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[AdventureRacing]

I really think that what people drink is one of the biggest issues. So many people i have met who basically just don't drink water. I really feel like they don't realise just how many calories you can get from drinking.

In the end it comes back to education. The habits we learn growing up tend to stick with us. We need to be teaching kids to eat healthy from a young age and making sure the options are available. Personally i think this should be taught in school, we waste so much time on useless stuff there and this to me is a vital life skill. Cooking/nutrition needs to have more emphasis.

I live in Australia and i haven't checked the statistics lately but i'd imagine we're not far behind.

 

[Horseticuffs]

A huge factor is the pitiful state of diet education in our country for the past 20 years or more. Michelle Obama is trying to turn the ship around, but the people that need it most (rural red state Americans) are also the least likely to listen to her. Our "food pyramid" honestly urged us to get most of our calories from breads/pasta. That is a recipe for disaster that allowed school systems to serve starch as vegetables, and carb/sugar packed foods. The sad part is that it isn't changing. I work in schools now and they are still serving the same foods that they did when then the childhood obesity epidemic started in earnest.


Students at my school were served pizza, french fries, and canned pineapple yesterday. Washed down with chocolate milk.

Yeah, a lot of school districts count pizza as a serving of veggies because of the 3 ounces of tomato sauce, and a protein due to the cheese. So a slice of pizza has a starch, veggie, and a protein. Pizza is like the perfect, well-rounded food!

I work in medical food service and a big part of it is counting carbs for diabetics and stuff like that and it's just like where our pasta dishes will count as a carb and a meat due to the cheese. We don't count the sauce as a veg, though.

I spend much of my day on the phone with people telling them what they can and can't eat while they are in the facility and, let me tell you, people do NOT fucking appreciate being told what they are allowed to eat so I can completely understand the uphill battle anyone trying to fight the obesity epidemic has in store for them.

We routinely have family members sneaking in just the most awful junk to patients for whom this stuff is a very real danger. To a ton of people, at least here in America as my experience shows me, junk food=Love.

 

[SeanR1221]

There are a lot of factors but bottom line is people need to clean their diets up. Stop just saying "moderation". Just clean things up. Eat actual foods that you cook. Eat lots of dark green vegetables. Drink lots of water. Avoid sugar and processed crap.

So many people think you have to exercise to lose weight which isn't true at all.

I always tell people, don't change anything and track all your food for 2 weeks. Everything, the cooking oils and all.

You'll be surprised how much sugar and other crap you eat.

 

[SteveO409]

I live in southeast Texas and the obesity problem is really bad here. Restaurants are always packed and there are alot here.

 

[NekoFever]

Do fat people really ride around on mobility scooters in the US? Like regularly?

We only usually have old people using them here.

The mobility scooter is the most popular ride at Disney World.

It's strange to think back to school when every class had "the fat kid". It was even a trope of 70s, 80s and 90s movies, cartoons, etc. Now that's like half the class.

 

[Infinite_Daremo]

The mobility scooter is the most popular ride at Disney World.

It's strange to think back to school when every class had "the fat kid". It was even a trope of 70s, 80s and 90s movies, cartoons, etc. Now that's like half the class.

Is there a line for mobility scooters too?

The UK's pretty fat too. I've also seen a few "Fat and Proud" shirts in the wild.

 

[nateeasy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqM7AFL4ixA

 

[NekoFever]

The UK's pretty fat too. I've also seen a few "Fat and Proud" shirts in the wild.

Yeah, we're getting up there.

They've been showing old episodes of The Big Match from the 70s and 80s on ITV4 recently, and it's strange to watch the crowds when hardly anyone is overweight. Nowadays there are tons of obese guys there, including far too many with their shirts off.

 

[Infinite_Daremo]

Yeah, we're getting up there.

They've been showing old episodes of The Big Match from the 70s and 80s on ITV4 recently, and it's strange to watch the crowds when hardly anyone is overweight. Nowadays there are tons of obese guys there, including far too many with their shirts off.

Do not want!

 

[iamaustrian]

I'm always amazed that hardly any fast food restaurants in the US go out of business.
I mean there are streets packed with dozens of mcdos, burger kings etc etc and they all seem to do good.

too much ultracheap(price- and qualitywise) food available 24/7/365

 

[IceDoesntHelp]

Just a fyi, other rich countries are catching up with obesity rates. Its just not us.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/22/obesity-rates-rising-developed-fattest-world_n_1294212.html

Awww yeah Canada takes the #6 position. One day we'll be ahead of you, just wait.

 

[Not Spaceghost]

Well in DC you rarely see o-beasts, you see your share of chubby people but no one who is morbidly obese.

For the most part everyone looks pretty fit. Didn't the UK release a study that they have a larger obesity problem than the US recently?

 

[Oare]

Just a fyi, other rich countries are catching up with obesity rates. Its just not us.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/22/obesity-rates-rising-developed-fattest-world_n_1294212.html

8. Ireland
7. United Kingdom
6. Canada
5. Australia
3. New Zealand
1. United States

English speaking developed countries seem over-represented, though, don't they?
I wonder why.

