Fat Americans
 

I just came back from Florida. Man oh man. It get’s worse every time. I'd say one in ten was seriously obese. I don't mean fat, I mean can't move in a normal manner obese. We up north aren't far behind. It scared me to the point that I put my whole family on a diet. We have always had excess food in North America so why do we have such a problem with this now? And what can realistically be done about it because I don't think we have enough piano boxes to go around.


Jorg

Ha! I know I know I know. That's why I added the little fat bastard in my sig.!!! It is a very sad state we're in. These idiots keep eating this processed trash. I can't tell you how much I hate fact that I have to pay health care costs to pay for unhealthy f*cks. Yet, I get good insurance rates on my cars because I'm a good driver. I honestly feel that these fat pieces of trash should be made to pay more. Just like smokers, etc. You want to eat a McFatty, go ahead and eat it, just don't make ME pay for it.

But hey. The phramacutical companies don't want this to happen. So it won't.

I'm surprised that this is from a Canadian. True there are a lot of fat arses in this country, but Canada is a CLOSE 2nd when in it comes to fat population. Its not just an American thing... its going global. Even China is starting to have problems.

Yep, it's getting worse.

I have been going to Cape Hatteras more or less every year since around 1990 for a surfing trip.

Each year, people on the beach seem to get heavier.

The only really fit people we see are the local surfers and their local girlfriends.

You see entire obese families spend all day on the beach barely moving, eating bags and bags of chips and drinking soft drinks and beer.

It reminded me of raw pork baking in the sun, it was disgusting. :(

Then we hit the local Food Lion and the crap people were buying was mental. The portions and type of food being purchased numbs the mind. It's sadly true that Canada isn't far behind.

If I consumed as much sugar as I saw people buying, I'd be bouncing off the walls all night. Can you imagine how much insulin their bodies must be cranking out to try and metabolize that sugar out of their blood?

Buy insulin stock now, diabetes will be the norm in about a decade or so...

One more tidbit - has anyone bought a drink in a movie theatre lately, even a 'small' one? They're insane. Some of these must be at least a litre, maybe even 2L for the super gulp ones. Imagine how much sugar is dissolved into that. :eek: :eek:

I agree. And if Hillary gets into the White House you can be sure she'll finally get that damn national health care package passed and we'll all be paying more for the couch potatoes!

I hope she gets the nomination anyway-- no way middle-America will elect her!

I don't agree with that. I think if we had national health care prices would be more in line nationally instead of this bull**** where my premium in Florida would be $130 yet in New Jersey it is $380. I am seldom for nationalization of anything. I think the minute government gets involved you get screwed, but in the case of health care I think we *need* it nationalized. The fact that the Doctor gets $50 for an office visit from the insurance company, yet $200 from a private payer is total bull****. If he'll take $50 from Blue Cross for 20 min. -- Why won't he take it from me!

You shouldn't be surprised. We aren't far behind as I said and I think it is a problem for North America. I didn't post it as a joke or to make fun of these people. I think it is a serious issue that needs attention. As Zeus said, maybe the smart money is in Insulin.

Jorg

Snibble,

Canada isnt as bad as you think when it comes to obesity. It also depends where you're located...people in Toronto are in fairly good shape. Its the ones out of the city that dont know anything about dieting let alone fashion!

For sure FMS

According to some studies, 2/3 of the American population is obese.:eek: I agree it's time for fat people to pay more for their health insurance, just like bad drivers pay more for their car insurance.

THANK GOD! I'm *NOT* the only person that sees this!!!!

How can something like this be ignited? What needs to be done? Isn't it obvious to everyone? Or is it something that since most people are fat, they don't want it... and since we're a "democracy" that means the fat people will win??? I honestly feel that if you're fat, the doctor should say, look, you have 12 months to lose x pounds. If not, your insurance is going to drop you, or your rate goes from $320 a month to $890 a month. Take it or leave it.

Keep government out of it....let the free market sort it out.

Normally I would agree, but it just doesn't seem to be working right now. Why the hell do I pay the same for health care as the pig at McFatty's?

Same reason we all pay higher auto insurance premiums for those that are uninsured. Life is never "fair" :rolleyes:

Heck yeah, we'd have real smart and trustworthy politicians telling those mean, crooked doctors what to charge. I like politicians. They are my friends. They want to help me. We need to make rich people pay for it.

B

You have zero clue on how to read what I wrote, and how to answer questions. We *ALREADY* have the Health Care companies telling the doctor's what to charge, silly. Why do I have to pay the same as fat people. Are you fat?

