We should do an exchange program where we swap a bunch of fat people for people in 3rd world countries. Instant "obesity epidemic" solution.

9/14/2007 4:22:58 PM

?topic=494289

9/14/2007 4:36:26 PM

Regarding the potatoes and corn comments:

It is perfectly alright to have potatoes and corn daily, in moderation. But it would be better to switch around the starch sources in our diet:

Potatoes
Beans (also a protein source)
Whole grains
Whole grain products

And also, enough vegetables need to be consumed (non-starchy ones), for health giving anti-oxidants and vitamins. Fruits as well.

9/14/2007 4:42:07 PM

I know nutrition and health are connected, but as far as obesity goes, I think we need to place an emphasis on embracing our bodies and not begrudging them.

I personally have to admit that my body creates fat very efficiently while it also creates muscle in an instant--I'm built for ultimate survival. Lifiting weights is the only thing that has helped me lose weight. And we need to figure out how to force people to accept these things about themselves and live with it instead of laying around getting fat and complaining...even though some folks have every reason to complain.

9/15/2007 1:01:09 AM

Quote :

"I cannot imagine someone consuming more calories and doing less than I did living in the fraternity house. Being a little overweight is one thing but it seems to me like you have to actively "work" to become obese."

Some people do, some don't. It depends on a lot of things, including genetics/biology.

9/15/2007 1:18:54 AM

just get that surgery, all the fatties want it...however, the companies that make the meds dont like it because it is less money for them(fatties losing weight, on less meds). A coworker got it done, and another one is thinking about it. lapband(i think that is it?)

[Edited on September 15, 2007 at 8:19 PM. Reason : it costs 15k]

9/15/2007 8:18:48 PM

Quote :

"I do not quite understand your argument."

Well, that's pretty obvious. Maybe you could try reading my post, where I was emphatically not claiming that Soul Food was bad or unhealthy. I mean, could I have been any clearer? I said "even the poorest among us can eat well."

Translation: Soul Food (a pretty great cuisine) arose from poor people (who can allegedly only afford "bad" or "unhealthy" food) making the best with what they had (cheap cuts of meat that require braising, etc.)

9/17/2007 1:44:02 AM

Quote :

"You can get hella fat off corn and potatoes. They are both very starchy foods."

I would love to see someone eat nothing but corn and potatoes and get "hella fat." I can't even imagine it. They are starchy, but they're also full of fiber. I am sure it "can" be done theoretically, but it'd be hard, unless they were soaked in butter and sugar.

Anyway, this isn't rocket science. There are some basic elements to obesity:

1. Slothful, unforgivable laziness
2. Conspicuous consumption of high-density, high-energy foods

You don't have to be a nutritionist to see how this works.

My point about Soul Food was less about the cuisine itself but more about its background. There's a very different mindset at work when you have to stew some greens for an hour versus just making something from a box or eating out. It rather nullifies #1 in the above equation.

In general, people in this country don't cook food anymore, they prepare or procure it. Home cooks are addicted to so-called "convenience foods" such that, basically, eating is nothing more than glorified rationing. And when the rations schedule is out of whack with human dietary needs, people simply balloon in weight because they don't see alternatives.

The American concept of food is now: cheap and ubiquitous. That's good on a certain level. It prevents starvation.

On the other hand, it also creates a society where people will pay $5 for a box of instant oatmeal (dog food with sugar) at $0.37/oz instead of paying $3 for the real stuff at $0.15/oz (which requires more time to make).

People need to invest in eating, not just dieting. If you really like food, you're not going to just slough down whatever is nearby.

(I particularly like the food critic character in Ratatouille --

Anton Ego: You're a bit slow for someone in the fast lane.
Linguini: And... you're thin for someone who likes food!
[Crowd gasps]
Anton Ego: I don't LIKE food, I LOVE it. If I don't LOVE it, I don't SWALLOW.)

[Edited on September 17, 2007 at 2:21 AM. Reason : foo]

9/17/2007 2:18:44 AM

Quote :

"I would love to see someone eat nothing but corn and potatoes and get "hella fat." I can't even imagine it. They are starchy, but they're also full of fiber. I am sure it "can" be done theoretically, but it'd be hard, unless they were soaked in butter and sugar."

Potatoes and corn have much higher starch to beneficial fiber ratios than most whole grain foods. You are much better off with whole grains and beans than you are potatoes and corn. THere are a lot that people never try like quinoa or whole grain couscous. Fresh vegetables and many fruits provide a good amount of fiber while supplying a wider range of vitamins and minerals. Most people eat WAY too many carbs/starches, even when choosing whole grains. Eat more fruits, vegetables, and beans and you'll be in great shape.

