O.T. - Fatties overtaking America

[freak6]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19845784/

75% of Americans will be overwieght in 7 years. 41% considered obese.

At least food companies are starting to change thier ad tactics that are geared towards children ie Lucky Charms, McDonalds, and others.

I look at the kids today I coach, and they are a different breed than I was. It's crazy how pudgy they all are, even at age 8-11.

Diabetes is gonna be running rampant in this country. Anyway, watch what you eat, excercise regularly, and Go Broncos!

[freak6]

An alarming 80 percent of black women aged 40 or over are overweight and 50 percent are obese.

[vancejohnson82]

that's crazy

i see it everyday, especially during the summer

when i was a kid, my friends and i (about 8 of us) would hop on our bikes and spend ALL DAY riding around, playing football, and doing other outside activities....nowadays, i dont see the fields being used by kids, nor do i see the amount of kids on bikes or anything

its the DAMN VIDEO GAMES!!!

haha

[Garcia Bronco]

Here in Denver...I don't see all that many. And is overweight considered by even 1 pound above the suggested level?

[LDB]

People need to shut the hell up, mind their own business, and let Bob eat his Baconator in peace.

[Atlas]

I really need to start working out again.

[DomCasual]

I could go for a couple bacon cheeseburgers with a large order of onion rings with fry sauce (a Utah specialty). I'm trying to get in shape for the release of Madden '08.

[LDB]

I could go for a couple bacon cheeseburgers with a large order of onion rings with fry sauce (a Utah specialty). I'm trying to get in shape for the release of Madden '08.

As long as you get a diet coke to go with it you will be fine. :thumbs:

[Jason in LA]

I'd say that people just don't care about their weight. It's become acceptible to be over weight because so many people are. I see some of my high school friends every now and then, and a lot of them have put on a lot of weight. There was this one girl that I messed around with, who had the perfect body back then, now she's like 30-40 lbs bigger. I was kind of upset at the way she was looking.

I don't see this problem going away. It's too easy to get over weight, and it takes a lot of work and restraint to stay in shape. Only once was I over weight. I just stopped working out for about a year and a half, and ate like crap. I didn't become obese, but my normaly weight was around 170 lbs, and I was up to 210 lbs. That 40 extra pounds wasn't muscle. Losing that weight was extremely hard, and keeping it off is just as hard because there is so much crappy food all over the place. It takes will power to eat right, and it takes will power not to skip workouts. Most people don't have that will power. They just let themselves go.

The problem will probably get worse, like the article stated.

[Atwater His Ass]

Although I agree that many beyond excuse are overweight in the USA, some of that BMI stuff seems a little far fetched.

Myself for example, I'm 6'4" and about 220 pounds. I'm in decent shape, not spectacular, but I could jog a few miles without falling over from exhasution. I exercise 3x a week that includes 40mins cardio and 30 mins weight training and I eat relatively healthy, i.e., lean beef, chicken, tons of fruits and vegatables, minimze alcohol, but I'll have the occasional Wendy's or McDonalds here and there. However, according to my bmi, I'm overweight and would need to drop 20lbs to 200 before I hit the top end of "normal weight". Hell, at 230lbs, I would be pushing "obese". I think it's different for everyone, and trying to generalize something like a bmi isn't a very good way to deteremine where you are.

There was a time when I was pushing 3 bills. So I know a little bit about turning things around. But I can tell you that it would take more commitment than I'm willing to give to drop another 20 lbs, and I think I'd look like starvin' marvin.

[KipCorrington25]

Boob is really a trend setter in this regard. He is so now.

[KipCorrington25]

BMI doesn't account for muscle mass at all. If you throw the weights around a little and build up some mass you'll start pushing the overweight limits pretty quickly.

Plug in and NFL running back or linebacker into one of those things and they will calculate as over weight. For example is Travis Henry obese? I mean he is afterall 5'9" and 215 so he must be fat, right?

[Atwater His Ass]

I get that kip. But in a lot of these studies (including this one), the bmi is what they use to base the statistics on and it's flawed.

[KipCorrington25]

I get that kip. But in a lot of these studies (including this one), the bmi is what they use to base the statistics on and it's flawed.


Yes, I totally agree. That was the point I tried to make.

[DenverBrit]

Here in Denver...I don't see all that many. And is overweight considered by even 1 pound above the suggested level?

A few years ago, Denver was rated as having the 'lowest obesity rate' of any major metro area.
That was before the Texans arrived. ;D

[freak6]

BMI doesn't account for muscle mass at all. Plug in and NFL running back or linebacker into one of those things and they will calculate as over weight. For example is Travis Henry obese? I mean he is afterall 5'9" and 215 so he must be fat, right?

Great point.

The only danger is with all that muscle mass, as they get older and metabolism slows down, they will be really huge once they do put on fat putting that additional work on the heart. Body Fat is a much better way to calculate though.

Jason - I feel you about that girl. I'm moving back to Colorado after being in SoCal for 4 years, and it isn't going to be pretty seeing all my friends from college, let alone HS!

[DenverBrit]

States Failing to Fight Rising Obesity Rates

Alabama has highest obesity rate, Colorado lowest

By Todd Zwillich
WebMD Medical News

Reviewed By Michael W. Smith, MD

Oct. 20, 2004 -- The nation's antiobesity policies lack coordination and are failing to curb the rising obesity rates, claims a report issued Wednesday by a nonprofit public health group.

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=55837

[NaptownChief]

I'm outta here...I'm heading to the gym so that I don't end up one of those 80%'ers...

[Jason in LA]

Although I agree that many beyond excuse are overweight in the USA, some of that BMI stuff seems a little far fetched.

Myself for example, I'm 6'4" and about 220 pounds. I'm in decent shape, not spectacular, but I could jog a few miles without falling over from exhasution. I exercise 3x a week that includes 40mins cardio and 30 mins weight training and I eat relatively healthy, i.e., lean beef, chicken, tons of fruits and vegatables, minimze alcohol, but I'll have the occasional Wendy's or McDonalds here and there. However, according to my bmi, I'm overweight and would need to drop 20lbs to 200 before I hit the top end of "normal weight". Hell, at 230lbs, I would be pushing "obese". I think it's different for everyone, and trying to generalize something like a bmi isn't a very good way to deteremine where you are.

There was a time when I was pushing 3 bills. So I know a little bit about turning things around. But I can tell you that it would take more commitment than I'm willing to give to drop another 20 lbs, and I think I'd look like starvin' marvin.

You are exactly right. I'd say the BMI is a crap way of determining if somebody is overweight. If we go by the BMI, then I'm overweight. I'm 6', 185 lbs. My body fat % is less then 10%. I need do another body fat test to see exactly where I'm at. I've been working out to get my six pack. The only visible fat on me is on my lower abs. I do resistant training and eat a lot of protein. I don't have huge muscles, but I'm working with something.

I just did the BMI test on this website http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/adult_BMI/english_bmi_calculator/bmi_calculator.htm

It said that I have a BMI of 25.1. 25-29 is considered overweight.

I put in the numbers for Ian Gold http://denver.rockymountainnews.com/art/slides/broncos/2005/092605chiefs/8.jpg, who is a very lean guy. He has a BMI of 30.2, which makes obese.