 

[dragonelite]

The mobility scooter is the most popular ride at Disney World.

It's strange to think back to school when every class had "the fat kid". It was even a trope of 70s, 80s and 90s movies, cartoons, etc. Now that's like half the class.

If only i was born right now i wouldn't had the one.

 

[SeanR1221]

Yeah I go into a lot of schools and the majority of lunches are trash. Juice, chips, cookies, lunchables, goldfish. It's very rare for a kid to have vegetables or even fruit.

 

[iamaustrian]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqM7AFL4ixA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP74xUyYaoo

*watch ayor*

 

[Lasthope106]

Yes, the percentage of overweight and obese people is too high. Among the people I interact on a daily basis, I could be fooled into saying no, since most of these people are white collar, educated, professionals, who typically eat healthier and exercise. However, sitting on a bench at the entrance of Wal-Mart is the complete opposite.

 

[water_wendi]

Pizza Rolls Challenge is almost at 1m views.

Those noises.

 

[michaelius]

8. Ireland
7. United Kingdom
6. Canada
5. Australia
3. New Zealand
1. United States

English speaking developed countries seem over-represented, though, don't they?
I wonder why.

And all of them have roots in British colonial empire.

I wonder if it's spreading from USA because they share the language or the roots are in English culture orginally.

 

[Batman]

Soda is the biggest problem in the US, if people cut it out completely or just shrunk it to one can per week the weight loss in this country would be huge.

 

[grumble]

Why doesn't the government just tax sugar directly?

Might be tricky since the food companes can play with short chain starches, but would warp the eating habits of a lot of people.

 

[KingGondo]

I live in Oklahoma, and a solid majority of the people I see on an everyday basis are overweight or obese. Pretty depressing.

Education about healthy eating options, universal healthcare, and better wages for the lowest-paying jobs would probably help quite a bit.

That and a sin tax on soda. It's amazing how much sugar water people consume here. "Happy Hour" at Sonic is popular, with people lining up to get their "Route 44" (44 oz.) sodas with added sugary syrups.

 

[vas_a_morir]

And all of them have roots in British colonial empire.

I wonder if it's spreading from USA because they share the language or the roots are in English culture orginally.

I'd be willing to bet the obesity rate among Caucasians is very similar in those countries.

 

[waypoetic]

unfortunately. Yes.

Oh cali? everyone is pretty there.

www.giantbomb.com

Nope, don't think so.

 

[dragonelite]

Pizza Rolls Challenge is almost at 1m views.

Those noises.

Sounds like he is about to have a heart attack or something

 

[Horseticuffs]

www.giantbomb.com

Nope, don't think so.

But they have beautiful souls!

 

[diffusionx]

English speaking developed countries seem over-represented, though, don't they?
I wonder why.

Obesity rates skyrocket as American brands go overseas. It's quite pathetic, really.

 

[Raelson]

I didn't really believe it (I'm not american) until I went to Upstate New York. holy moly.

 

[moniker]

Fructose is a bitch.

 

[Duress]

Is BMI a good definition of how obese someone is? What if someone has a lot of muscle?

 

[You Are Viewtiful]

dude, what? Canada has a 25% obesity rate, just 8% lower than the US.

Yep Canada is fat. And the UK is just as fat as Canada (25% vs. 24%), so you guys can't brag either.

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/..._reaching_historic_highs_ubc_study_warns.html

 

[SeanR1221]

Is BMI a good definition of how obese someone is? What if someone has a lot of muscle?

Then they know BMI isn't a good measurement for them.

I hate how this always gets brought up. BMI is fine for the majority of overweight people out there.

 

[entremet]

Yeah I go into a lot of schools and the majority of lunches are trash. Juice, chips, cookies, lunchables, goldfish. It's very rare for a kid to have vegetables or even fruit.

France does a great job with their lunch program--full on plates and silverware, cloth napkins.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6902333n

 

[Avinexus]

www.giantbomb.com

Nope, don't think so.

Oh no you didn't gurl

 

[Kyuuketsu_Night]

I was amazed at how much weight I lost by cutting soda from my diet.

Makes me wonder what the people in this country could achieve if they tried.

Seems to do wonders for men...?

I remember some guys stating that they lost 10-20 pounds in a couple of months just by cutting out soda.

I'd probably lose 3 pounds in the same amount of time because life hates me.

 

[nickcv]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqM7AFL4ixA

that is the most disturbing thing i've seen today

 

[vas_a_morir]

Seems to do wonders for men...?

I remember some guys stating that they lost 10-20 pounds in a couple of months just by cutting out soda.

I'd probably lose 3 pounds in the same amount of time because life hates me.

You'd melt. Trust me from experiences. Cutting out that poison was the best decision I have ever made in my life. Given, I haven't made many good decisions, but still.

