[Mammoth Jones]

That fuck?

There's a fuck ton of prejudice about obese people. The sentiment while wrong isn't shocking.

[Enco]

Haha, I know the feeling. The clothing size nomenclature should be changed to something like this: Small Medium Large Overwight Obese Morbidly Obese

:lol that would be pretty funny.

To make it even more insulting:

Skinny
Normal
Fat
Overweight
Obese
Morbidly OBese

[El Sloth]

I blame self driving Google Cars.

That fuck?

Which fuck?

[Dorrin]

I'm sure our aging population is playing a role here as well, in general older you get fatter you get. I know from the age threads here on GAF that we tend to have a lot of older teens and younger 20 folks. Things change as you get older. I could eat anything I wanted at 20-30 and didn't exercise. Then I tell you what hitting 30... geez... even with exercising every other day, 3 miles at a time I can't eat much. Now I'm 35 and a person just needs less and less but you don't realize it.

It all boils down to discipline though, 2 years ago I lost 30lbs, I've gained 15 back. I'm trying again, just have to count the calories.

[El Sloth]

Been reading a lot of stuff about weight today. From this New York Times OPED, more crying about pink slime, and now this.

[fredrancour]

What's so startling to me is that for me is that it's so hard to gain weight. Really. I don't understand how everyone else does it. I have the hardest time doing it (I'm underweight and have been trying to gain ten or so pounds for the past year). I eat three meals a day and plenty of stuff on the side. I'm only 20, so I guess that factors into it, but...

-People drink retardedly large amounts of soda.

-carbs really do promote appetite. I notice a massive decrease in satisfaction if I eat a comparable amount of rice or pasta versus just eating more chicken and veggies.

[Attackthebase]

There's a fuck ton of prejudice about obese people. The sentiment while wrong isn't shocking.

Unlike race, gender, or sexuality, people can control what they put into their bodies, and how much they exercise or remain active. This is why I didn't have a problem making fun of my smoking habit (prior to my quitting) because it was my decision to smoke.

[LegendofJoe]

There's a fuck ton of prejudice about obese people. The sentiment while wrong isn't shocking.

Why is the sentiment wrong?

:lol that would be pretty funny. To make it even more insulting: Skinny Normal Fat Overweight Obese Morbidly OBese

Even better

[The Technomancer]

Unlike race, gender, or sexuality, people can control what they put into their bodies, and how much they exercise or remain active. This is why I didn't have a problem making fun of my smoking habit (prior to my quitting) because it was my decision to smoke.

Not that simple unfortunatly, especially in lower income families where the time required to prepare healthy food or to exercise is more difficult to come by. I just did a paper on this actually and one of the articles I looked at was a study of correlation between obesity and heart disease in urban chicago and distance ratio to the nearest fast food restaurant versus the nearest grocery.

[Jason's Ultimatum]

Definitely this, I change into gym shorts and a t-shirt the moment I get home from work. A nice pair of shorts and a snug T are about as comfortable as clothing gets.

Yup. I'm tall and lean, and I wear my comfortable and light UA shorts with a Nike/UA tech tee shirt when I go out. Feels good, man.

[Dax01]

-People drink retardedly large amounts of soda. -carbs really do promote appetite. I notice a massive decrease in satisfaction if I eat a comparable amount of rice or pasta versus just eating more chicken and veggies.

Well that's one reason. I don't drink soda at all.

[Conciliator]

Cool. More fat people there are the better I look in comparison.

[SeanR1221]

Not that simple unfortunatly, especially in lower income families where the time required to prepare healthy food or to exercise is more difficult to come by. I just did a paper on this actually and one of the articles I looked at was a study of correlation between obesity and heart disease in urban chicago and distance ratio to the nearest fast food restaurant versus the nearest grocery.

I really hate this excuse. Healthier foods are not going to break the bank or take too long to prepare.

[The Technomancer]

I really hate this excuse. Healthier foods are not going to break the bank or take too long to prepare.

Alright, lets approach it from a different angle: if weight is 100% under the control of the individual then does the increase in obesity rates point to a fundamental shift in human behavior taking place in America? People are just different now?

[Jason's Ultimatum]

When I see fat people, it tells me that they don't care about themselves.

[KingGondo]

I really hate this excuse. Healthier foods are not going to break the bank or take too long to prepare.