I think that the BMI is used because it is a simple test. Most people don't have access to an accurate body fat test.

[Atwater His Ass]

Really though, it isn't that hard to maintain a healthy weight. You don't even really need to work out. Just eating right is about 80% of the battle. If you never exercised but ate the right foods, you would be amazed at what that would do for you. Exercising is just icing on the cake.

However, it's too easy in our society to get that fast meal for yourself and/or family. Until people take the oneous on themselves, it will never change.

[Jason in LA]

Really though, it isn't that hard to maintain a healthy weight. You don't even really need to work out. Just eating right is about 80% of the battle. If you never exercised but ate the right foods, you would be amazed at what that would do for you. Exercising is just icing on the cake.

However, it's too easy in our society to get that fast meal for yourself and/or family. Until people take the oneous on themselves, it will never change.

I agree that it's not hard, but it is way easier to not do it. So it does take a lot of will power. A person has to want it really bad, especially as they get older. A lot of people want to look good, but not that bad. Eating like crap and not working out is more enjoyable.

[AtlantaBronco]

That news doesn't sound very good for those in the dating pool.

[Atwater His Ass]

I agree Jason, people and will power just don't go together it seems. Hell, I have entire weeks sometimes when I don't work out and eat some bad stuff, it happens.

We've all seen those people that are severly obese at work or wherever, and it is just sickening. You see those people at McDonalds in their sweat pants and flip-flops. They have no pride and it's sad.

My roundabout point I suppose though, is just doing the small things on a consistent basis will add up. Stop drinking soda at work. Only eat out once a week. Bring a sandwhich and fruit from home for lunch instead of hitting up the burger stand. Pass on that donut. It's not like you have to totally reinvent your diet and routine all at once to see results. And once you start to see those results, you can start making more and more changes.

I used to keep my old belt when I was way overweight. I ended up putting like 15 new holes in it when I hit my target weight and threw it away. But it was a constant reminder and really helped motivate me to keep on when you really really really want that cheeseburger.

[Atwater His Ass]

That news doesn't sound very good for those in the dating pool.

Depends on which end your on. :)

[freak6]

But it was a constant reminder and really helped motivate me to keep on when you really really really want that cheeseburger.

Eat the burger, throw away the bun!

[BroncoBuff]

75 percent?! I'll be in the 25% by 7 years from now I trust.


Actually, my theory is that obese people are, from an evolutionary standpoint, a more HIGHLY ADAPTIVE human model. That sounds weird but follow my simple deduction, as follows:

Obesity is a pretty recent phenomenon in the homo sapien species - less than 100 years old only. We all know the agriculture/industrial revolution first ended daily manula labor for all, and first made food readily available in high concentrations to the masses in about 1900, or even later, post-WWII for most folks. Before then, unless you were rich, you had to work your arse off for food most of the time, and manual labor, walking and physical exertion were everyday occurrences for just about everybody.

THEREFORE, in those common periods of caloric restriction - whether caused by famine, poverty, no proximity to food, whatever - the best adapted human models could store fat to ward off DEATH. Accordingly then, the very very recent phenomena of plenty of food and lack of exercise has not been adapted yet in homo sapiens - and those who are fattest are the most evolved. ;D

[Master___Pain]

Gah!!! I'm nearing obesity......well according to Jason's link. I'm 6' 200Lbs

I was 185 during the winter when all I was doing was skiing and playing Basketball. I laid off the weights for a few months. I've been lifting regularly since March and I've gained 15 pounds. My clothes all fit the same too. I tend to agree that BMI is a general range and not a accurate measure.

If that were accurate, you'd have every woman in America shoving her finger down her throat because that BMI test said she was overweight/obese.

[kamakazi_kal]

this thread is in need of a bob joke

[Traveler]

This thread makes me feel bad. Think I'll have a Nutty Bar.

[521 1N5]

People need to stop saying "overweight" and start calling it what it really is. Overfat. We have a constant need in this country not to hurt anybodies feelings, we've turned into such a p***Y nation.


BTW the hip hop generation/State of Mind is killing this country.
:)

[mosca]

that's crazy

i see it everyday, especially during the summer

when i was a kid, my friends and i (about 8 of us) would hop on our bikes and spend ALL DAY riding around, playing football, and doing other outside activities....nowadays, i dont see the fields being used by kids, nor do i see the amount of kids on bikes or anything

its the DAMN VIDEO GAMES!!!

haha
Totally agree... I was the same way as a kid. Don't get me wrong, I played a ton of video games, but when I wasn't doing that, we were outside, either playin' ball for hours, riding bikes, running around, etc. For 4-5 hours or more a day.

Nowadays, I live in a suburban neighborhood similar to the ones I lived in as a kid, and when I look around in the afternoons, when school is clearly out, I don't see as many kids outside as when I was a kid. I do see some, here and there, but nowhere near as many. It's as if kids actively doing stuff outdoors are an endangered species.

On the diet thing... don't forget the garbage that is high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Stuff is like poison, and is used in just about everything in place of sugar. I read somewhere that it turns to fat about 2-3 times the rate of natural sugar.

As to the BMI issue, and how to know if one is truly "overweight" or not - use the oldskool method - look at your body in the mirror. The mirror does not lie.

[Atwater His Ass]

When I was growing up, we were not allowed in the house during the day in the summertime. We were allowed to play outside, ride bikes, do whatever, but we could only come inside to use the bathroom and eat lunch.

[Garcia Bronco]

When I was growing up, we were not allowed in the house during the day in the summertime. We were allowed to play outside, ride bikes, do whatever, but we could only come inside to use the bathroom and eat lunch.

Yep...me too.

[Hotrod]

Eat less move more..........problem solved.

[Atwater His Ass]

it's amazing how many people can't comprehend that hotrod.

[mosca]

I do see that it is a little more dangerous to just let your kids run around unsupervised these days, or seems that way, with all the news reports of kidnapped kids, child predators, drive-bys, etc. But still, in my neighborhood, which is a pretty decent one, sometimes in the afternoons it's deathly quiet, almost like a ghost town. Lotta times the only people I see outdoors are the older 55+ yrs. ones, doing yardwork or gardening.

I think a lot of the parents who are in their 20s and 30s are lazy to begin with, and don't encourage their children to do anything that they aren't - namely, sitting on their ass, munching on potato chips, watching TV, playing Xbox, etc.

[Hotrod]

Ok I took the BMI test and scored a 20.0 I'm having a double bacon cheeseburger for lunch as my reward ;D

[BroncoBuff]

It's not that simple ... obesity occurs so much now not because people cannot control their eating, but because it goes against basic instinct. Limiting food intake grinds against our human evolution ... obesity hasn't had a chance to be genetically corrected for yet (see post ^^^)

You can't just magically POOF! - change millions of years of human evolution and instinct merely because it suddenly 'looks bad' or 'clogs arteries.' We're just human animals, subject to powerful instinctive drives.

[Atwater His Ass]

I disagree with that view broncobuff. People can control their eating, it's just hard. Humans are able to overcome their instincts, it's one of the things that sets us apart from animals.

