Why are Americans obese?

[EmeraldAxe]

Let's find out what people think. Extra points for whomever uses evolution in their explanation.

[mikenostic]

Let's find out what people think. Extra points for whomever uses evolution in their explanation.

How would evolution fit into the scenario?

[Orleander]

Native Americans are getting more obese because their bodies have evolved to hang onto every calorie it can due to periods of starvation.

Other Americans are fat because they eat too much crap and exercise too little.

[spidergoat]

There is that evolutionary reason, combined with deregulation of our food industry leading to widespread use of high fructose corn syrup, and a landscape designed around the automobile.

[EmeraldAxe]

HBO removed the interview with David Kessler MD/PhD, proprietary rights. This is all I could find.

http://fora.tv/2009/04/27/How_to_End_Overeating_Dr_David_Kessler

He just wrote a book called, The End of Overeating. I haven't read his book, but I'm guessing over the course of an hour (video above) he covers most of the main points.

So, if he's right. Do we need to take action on the food companies similar to what happened in the 90's with nicotine?

[joepistole]

Answer to OP, because we can be!

[nietzschefan]

People eat too much. The food is shit generally. People are lazy and do not exercise, even with a sit-on-yer-ass job.

[Japarican]

Diet. Sedentary lifestyle

[chris4355]

cheap fast shit food

[spidergoat]

An obesity virus, or perhaps a deficit in some kind of beneficial bacteria of the colon, leading to nutrient deficiency.

[superstring01]

Why are Americans obese?

Because they eat too much junk and get too little exercise.

~String

[cosmictraveler]

Why are Americans obese?

Foods today contain more fatty crap than ever before as well as chemicals and other ingredients that create more fat in humans. Without exercising to remove all this excess fat humans become fatter.

[Carcano]

Is there any such thing as a fat chimpanzee???

[superstring01]

Is there any such thing as a fat chimpanzee???

The combination of their natural and necessarily balanced diet (veggies with a smattering of bugs they scarf up) and their mobile lifestyle keeps such things in check. I doubt you'd find an obese human being before 10,000 years ago. If so, I'd be willing to wager that they were so exceedingly rare as to be statistically unimportant.

~String

[PieAreSquared]

it's only the men... no such thing as a fat woman ;)

[madanthonywayne]

Eating is pleasurable, and us Americans can afford all we want. Exercise isn't pleasurable, and we've aranged our lives so that we really don't get any exercise in the course of a normal day unless we go out of our way to hit the gym.

[PieAreSquared]

I find exercise quite enjoyable .. I like my 5 or 6 mile bike rides everyday.

I don't want to be a sloth.

[Carcano]

The combination of their natural and necessarily balanced diet (veggies with a smattering of bugs they scarf up) and their mobile lifestyle keeps such things in check. I doubt you'd find an obese human being before 10,000 years ago. If so, I'd be willing to wager that they were so exceedingly rare as to be statistically unimportant.

What happened 10,000 years ago...grain agriculture???

[Absane]

Let's find out what people think. Extra points for whomever uses evolution in their explanation.

1) Caloric intake has remained static if it hasn't increased slightly over that last few hundred years. In the same time frame, physical activity has been slowing gradually.

2) Processed food. High fructose corn syrup has been show in rats to fatten the liver and induce type 2 diabetes when combined with a high fat diet in just 4 weeks. Also, HFCS doesn't signal to the brain that any food has been eaten. So if you down a 300 calorie Coca-Cola... your body just looks at it like it's water.

3) In a few social circles, one is applauded if they are fat.

4) The shift in our diet over the last few thousand years. Our bodies evolved to eat high protein and high fat foods. Meat, nuts, and a few berries along the way. When fruits were in season and they were plentiful.. that's when we would eat them.

[cosmictraveler]

I don't want to be a sloth.

Hey why not, sloths are very interesting animals that are very fit although they just "hang around" allot. They also don't get fat either. ;)

http://www.naturephoto-cz.com/photos/sevcik/three-toed-sloth--choloepus-hoffmani.jpg

[Absane]

Foods today contain more fatty crap than ever before as well as chemicals and other ingredients that create more fat in humans. Without exercising to remove all this excess fat humans become fatter.

I hope that you aren't implying that eating fat makes you fat.

[cosmictraveler]

I hope that you aren't implying that eating fat makes you fat.

No, not at all. My point was that the chemicals they put into foods makes fat harder top remove because the way the chemicals act upon your metabolism.

[Challenger78]

We australians are now the most obese. I blame Beer.

[phlogistician]

Exercise isn't pleasurable,

Shagging, surfing, and snowboarding are all exercise.

Try one of them sometime.