Is it an "excuse" if there's a statistical correlation between lack of access to healthy food and obesity?

I agree that people should cook more fresh food and that it's not as expensive or difficult as people think, but there are deeply-ingrained cultural factors that led to our obesity epidemic, not just individual choices and decisions.

[BobsRevenge]

Been reading a lot of stuff about weight today. From this New York Times OPED, more crying about pink slime, and now this.

All the pink slime outrage tells me is that the more disgusting you make something sound, the more publicity you'll pull. Especially if it deals with insecurities about meat. :lol

That op-ed is intense though. Not surprised they don't have comments for it.

[DoDonGouki]

[Crunched]

When I see fat people, it tells me that they don't care about themselves.

That's an easy gut reaction, but a lot of the time people don't realize why they're fat. It is a lack of education. Getting there can be a long-term process, with plenty of time to rationalize (and have friends lie to you and say you look fine). There is also a huge problem with parents making their children obese.

I take issue with the normalization of fatness. It's not healthy, and a little bit of pudge is fine, but there is a real problem with the idea that "big is beautiful." It not only isn't, but it's a massive health risk and stresses both the individual and society through medical costs.

I think at the most basic level, it's a lack of education, both on diet and exercise.

That's without mentioning the perceived ease of preparation and low cost of unhealthy foods. These are the types of things you eat right out of a box. The only work you do is unwrapping. Preparing a real meal with whole foods is not difficult or time consuming, but it's generally thought to be. Again, this is an issue with education. I think healthy living or whole food cooking classes should be standard nationwide for grades k-8. Cooking is an essential skill that has been overwhelmingly and woefully neglected.

I have to wonder how much of the obesity epidemic is attributable to a capital-driven society. Corporations use the cheapest constituents in their products to gain the most profit, with no regard for the health of their customers. That is speculation on my part, maybe cynical, but I can't help but see the current way of things as unsustainable.

[nel e nel]

If we set up vast liposuction facilities perhaps we can render fat into fuel, creating a new home grown alternative energy industry.

Are you Tyler Durden?

[nel e nel]

I really hate this excuse. Healthier foods are not going to break the bank or take too long to prepare.

I think your missing his point. It's not that healthier foods are not more expensive or take longer to prepare, it's that certain demographics - namely poor folks in urban areas - have less time to spare to prepare meals, and generally don't have easy access to healthy foods in their local shopping districts.

Hell, living in Brooklyn, I lived 3 blocks from a major grocery store, and the produce section was always a crap shoot. Sometimes it would go bad in less than a week...even when stored properly.

[Zeppelin]

Alright, lets approach it from a different angle: if weight is 100% under the control of the individual then does the increase in obesity rates point to a fundamental shift in human behavior taking place in America? People are just different now?

I don't know, I think there might be some truth to that as well. Surely if everyone else around you is obese too then it'll be much easier to just accept it instead of trying to something about it.

That's an easy gut reaction, but a lot of the time people don't realize why they're fat. It is a lack of education. Getting there can be a long-term process, with plenty of time to rationalize (and have friends lie to you and say you look fine). There is also a huge problem with parents making their children obese.

Seriously, how the fuck doesn't people know what makes them fat?

[SeanR1221]

Alright, lets approach it from a different angle: if weight is 100% under the control of the individual then does the increase in obesity rates point to a fundamental shift in human behavior taking place in America? People are just different now?

The VAST majority of human behavior is based on positive and negative reinforcement. Also, immediate pleasure is typically more reinforcing than long term pleasure so yes, it is a shift in behavior.

I shift behavior all day at work. It's not hard to do if you understand the science of human behavior.

[Rebel Leader]

You guys should probably eat less.

I eat 1 meal a day.

Hell... Sometime I don't even eat at all for days

[The Technomancer]

The VAST majority of human behavior is based on positive and negative reinforcement. Also, immediate pleasure is typically more reinforcing than long term pleasure so yes, it is a shift in behavior. I shift behavior all day at work. It's not hard to do if you understand the science of human behavior.

I'm having trouble reconciling what you said here with the "completely under a person's control" point. Are people affected by their environment or do we have pure free will?

[fredrancour]

It is a lack of education.

The problem I have with the lack-of-education argument is that I don't think it's rare knowledge that soda and junk food are bad for you.