We've become obese in EVERYTHING. Houses are huge, SUV's are monsterous, and so on. There has been a culture of greed and gluttony that has gone past a rise in consumerism to the desire to consume everything possible in the shortest time. There is NO "take only what you need" mentality, and if you think that way you are heckled by the gluttons. People suck up energy as fast as possible, including gasoline, natural gas and caloric intake. They take pride in occupying as much space as possible in their house, their vehicle, and now their pant-size.

I'm 6' and 160lbs and 20 years ago I looked pretty "normal." Today, I look downright thin as I'm a rare man that doesn't have a rolling belly hanging over his belt. I've noticed clothing manufacturers "shifting" sizes to accomodate people's bulging rolls. I used to be a medium in most casual shirts, and sometimes even a size large. Now, I mostly wear small and the occasional medium. They "moved up" the sizing so you could get fatter and still buy the same size. Silly.

What about the big business of "miracle" and fad diets. What a scam! EAT LESS and EXERCISE you morons. Expend more energy than you intake and you'll lose weight. Look, one sentence and I provided the secret for FREE. No need to buy Dr. Phil's book or watch Oprah.

The sad part is that the nation is denying it's a problem. Instead, we even encourage fat is beautiful. Wish I still have the link appeared about two weeks ago on CNN.com.

I should be more politically correct, sorry if I offended you. Are you "big boned" or "heavy-set" or "full figured" -- or whatever the buzz-word is for fat these days?

When I have this conversation, It is always the person that is 300lbs and 5'5" that doesn't want to see health care reform, and the person who works out and eats right is always on my side.

That's all. There is NO doubt that this nation needs health care reform, and done by law. If you let the health care companies "guide" it you'll have another Exxon on your hand.

Oppsss...
 

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/off-topic-discussion/144222-well-exxon-did-again.html

Exxon reference. -- My mind is working too fast today. ;)

Well said. And all these times I was afraid I was getting smaller (I'm a bodybuilder). But medium shirts now fit me pretty well whereas before I'd have to buy large.:P

http://www.choicesmagazine.org/2004-3/obesity/2004-3-02.htm

http://www.choicesmagazine.org/2004-...4-3-02-f01.gif

Unfortunately, Canada is NOT on the graph. However, this article seems to put it at about 23% for adults...

http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/050706/d050706a.htm

But, in one paragraph comparing the US to Canada, they estimate the US to be at 30% compared to Canada's 23%...

"Even so, Canada's adult obesity rate was significantly lower than that in the United States. While 23% of Canadian adults were obese in 2004, the rate was nearly 30% south of the border."

So, it's tough to make comparisons without good data, but the fact is that we're becoming fat nations...

I've noticed that too and it's very disturbing. It's like saying, since everyone smokes let's just say smoking is healthy and feel better about ourselves. Weird.

Jorg

If they can make smokers pay more then they can get fat people to pay more too. OoPs did I say fat? Oh yeah I did....that's what I meant to say.

I blame it on SUV's. People don't have to think about fitting into a car or not anymore. They can go out and buy a H2 or a Navigator and eat like a pig all day long.

I blame it on parents too. Buy the kid a bike instead of the motorized car or the Xbox.

I saw an SUV talking to a handgun. I think they were talking about killing children orphaned by tobacco.

There is a killer! Video consoles and computers and TV's are now the primary form of entertainment for children and adults alike. Which reminds me, I gotta go. Too much time here is time not spent doing something healthy...

But why? North Americans have always had more food than we could eat. Fast food, potato chips, twinkies have all been around forever. We could have had just as many gluttons 20 years ago. Why is it getting so out of hand now?

Jorg

Guffaw!

Opps, didn't see your last post. Video games, computers and TV. Maybe it's not what we eat but what we do. It's funny but in a society that sells more and more products with the allusion to exitement and adventure we spend most of out time in front of screens living life by proxy.

Jorg

Maybe it's my memory but I can't remember any fat peers in my hippy dippy days.

Jorg

I'm not big boned, I'm well marbled. :)

Just because people are fat doesn't mean they have nothing to offer. There are lots of brilliant fat people around. There are rich fat people, fat people who buy cars, fat people who support the foie gras industry, fat people who listen to music, fat people who teach physics, etc.

People who have never been fat don't realize how easy it is to get fat. It's not healthy, but ridiculing them just makes matters worse. They,we, have a problem, and it doesn't help us any if we keep ostracizing fat folk.

Have you ever seen a really old fat person??

That's beside the point. The point is they're taxing the health care system and we're all gonna pay for this one way or another.

Me neither. Oh wait, some women were porcine with large, pendulus mammories loose under their tight, tie-dyed shirts looking like two weiner dogs chasing something.

Ah, memories!