People just want sympathy and an excuse as to why it's not their fault.

Mosca- yeah, things are more dangerous than they used to be, but it's no excuse to condem your children to a life of health problems because the parent is not only too lazy to take care of themselves, but can't even look out for the well being of their child.

[Jason in LA]

People need to stop saying "overweight" and start calling it what it really is. Overfat. We have a constant need in this country not to hurt anybodies feelings, we've turned into such a p***Y nation.


BTW the hip hop generation/State of Mind is killing this country.
:)

You know what, I'm just going to leave that last comment alone. I don't see what it has to do with the topic, and...ah, forget it. No need to ruin this thread.

[mosca]

It's not that simple ... obesity occurs so much now not because people cannot control their eating, but because it goes against basic instinct. Limiting food intake grinds against our human evolution ... obesity hasn't had a chance to be genetically corrected for yet (see post ^^^)

You can't just magically POOF! - change millions of years of human evolution and instinct merely because it suddenly 'looks bad' or 'clogs arteries.' We're just human animals, subject to powerful instinctive drives.
It may go against basic human instinct, but many people have been able to go contrary to the basic instincts for quite some time now. It may be difficult, but it is possible. Not to mention that the stuff we're clogging our arteries with these days is 100x more processed, unnatural, and loaded with chemicals than the stuff humans have been eating during the previous millions of years of human evolution. It's not only about limiting what you eat, but making sure that what you -do- eat is clean as opposed to junk.

[bronco militia]

This thread makes me feel bad. Think I'll have a Nutty Bar.

ha ha! :rofl:

[mosca]

Mosca- yeah, things are more dangerous than they used to be, but it's no excuse to condem your children to a life of health problems because the parent is not only too lazy to take care of themselves, but can't even look out for the well being of their child.
I agree - no excuse. I do think that there are more than a few parents who are overly concerned/paranoid and choose to keep their child sheltered indoors. Maybe more than there were years ago.

[521 1N5]

You know what, I'm just going to leave that last comment alone.

Good idea.

[DomCasual]

My son is indoors most of the day in the summer. There are two differences, that I see, from when I was a kid. First, it's hotter than hell here in Utah. It's above 100 every day. That just sucks for outdoor stuff. The other thing is air conditioning. When I was growing up (Englewood), if you wanted to stay cool, you waved a piece of tree bark in front of your face. We didn't have fancy shmancy air conditioning. So, there was really no good reason to stay indoors.

The video game thing is a big deal, though. Growing up, there were only so many hours you could play Pong without wanting to stick a salad fork in your eye. Now, nearly every kid has multiple gaming systems, and dozens of games.

And then there's that blasted rock and roll music, which is all about sex and worshiping Satan. But I digress.

[Jason in LA]

I've never really looked at the BMI test. I've heard that it was flawed. Now that I've read about it, and actually took the test, I can see that it is a BS test. The numbers from that article are probably off. The problem is probably not as bad as it would appear because the BMI test is saying that people of normal weight are overweight. I'm not saying that obesity isn't a problem. I can look around and see that it's a problem. But it doesn't look like it is as bad as that article is making it out to be.

[kappys]

It may go against basic human instinct, but many people have been able to go contrary to the basic instincts for quite some time now. It may be difficult, but it is possible. Not to mention that the stuff we're clogging our arteries with these days is 100x more processed, unnatural, and loaded with chemicals than the stuff humans have been eating during the previous millions of years of human evolution. It's not only about limiting what you eat, but making sure that what you -do- eat is clean as opposed to junk.

Don't worry so much. We have pills to keep your arteries clean.

[Jason in LA]

The video game thing is a big deal, though. Growing up, there were only so many hours you could play Pong without wanting to stick a salad fork in your eye. Now, nearly every kid has multiple gaming systems, and dozens of games.



I'm wondering how much of it is playing video games. When I was a kid my brothers and I played outside all the time. We had a crew of kids on our street, and we played football, baseball, and basketball all the time. We were always outside running around.

But we also had video games. We were Nintendo junkies. Played that thing everyday...when we were inside.

I guess we had a mixture of playing outside and playing video games.

[mosca]

It's above 100 every day. That just sucks for outdoor stuff.
Not trying to be argumentative, but when I was a kid I spent tons of time outdoors in temperatures at or near 100 degrees. Didn't stop us from doing stuff. Of course in the thick of summer you do have to come indoors from time to time to cool off or drink something.

The video game thing is a big deal, though. Growing up, there were only so many hours you could play Pong without wanting to stick a salad fork in your eye. Now, nearly every kid has multiple gaming systems, and dozens of games.

I grew up playing NES, SNES, Genesis, etc. and all kinds of different games. I didn't spend all day every day inside playing them like many kids seem to now.

[DenverBroncosJM]

I think it was posted on here at one point in time. Penn and Teller

Anyway they did a whole BMI thing and they took 3 guys who are considerd obese by the BMI chart and had them go up against someone who is considered normal on BMI chart, running, hurdles etc. the guy that was normal was damn near worthless. He was beaten by the "obese" people I think 90% of the tests.

[mosca]

Don't worry so much. We have pills to keep your arteries clean.
I wonder what kind of side effects those pills have. We have pills to burn fat too and they're extremely unhealthy.

[Beantown Bronco]

My son is indoors most of the day in the summer. There are two differences, that I see, from when I was a kid. First, it's hotter than hell here in Utah. It's above 100 every day. That just sucks for outdoor stuff.

Install a damn pool and make their fat @sses swim laps... :thanku:

[kappys]

I wonder what kind of side effects those pills have. We have pills to burn fat too and they're extremely unhealthy.

All kinds of nasty side effects. The only one I like though is the improved lifespan.

[CHANGSTER]

More overweight chicks=less "attractive" chicks
less attractive chicks=larger amount of guys competing for them
Larger amount of guys competing=not enough attractive chicks to go around.

Thats the REAL problem facing America :wiggle:

[RkyMtnThunder]

I have a rule I live by 5 out of 7 days/wk: If a food did not naturally exist 200 years ago; dont eat it. I do allow weekends to be open for anything, but during the week things are much much cleaner. (and also includes good stuff like real butter, real cheese, etc)


I think a lot of the obesity problem could be reduced if people were willing to prepare the majority of their meals instead of rely on processed foods, fast food, carry out, delivery, etc as their dietary staples.

It really doesnt take a whole heck of a lot of time/effort to prepare your meals. And clean up in the kitchen afterwards usually takes less than 15 minutes if you dont drag ass.

People are just too lazy. They complain of fatigue and a lack of time here in this modern world where technology has made life easier than at any point in human history.

My mother was a single parent working graveyards. Still she managed to find time to prepare breakfast and dinners and pack our lunch boxes. If she could do it, anyone can. No excuses.

Thing that gets my goat the most about all this is the whole 'fat acceptance' movement. You dont see heroin addicts demanding sympathy from the public for their self destruction. And we are supposedly 'shallow' or 'image driven' when we reject the idea of being grossly unhealthy?

