this whole obesity epidemic issue

Member

Some thoughts and random musings about the obesity problem in US...

Last night I was watching part of ABC News' week-long report on what they call the 'obesity epidemic' in the USA. They showed an interview with some women who talked about the discrimination they feel, even from doctors, as a result of being 'fat,' overweight or obese.

I live here in Ecuador, and on what's usually my annual trip home to the states, it's always an interesting experience or even shock to observe the number and size of obese people back home. Here in Quito it's primarily an economic fact of life that there are essentially no obese people, at least no where near the number at home. People here walk a lot, go to the park a lot on the weekend, and love soccer, all which contribute to a lifestyle which promotes a healthy weight. The majority of the population eats food that's not highly processed, but which can be really high in fat (lots of pork products and stuff cooked in lard).

So it's even more interesting nowadays to see shows like Dr Phil and the like, about people who have struggled so long with their weight. People who say they've tried *everything,* a list of which often excludes regular exercise. It's amazing how in the US things like Weight Watcher, Jenny Craig, etc are such a huge business. Or I recall Oprah once saying that she had given up on her *fight* with her weight, and just accepted that she was meant to be fat and that was her normal weight. Then I think of Tom Hanks on Castaway when he slims down to nothing. Wouldn't he have stayed fat if it were his *normal* weight? I mean, would Oprah have stayed fat on that island? Given, urban Chicago and remote desert island are worlds apart, but anymore I have a hard time feeling sorry for obese people who eat garbage and do no exercise at all. I"m no doctor but feel as though I'm pretty educated about what constitutes a healthy lifestyle, and just wonder what honestly keeps someone from going for a 1/2 hour walk each day, knowing that your life and health could be greatly improved? I know; kids, job, weather, being made fun of b/c of your weight are time-consuming committments or difficult psychological issues to deal with, but 1/2 hour walk???

I recently read somewhere a great line, something to the effect that while most of the world is dying of hunger or malnourished, most Americans are dying of eating too much.

At the school where I teach the kids are wealthy but I could count on one hand the number of obese kids in 7-12 grade (we're talking 1000+ kids). The reality is that many thin girls are the victims of eating disorders, but the vast majority are healthy young adults who get a decent amount of exercise and don't drink 3 20-oz bottles of Coke everyday.

In the end it's simply amazing how much money and resources in the USA is devoted to weight loss, and how many people are unhappy and ashamed of their bodies, due to what seems to be such an easily-solved problem. All the stomach stapling, mass liposuction, etc.

I'd appreciate hearing someone else's differing viewpoint.
thanks
gocubbies

Member

Sorry, no differing viewpoint from me. This is a one of the shameful aspects of the United States that could easily be remedied; however, corporate interests and consumer attitudes / greed are major stumbling blocks.

An example: When I was growing up, one of my schools had what they called "Coke Break," a time set aside to consume garbage. That's just wrong!

I can't wait to see the movie Super Size Me.

crazy cat lady

Member

all i will say it i do not differ in my opinion. Get off the couch America!!!

Member

If you're looking for a difference in opinion, I think you're in the wrong place.

Frightened Inmate #2

Member

"Eat less" is so open-ended, particulary when you're bombarded with all this research showing you need dairy, but limit those carbs (but not "good" carbs) and fat is OK but wait, it's still calories in/calories out and of course you're burning 400 calories in 30 minutes on that elliptical but be sure to eat enough so you don't go into Starvation Mode ... dun dun da duhhhhhn!

...

...andonandonandon until the poor overweight person honestly wanting to do the right thing is all get your mouse off of me

.

(Is it me or is Starvation Mode just a crock of sh*t? I'm not biologist, but common sense tells me that it takes much more than an occasional day or two of eating, oh say sub-1,500 cal., for the body to percieve a true famine.)

POTFH

Member

Well, unfortunately, I can not offer a different view point...about the problem here, but I can about the obesity problem abroad.

I lived in Sevilla, Spain, and as you said about Ecquador it's pretty rare to see young obese people....at the same time...it was pretty rare to see young physically active people too...the girls were too thin and the guys were nothing compare to the dudes over here...just my opinion...but they were so thin and untoned. Anyway, the schools don't offer team sports and there aren't big parks for the kids to play at in most neighborhoods...so exercise isn't really something encouraged and in fact when I ran I almost never ran into another runner. The general consensus was that the US was obsessed about health and fitness. I think, at least, the US has planted the seed that exercise must be part of a healthy fit life style and down deep most people are aware of this.

As the people aged in Sevilla there was a whole host of problems, including obesity, that their socialized mecical system did not cover.

It really comes down to culture and as fast food becomes more available to foreign cultures they too will become addicted to the additives and fat. I saw it in Spain. People line up before McDonalds opens just to be first in line for that Big Mac. With the little money many of them do have, food and clothes become the one thing they will spend on...so if a kid has a little bit of cash...guess where he's going to be tempted to spend it. It's as simple as that.

Member

Yeah it's an interesting point that although the mediterranean countries are famous for their healthy diet, as the younger generations get older and North American fast food becomes more popular, we'll probably see fatter and fatter Spaniards, Portuguese, and Italians. Too bad...
I lived in Spain for a while too, and I'll never forget eggs cooked in an inch of olive oil, tortilla espaniola, chorizo......yum....

Gone Fishin

Member

Oompa Loofah

I was reading a book a few days ago that asserted that most of the epidemic hype was being forwarded by the diet products industry. It would stand to reason as it is a multi-billion dollar industry. Any time there is hue and cry about an issue I like to step back and look to see who would have the most to gain.

I do believe there is a lot of obesity, though.

Having been on both sides of the issue, I have some thoughts. When I was what doctors considered overweight, I could run three to four days a week, I looked forward to exercise and running and enjoyed life. Now that I am on the low end of my appropriate body weight due to my illness, I can barely walk a mile two days a week. I am exhausted all the time and I don't feel good. I get treated very differently by others due to how I look. And those who judge based solely on looks think I'm healthy. I am less healthy now than I was when I was overweight, believe it or not.

Ah well. Pointing our fingers and telling people to lose weight will not work. The desire has to come from within.

Like any other habit we humans have, someone "telling us" to stop never works. We have to decide on our own. And I would hasten to add that most of us have some type of bad habit that is detrimental in one way or another.

crazy cat lady

Member

this whole obesity epidemic issue

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