[Zeppelin]

I eat 1 meal a day. Hell... Sometime I don't even eat at all for days

How is that working out for you?

[El Sloth]

All the pink slime outrage tells me is that the more disgusting you make something sound, the more publicity you'll pull. Especially if it deals with insecurities about meat. :lol That op-ed is intense though. Not surprised they don't have comments for it.

The pink slime outrage really is fucking ridiculous. Anyone who takes the 5 seconds to google the facts of the thing realizes that it really is not a big deal at all.

The discussion for the op-ed is going on here: http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate...nd-thin-people

[Crunched]

The problem I have with the lack-of-education argument is that I don't think it's rare knowledge that soda and junk food are bad for you.

You would be surprised. I've been working in the dietary department of a hospital for five years, and every day I see new people eating themselves to death. Diabetics asking for Pepsi, wondering why they can't get it, complaining and saying they will just call a family member to bring them one.

This is after their fingers and toes have turned black or fallen off.

[Rebel Leader]

How is that working out for you?

Quite well actually...
so it works both ways

EDIT: fuck.. dug my self a hole

[entrement]

I think your missing his point. It's not that healthier foods are not more expensive or take longer to prepare, it's that certain demographics - namely poor folks in urban areas - have less time to spare to prepare meals, and generally don't have easy access to healthy foods in their local shopping districts. Hell, living in Brooklyn, I lived 3 blocks from a major grocery store, and the produce section was always a crap shoot. Sometimes it would go bad in less than a week...even when stored properly.

Not to mention that kids in the inner city usually don't have access to decent recreational activities, so they're boarded up all day after school.

Moreover, physical education is a joke, due to budget cuts. Most kids can't do a pull up, throw a football, dribble a basketball, swim, etc. Physical education in the poor school districts is none existent.

[Zeppelin]

Quite well actually... can't afford buying food

Well, starve tactic is best tactic!

Sorry to hear you can't afford food. :(

[SeanR1221]

I'm having trouble reconciling what you said here with the "completely under a person's control" point. Are people affected by their environment or do we have pure free will?

There is no such thing as free will. Any person with knowledge of how behavior works would tell you that.

Does that mean people have the inability to educate themselves on healthy choices? No.

I'm sure most people who eat like shit, realize they're eating like shit. I don't think anyone will tell you fried process junk is good for you. But hey, short term vs long term reinforcement.

[nel e nel]

The problem I have with the lack-of-education argument is that I don't think it's rare knowledge that soda and junk food are bad for you.

Explain that to the mothers giving their babies cheesy poofs and purple drink on my commute to work every day.

[KodoLion]

I thought America was already at 42%.

[Rebel Leader]

Well, starve tactic is best tactic! Sorry to hear you can't afford food. :(

I'm exaggerating... I just basically choose not to buy food because it all just adds up

[Kabouter]

Quite well actually... can't afford to buy food so it works both ways

Yet buying games is not a problem? According to your post history, you are considering purchasing Black Ops 2, which is a $60 game that drops in price only very, very slowly. And forgoing eating days to have money to spend on games, come on man.

[The Technomancer]

There is no such thing as free will. Any person with knowledge of how behavior works would tell you that. Does that mean people have the inability to educate themselves on healthy choices? No. I'm sure most people who eat like shit, realize they're eating like shit. I don't think anyone will tell you fried process junk is good for you. But hey, short term vs long term reinforcement.

Then you and I agree and I don't know why you were arguing with me in the first place, I was making a point that being fat is not something that is "completely under their control" like its a personal failing that they're just to lazy to not be fat. Of course people can educate themselves and work to lose weight and eat healthier, but its not as simple as "anyone who is fat is a bad lazy glutton"

[El Sloth]

Yet buying games is not a problem? According to your post history, you are considering purchasing Black Ops 2, which is a $60 game that drops in price only very, very slowly. And forgoing eating days to have money to spend on games, come on man.

At least it's not WOW.

[SeanR1221]

Then you and I agree and I don't know why you were arguing with me in the first place, I was making a point that being fat is not something that is "completely under their control" like its a personal failing that they're just to lazy to not be fat

Actually we don't agree.

Having control over a person/environment is the easiest way to manipulate behavior. Unless there is literally no healthy food within a persons grasp.