[Sciencelovah]

I have a question which is still related with the topic: why is it that only American got obese? :shrug: Some posters here have said that it's because they (American) can (afford it). But what about this:

http://www.oftwominds.com/photos07/global-BMI.gif


Body mass index (BMI) Categories:

* Underweight = <18.5
* Normal weight = 18.5-24.9
* Overweight = 25-29.9
* Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater


Surely it doesn't mean the Japanese or French can't afford their foods? :shrug:

Edit: sorry, I read the graph wrong. The y axis is not BMI, but percentage of population above 25 years old with BMI above 30 (obese). Still, American has the highest number (30.6%).

[Sciencelovah]

1) Caloric intake has remained static if it hasn't increased slightly over that last few hundred years. In the same time frame, physical activity has been slowing gradually.

2) Processed food. High fructose corn syrup has been show in rats to fatten the liver and induce type 2 diabetes when combined with a high fat diet in just 4 weeks. Also, HFCS doesn't signal to the brain that any food has been eaten. So if you down a 300 calorie Coca-Cola... your body just looks at it like it's water.

3) In a few social circles, one is applauded if they are fat.

4) The shift in our diet over the last few thousand years. Our bodies evolved to eat high protein and high fat foods. Meat, nuts, and a few berries along the way. When fruits were in season and they were plentiful.. that's when we would eat them.

Are these limited to American? Also, I wonder why Mexico comes up as second most obese..

[madanthonywayne]

Shagging, surfing, and snowboarding are all exercise.

Try one of them sometime.
Shagging? Who are you, Austin Powers?:) But seriously, I've actually tryed that argument with my wife. We should have sex twice a day for the aerobic exercize. Sadly, she didn't buy it. But that is one exercise I engage in as often as possible. Surfing? Pretty tough to do in the middle of a continent with no ocean's for thousands of miles. And snowboarding? Well, in addition to a dearth of oceans, it's quite flat around here. You could stand on a snowboard, but you're not going anywhere.

By the way, the reasons I gave were general. I actually work out 2 or 3 times a week. (well, I have been for the past month or so).

[madanthonywayne]

I have a question which is still related with the topic: why is it that only American got obese? :shrug: Some posters here have said that it's because they (American) can (afford it). But what about this:

http://www.oftwominds.com/photos07/global-BMI.gif


Body mass index (BMI) Categories:

* Underweight = <18.5
* Normal weight = 18.5-24.9
* Overweight = 25-29.9
* Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater


Surely it doesn't mean the Japanese or French can't afford their foods? :shrug:

Edit: sorry, I read the graph wrong. The y axis is not BMI, but percentage of population above 25 years old with BMI above 30 (obese). Still, American has the highest number (30.6%).
Looking at your graph, all the fatest countries seem to be English speaking (except for Mexico, but perhaps her proximity to the US is responsible for Mexico being the exception to that rule). Perhaps the diet we all inherited from England (meat and potatoes and not many other vegetables) is responsible.

[Sciencelovah]

Looking at your graph, all the fatest countries seem to be English speaking (except for Mexico, but perhaps her proximity to the US is responsible for Mexico being the exception to that rule). Perhaps the diet we all inherited from England (meat and potatoes and not many other vegetables) is responsible.

Yea, the English speaking countries are on the top 10 (US, UK, Australia, NZ, and Canada)... interesting observation! As for the meat and potatoes, I'm not so sure.. many Europeans drink so much beer, cheese, milk, pasta, and I guess meat, too.. Perhaps it has to do with them (the top 10) as plural or new countries, i.e. has a lot of immigrants and so lots of variety of cuisines? :p

[justwonderingjoe]

HBO removed the interview with David Kessler MD/PhD, proprietary rights. This is all I could find.

http://fora.tv/2009/04/27/How_to_End_Overeating_Dr_David_Kessler

He just wrote a book called, The End of Overeating. I haven't read his book, but I'm guessing over the course of an hour (video above) he covers most of the main points.

So, if he's right. Do we need to take action on the food companies similar to what happened in the 90's with nicotine?

From what I watched it looks like a great video.
Personally, I feel much better when I eliminate sweets and bread from my diet. It takes me about a week or two to stop the cravings.
I don't believe taking action on food companies is needed. I feel a person needs to make decisions on their own about what to eat or what not to eat.

[Syzygys]

Extra points for whomever uses evolution in their explanation.

I want the extra points! The technical revolution (kind of evolution for humans, less physical work) causes Americans to move less and the aviability of cheap and good food (good food doesn't equal healthy!) causes them to be fat.

What did I win?

[Sciencelovah]

I want the extra points! The technical revolution (kind of evolution for humans, less physical work) causes Americans to move less and the aviability of cheap and good food (good food doesn't equal healthy!) causes them to be fat.

What did I win?

The Japanese don't have technical revolution? :confused: On the basis of the percentage of population above 25 y.o, there are 10 times obese people in USA than that in Japan. I have to agree with Absane and Madant, something with American makes them like to eat meat so much.

[Norsefire]

Syzgyz hit the nail on the head.

