Topic: Fat Americans!

Ok, so before today I thought that the talk about Americans being fat was flawed science used by Euros to bash Americans, but today I had a reality check. Normally my contact with other people is limited to college, in an upper middle class neighborhood, or in public at around 12:00 am. Now today, omg, I have never seen so many fat people in my life.

The fatties were normally around 30 - 40 years old, and they bought foods that were chips, soda, pizza, cakes and various kinds of sweets. I was like, "wtf buys that much crap?" I mean, I like sweets, I occasionally eat a entire cheese cake at once, but I never eat like that on a consistent basis.

Now, the odd thing is that the college students I see are typically not overweight. They are usually athletic, thin, or maybe a little meaty. But they aren't round, 250 lbs, and twice the size of a shopping cart.

I began to wonder if the reason younger people were typically less overweight than the 30 year old people was because of a faster metabolism. But the thing is that younger people don't buy so much junk. The junk, based on their shopping cart, is consumed in moderation.

Is the younger US generation eating better? Or is it just University students? Or just my University? lol.

Re: Fat Americans!

Well, I wouldn't say the younger generation is eating better, it's just that we're able to get more exercise. Think about it, the typical college student spends a good portion of their college life walking walking walking. That and the fact that the metabolism hasn't slowed down yet as you mentioned helps to keep weight in check. A lot more younger people are involved in sports and some are just really concerned about their looks so they try to exercise.

The typical 30-40 year old doesn't get much cardio and probably eats on the run. That combined with the soaring costs of healthier foods kinda makes it hard for them to stay in shape.

Sex without the e is still SX!

Re: Fat Americans!

Hmm, you have a good point in that we're active a lot more and generally care more about our looks, while 30-40 year olds are working full time, have families, and are always on the move. They have less incentive and are more restricted in the time they have available.

But, sweets are expensive though. And while the price for healthy foods are rising, it's not hard to have a healthy diet. I mean, my weekly grocery bill is $25.00. I'm eating ramen, cereal, oatmeal, and ham/cheese sandwiches for the most part. Sure it's not ideal for getting muscular, but it keeps me thin and healthy.

4 (edited by Kal-el 14-Feb-2009 00:31:28)

Re: Fat Americans!

"
The fatties were normally around 30 - 40 years old, and they bought foods that were chips, soda, pizza, cakes and various kinds of sweets. I was like, "wtf buys that much crap?" I mean, I like sweets, I occasionally eat a entire cheese cake at once, but I never eat like that on a consistent basis.

Now, the odd thing is that the college students I see are typically not overweight. They are usually athletic, thin, or maybe a little meaty. But they aren't round, 250 lbs, and twice the size of a shopping cart."

Partly it has to do with what nolio said, and partly because the entero system (GI) is at it's prime and those metabolizes foods at an extremely sufficient rate. A person in their 30s-40s GI system has began to slow down, which is why you see so many tv ads about cholesterol pills and the such because their enzymes just wont break down the bad lipids that fast anymore to mantain homeostasis. Leads to blocked arteries, blocked passages, and the extra fat in the food go into extracellular spaces (in other words they arent absorbed nor used so they just kinda collect). And yes a college student could indulge in pizza every day of the week for 2 years and remain relatively thin.

The exercise part is partially true aswell, personally with myself being the medical aspect of things myself nor my peers have the time to "hit the gym" so we dont have wash board abs or 6 packs, however we're not overweight either. I'd guess though that many college students do participate in athletic activities and that would also help with the metabolism of food.

~ Cloud

"I Cannot Awake From This Nightmare As Long As You Exist..."

Re: Fat Americans!

Also let's not forget many people in that age group are raising families, so between work, parenting, maybe going back to school, and trying to find peace and quite for yourself they too never get around to "hitting the gym" nor playing sports as they have responsibilities and schedules to keep.

~ Cloud

"I Cannot Awake From This Nightmare As Long As You Exist..."

Re: Fat Americans!