 

[Marleyman]

There are a lot of factors but bottom line is people need to clean their diets up. Stop just saying "moderation". Just clean things up. Eat actual foods that you cook. Eat lots of dark green vegetables. Drink lots of water. Avoid sugar and processed crap.

So many people think you have to exercise to lose weight which isn't true at all.

I always tell people, don't change anything and track all your food for 2 weeks. Everything, the cooking oils and all.

You'll be surprised how much sugar and other crap you eat.

I have completely cut out sugary drinks that I used to have everyday for the past 3 weeks. Couple that w/ eating oatmeal for breakfast, a small lunch and a normal dinner and no late night eating and I have lost some weight. I can tell a big difference just from cutting out soda and iced tea. One thing I can't do is eat dark green vegatables; I gag if I eat them.

 

[NekoFever]

Is BMI a good definition of how obese someone is? What if someone has a lot of muscle?

There are a lot of individuals for whom it's not going to be a good measure, but as an average across a large population it works quite well. I'm sure there are better measures, but it's not as grossly inaccurate as some might suggest.

Anyone who is fat is going to be overweight/obese on the BMI scale, and anyone with enough muscle to fall into that category while being physically fit knows enough about health and nutrition to know that it doesn't apply to them.

 

[Marleyman]

that is the most disturbing thing i've seen today

 

[SeanR1221]

There are a lot of individuals for whom it's not going to be a good measure, but as an average across a large population it works quite well. I'm sure there are better measures, but it's not as grossly inaccurate as some might suggest.

Anyone who is fat is going to be overweight/obese on the BMI scale, and anyone with enough muscle to fall into that category while being physically fit knows enough about health and nutrition to know that it doesn't apply to them.

Exactly. I'm obese according to BMI. I know it's not "true" and I also don't think it's a terrible measurement.

 

[grumble]

I have completely cut out sugary drinks that I used to have everyday for the past 3 weeks. Couple that w/ eating oatmeal for breakfast, a small lunch and a normal dinner and no late night eating and I have lost some weight. I can tell a big difference just from cutting out soda and iced tea. One thing I can't do is eat dark green vegatables; I gag if I eat them.

Hmm, your brain seems to have been a bit miswired. Practice with small amount of them combined with other food, like a handful in a chili or some finely diced stuff inside mashoed potatoes, or juiced with some fruit or something. Over time as your brain updates its associations and realizes that this stuff isn't poison, you'll be okay.

 

[ronito]

I think that there's a lot of factors to it more than just soda or overeating. My wife is a good example where her perscriptions have weight gain as a side effect. That combined with her asthma makes weight loss incredibly difficult. Of course people see that she's overweight and think "Stop eating so much lol." Fact is, she eats way less than I do.

There was a guy on NPR just yesterday talking about some of the pollutants in America could be leading people to keep weight on.

that's not to mention our messed up food subsidies/fast food culture/restaurants that try to kill you with food.

 

[Zoe]

Seems to do wonders for men...?

I remember some guys stating that they lost 10-20 pounds in a couple of months just by cutting out soda.

I'd probably lose 3 pounds in the same amount of time because life hates me.

At least half of that is probably water weight.

 

[vas_a_morir]

At least half of that is probably water weight.

True as that may be, it's still good to be free of that extra weight.

 

[RevDM]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqM7AFL4ixA

Liev Shreiber has really let himself go

 

[Prologue]

I have completely cut out sugary drinks that I used to have everyday for the past 3 weeks. Couple that w/ eating oatmeal for breakfast, a small lunch and a normal dinner and no late night eating and I have lost some weight. I can tell a big difference just from cutting out soda and iced tea. One thing I can't do is eat dark green vegatables; I gag if I eat them.

Just make a smoothie. Went from 1 cup of veggies to 3-4 cups. Usually add in some strawberries, a banana and some whey protein. Can hardly taste the veggies.

 

[Marleyman]

Hmm, your brain seems to have been a bit miswired. Practice with small amount of them combined with other food, like a handful in a chili or some finely diced stuff inside mashoed potatoes, or juiced with some fruit or something. Over time as your brain updates its associations and realizes that this stuff isn't poison, you'll be okay.

It goes back to my childhood. I remember vividly gagging and being disgusted w/ green beans. Haven't tried them or any since.

 

[Marleyman]

Just make a smoothie. Went from 1 cup of veggies to 3-4 cups. Usually add in some strawberries, a banana and some whey protein. Can hardly taste the veggies.

I have been making strawberry, banana smoothies; guess it couldn't hurt.

 

[demon]

Is BMI a good definition of how obese someone is? What if someone has a lot of muscle?

No it's a useless and totally unscientific metric invented by an early 19th century statistician. Some people like it because it's extremely simple, but there's a reason for that. It's applicable to overweight people, but you first need to know if you're overweight in order to use it. Thus it tells you what you already know. I suppose it's decent if you're clearly overweight and you want to track your progress towards a BMI that's generally considered healthy, or something, but if you're borderline, or if you have any muscle at all, just stick with bodyfat percentage.