray Lack of quiet time. Life is now 24/7 and stressed. Stress adds weight gain Extra meds - the over use of medication in animals and us, has by products in foods and water types High process foods include paint thinner, wood chips, etc other garbage

Hahhahahha. But good thing you are not obese.

bad diet, limited exercise and poor education on the dangers of over-indulging

Because some of us live to eat unlike you who eats to live---and play tennis!

I see you have many responses here. I agree with them. Overeating, Eating the wrong foods, Lack of exercise or immobility, some might have undiagnosed health issues, ease of access to unhealthy food. It is actually cheaper to eat unhealthy, and that is sad.

We have all this convenience foods that are high in calories!!! I'm a junk food junkie!!! BUt I am starting to buy veggie snack packs with brocalli, cherry tomatoes, and carrots with dip!! And other healthy snack!!! And eat half the meat!!!

Too much unhealthy food eaten especially junk food. Couch potatoes added to that obesity.

Because of fast foods I think.