As technology develops, we move and work less and less...and food, especially that yummy greasy food we all love, is more and more available.


Fatty, calorie-packed food + next to no exercise = obesity!

[Sciencelovah]

Heyyy... the Japanese and the Germans aren't obese.. they don't have the technology or luxury to live in comfort like Americans?

[Sciencelovah]

Heyyy... the Japanese and the Germans aren't obese.. they don't have the technology or luxury to live in comfort like Americans?

Ok, I am going to answer that for myself. The Japanese and Germans are known to be hard working / serious people... while the Americans... hint.. hint.. :D

[Japarican]

The japanese diet is very different from the U.S. They eat lots of fish and don't snack on junk food every day.

[Syzygys]

Heyyy... the Japanese and the Germans aren't obese.. they don't have the technology or luxury to live in comfort like Americans?

Have you ever eaten at a Chinese all-you-can-eat buffee? You eat yourself to death and 2 hours later you are hungry again. (same with Japanese food)

I don't even want to mention German food, because there is a reason why there are no German restaurant around the world...

[Mickmeister]

Because the food served here is shit and finding restaurants that serve healthy food are few and far between. Most don't even begin to realize how horrible the food is they are consuming in most restaurants.

Plus, the serving sizes are ridiculous.

[Syzygys]

Plus, the serving sizes are ridiculous.

True:

http://blog.syracuse.com/storefront/2007/08/large_bigmacII.jpg

For comparison, here is an American size and a German size burger:

http://www.competitiveeaters.com/images/108_000.JPG

[Syzygys]

Harrisburg, PA just for puking purposes:

http://www.dennysbeerbarrelpub.com/IMAGES/DSCN0155.JPG

At one of my fav restaurant, Bucca di Beppo, they don't even have single meals, you have to order a double...

[Sciencelovah]

Harrisburg, PA just for puking purposes:

http://www.dennysbeerbarrelpub.com/IMAGES/DSCN0155.JPG

At one of my fav restaurant, Bucca di Beppo, they don't even have single meals, you have to order a double...

Omg.... :puke: (the burger)

It seems that tasty food aren't healthy or junk foods are tastier (than healthy foods).

[otheadp]

1) There is so much food readily available and for cheap -- probably more than in any other country on earth.
2) A lot of it is made of toxic waste (ok - hyperbole there, but it's not too far from the truth)
3) Inactive life style:
- Office work - we sit on our asses all day as opposed to working the fields
- Computer games - kids increasingly get their after-school entertainment at home behind a desk / on the couch
- Cheap cars - because cars are so affordable, more and more people have them, and use them, to go everywhere instead of biking, walking, etc.

Nowadays when somebody is fit it is more likely because they actively make an effort to, and not because of their natural life style. In 2nd/3rd world countries people are fit (or at least not obese) because their regular routines make them so. They don't need to go on a special diet or sign up to a fitness club.

[PieAreSquared]

Mexico may be 2nd in obesity, but their incidence of heart trouble is a lot lower

[Mickmeister]

True otheadp ..... americans use their cars in stead of walking ... statistics show americans walk about 1000 steps a day .... french people take 10000 steps a day ......
American food has too many calories ..... ever been to an american diner and ordered full breakfast ??? .... enough calories for a day !!!
Also americans are stressed - long working hours and long transport ... short holidays ..... eating relieves stress .... it is easy to fall into a pattern and get bad eating habits .......
Genetics ....... hmmm, might be a reason .... also there is this "obesity virus" around ....

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,482788,00.html

LOL! I always just shake my head at ones that I see drive around and around a parking lot looking for the closest parking space. It's not like this is a few, it's a lot of drivers that do this. I am always thinking what the issue is with walking a few more steps instead of being lazy and wasting gas and time. :rolleyes:

You also have to look at American mentality. If you are walking or bicycling somewhere, then you are automatically assumed to be in a lower class and are poor. :rolleyes:

[EmeraldAxe]

Saving steps in the US of A ................. :p

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/9074/fitnessw.jpg

Brilliant. I hope you don't mind if I use this.

[superstring01]

Yea, the English speaking countries are on the top 10 (US, UK, Australia, NZ, and Canada)... interesting observation! As for the meat and potatoes, I'm not so sure.. many Europeans drink so much beer, cheese, milk, pasta, and I guess meat, too.. Perhaps it has to do with them (the top 10) as plural or new countries, i.e. has a lot of immigrants and so lots of variety of cuisines? :p

That last observation is interesting.

I tend to see it as lifestyle. The English culture, for all its gifts, has imbued us with an austerity that makes us think "we deserve it..." and "we want it NOW" which translates into bad eating habits for most of us.

Shit, I'm addicted to pancakes. I'm obsessed. I think about them all week. I allow myself to eat them ONE day (Fri, Sat or Sun... whichever) and I totally pig out. If I gave in to my baser instincts, I'd be as big as a house. And weighing 190lbs (6' though) right now, I really don't want to put on any more weight.