Another peeve of mine are those who claim genetics are to blame. Glandular weight disorders are actually very rare - but I would say 9 in 10 fat people blame 'genes' or that it 'runs in the family'

[DomCasual]

Install a damn pool and make their fat @sses swim laps... :thanku:

Pool shmool! We have a damn garden hose! :)

[RkyMtnThunder]

Install a damn pool and make their fat @sses swim laps... :thanku:

+2

My kid is in the pool almost every day. Here in Phoenix, a person could have a decent, modern self cleaning pool installed for less than the price of a Honda Accord. MUCH cheaper for above ground pools. A swimming pool in the back yard is not the luxury status symbol it once was.

Of course the kids love it - and if parents are worried about the safety of kids playing in the neighborhood - well the neighborhood kids would all love to splash in your pool: so get permission slips and host pool parties every weekend and become a social hub of your neighborhood.

Sure beats the heck out of wasting your summers in the basement playing video games

[CHANGSTER]

Pool shmool! We have a damn garden hose! :)

Whatever happened to those neighborhood water fights, at the end some kid would always break out the hose.

[RkyMtnThunder]

Whatever happened to those neighborhood water fights, at the end some kid would always break out the hose.

LOL


that reminded me of some epic water battles in my old Green Mountain neighborhood growing up

[Beantown Bronco]

Whatever happened to those neighborhood water fights, at the end some kid would always break out the hose.

They'd always tell me to put my pants back on....

[mosca]

All kinds of nasty side effects. The only one I like though is the improved lifespan.
I'll just eat cleaner and enjoy a longer lifespan, minus the side effects of the pill, thank you.

[Jason in LA]

Another peeve of mine are those who claim genetics are to blame. Glandular weight disorders are actually very rare - but I would say 9 in 10 fat people blame 'genes' or that it 'runs in the family'


I get tired of that one too. Enviorment plays as big of a role as genetics. Genetics, when it comes to being fat, means that a person is more at risk of becoming fat if they eat poorly. Well, if that person doesn't eat poorly then that person won't become fat.

People have to work around bad genes.

[Jason in LA]

Pool shmool! We have a damn garden hose! :)

Hook it up to a slip and slide that that will be some good exercise.

[Jason in LA]

LOL


that reminded me of some epic water battles in my old Green Mountain neighborhood growing up


In Jr. High my friends and I would hop the fence at school on a weekend, we'd each pick a water fountain as a base, and blast each other with water balloons.

[smalltowngrll]

Someone can be skinny as a rail and not healthy. Keep in mind that there are girls (and some guys) that are skinny as can be, don't eat healthy, don't work out at all and people 'look' at them and think they are hot! Meanwhile, they are all flab. There was a story about this on the news a few weeks back.

Basically what people forget is that to be healthy you should have a good balance. Being skinny or falling within a certain weight group isn't always the best if one is not maintaining good cardio and muscle tone. I hate the way that society 'looks' at you and judges weather you are 'skinny' or 'fat'. Just because a gal isn't a size 2 doesn't mean that she's not healthy! Just my two cents, though!! :strong:

[DomCasual]

Hook it up to a slip and slide that that will be some good exercise.

We used to do that. But our lawn was bumpy, and you'd end up with bruises all over.

Still good times, though.

[mosca]

Someone can be skinny as a rail and not healthy. Keep in mind that there are girls (and some guys) that are skinny as can be, don't eat healthy, don't work out at all and people 'look' at them and think they are hot! Meanwhile, they are all flab. There was a story about this on the news a few weeks back.

Basically what people forget is that to be healthy you should have a good balance. Being skinny or falling within a certain weight group isn't always the best if one is not maintaining good cardio and muscle tone. I hate the way that society 'looks' at you and judges weather you are 'skinny' or 'fat'. Just because a gal isn't a size 2 doesn't mean that she's not healthy! Just my two cents, though!! :strong:
True - many overly 'skinny' people aren't healthy or fit by any means, but the problem of obesity dwarfs that of being underweight (no pun intended).

The Facts:

* In 1999, sixty-one percent of adults were estimated to be either overweight or obese.
* In 2000, 38.8 million adults in the U.S. were classified as obese.
* In the year 2000, obesity cost the U.S. more than $117 million.
* Approximately 300,000 deaths are brought on by physical inactivity and poor nutrition in the U.S. each year.

http://www.rosstraining.com/articles/worldtoday.html

[CHANGSTER]

We used to do that. But our lawn was bumpy, and you'd end up with bruises all over.

Still good times, though.

not to mention the risk of losing a nipple

[DomCasual]

not to mention the risk of losing a nipple

Quoted for truth.

[NaptownChief]

I think it was posted on here at one point in time. Penn and Teller

Anyway they did a whole BMI thing and they took 3 guys who are considerd obese by the BMI chart and had them go up against someone who is considered normal on BMI chart, running, hurdles etc. the guy that was normal was damn near worthless. He was beaten by the "obese" people I think 90% of the tests.


The BMI is virtually worthless in all directions but the only time it is even remotely accurate is if it is used to measure people that have never had any exposure to weight training or physical activity that could possibly promote muscle growth.

The fact that the BMI is still used by anyone is beyond me. It is about as accurate as someone trying to measure water temperature by looking at it.

[Atwater His Ass]

We had one of those large trampoleons and would set up our pool beside it so we could jump in it.

I also grew up a nintendo/sege junkie, but it was different. I didn't spend all day playing it, and could only play a couple hours at night before I was made to turn it off and do something else.

[Hotrod]

While the BMI might be worthless I personally dont need any tests/polls/stats to tell me America is getting to be one fat lazy nation. Just open your eyes when your out and about.

http://www.letsgetreadytoramble.com/images/fatty.jpg

On the other hand there are some safetly benifits to being fat.

http://borderdogs.com/images/1/productimages/0508.jpg

[RkyMtnThunder]

The BMI is virtually worthless in all directions but the only time it is even remotely accurate is if it is used to measure people that have never had any exposure to weight training or physical activity that could possibly promote muscle growth.

The fact that the BMI is still used by anyone is beyond me. It is about as accurate as someone trying to measure water temperature by looking at it.

In order to get a more realistic idea of your BMI - it requires someone to actually take a physical test - caliper pinch test, water displacement

I agree, only using hight/weight to calculate BMI is useless.

[sixtimeseight]

BMI is not applicable to people that work out (or do other muscle building activities), but is a pretty damn good indicator of obesity for everybody else. So all you fatties that rate out as "obese" on the BMI scale, stop pretending that it's because you have "natural muscles" or "a big frame" or "big bones."

[Atwater His Ass]

BMI is not applicable to people that work out (or do other muscle building activities), but is a pretty damn good indicator of obesity for everybody else. So all you fatties that rate out as "obese" on the BMI scale, stop pretending that it's because you have "natural muscles" or "a big frame" or "big bones."

welcome to page 1.

[Jason in LA]

not to mention the risk of losing a nipple

Don't those things grow back?

[NaptownChief]

In order to get a more realistic idea of your BMI - it requires someone to actually take a physical test - caliper pinch test, water displacement

I agree, only using hight/weight to calculate BMI is useless.



