FAT IN AMERICA?

[valencia_luv21]

    WHY IS IT THAT IT BEING SLIM IS CONSIDERED HEALTHY

[Oryon20]

Obesity has become an epidemic in the United States.  It is estimated that 33% of Americans fit the definition of being obese.  It has been linked to increasing the chances of diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, and arthritis just to name a few.

However, being too slim and anorexic also isn't healthy and has myriad health problems associated with it as well.

[pirewolf]

Obesity has become an epidemic in the United States.  It is estimated that 33% of Americans fit the definition of being obese.  It has been linked to increasing the chances of diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, and arthritis just to name a few.

However, being too slim and anorexic also isn't healthy and has myriad health problems associated with it as well.

I agree with this. Most people think skinny is healthy and seem more concerned with being over weight. But neither is healthy, you need to find the medium and work towards that. My husband is really skinny and not healthy. He doesn't stay in shape even though he is a good weight he eats bacon on everything, and doesn't exercise so his body is not healthy. I had two kids and can't lose the weight so I would be considered over weight when I would only have to lose 50 pds to be at my approved weight for my height and body type. Most people concentrate on over weight because they consider it less appealing to look at, when both can cause problems. Even is you are over or under weight as long as you exercise and eat right you could actually be healthier then a majority of people who are skinny fat. Someone who is skinny but not healthy in any way.

[Abrupt]

I was considered overweight (and it was documented that I was) at 6' 2" and 212.  Of course I was heavily into body building at the time and was likely too lean for my size with detailed muscle definition and striation visible from a considerable distance away.  Honestly I considered myself to be somewhat underweight and consumed massive amounts of food to try to gain weight -- but it was difficult (I ate so much that I didn't enjoy food anymore).

Now I think they may be a little better lately at considering what is overweight or not but I still sense that they use a lot of the simple height to weight ratios that are somewhat flawed and would vary depending upon ethnic makeup and body types in general.

I know there are a lot of problems with children with gaming systems and the removal of physical education from many schools (give some boys some dodge *bleep* and tell them to go to work hitting each other and that is all you need for about an hour a day -- of course in this liberal pc world that is considered 'mean' I think).  Personally I would like to see all game systems offer a completely user generated power system so they would have to exercise to power up the game (good marketing idea maybe?  It would please the environmentalists as well as others and the added fatigue to the children is beneficial at establishing normal body rhythms). 

[tzs]

Yes, obesity is unhealthy in the US, and it is a problem. My problem is that there are too many reality shows, and commercials for gyms that make it look soo easy to lose the weight, when in reality, it is an extremely long, hard road to go down. To me, that is discouraging, because the media always offers a quick fix, which many of us here cannot afford to do.

[animikokala]

I know there are a lot of problems with children with gaming systems and the removal of physical education from many schools (give some boys some dodge *bleep* and tell them to go to work hitting each other and that is all you need for about an hour a day -- of course in this liberal pc world that is considered 'mean' I think).  Personally I would like to see all game systems offer a completely user generated power system so they would have to exercise to power up the game (good marketing idea maybe?  It would please the environmentalists as well as others and the added fatigue to the children is beneficial at establishing normal body rhythms). 

I'm all for this.  If I had the space in my apartment I'd set up an exercise bike to generate power for my gaming systems or blu ray player.  For now I just have to make do with walking the half hour to and/or from my college as part of my exercise (instead of a 4 minute drive). 

[jkunert]

fat in America is a touchy thing to talk about,  well i know in Michigan is the 3rd or something the fattest state.  i do agree people need to workout more, but how when the food and gym is going up.  in michigan there is snow so people can't go run, well smart i am not sliding on my butt.



   

[mh874892]

WHY IS IT THAT IT BEING SLIM IS CONSIDERED HEALTHY

I think there are lots of people that are too skinny for their own good. And the media just glamorizes this. But, there is a difference in being not skinny and being fat or obese. American has become ridiculous. There is nothing wrong with being an average sized person!

[Darekatie]

I think America's guidelines for obesity need to refigured. Just last week at a Women's Health and Beauty Expo I had by Body Mass Index (BMI) determined and according to it and my height/weight ratio I am obese.

I am 25yrs old, 5'3" and 166lbs. I'M NOT OBESE and I dont think there is anybody in the world who would look at me and think that I am. Heck, I used to weigh 214 (which absolutely IS obese) so compared to that I feel like a skinny mini now 

[swkstudent]

Skinny or average size people can be unhealthy too, but having too much fat around the heart raises the risk of stroke, heart attack, cancers etc..

[swkstudent]

fat in America is a touchy thing to talk about,  well i know in Michigan is the 3rd or something the fattest state.  i do agree people need to workout more, but how when the food and gym is going up.  in michigan there is snow so people can't go run, well smart i am not sliding on my butt.



   

People can workout at home, I figure if you have time to sit and watch tv you can do some jumping jacks or other easy exercises.

[arkovac]

It's true that skinny & average sized people can be unhealthy as well as obese persons. But the question was 'fat in america', so I think the problem with obesity in america stems from people being unrealistic about the entire subject, and people wanting to be told its all ok. :-

[africanclaudie]

Fat is not just in America. In Africa it is a status symbol to be fat. It means that your husband is rich enough to feed you and the fatter you get, the more "beautiful" you become. Unfortunately, just about every 3rd large African woman also have diabetes! No matter fat or thin.....if your health takes a knock....it ain't right

[Snoozey]

The "beauty myth" is perpetuated by the media. Thin is considered to be beautiful because of the media. Back when real people were models only 1/40,000 women was considered the appropriate size/shape to be a model. However, the use of photoshop makes it so that real women aren't even depicted in magazines and advertisements anymore. However obesity is not only a problem in the US, the spread of fast food has caused the spread of obesity overseas. It is now a problem in Europe and Asia as well.

[noirlupe]

I am with you.  I lost 50 pounds and everyone including my doctor thought I was sick.  She tested me for every cancer out there before she was happy for the weight loss.  Shesh.  Love the body you have and dont worry about what others think that is my motto.