~String

[jpappl]

Because we eat large portions of fatty food and take the car to the corner store.

[PieAreSquared]

Shit, I'm addicted to pancakes. I'm obsessed.

stop...you're making me hungry.....guess i could ride my bike over to IHOP ;)

[jpappl]

Shit, I'm addicted to pancakes. I'm obsessed.

stop...you're making me hungry.....guess i could ride my bike over to IHOP ;)


MMMM blueberry pancakes

[Syzygys]

Also I bet car ownership and usage is bigger in the States then in Japan. Even if you use public transportation you still have to walk a lot. Not with a car...

Edit: USA 478, Japan 396 per 1000

[CutsieMarie89]

We eat too much and more than 5 steps is too far to walk. So we drive.

[lightgigantic]

industrial white collar economy = sedimentary lifestyle

[superstring01]

industrial white collar economy = sedimentary lifestyle

You mean sedentary (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sedentary), right?

~String

[Mrs.Lucysnow]

Eating is pleasurable, and us Americans can afford all we want. Exercise isn't pleasurable, and we've aranged our lives so that we really don't get any exercise in the course of a normal day unless we go out of our way to hit the gym.

Oh please the French and Italians have a much more refined sense of culinary delights and they aren't fat porkers. The average American finds eating crap pleasurable because they have forgotten the art of wholesome meals!

[Nutter]

Thank you for your inquiry. This topic has been analyzed in considerable detail here: http://www.sciforums.com/showthread.php?t=67091

Indeed, the blubber epidemic is notorious. God bless.

[Absane]

Oh please the French and Italians have a much more refined sense of culinary delights and they aren't fat porkers. The average American finds eating crap pleasurable because they have forgotten the art of wholesome meals!

Or how about... the French are homosexuals with nothing better to do than act pretentious?

I don't give a shit about "culinary delights." And I don't eat like an "average American." My plates are quick and to the point... fuel with flavor.

[Mercy Angel]

Not all Americans are obese... only those who eat too much and move around too little.

[FlamingJupiter]

Cheap fast food, huge restaurant portions, too much TV and not enough exercise, and a growing acceptance of overweight as being normal so people don't even realize how heavy they are.

[Orleander]

took my daughter clothes shopping today. She was the only average weight child trying on clothes. All the other girls were flat out fat trying on XS clothing. You could see every roll and the dimple of their belly button. Their over weight moms stood there saying "oh that looks cute" I was aghast

[elitist]

Let's find out what people think. Extra points for whomever uses evolution in their explanation.

Cultural evolution during the agricultural phase of the human species led to the introduction of many biological quirks that damage man.

Originally a grain diet led to the grinding down of human teeth due to the milling process and the traces of sand and grit in bread.

Then the introduction of sugar led to tooth decay by caries.

And now fast food has led to an obesity plague.

[Believe]

THE REAL ANSWER:

The food in Merica is FUCKING AWESOME and there's tons of it!!! ;) :D

Also, desk jobs and GREAT TV don't help much.

[chimpkin]

The food in America is awesome:
Chinese food, Mexican food, Italian food, Japanese food...

[Me-Ki-Gal]

There is that evolutionary reason, combined with deregulation of our food industry leading to widespread use of high fructose corn syrup, and a landscape designed around the automobile.

wow Spidey your indoctrination goes back in time quite a ways. I like that :
Land Scape Design around the Automobiles .

I guess I was spot on with you painting bicycles on the freeway . Wow . I amaze Me self some times . If we go to jail I am telling you right now I will not be your bitch . Mikey don't play that I all already told you

[Me-Ki-Gal]

Thank you for your inquiry. This topic has been analyzed in considerable detail here: http://www.sciforums.com/showthread.php?t=67091

Indeed, the blubber epidemic is notorious. God bless.

Who are you ? Are you still part of the forum . Like the pic bro .
Gog Bless

[Me-Ki-Gal]

took my daughter clothes shopping today. She was the only average weight child trying on clothes. All the other girls were flat out fat trying on XS clothing. You could see every roll and the dimple of their belly button. Their over weight moms stood there saying "oh that looks cute" I was aghast

It was you !!!

Food tastes good . I like Tex Mex as much as anyone . I have been some what lucky to have worked physically in my life . Even with all the toxins in building products that scare the shit out of people ( Funny is when an Elitist gets up set about the smell of latex paint . Roar over laughing on the floor funny ) The exercise is good for the body . Fat in your diet is not a concern when you work your fucking ass off . Yeah I got no ass . Tight ass you could say . No Spidey . Keep that thing away from Me . The Man "Richard Prior" Quote :You hit Me with that stick I will bit your dick

[scheherazade]

It has been observed that the discovery of fire AND grain agriculture was a turning point in our evolution from a generally nomadic species that had to move with with the seasons and resources to survive to a settled species that was was able to work cooperatively and live with increasing population density because this new strategy was successful.