Back when I was in college and into body building I would go to the university's fitness lab where they had a tank to get an exact measure of body fat. The calipers are a much better measuring tool than the BMI but even with those you can get a bad number on a person that carries an non-proportionate amount of fat in certain areas where they use the calipers. When I carry extra fat it is usually around the waistline where they use the calipers. I remember one time where the calipers was giving me an 11% body fat reading when using the dunk tank to get an exact reading I was at 7.4%. That is a pretty big margin of error. The calipers were showing me carrying 48% more fat than reality.

[Atwater His Ass]

You can get as scientific as you want, but as was said before, the mirror test never fails.

[RkyMtnThunder]

Back when I was in college and into body building I would go to the university's fitness lab where they had a tank to get an exact measure of body fat. The calipers are a much better measuring tool than the BMI but even with those you can get a bad number on a person that carries an non-proportionate amount of fat in certain areas where they use the calipers. When I carry extra fat it is usually around the waistline where they use the calipers. I remember one time where the calipers was giving me an 11% body fat reading when using the dunk tank to get an exact reading I was at 7.4%. That is a pretty big margin of error. The calipers were showing me carrying 48% more fat than reality.

Whenever I have had a caliper test done, it was taken at a few points on my body. Waistline, front of thigh, between shoulder blades, back of the arm

I presume they did so to counter the issue you just spoke of?

Anyhow - yeah, these tests are much better than simple BMI calculation. But most tests are only as good as the person administering it

[NaptownChief]

Whenever I have had a caliper test done, it was taken at a few points on my body. Waistline, front of thigh, between shoulder blades, back of the arm

I presume they did so to counter the issue you just spoke of?





They did measure just above the knee and between the shoulder blades..can't remember if they did back of the arm or not.....I can't remember but I think they take an average of all those measures. Is that the case?

[RkyMtnThunder]

They did measure just above the knee and between the shoulder blades..can't remember if they did back of the arm or not.....I can't remember but I think they take an average of all those measures. Is that the case?

I am not exactly positive, its been over a year and a half since I last had one done. But I think its along those lines.

I would suspect a caliper test taken at only one spot in the body. Like you said, people carry their weight differently

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Really though, it isn't that hard to maintain a healthy weight. You don't even really need to work out. Just eating right is about 80% of the battle. If you never exercised but ate the right foods, you would be amazed at what that would do for you. Exercising is just icing on the cake.

However, it's too easy in our society to get that fast meal for yourself and/or family. Until people take the oneous on themselves, it will never change.Wait until you hit your late 30s and early 40s. It's harder than heck to get off fat! If you don't start taking care of yourself by the mid 30s it's too late for some to ever recover.


So this study says American women are fat eh, who woulda thunk it?









http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/4716/europeusababesnl2.jpg

[Bladerunner]

The BMI is not an accurate test for many people. Sadly, it is fairly accurate for the majority of the people that this article was discussing, the majority of Americans that are overweight, overfat, and underactive.

It's a disgusting trend that continues to get worse. I find it a pathetic attitude to seek justification and acceptance of a lazy and unhealthy lifestyle.

The Biggest Loser is a hard show to watch, but the only thing more amazing than the condition of the contestants at the beginning is the demonstration that a willfull lifestyle change is all that is required to completely transform one's life (self-image, health, family, almost everything that matters) for the better.

[NaptownChief]

I'm in the middle of fighting back the aging process. I had three back surgeries this past year and with all the complications I packed on some pounds...I wasn't able to walk for a while because of some nerve damage they did that messed up my right leg. And with all the pain I had from the nerve damage I found the best medicine and pain killer was beer.

But the good news is that the back is now doing great and I'm back in the gym. I've cleaned up about 15lbs in the last month and have about 10lbs more that I should have cleaned up in the next month.

[TexanBob]

I get that kip. But in a lot of these studies (including this one), the bmi is what they use to base the statistics on and it's flawed.

Amen. Very flawed. I don't deny that America has a weight problem but the "crisis" is partly from flawed science and redefining downward what is overweight and what is obese.

Government is setting you up for more taxes. Just like cigarette taxes and gasoline taxes, be prepared for "fat taxes" coming to a liberal socialist nanny-state near you.

[mosca]

"It is time to stop feeling bad for people who walk around overweight. No one forces me, you, or anyone else to exercise. I view exercise as an investment in myself. I am able to function freely in this world, capable of using the body that I have been blessed with. Shoving food down your mouth and sitting on your ass all day and night is disrespectful to your body. The body should be respected, maintained, and improved." - Ross Enamait, Never Gymless

[NaptownChief]

Amen. Very flawed. I don't deny that America has a weight problem but the "crisis" is partly from flawed science and redefining downward what is overweight and what is obese.

Government is setting you up for more taxes. Just like cigarette taxes and gasoline taxes, be prepared for "fat taxes" coming to a liberal socialist nanny-state near you.



And everyone in the medical profession and biotech companies need to make sure we classify it as a "disease" so that they can push their own agenda's and bilk insurance companies for therapy, drugs and doctor visits.

As somebody recently stated that obesity is the only "disease" that you can cure with long walks and shutting your mouth. ;D

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Amen. Very flawed. I don't deny that America has a weight problem but the "crisis" is partly from flawed science and redefining downward what is overweight and what is obese.

Government is setting you up for more taxes. Just like cigarette taxes and gasoline taxes, be prepared for "fat taxes" coming to a liberal socialist nanny-state near you.
LOL

Life must suck for you having to live will all the "liberals" in this country.

Everything is a liberal conspiracy to tax you more...... I love it!!

[cutthemdown]

I started getting fat after my knee surgeries. That's it man it's time to work out!!!

[ro_50]

You have kids now-a-days spending time on their computers, iPods, in front of the TV and not playing outside.

And on their cell phones.

It's the times we live in. I'm from Alabama (now live in Jersey) and the lines for Chick-Fil-A around lunch time and in at dinner time in Bham were amazing. The lines extend to the streets often.

And one thing I like to know, how many Americans are eating out versus back in the 90's. I think a lot of people eat out much more than they back then. And as you guys know, often than not, the food is heavy and the costs are pricey.

No wonder we have obesity running rampant and growing debt.

[Bob's your Information Minister]

75 percent?! I'll be in the 25% by 7 years from now I trust.


Actually, my theory is that obese people are, from an evolutionary standpoint, a more HIGHLY ADAPTIVE human model. That sounds weird but follow my simple deduction, as follows:

Obesity is a pretty recent phenomenon in the homo sapien species - less than 100 years old only. We all know the agriculture/industrial revolution first ended daily manula labor for all, and first made food readily available in high concentrations to the masses in about 1900, or even later, post-WWII for most folks. Before then, unless you were rich, you had to work your arse off for food most of the time, and manual labor, walking and physical exertion were everyday occurrences for just about everybody.

THEREFORE, in those common periods of caloric restriction - whether caused by famine, poverty, no proximity to food, whatever - the best adapted human models could store fat to ward off DEATH. Accordingly then, the very very recent phenomena of plenty of food and lack of exercise has not been adapted yet in homo sapiens - and those who are fattest are the most evolved. ;D

Actually this is a sound theory. Hilarious!

[Hotrod]

Actually this is a sound theory. Hilarious!

So did any of this information make you drop your doughnut and pick up a carrot stick?

