USA, the Most Obese Country on Earth

[RidgeHunter]

To bring that around a bit more, if the .gov stopped subsidizing things like corn growing then foods with HFCS wouldn't be as cheap to buy. Move those subsidies to fresh fruits or veggies and it would change what people eat because it would change what people could afford.

I disagree (not with hating the corn-pushers), but in that I don't think that would solve the obesity problem. I think maybe educating people people would help. Granted I agree that there is a group of people who eat unhealthy because they can't afford (or don't think they can afford) to eat better. I don't think that is what's causing the obesity explosion though.

Water is free. Why do I see fat people sucking on on soda and Monster Energy Drink all day? Are they too broke to afford water?
It could be a "comfort food" type issue. If you're stressed out and poor, eating crap makes you feel better. Like the Mountain Dew thing in Appalachia.

But I know there HAS to be huge (no pun intended) obesity explosion among the middle class. I see it every day. Do they not know what makes them fat? Do they not care? Is it a result of modern society, work a stressful office job and then come home and pig out because it makes you feel better, never exercising because you're always busy with work and the kids? Is obesity just a symptom of the coping mechanisms we use to deal with our mind-numbing lives? I know for a fact I eat worse when I'm stressed out or busy.

 

[MaddSkillz]

I disagree (not with hating the corn-pushers), but in that I don't think that would solve the obesity problem. I think maybe educating people people would help. Granted I agree that there is a group of people who eat unhealthy because they can't afford (or don't think they can afford) to eat better. I don't think that is what's causing the obesity explosion though.

Water is free. Why do I see fat people sucking on on soda and Monster Energy Drink all day? Are they too broke to afford water?
It could be a "comfort food" type issue. If you're stressed out and poor, eating crap makes you feel better. Like the Mountain Dew thing in Appalachia.

But I know there HAS to be huge (no pun intended) obesity explosion among the middle class. I see it every day. Do they not know what makes them fat? Do they not care? Is it a result of modern society, work a stressful office job and then come home and pig out because it makes you feel better, never exercising because you're always busy with work and the kids? Is obesity just a symptom of the coping mechanisms we use to deal with our mind-numbing lives? I know for a fact I eat worse when I'm stressed out or busy.

No question over-eating is a behavioral issue. I often catch myself eating when I'm not even hungry because my wife told me my butt looked big. But I digress... Fortunately, I off-set the bad eating habits by a rather active lifestyle.

But to say that it's an education issue... I'm not so sure. People aren't that stupid, they have mirrors but they just live in denial. They know they're fat, they just would rather not admit to it. At least that's what I think.

 

[donner]

I disagree (not with hating the corn-pushers), but in that I don't think that would solve the obesity problem. I think maybe educating people people would help. Granted I agree that there is a group of people who eat unhealthy because they can't afford (or don't think they can afford) to eat better. I don't think that is what's causing the obesity explosion though.

Water is free. Why do I see fat people sucking on on soda and Monster Energy Drink all day? Are they too broke to afford water?
It could be a "comfort food" type issue. If you're stressed out and poor, eating crap makes you feel better. Like the Mountain Dew thing in Appalachia.

But I know there HAS to be huge (no pun intended) obesity explosion among the middle class. I see it every day. Do they not know what makes them fat? Do they not care? Is it a result of modern society, work a stressful office job and then come home and pig out because it makes you feel better, never exercising because you're always busy with work and the kids? Is obesity just a symptom of the coping mechanisms we use to deal with our mind-numbing lives? I know for a fact I eat worse when I'm stressed out or busy.

I was specifically address Madd's premise that we eat what is cheap and that healthy food isn't cheap. If corn wasn't subsidized, things like colas would cost more and that increase in cost would make them less appealing for poor people.

This isn't a single-solution issue. Lifestyle change, education, etc are all needed to fix this and it wont be easy, especially when a large (no pun intended, either) part of our population refuses to look at themselves as unhealthy.

 

[donner]

No question over-eating is a behavioral issue. I often catch myself eating when I'm not even hungry because my wife told me my butt looked big. But I digress... Fortunately, I off-set the bad eating habits by a rather active lifestyle.

But to say that it's an education issue... I'm not so sure. People aren't that stupid, they have mirrors but they just live in denial. They know they're fat, they just would rather not admit to it. At least that's what I think.

don't over-developed gluts just help you go faster?

 

[MaddSkillz]

don't over-developed gluts just help you go faster?

This is true!

 

[farmerbyron]

To bring that around a bit more, if the .gov stopped subsidizing things like corn growing then foods with HFCS wouldn't be as cheap to buy. Move those subsidies to fresh fruits or veggies and it would change what people eat because it would change what people could afford.

Corn subsidies are primarily about ethanol production and livestock feed. Also, fresh produce can only be grown in limited areas, especially in the US. If you will notice the little sticker on your produce this time of year will say chile, guatemala, or mexico. So I guess we could subsidize south american farmers to increase production, though I doubt there would be much support for that.

I am with ridgehunter that this is not primarily an economic issue but rather a lifestyle issue. I have read somewhere that in 1970 we spent something like 20% of our income on food compared to 11% now.

 

[RidgeHunter]

If corn wasn't subsidized, things like colas would cost more and that increase in cost would make them less appealing for poor people.

Drugs, alcohol and tobacco are expensive, and their usage is prevalent among poor people. Probably for the same reasons unhealthy food is.

 

[zandroes]

Most overweight people I know are simply too lazy. Lack will power. Often they joke about it. Confuse work with being physically active. And one of my favorites, "I'm going to die eventually, might as well live it up"
I agree with the people saying most people are just not educated. I think teaching them heAlthy choices/lifestyles would help.

 

[HMCS(FMF)Ret.]

I'm not fat, I'm big boned.

Has anyone ever seen a big boned skeleton? Just sayin.


We're #1, we're#1!!! WOOOOH!!!!

 

[1shot(bob)]

People eat what they eat because they like it. It's really as simple as that. A fast food burger is no worse for you than a sit down Red Robin burger. Food is plentiful here so we make good use of it. It's a part of human nature.
Food education is already rampant. people aren't eating what they eat because they are stupid. They are eating it because it tastes good.
You can't make it too expensive to eat what you like.

BTW, why does a 12 oz. bottle of water cost more than a 16oz. bottle of Dr. Pepper (which is essentially water PLUS some other things added?)