It is up to these people to control their environments.

Let me give you an example.

I only buy healthy foods. That's it. I am controlling my environment. By only buying healthy foods, I can ONLY eat healthy foods at home. If I also bought crappy foods, I'd have the chance of being manipulated into eating those foods. So by not buying cookies, chips, cereal and other junk, it never enters my body because I controlled the environment. Understand now?

[Crunched]

Want to add that the education argument becomes especially resonant when you look at how easily "nonfat" foods and juices are marketed as health foods, when they are full of sugar, and sometimes more calorie-dense than soda.

[FUBAR McDangles]

:lol that would be pretty funny. To make it even more insulting: Skinny Normal Fat Overweight Obese Morbidly OBese

I don't think I've ever met a guy over 5'9" that did not wear size large. That includes high school and college athletes, including myself. So anybody who is even remotely built has to buy shirts labeled as "Fat"? lol, k

And to the topic at hand, this figure doesn't really surprise me. Living on campus and seeing how people eat is ridiculous. All of these people with youth-fueled high metabolisms are going to be really freaked out when they slow down and continue to eat the way they are. And I will laugh.

[Angry Grimace]

I will be pushing 50 by then, so yeah, I probably will be there.

[KingGondo]

I'm exaggerating... I just basically choose not to buy food because it all just adds up

Dude. It's food.

Anything "adds up" if you buy it regularly.

Might want to reassess your priorities if you view food as an extraneous purchase (especially if you can afford it, which it sounds like you can.

[Rebel Leader]

Dude. It's food. Anything "adds up" if you buy it regularly. Might want to reassess your priorities if you view food as an extraneous purchase (especially if you can afford it, which it sounds like you can.

I just think eating everyday is a waste of money and a waste of food since I barely do any activity anyways.

Also to add: it's not my money I'm spending.

[ccbfan]

Anyone notice clothing sizes like shirts and shoes have been becoming larger over the past years despite the same size numbers? Kind of annoying.

OMG I hate this so much.

I used to wear a large because I have an abnormally long upper body and medium shirts are a little too short for me. A little on the big side but managable.

A few years later large became way too big so I had to wear buy Medium and suffer through it being a bit too short.

Now as the years pass I'm noticing medium is becoming too big and I can't fit into a small since it'll go up to my belly button.

Recently I have to overpay for foreign brand shirts cause there's no American size that can fit me unless somehow they sell medium slim fit which is rare.

I'm not a small guy either 6 ft, 16x pounds.

[MiniBossBattle]

I went to Burger King about 2 weeks ago and asked for a medium drink with my meal. That drink is an XL in any other country.

[Zefah]

The Japanese have the longest average lifespan in the world eating rice every day. Carbs, simple or not, do not make you fat nor unhealthy. It is how much you eat, plain and simple.

Nothing about diet, weight loss/maintenance, and fitness is plain and simple. It's all actually very complex and pointing your finger at one issue in a vacuum and declaring it a problem (or not a problem) is pointless.

[ezrarh]

I just think eating everyday is a waste of money and a waste of food since I barely do any activity anyways. Also to add: it's not my money I'm spending.

It's actually not totally unreasonable to eat one meal a day, provided it's a large meal and contains all your nutritional requirements. But to me, it seems like you're just skinny and would prefer not to eat. Your health is all you got, I wouldn't skimp out on putting stuff inside your body. I'd wager, that's the last thing you would want to cheap out on. Look at what's happening to America, we're all getting obese because we're eating cheap, crap, filling food.

[rhfb]

At least it's not WOW.

Paying $12 a month to play WoW is much cheaper than going out and buying a brand new $60 game every month :p

And I used to be obese, despite my best efforts (eating only a certain amount of calories each day and exercising). I was on a low fat diet but not losing any weight at all. Kinda depressing when you are trying to accomplish something but not seeing any results at all, even when following the best advice I'd been given over the course of my life from school/government.

Switching off a general low calorie/low fat diet to a low carb/no carb diet and still exercising has produced significant results though. I've lost over 40 pounds in 5 months and for the first time in a long time (probably 15 years) I'm no longer clinically obese. I'm still overweight and still have quite a ways to go, but it is a start. Seeing my weight and BMI drop each time I hop on the scale is great, and needing to go out to buy smaller clothing is good too.