[Bob's your Information Minister]

So did any of this information make you drop your doughnut and pick up a carrot stick?

It's 5:22 PM and all I've eaten today is a bowl of raisin bran. Bite me.

Also, I know for a FACT that I am not the fattest person on this forum.

[Hotrod]

It's 5:22 PM and all I've eaten today is a bowl of raisin bran. Bite me.

Also, I know for a FACT that I am not the fattest person on this forum.

Why does your mom post here???

[TexanBob]

Life must suck for you having to live will all the "liberals" in this country.

Everything is a liberal conspiracy to tax you more...... I love it!!

Laugh all you want. The advocacy for a fat tax is already taking root in Europe:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=390171&in_page_id=1770&in_a_source

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Laugh all you want. The advocacy for a fat tax is already taking root in Europe:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=390171&in_page_id=1770&in_a_source

Whats wrong with having people pay for the problems and costs they cause?

[Jason in LA]

It's 5:22 PM and all I've eaten today is a bowl of raisin bran. Bite me.

Also, I know for a FACT that I am not the fattest person on this forum.


Yeah, but you probably rolled out of bed a 3 pm, had your mom fix you a bowl a ceral, and now you'll be playing video games until dawn. That picture of you at the Chiefs game is probably the last time you were actually outside.

[Bob's your Information Minister]

Yeah, but you probably rolled out of bed a 3 pm, had your mom fix you a bowl a ceral, and now you'll be playing video games until dawn. That picture of you at the Chiefs game is probably the last time you were actually outside.

Actually I never roll out of bed. I live in my bed. I've grown so large I can't get out of it without heavy equipment. It takes a specially-constructed system of pulleys and weights just to lift my neck forward so I can eat. That picture of me at the Chiefs game was faked with photoshop. I wanted people to think I had actually been outside, but alas you have discovered my cunning ruse.

[RkyMtnThunder]

Laugh all you want. The advocacy for a fat tax is already taking root in Europe:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=390171&in_page_id=1770&in_a_source

I am a smoker, as result I pay more taxes over the course of the year than non smokers.

This is one of the prices I pay to engage in a self destructive habit.

I understand that smoking has a large impact on health care in this country which in turn elevates the premiums of everyone - smokers and non smokers alike.

Same can be said for the obesity problem in this country (in fact it is quickly replacing smoking as the #1 cause of preventable health ailments)....so I think its only fair to impose additional taxes on them as well.

[TexanBob]

Whats wrong with having people pay for the problems and costs they cause?

They already do with increased medical costs. But how far do you want to take this? Should gays be taxed because of their higher rates of HIV/AIDS infections? Should we tax cell phone users because of all the auto accidents they cause? How about we tax junkies for the damage they do through drug abuse?

Somehow, this concept of bankrupting people into better health has a flaw in it somewhere. Most people who earn less money tend to choose *less* healthy alternatives for food, not better choices.

[Inkana7]

Actually I never roll out of bed. I live in my bed. I've grown so large I can't get out of it without heavy equipment. It takes a specially-constructed system of pulleys and weights just to lift my neck forward so I can eat. That picture of me at the Chiefs game was faked with photoshop. I wanted people to think I had actually been outside, but alas you have discovered my cunning ruse.

I don't appreciate your ruse, ma'am.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

They already do with increased medical costs. But how far do you want to take this? Should gays be taxed because of their higher rates of HIV/AIDS infections? Should we tax cell phone users because of all the auto accidents they cause? How about we tax junkies for the damage they do through drug abuse?

Somehow, this concept of bankrupting people into better health has a flaw in it somewhere. Most people who earn less money tend to choose *less* healthy alternatives for food, not better choices.Most people who smoke earn less money also, so they are paying for some of their costs to society in tobacco taxes, that works for me too.

If you can figure out to make car cell phone users pay higher auto insurance costs (so I don't have to) I'm for that too.

[RkyMtnThunder]

They already do with increased medical costs. But how far do you want to take this? Should gays be taxed because of their higher rates of HIV/AIDS infections? Should we tax cell phone users because of all the auto accidents they cause? How about we tax junkies for the damage they do through drug abuse?

Somehow, this concept of bankrupting people into better health has a flaw in it somewhere. Most people who earn less money tend to choose *less* healthy alternatives for food, not better choices.

GREAT IDEA! Honestly

But you have to legalize in order to tax it!

New can of worms.....

[Los Broncos]

Im big sexy

[NaptownChief]

Whats wrong with having people pay for the problems and costs they cause?


You keep talking like this and they will kick you out of the Democratic party. ;D

[RkyMtnThunder]

Im big sexy

now now now, dont be listening to everything momma tells you!

tsk tsk

(j/k)

[Bob's your Information Minister]

This is why America is fat.

http://www.junkfoodblog.com/2006/07/jimmy-dean-chocolate-chip-pancakes.html

[RhymesayersDU]

I don't appreciate your ruse, ma'am.

"My ruse?"
"Yes, your cunning attempt to trick me."


My favorite scene in that whole movie, easy.

"I'm never renting here again!"
"You won't be missed."
"Screw you!"
"YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO RENT HERE ANYMORE! (YEAH!) .... Screw me?"

[jutang]

As obvious as a problem obesity is for America is really is a touchy subject and incredibly tough to treat. Also defining who is obese is more complicated than just using a single measure ala BMI.

However, the BMI is still one of the best measures for obesity and a great screening tool for health care workers to identify who is at risk and who isn't. I would be careful to state that the "BMI is completely worthless." While there is bunch of literature out there, here is a recent article from the Mayo Clinic's academic journal published in Oct 2006.

I apologize for the length of this article, I don't think the link would have been publicly available and I am not versed enough on pubmed

[RhymesayersDU]

Oh, and fatties should join us in this thread:

http://www.orangemane.com/BB/showthread.php?t=54902

[jutang]

Results: Mayo Clinic Proceedings

(C) 2006 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Volume 81(10) Supplement, October 2006, pp S5-S10

Extreme Obesity: A New Medical Crisis in the United States
[Supplement on Bariatric Surgery in Extreme Obesity: Supplement Article]

Hensrud, Donald D. MD, MPH; Klein, Samuel MD
From the Division of Preventive, Occupational, and Aerospace Medicine and
Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, and Nutrition, Mayo Clinic
College of Medicine, Rochester, Minn (D.D.H.); and Center for Human Nutrition,
Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Mo (S.K.).
Address correspondence to Donald D. Hensrud, MD, MPH, Division of Preventive,
Occupational, and Aerospace Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First
St SW, Rochester, MN 55905 (e-mail: hensrud.donald@mayo.edu).