I don't eat TOO healthy, I eat a lot of junk food, but other people in my university are like me too in eating habits but we all work out a lot. I hit the gym atleast twice a week, and if not I'm always playing some sports. If I wasn't I'd probably be PRETTY fat tongue --> I don't mean Obese, just FAT big_smile

That being said, I don't think 30-40 year olds find the time to go to the gym or are just too lazy.

Re: Fat Americans!

okay guys the reason people get fat is because they actually don't really how much they are eating or they eat too much of the unhealthy stuff because of their economic condition.

Re: Fat Americans!

I'm fat! fatty fat fatass'd

The core joke of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is that of course no civilization would develop personal computers with instant remote database recovery, and then waste this technology to find good drinks.
Steve Jobs has ruined this joke.

Re: Fat Americans!

shit I forgot I'm posting under my real name

The core joke of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is that of course no civilization would develop personal computers with instant remote database recovery, and then waste this technology to find good drinks.
Steve Jobs has ruined this joke.

Re: Fat Americans!

Saw it cant delete

Not many people know this, but I own the first radio in Springfield. Not much on the air then, just Edison reciting the alphabet over and over. "A" he'd say; then "B." "C" would usually follow...

11 (edited by Kal-el 14-Feb-2009 03:54:57)

Re: Fat Americans!

"But, sweets are expensive though. And while the price for healthy foods are rising, it's not hard to have a healthy diet. I mean, my weekly grocery bill is $25.00. I'm eating ramen, cereal, oatmeal, and ham/cheese sandwiches for the most part. Sure it's not ideal for getting muscular, but it keeps me thin and healthy."

Justian if you really believe thats a "healthy" diet your seriously mistaken. Your diet contains enough fiber, and a small part of the calcium you need, along with abit of protein and possibly vitamin A, however you seem to be missing out on the appropriate amount of Protein, Vitamin C, Vitamin B12, Calcium, and what would worry me the most ... Iron.

I hope that your a college student that is on a strict spending budget, and that's not your "choice" per say of foods, simply what you have to do to get by for the moment. If this is your choice because you are concerned about your weight and appearance, i'd suggest you seriously consider your health over what people think about you

Personally my weekly grocery bill is about $75-$150, but i enjoy my food and all possible meals smile (btw im 160lbs, dont think im some overweight slob ...)

~ Cloud

"I Cannot Awake From This Nightmare As Long As You Exist..."

12 (edited by Justinian I 14-Feb-2009 04:18:21)

Re: Fat Americans!

Cloud,

My bad, I forgot to mention that I take Vitamin C, Omega 3, and Vitamin A vitamins hehe. I get plenty of protein in my peanut butter or ham and bread. I also get protein and calcium in milk, and iron in the cereal smile.

But yeah, without my vitamin tablets, I wouldn't get enough nutrients lol.

But omg $75-$150 worth of food? Whoa.

I could afford $50.00 a week if I cut down on some luxuries, but I have pride in being cheap lol.

Re: Fat Americans!

My honest opinion is that the west is setting people up to loose.

From bad foods that are cheap (e.g. take away), to teaching people to eat 1-2 meals a day (particularly a really large meal later in the day), to teaching people not to use their body (cars, TVs, TV remotes, the local butcher, small children who act as servants). There isn't an aspect in daily life for a western middile income earner that isn't swayed negatively.

Some people (like myself) tend to eat for other reasons too - boredom for example.

And of course you have to take into account that most people don't know whats good for them. You mention vitamins Justinian, but are you getting enough dietary fibre? I know im not. Also do you drink enough water? I'm willing to bet that the larger people dont drink enough water, and eat when they are dehydrated.

Morbo: Morbo can't understand his teleprompter. He forgot how you say that letter that looks like a man with a hat.
Linda: It's a 't'. It goes "tuh".
Morbo: Hello, little man. I will destroy you!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpP7b2lUxVE

Re: Fat Americans!