Less time and energy was needed in the procurement of food and the use of fire and learning to process grain into a wide variety of foodstuffs would allow more time and energy for learning other skills to facilitate this living in groups and communities of ever increasing size. As whole grains store and transport well, the benefits of their cultivation and use would proliferate quite easily.

The processing of grain is what enables us to digest this food as we are unable to utilize it very well in it's raw state. Processed grain is very easily converted by our bodies into simple sugars which are not what we evolved to eat, and this changes our body chemistry in a manner which causes most of us to store these additional calories as fat, if we do not use them up through activity.

We are able to ingest a lot of calories without the energy which we would normally need to expend to acquire them, and so the excess calories are stored as fat.

Processed food has a very high caloric density compared to foods in their natural state. The processing often removes the natural fiber which makes us feel satiated and full, and which aids in gut motility.

Why are indigestion and/or irregular bowel function, flatulence, bloating, diabetes, and diverticular disease so prevalent in many nations today?

I would suggest it may be that we have evolved technologies which have outpaced the evolution of our digestive system.

We are bloated with success and blessed with excess in those countries which predominantly demonstrate obesity.

[Orleander]

It was you !!!

LOL, yep, I was the one standing there saying 'oh no no no" shaking my head. I wasn't popular.

[Me-Ki-Gal]

It has been observed that the discovery of fire AND grain agriculture was a turning point in our evolution from a generally nomadic species that had to move with with the seasons and resources to survive to a settled species that was was able to work cooperatively and live with increasing population density because this new strategy was successful.

Less time and energy was needed in the procurement of food and the use of fire and learning to process grain into a wide variety of foodstuffs would allow more time and energy for learning other skills to facilitate this living in groups and communities of ever increasing size. As whole grains store and transport well, the benefits of their cultivation and use would proliferate quite easily.

The processing of grain is what enables us to digest this food as we are unable to utilize it very well in it's raw state. Processed grain is very easily converted by our bodies into simple sugars which are not what we evolved to eat, and this changes our body chemistry in a manner which causes most of us to store these additional calories as fat, if we do not use them up through activity.

We are able to ingest a lot of calories without the energy which we would normally need to expend to acquire them, and so the excess calories are stored as fat.

Processed food has a very high caloric density compared to foods in their natural state. The processing often removes the natural fiber which makes us feel satiated and full, and which aids in gut motility.

Why are indigestion and/or irregular bowel function, flatulence, bloating, diabetes, and diverticular disease so prevalent in many nations today?

I would suggest it may be that we have evolved technologies which have outpaced the evolution of our digestive system.

We are bloated with success and blessed with excess in those countries which predominantly demonstrate obesity.

Are you witch . I think your a witch . Next you will be introducing eye of newt to your soup I think . You know Liken is edible. Liken soup ? Ever had it ? I have , kind of pphhlak-bla. The roughage is good though . Me Grandma could go out in a empty lot (field ) and pick a plate full of salad for a crowd . Hell people now a days would starve before they ate out of a empty lot like that. I can Identify some stuff that is edible . A person would be surprised at all the little plants you can eat . The garden is plentiful . If you get caught in a plane crash it is something to think about . A survival plan is a good thing . One thing you can do is watch what the animals eat. If the birds and deer are eating the berries it might be O.K.
Some berries are poisonous as all get out . We use to say " Don't eat the red ones " I eat lots of red ones now a days . I learned from the birds


I think the bowl problems is a mental problem . Part of hoarding instincts of the past . So that does support what you said , but the thing is I think a stomach can handle it and poop it out just fine . It is the mental state that prevents regular bowl movements . High stress too I believe causes lack of movement . Hoyty and Toyty and there secret butt plugs they stuff in people at night also . They are like tooth Fairies in a way , but not in a good way . More like the evil tooth fairy

[Believe]

The food in America is awesome:
Chinese food, Mexican food, Italian food, Japanese food...

Now your getting it!

[Me-Ki-Gal]

LOL, yep, I was the one standing there saying 'oh no no no" shaking my head. I wasn't popular.

Your popular with me so no worries .

[Misty155]

I think the reason is that Americans eat foods with high fat.

[Syzygys]

Hey why not, sloths are very interesting animals that are very fit although they just "hang around" allot. They also don't get fat either. ;)

They are also very disgusting, their fur full of bugs. Take a look at one closely.

As for the fatness question, because fastfood are cheap and DIVINE....

[Syzygys]

The food in America is awesome:
Chinese food, Mexican food, Italian food, Japanese food...

That, and some restaurants like Buca di Beppo doesn't even have single portions....