----------------------------------------------

Outline

Abstract

DEFINITION AND CLASSIFICATION

PREVALENCE TRENDS

ETIOLOGY

COMORBIDITIES

MORTALITY

DISCRIMINATION AND QUALITY OF LIFE

ECONOMICS

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF BARIATRIC SURGERY

SUMMARY

REFERENCES

Abstract

The prevalence of obesity has markedly increased in the past few decades, and this disorder is responsible for more health care expenditures than any other medical condition. The greater the body mass index (BMI) (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters), the greater the risk of comorbidities, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, many cancers, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease, and overall
mortality. Class III (extreme) obesity, defined as a BMI of 40 kg/m2 or greater,has also increased such that it now affects almost 1 in 20 Americans. The prevalence of extreme obesity is greater among women than among men and greater among blacks than among non-Hispanic whites or Hispanics. The effect of extreme obesity on mortality is greater among young than among older adults, greater among men than among women, and greater among whites than among blacks. The current permissive environment that promotes increased dietary energy intake and decreased energy expenditure through reduced daily physical activity coupled with genetic susceptibility is an important pathogenic factor. The number of bariatric surgical procedures performed annually is relatively small but increasing.

[jutang]

BMI = body mass index; BRFSS = Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System;
NHANES = National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Until very recently in the history of human existence, obtaining enough food or survival was a major challenge, and regular physical activity was unavoidable. Technological advances and the built environment have resulted in a progressive increase in average body weight and body mass index (BMI) (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters). Moreover, the prevalence of extreme obesity, defined as a BMI of 40 kg/m2 or greater, has markedly increased in the United States and throughout the world. This article focuses on the prevalence trends, etiology, and consequences of extreme obesity among US adults. Trends in bariatric surgery are also discussed.

DEFINITION AND CLASSIFICATION

Obesity is defined as an excess of body fat. Surrogate measures are used to
identify obesity because measuring body fat directly is impractical. Currently,
BMI is the standard used to classify obesity. Although BMI correlates directly
with body fat mass and health outcomes, it is not a perfect tool. An individual
with a high BMI and a large proportion of lean tissue (ie, muscle) could be
classified as being obese yet have a low percentage of body weight as fat.

The current classification of obesity is shown in Table 1. Overweight is defined as a BMI of 25.0 to 29.9 kg/m2 and obesity as a BMI of 30 or greater. Obesity is further divided into categories of class I (BMI, 30.0-34.9), class II (BMI, 35.0-39.9), and class III or extreme obesity (BMI, >=40).1 As BMI increases above the normal range, health risks increase, slowly at lower BMIs and more steeply with greater degrees of obesity. The term medically complicated obesity refers to a subset of obese individuals who also have health complications due to their obesity, for example, a patient with a BMI of 36 kg/m2 who has type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or obstructive sleep apnea. Increased waist circumference, reflective of abdominal subcutaneous and visceral fat, is associated with increased risk of metabolic risk factors for coronary heart disease. However, the importance of waist circumference measurements in determining health risks decreases with increasing BMI. In patients with BMI values of 35 kg/m2 or greater, waist circumference does not add to the level of risk determined by assessment of BMI alone.1

[jutang]

PREVALENCE TRENDS

Awareness of obesity has existed since the Stone Age,2 and there are numerous references to obesity in Hippocratic writings.3 Throughout history, obesity has occurred most commonly in the upper socioeconomic strata, but increased weight in the past did not usually approach the level currently categorized as extreme obesity. Until the last 45 years, population data sets that could estimate the prevalence of extreme obesity in the United States did not exist.

Two large-scale national data sets have tracked the prevalence of obesity in the United States, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).4 The NHANES obtains measured data on height and weight in a representative sample of the US noninstitutionalized civilian population. The BRFSS is a multistage survey that obtains self-reported data on height and weight from individuals in each state with use of random-digit dialing. Because data from the BRFSS are obtained by self-report, it likely underestimates the true prevalence of obesity. Moreover, underreporting increases with the magnitude of overweight.5 Nonetheless, the BRFSS is useful for following national trends over time.

According to the BRFSS, the prevalence of extreme obesity has been increasing twice as fast as obesity in general.6 Data from the BRFSS have been summarized for the period from 1990 to 2000.7 During this decade, the overall prevalence of extreme obesity increased almost 3-fold, from 0.8% to 2.2%, and this increase was seen in both sexes, all racial/ethnic groups, all age groups, and all education levels. The prevalence of extreme obesity was greater among blacks than among non-Hispanic whites or Hispanics, greater among persons who did not complete high school, greater among shorter than among taller persons, and approximately 2-fold greater among women than among men. The largest proportional increase among age groups was seen in 18- to 29-year-olds. The higher the BMI at baseline, the greater the increase in BMI, ie, the heaviest people gained the most weight.

The NHANES has tracked BMI data since NHANES I was conducted in 1960-1962, at which time the prevalence of obesity was 13.4%.8 From NHANES II in 1976-1980 to NHANES III in 1988-1994, the prevalence of obesity increased from 15.0% to 23.3%. The latest data from the NHANES showed that in 2003-2004, 66.3% of adult (>=20 years) Americans were overweight or obese, and 32.2% were obese.9 Compared to the period 1999-2000, the prevalence of obesity in 2003-2004 was stable among women (33.4% and 33.2%, respectively) but increased among men (from 27.5% to
31.1%).

The NHANES found a 2.9% prevalence of extreme obesity in 1988-1994, 4.7% in 1999-2000, and 4.8% in 2003-2004.8,9 Although the overall prevalence of extreme obesity was stable between 1999-2000 and 2003-2004 and affects almost 1 in 20 Americans overall, it appeared to be increasing in the 20- to 39-year age group (5.4% in 2003-2004 compared with 4.5% in 1999). In 2003-2004, the prevalence of extreme obesity was greater among women (6.9%) than among men (2.8%), greater among blacks (10.5%) than among non-Hispanic whites (4.3%) or Hispanics (4.5%), and highest among black women (14.7%).

[jutang]

ETIOLOGY

Obesity develops when energy intake exceeds energy expenditure over a long period. Despite the seeming simplicity of the energy balance equation, the factors that influence energy balance are numerous, varied, and complex. These factors involve genetic, metabolic, environmental, behavioral, cultural, and socioeconomic influences.10 Ultimately, all factors that contribute to obesity influence energy intake or energy expenditure.

Certain genetic syndromes are associated with extreme obesity, including leptin deficiency, Prader-Willi syndrome, and Laurence-Moon-Biedl syndrome. These genetic defects are rare and are not responsible for most cases of obesity and extreme obesity. Clearly, our genetic makeup has not changed during the past few decades as the prevalence of obesity has increased dramatically. However, genetic alleles may have developed throughout evolution that promote food consumption and weight gain, which could increase survival during periods of food scarcity or famine. A prevailing view is that the current increase in obesity is the result of a permissive environment that has allowed greater expression of genetic predisposition.

Numerous metabolic factors influence energy regulation, perhaps in a feedback model. These factors include hormones, peptides, nutrients, uncoupling proteins, and neural regulatory substances from the gut, liver, brain, and even fat cells.11 The scientific understanding of these factors and the complexity of how they interrelate are in their infancy. Similarly, how these factors influence the development of extreme obesity and specifically how the feedback model
unravels in this situation are even less well understood. Genetic factors probably play a role in some of these regulatory processes.