9/17/2007 3:04:38 PM

If you can't workout and eat some what healthy then they don't need to be assisted by me. Its just another example of people wanting help for crap they could have prevented.

9/18/2007 9:50:18 PM

Can always count on T-dub for self-righteous I'm-so-proud-of-myself sentiment with regard to this topic.

I'm fine with "having to pay" for those people with weight problems, either genetic or psychological/lifestyle induced...though I guess it's technically my employer that does the paying.

Hmmm...where do criminal rehabilitation programs get their funding? Does it piss you people off that your money is used on people who've screwed up their lives in a different sense, only much worse? At least say yes and be consistent.

9/18/2007 10:08:59 PM

Obesity taxes the healthcare system in a massive way and negatively effects all of us.

However, instead of going on a fat crusade, I think we should just reward those that maintain healthy lifestyles through tax credits and or reduced premiums. This adds incentive for people to shed weight and remain healthy.

9/19/2007 11:32:24 AM

check out this fatass

http://www.charlotte.com/weird/story/284074.html

9/19/2007 1:24:25 PM

Few counter points /agreements to what's been said in this thread.

1. The whole thing someone pointed out about poor/mating/genetics- holds, as does something else- metabolic and other disorders in this country that are *not* caused by being overweight (I therefore do not generally refer to type II diabetis) are also on the rise - that then can contribute to more people *becoming* overweight. Nobody seems to give a fuck about this problem only that more people are "fat". Not that more people have such fucked up metabolisms that unless they are mr. exemplar of healthy eating and go crazy with exercise- they will be fat. Now mind you, this does not account for all overweight people nor am I claiming it is.
2. No poor people who work hard don't often stay poor, but a lot of times by the time they dig out of that hole, they're already fat. and therefore part of the population trying to loose weight and in the eyes of most people in this thread- part of the problem.
3. Food education in this country DOES suck. People will happily tell you to eat seriously bland, boring things or tell you what ingredients to use to be healthy, but RARELY will you get any education on how to put that advice into meals that are both healthy and edible or affordable.
In changing my own eating habits from not-so-bad to actually good for you - i'm spending QUITE a lot more on my grocery bill and eating less, and as someone who DOESN"T know how to cook very well because nobody ever taught me- it's very very frustrating at times.
I'm not saying that you can't have healthy food that's both tasty and affordable, but I am saying it requires knowing how to do it- knowledge that a significant portion of Americans today either DO not have or if they do- often doesnt get passed on to their children!

9/19/2007 2:24:12 PM

Quote :

"If you're searching for a villain in America's obesity epidemic, most nutritionists tell you to put one picture on the wanted poster: a cold, bubbly glass of soda pop."

http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/diet.fitness/09/18/kd.liquid.calories/index.html

Quote :

"Over the past three decades, the childhood obesity rate has more than doubled for preschool children aged 2-5 years and adolescents aged 12-19 years, and it has more than tripled for children aged 6-11 years. At present, approximately nine million children over 6 years of age are considered obese."

http://www.iom.edu/Object.File/Master/22/606/FINALfactsandfigures2.pdf

How bout banning soda machines in elementary and middle schools? That might help....

9/19/2007 2:48:54 PM

again, who gives a shit...

fuck fatties

am i rite?

9/19/2007 3:21:24 PM

^^ Not sending your child to school with money to buy soda from the machine and not doing stupid things like banning dodgeball and tag might also help in this matter.

[Edited on September 19, 2007 at 3:22 PM. Reason : ^^]

9/19/2007 3:21:52 PM

it is all about fucking personal responsibility. I do not understand what is so hard about this. I try to eat healthy but i might eat unhealthy food sometimes, drink soda, or even beer

i am not anywhere close to overweight b.c i get appropriate exercise and to all the above unhealthy habits in moderation.

Yeah fatties are a liability on the healthcare system but so are other people with unhealthy habits and people who just have teh bad luck of getting crappy genes.

We should also look to parents to take responsibility and teach their children healthy habits (good eating and exercise). One of my good friends and his lil bro were very much overweight when i was early in high school. Their mom along decided to take a more active role and regulated them to a more healthier diet. She also encouraged them to be more active providing incentives ( like $20 to work their asses off doing yard work) along with gym membership while discouraging them from sitting inside playing video games. Within a year both were of healthy weight and remain so to this day

[Edited on September 19, 2007 at 4:23 PM. Reason : l]

9/19/2007 4:20:46 PM