[wellwisher]

The highest ratio of obesity is among the poor, which, predictably, have a direct connection to liberal social policies and government programs. The bloat is across the government, in a figurative sense. The effect is connected to generating government jobs, with more jobs created by compounding problems or by creaing solutions that can morph into even more problems. We feed the poor and make them fat. Then we have to expand government to morph that solution into other problems, etc.

If you look at school lunches and obesity, the solution is obvious. While the liberal approach is very predictable; make the problem worse to create more jobs.

What I would do is tailor school menu choices based on weight. As the hcildren enter they weight in and based on height and body structre they are funneled to a serving station. Only the overweight kids would have the more restricted diets since they need the most help controlling diet. The trimmer kids would have more choices including some junk food. If the thin kids gain too much weight, their diet classification will change. If the overweight kids slim down their classified will change to the open diet. This teaches cause and effect so they can make rational choices.

The approach that government and liberals will use is not based on cause and effect. Everyone, even those who are trim, will be treated like they are overweight. The effect is sort of like accusing someone of something they did not do. Eventually, since they are being treated like they did something, they will start to do it, to make sense out of the irrationality. The result is an expansion of jobs needs to treat a new growing problem that we will blame on something else. Science will give excuses since that also is a way to create jobs and more problems.

For example, if I constantly accuse you of stealing (you have to eat only fat food) and you have to constantly pay the fiddler of social stigma for something you never did, why not steal to create cause and effect. You will be treated the same way but gain some benefits like fat food. If you just take the irrationality you will lose touch with cause and effect, since you are suffering the effect of a cause based on irrationality.

If you teach cause and effect, slim should have more options since your body can handle more option. This creates a goal. The overweight should have fewer options because this is needed to maintain health. Children learn cause and effect. We are not falsely accusing anyone to make the problem worse, so the union can make more such jobs.

We could extend this to resturants, in liberal towns, which want to change menus. When you enter you get on the scales. Then you are funneled to an area of the resturant where the diet is restricted, or where the diet is open depending on cause and effect.

But what will happen is liberals will try to treat everyone as overweight which is out of touch with cause and effect. The country is mess up because too many irrational people get elected to office because their constituencies are irrational too.

[S.A.M.]

Has anyone said the magic words: high fructose corn syrup?

For some reason, after the initial commentary on the subject by two very respectable scientists, very little work has been done on the topic.


Obesity is a major epidemic, but its causes are still unclear. In this article, we investigate the relation between the intake of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and the development of obesity. We analyzed food consumption patterns by using US Department of Agriculture food consumption tables from 1967 to 2000. The consumption of HFCS increased > 1000% between 1970 and 1990, far exceeding the changes in intake of any other food or food group. HFCS now represents > 40% of caloric sweeteners added to foods and beverages and is the sole caloric sweetener in soft drinks in the United States. Our most conservative estimate of the consumption of HFCS indicates a daily average of 132 kcal for all Americans aged ≥ 2 y, and the top 20% of consumers of caloric sweeteners ingest 316 kcal from HFCS/d. The increased use of HFCS in the United States mirrors the rapid increase in obesity. The digestion, absorption, and metabolism of fructose differ from those of glucose. Hepatic metabolism of fructose favors de novo lipogenesis. In addition, unlike glucose, fructose does not stimulate insulin secretion or enhance leptin production. Because insulin and leptin act as key afferent signals in the regulation of food intake and body weight, this suggests that dietary fructose may contribute to increased energy intake and weight gain. Furthermore, calorically sweetened beverages may enhance caloric overconsumption. Thus, the increase in consumption of HFCS has a temporal relation to the epidemic of obesity, and the overconsumption of HFCS in calorically sweetened beverages may play a role in the epidemic of obesity.

http://www.ajcn.org/content/79/4/537.full


But the theory is correct. So I would lay off the HFCS even if the lobbies won't let the research happen

[Orleander]

we eat more processed food, less fresh food. I grew up with a garden, chickens, eggs, homemade cookies, etc

My kids want chicken patties/nuggets, oreos, carrots w/ ranch. <sigh>

[jpappl]

Let's find out what people think. Extra points for whomever uses evolution in their explanation.

Here is one of the reasons.

http://www.divinecaroline.com/22177/49492-

Plate size. What we consider a meal or drink now, just think big gulp is so different then what it used to be.

It's simply. More calories in, fewer calories burned.

We eat a ton and then sit around on our ass.

[scheherazade]

Has anyone said the magic words: high fructose corn syrup?

For some reason, after the initial commentary on the subject by two very respectable scientists, very little work has been done on the topic.



But the theory is correct. So I would lay off the HFCS even if the lobbies won't let the research happen

I would suggest the reason it has not been pursued is because HFCS and other corn derivatives are in almost every processed food you can name, including many tomato sauces, which came as a surprise to me. Frozen potatoes of all shapes are dusted in dextrose (usually corn sugar) to make them brown and crisp evenly. The same with most breaded or battered fish and chicken. Everything sweet is suspect as are most things savory.