That wasn't my intent. I'm not exaclty skinny myself. The lifestyle choices we are making are killing us. The problem is so widespread that I think it goes beyond any one individual. Like blackmercedes said "We've become obese in EVERYTHING". Something's got to change.

Jorg

OK show me the numbers. I can say that the elderly tax the system too, and women who bear live young as well. I just don't have numbers to back up my statement.

So if you want to make a difference don't make fun of them. It's not like they don't have a complex already. Don't distance yourself from people just because they're fat. A lot of these problems begin during their childhood. Try talking to them and listening. Perhaps you'll understand.

Yep yep and yep. Agree with you and BM.

My co-worker is fat and he's totally fine with it. His fiancee is fat too. It doesn't seem to bother them that they will probably die sooner because of health problems. But I know fat kids get ridiculed in school. That and the associated health problems is why I will do my best to prevent my kid from getting fat.

Obesity now ranks as the #1 preventable killer in the US, surpassing even smoking. Look it up if you don't believe me. Old age isn't something you can change so that's not a good comparison, though couples who reproduce a lot tax the system unnecessarily too, I'll agree with that.

Maybe they don't know better. Those of us who were once thin and now fat at least know what it was like to be thin. Those who have never been thin will never know unless they become thin. Well, they might have an idea but still they have never experienced it before so they don't have the desire. If you don't have the vision then it's tough to see it. Sometimes all it takes is to experience a little success, and after that a little more. It builds confidence and makes you believe that you can do it.

I'm not obese but I'm about 35lbs over what I should be, and I work out.
We where at disneyworld and about the third day in my feet where killing me and I was exhausted. This was not our first trip, but my first being this much over. Dragging my ass around while watching other huge people suffer made my mind up for me. I'm starting my second week of serious cut backs. I already had enough excercise ( the gym 5 times a week ) but the reduced calories should now make a difference. I've already had fights with the family about it but if that's the way it has to be then that's the way it has to be.

Jorg

He used to be thin, but that was in his dope-smoking days. After he quit he started to get fat. He did lose some weight a couple times, but gained it back right away. It's too much work to keep it off and he already has a girl so what's the point of losing weight, or so he thinks.

The real reason a lot people are fat is because their lives are physically too easy and they're too lazy to do something about it. I see fast-food places all the time with long lines in the drive-thru when the counter is quite empty. But it's too much work to park the gas-guzzler and walk a few feet to the counter so they just sit there and idle away until their burger is ready.

I think it is hard for people to think of themselves as fit, heathy or thin if they have never been there... When they do lose the fat, they still think like fat people.
Fit, healthy people who gain weight, think that their fat gain is abnormal; an anomoly and usually do something about it.

After my Dad died from heart disease in 1997; I decided to do something about my own life; I started walking, then jogging, then running and became an athlete. I run marathons now and I'm 50 years old. I never felt more fit in all of my life. (Mean & lean)
You just have to have a plan,- start it and stay with it. Running races keeps me looking forward.
My wife was a fat child & obese teenager. She got with it & became fit and lean also... All by walking, then walk/jog, then running. The pounds just melted off. This was several years ago and has kept it up all this time.
If we gluttons can do it; anyone can.
my 2 cents:D

Kuan, I have no problem at all with large people. All I ask is that if a person is going to eat and eat and eat, and then not work out, they are going to get ill more often. Once that is explained to them, they need to be put a track toward healthy living. If they elect to not follow that track, then they need to pay the associated medical premiums with an unhealthy lifestyle. Just like smokers. Just like people who drive like Helen Keller. Insure the person NOT the group. I'm healthy, I eat right and work out. Yet if I go to ehealthinsurance.com and get a quote, they don't ask about any of that!! Only if I smoke. Why is that?

Not a peer, but a definate icon...

All the leaves are brown
And the sky is grey
I went for a walk
On a winter's day
I'd be safe and warm
If I was in L.A.
California dreamin'
On such a winter's day

http://www.geocities.com/rainbowwitch/MamaCass03.JPG

Talent, yes. BUT... :puke:

See how little I remember.

None the less, 5'5" and weighed 238 lbs, coronary indicated massive heart attack.

I didn't really get to hang with that crowd. My peers where much less notable.

Jorg

See, there's my problem. I had creme brullee three times in a week (among other desserts) and now I have to lose weight. Go figure.

Jorg

I was pretty bad in my younger days, I think at 15 I weighed at least 250 lbs... just not enough exercise. I started jogging a year later and within 6 months lost 40 lbs, and since then Im about 180 lbs. I still try to jog a lot but I dont think I can do so every day, it hurts my knees. Maybe a carryover from my obese days.

If calories are outlawed, only outlaws will have calories.

"Hey mister, are you carrying calories down there?"

"No, I'm just happy to see you."