Evolution is too short circuited of late. We shouldn't spend a single taxed dollar on improving idiots' health.

[I wish I could obey forum rules]

Re: Fat Americans!

nonsense

it's that kind of attitude that is causing the problem

Morbo: Morbo can't understand his teleprompter. He forgot how you say that letter that looks like a man with a hat.
Linda: It's a 't'. It goes "tuh".
Morbo: Hello, little man. I will destroy you!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpP7b2lUxVE

Re: Fat Americans!

Nonsense.

? I'm not fat. I just said let them die. Let evolution take its course. Don't spend my money trying to educate idiots. There's a reason we call them idiots. It's a lack of basic intelligence, willpower, and discipline causing rampant obesity. No government spending on education is going to give any of these things to anyone. You can't legislate culture and personal responsibility. You can only irresponsibly waste money.

[I wish I could obey forum rules]

Re: Fat Americans!

"it's that kind of attitude that is causing the problem"


Eating to much is causing the problem.

Je maintiendrai

Re: Fat Americans!

People are so blind .... yes some over eat, however some just have a slow metabolism and thus cannot break down their fat as well as others making them overweight.

~ Cloud

"I Cannot Awake From This Nightmare As Long As You Exist..."

Re: Fat Americans!

> Eating to much is causing the problem.
Take out everyone with a problem, and there is noone left.

Instead, we should try to educate and give people the experiences they need to become well-functioning cogs in society.

Morbo: Morbo can't understand his teleprompter. He forgot how you say that letter that looks like a man with a hat.
Linda: It's a 't'. It goes "tuh".
Morbo: Hello, little man. I will destroy you!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpP7b2lUxVE

Re: Fat Americans!

Also, they upsize everything X(.

In Australia my state just bought two 'upsized' ambulances to help with the 'growing' population...

Ergh.

Morbo: Morbo can't understand his teleprompter. He forgot how you say that letter that looks like a man with a hat.
Linda: It's a 't'. It goes "tuh".
Morbo: Hello, little man. I will destroy you!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpP7b2lUxVE

Re: Fat Americans!

"however some just have a slow metabolism and thus cannot break down their fat as well as others making them overweight."

Then people with a slow metabolism should eat less. wink

Je maintiendrai

Re: Fat Americans!

> Kal-el wrote:
> People are so blind .... yes some over eat, however some just have a slow metabolism and thus cannot break down their fat as well as others making them overweight.
~ Cloud <

Aww, how cute! It always makes me smile whenever I hear that argument.
"It's my glands."
"It's my hormones."
"It's my metabolism."
Maybe fat people should have some kind of test done to find that root cause of this glandular/metabolic disease, especially seeing as though ALL of them seem to suffer from it?
Or perhaps they would like to grow some harbles, and earn some respect, and say "I am fat because I eat vast amounts of food and do no excercise."?

Like it or not the leading cause of Obesity is VAST AMOUNTS OF FOOD, and not big bones.
http://www.nber.org/papers/w12954
http://www.nature.com/ijo/journal/v30/n11/full/0803326a.html

"So, it's defeat for you, is it? Someday I must meet a similar fate..."

23 (edited by Kal-el 16-Feb-2009 14:58:57)

Re: Fat Americans!

Fokker if you knew anything about the endocrine system, than perhaps i would spend the time to agrue with you about it ...

Also if you would spend the time to read an entire post, i didn't say that's the cause for everyone.

~ Cloud

"I Cannot Awake From This Nightmare As Long As You Exist..."

Re: Fat Americans!

A lot of it also has to do with Depression; when people are down, they tend to eat more.

Re: Fat Americans!

I'm not just talking about obese people.

More then half of Australians and Americans are overweight. This is a problem.

Morbo: Morbo can't understand his teleprompter. He forgot how you say that letter that looks like a man with a hat.
Linda: It's a 't'. It goes "tuh".
Morbo: Hello, little man. I will destroy you!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpP7b2lUxVE