Corn is one of the cheapest ingredients to grow and it's diversity is astounding, therefore corn, in all it's forms, is ubiquitous.

As there is an increasing public awareness of corn and it's effects, there has been a lobby by the manufacturer to change the name of HFCS to 'corn sugar'.


Time Healthland reports high fructose corn syrup may be getting a new name. The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) seems to think changing the name of "high fructose corn syrup" to "corn sugar" will allay consumer fears that the chemical is bad for them. High fructose corn syrup contains 45% glucose and 55% fructose, which are both sugars, so "corn sugar" is a reasonable name for the substance. To me, it just seems like an attempt to mislead the public into thinking they are using a completely different product.
http://chemistry.about.com/b/2010/09/16/different-names-for-chemicals-high-fructose-corn-syrup-vs-corn-sugar.htm

Corn is one of the grains fed to cattle to fatten them up for market, because the animals gain weight rapidly and it is economical.

It behooves the customer to remember that the grocery business is a business first and foremost, and the 'food' is but a commodity.
People can refuse to buy processed food and cook for themselves from scratch, if they choose, but most will not.

The path of least resistance, and once addicted to sugar, ever less energy or will to resist. So subtle the flavoring with HFCS that most people will deny that they even eat sugar, and in truth, they have no idea of how much they are ingesting.

[chimpkin]

Why are we fat? Lots of reasons...

http://www.neurosciencemarketing.com/blog/wp-content/photos/oreos.jpg

Yummy, yummy reasons...

FEMA handed out Oreos after the hurricane. This was some seriously cunning marketing, as far as I can tell.
I'm sure Nabisco has figures of what sort of bump this gave them in terms of longer-term Oreo sales in this area, but I doubt that info is public.

[Stryder]

Why are we fat? Lots of reasons...

http://www.neurosciencemarketing.com/blog/wp-content/photos/oreos.jpg

Yummy, yummy reasons...

FEMA handed out Oreos after the hurricane. This was some seriously cunning marketing, as far as I can tell.
I'm sure Nabisco has figures of what sort of bump this gave them in terms of longer-term Oreo sales in this area, but I doubt that info is public.

Could be cunning marketing, but it could also date back to Ships rations where ships stewards kept for emergencies... "Biscuits".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardtack

[Stoniphi]

...We eat a ton and then sit around on our ass...

Yep.

[Ghost_007]

Why are we fat? Lots of reasons...

http://www.neurosciencemarketing.com/blog/wp-content/photos/oreos.jpg

Yummy, yummy reasons...

FEMA handed out Oreos after the hurricane. This was some seriously cunning marketing, as far as I can tell.
I'm sure Nabisco has figures of what sort of bump this gave them in terms of longer-term Oreo sales in this area, but I doubt that info is public.


One thing I've noticed is that Americans have such a larger range of products. You guys have things I've never even heard of. In the UK I might have seen maybe 2-3 of those biscuits you posted. You go around Europe and you just don't get the same range. There are products and flavours that you will only get in the US. I could go to the local corner shop and the crisps, drinks, chocolates are pretty-much the same as they were 5-10 years ago.

You can't get Mountain Dew here as an example. And Throwback Pepsi? massive wtf moment when I heard about that on the net.

[Me-Ki-Gal]

I will tell you why . No one is getting enough sex . Yeah substitute ! Eating is the next best thing

[Orleander]

...You can't get Mountain Dew here as an example. ..

:eek: WHAT!? No Mt Dew in the UK?!

[spidergoat]

One thing I've noticed is that Americans have such a larger range of products. You guys have things I've never even heard of. In the UK I might have seen maybe 2-3 of those biscuits you posted. You go around Europe and you just don't get the same range. There are products and flavours that you will only get in the US. I could go to the local corner shop and the crisps, drinks, chocolates are pretty-much the same as they were 5-10 years ago.

You can't get Mountain Dew here as an example. And Throwback Pepsi? massive wtf moment when I heard about that on the net.

Except for chips. My cousin from Scotland was sad that we have hardly any chip flavors.

[quadraphonics]

One thing I've noticed is that Americans have such a larger range of products. You guys have things I've never even heard of. In the UK I might have seen maybe 2-3 of those biscuits you posted. You go around Europe and you just don't get the same range.

I suspect this has something to do with the relatively larger size of grocery stores and shops in the USA. Lots of empty land -> big houses, big stores -> lots of room for different products on the shelves. If you are in Europe and running a grocery that's 1/5 the size of an American one, you have to be very picky about what you do and don't put on your shelves. Only guaranteed hot sellers are worth the space.

That said, there doesn't seem to be any shortage of junk food available in Europe. I practically live on Doner Kebabs when I visit, and various European countries are famous for certain high-cal/high-fat/high-sugar treats (chocolate, pastries, foie gras, etc.).



You can't get Mountain Dew here as an example.

Huh... never noticed that. No wonder you guys aren't more EXTREME!!!!!!1111111oneoneoneoneoneoneone!

Although, according to Wikipedia, Mountain Dew returned to the UK last year, and Ireland this year. I guess they market it as an "energy drink" now, instead of a regular soda?

[Ghost_007]

:eek: WHAT!? No Mt Dew in the UK?!


First time I ever tasted it was in Pakistan back in 2007, when I came back to the UK I looked for it everywhere but couldn't find any. Actually considered buying it online from some website that sells American sodas and candies.

Recently I've seen Mountain Dew Energy, but that doesn't taste like the original, it also comes in bottles rather than cans. Fizzy drinks always taste better in cans.


Except for chips. My cousin from Scotland was sad that we have hardly any chip flavors.


Potato chips/crisps? yeh, we have a lot of different brands and flavours.


I suspect this has something to do with the relatively larger size of grocery stores and shops in the USA. Lots of empty land -> big houses, big stores -> lots of room for different products on the shelves. If you are in Europe and running a grocery that's 1/5 the size of an American one, you have to be very picky about what you do and don't put on your shelves. Only guaranteed hot sellers are worth the space.

That said, there doesn't seem to be any shortage of junk food available in Europe. I practically live on Doner Kebabs when I visit, and various European countries are famous for certain high-cal/high-fat/high-sugar treats (chocolate, pastries, foie gras, etc.).


You've been to Europe and live in the US so I'll have to accept that point about there being smaller stores in Europe. In our household we do the main shopping maybe once a week, and we go to our local corner shop for smaller things like milk, bread, eggs etc. it is more expensive at the local shop so we only pick up a few things, we don't buy crisps or chocolates there (you can't buy multipacks anyway) as it would work out to be too much.

And yes, there is plenty of junk food available. Its much easier and cheaper to eat kebabs and burgers then proper wholesome food.


Huh... never noticed that. No wonder you guys aren't more EXTREME!!!!!!1111111oneoneoneoneoneoneone!

Although, according to Wikipedia, Mountain Dew returned to the UK last year, and Ireland this year. I guess they market it as an "energy drink" now, instead of a regular soda?


Yeh, just had a look, its called Mountain Dew Energy, comes in a bottle and I can say it definitely doesn't taste like the real thing, I've bought it a couple times but not anymore, can't fool me.

:rolleyes:

We had coca-cola and lime for a limited period, I really liked that drink. Also, I can't seem to find any gatorade.

[chimpkin]

Why would you need gatorade? it never gets hot...

[Dywyddyr]

Why would you need gatorade? it never gets hot...
Oh my you HAVE been fed some ridiculous stories about the UK and its weather.

In every single year that I have been alive, for example, I've seen ice cubes melting during the Summer months. That's hot enough for us!

[phlogistician]

In every single year that I have been alive, for example, I've seen ice cubes melting during the Summer months. That's hot enough for us!

Yeah, and I was up Ben Nevis in July, and there was only a little bit of snow left.

[Anti-Flag]

You can't get Mountain Dew here as an example. .

I'm sure they trialed Mountain Dew for a while; I seem to recall surprise at seeing it and a cult popularity amongst those who'd been to the states. Never really took off though. Gatorade on the other hand seems to be going ok.

Has Hersheys made it to the UK yet?

[scheherazade]

I'm sure they trialed Mountain Dew for a while; I seem to recall surprise at seeing it and a cult popularity amongst those who'd been to the states. Never really took off though. Gatorade on the other hand seems to be going ok.

Has Hersheys made it to the UK yet?


I had not realized the scale of the Hershey Company, which exports to over 90 countries, with approximately 13,700 employees and net sales in excess of $4 billion.


Hershey strikes deal with UK grocers

By James Thompson

Thursday, 9 December 2010

America's favourite chocolate company will sell its famous bar and its Pieces into the UK

BLOOMBERG

America's favourite chocolate company will sell its famous bar and its Pieces into the UK

The confectionery giant Hershey is to start selling its chocolate in the UK for the first time on a mass scale in Asda and Sainsbury's next year, in an effort to bite a chunk out of the lucrative European market.

Asda, which is owned by the US retail giant Walmart, will sell a range of Hershey products – including Hershey's Kisses, the chocolate shaped like flat-bottomed teardrops – in the majority of its UK food stores in the first three months of 2011.

The UK's second-biggest grocer said it had an "exclusive licence" to sell a range of the products which will be free of the genetically modified ingredients that Hershey uses in the US.

Asda remained tight-lipped on the other Hershey brands, but given the trademarks the US confectioner has listed in the UK, the supermarket is also likely to sell its Mr Goodbar, Hugs and Reese's Pieces brands.

Sainsbury's will only sell Hershey's Kisses in its larger supermarkets from the first quarter of next year. But the grocer currently sells the Reese's Nutrageous peanut bars made by Hershey.