Data reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest that mean energy intake increased by 168 kcal/d in American men and 335 kcal/d in American women between 1971 and 2000.12 However, variances in methodology and bias from self-reporting could affect the validity of these estimates. Dietary factors that have been identified as contributing to increased energy intake and obesity include larger portion size, increased intake of refined carbohydrates
including soft drinks, greater variety of foods consumed (except vegetables and fruits), eating away from home, and increased intake of fast food, salty snack foods, and pizza.13-16 Other factors such as smoking cessation and pregnancy may also contribute to an individual's susceptibility to gain weight. However, such factors generally are associated with modest amounts of weight gain and are unlikely to contribute to the development of extreme obesity.

Low levels of physical activity, including both exercise and nonexercise activity, are associated with an increased risk of obesity.17 A sedentary lifestyle probably contributes to the high prevalence of obesity in the United States. More than 60% of the US population does not perform regular physical activity, and approximately 25% are completely sedentary.18 Total daily physical
activity appears to have declined in recent years,19 and this decline may have contributed to the increase in obesity.20,21 A detailed study of physical activity found that obese subjects were sedentary (sitting) 2 1/2 hours more per day than were lean subjects, which translates into a decreased energy expenditure of about 350 kcal/d attributable to this behavior alone.22

The built environment is probably a strong contributor to decreased energy expenditure. During the past few decades, technological innovations such as elevators, escalators, computers, remote controls, and other labor-saving devices have produced a small but cumulative decrease in energy expenditure. The amount of time spent watching television has correlated positively with obesity
in both children and adults and with the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults.23,24 Although the relative contributions of environmental factors responsible for decreasing physical activity and increasing energy intake have not been fully elucidated, their collective effect appears to be powerful and pervasive in facilitating the development of obesity.

Why some people stop gaining weight after a moderate increase in BMI and others go on to develop extreme obesity is unknown. In fact, gaining weight tends to promote resistance to further weight gain. A major determinant of resting metabolic rate is the amount of lean tissue. As people gain weight, approximately 20% to 35% of excess weight is lean tissue to help support fat tissue.
Therefore, as weight increases, resting metabolic rate increases, ie, increasing obesity is associated with increasing metabolic rate. For example, a 40-year-old woman who is 67 inches tall and has extreme obesity (BMI, 45 kg/m2) has a calculated resting metabolic rate of 2030 kcal/d. In comparison, a person of the same age and height but of normal weight (BMI, 23 kg/m2) has a calculated resting metabolic rate of only 1420 kcal/d. This means that for an obese
individual to continue to gain weight, energy intake must be high enough to overcome the greater resting metabolic rate.

MORTALITY

Obesity increases the risk of premature mortality. An estimated 112,000 to
365,000 deaths yearly in the United States are due to obesity.35-38 differences among these estimates are due to variations in the methods and assumptions used in each study, including adjustment for confounding factors, age of the data, and use of self-reported or measured values for BMI.35 As the degree of obesity increases, mortality increases.25 Compared to persons with a BMI of 23.5 to 24.9 kg/m2, women with extreme obesity have a 2-fold higher risk of all-cause mortality, and men have a more than 2-fold higher risk.39 Extreme obesity has been estimated to shorten life by 5 to 20 years, depending on sex, age, and racial/ethnic group.40 Although life expectancy continues to increase in the US population,41 some investigators suggest that the increase in life expectancy will soon cease because of the rising prevalence of obesity and that for the first time in history, children may not live as long as their parents. The relative effect of obesity on mortality is greater in whites than in blacks, greater in men than in women, and greater in young than in older adults. Extremely obese white men aged 20 to 30 years are estimated to lose 13 years of life compared with their normal BMI counterparts, and extremely obese white women in this age group lose 8 years.40 The elevated risk of mortality is primarily due to the increased incidence of cardiovascular disease and cancer associated with higher degrees of obesity.39 An estimated 14% of all cancer deaths in men and 20% of those in women are due to obesity.43 The relative increased risk of obesity-associated mortality diminishes with age, and most population-based studies have not found a statistically significant increase in besity-associated mortality in adults who are older than 75 years.44

DISCRIMINATION AND QUALITY OF LIFE

Obesity is associated with social discrimination, even among medical professionals.45,46 Obese persons are less likely to be hired, receive equal wages, or be promoted compared with their normal-weight counterparts.45 Education and health care are other areas in which discrimination is recognized. For example, obese persons are less likely to receive appropriate preventive care, including screening tests for cervical and breast cancer.47 Extremely obese individuals report reduced quality of life.48 This may be due to obesity-related medical complications or challenges in everyday activities such as buckling seat belts; fitting into seats in airplanes, theaters, and buses; maintaining good hygiene; urinating accurately (men); and even cutting toenails.49 After bariatric surgery-induced weight loss, extremely obese patients perceive a marked improvement in their quality of life and a decrease in discrimination.50-52

[jutang]

ECONOMICS

Obese adults have 36%- to 39%-higher health care costs than normal-weight
persons.53,54 Obesity is associated with more health care costs than any other medical condition or factor, including smoking.53 An estimated 5% to 7% of total annual medical expenditures in the United States, or $75 billion annually in direct costs and up to $139 billion in total costs, are due to obesity.55 Obesity is associated with increased costs to businesses, partly because of absenteeism and health-related lost productive time.56-58

Annual health care expenditures increase in a stepwise fashion with increasing
classes of obesity. One study estimated that women with extreme obesity have adjusted mean annual health care expenditures of $3506 compared with $2127 for normal-weight women.59 Consistent with these figures, another study estimated that adults with extreme obesity have health care expenditures that are 81% greater than those of normal-weight adults and are responsible for $11 billion in direct health care costs.60 The increased expenditures are due to higher office, emergency department, and inpatient expenses as well as prescription medication costs. Among the employed US population, only 3% are extremely obese, yet they account for 21% of the health care costs associated with obesity.61

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF BARIATRIC SURGERY

From 1996 to 2002, population-adjusted rates of bariatric surgical procedures
increased 7-fold, from 3.5 to 24.0 per 100,000 population.62 The greatest increase was seen in gastric bypass procedures, which increased 9-fold in the
1990s.63 In terms of absolute numbers, bariatric procedures increased from 13,386 in 1998 to 71.733 in 2002, and this trend shows no signs of slowing.64
The American Society for Bariatric Surgery estimates that 170,000 procedures
were performed in 2005.65 Despite this rapid increase in the number of operations performed, only 0.6% of the estimated 11.5 million extremely obese
adults eligible for bariatric surgery in 2002 underwent a bariatric procedure.64

The fastest growth in bariatric procedures occurred in those older than 65
years, and women accounted for 84% of all surgeries in 2002. From 1990 to 2000, hospital stay decreased from 6.0 to 4.1 days, and in-hospital mortality
increased slightly from 0.2% to 0.5% in 2000.63 The article by McGlinch et al 66 elsewhere in this supplement discusses mortality from bariatric surgery in
greater detail. Bariatric surgery has been estimated to cost almost $20,000 per procedure,64 and hospital charges of nearly $30,000 have been reported.62 Almost 4% of bariatric surgeries are revision procedures, which are more costly than primary operations.

SUMMARY

The increasing prevalence of obesity and extreme obesity is a major public
health problem. The risk of comorbidities of obesity, including mortality,
increase with increasing BMI. Health care costs associated with obesity are
greater than those associated with any other medical condition. The number of bariatric surgical procedures being performed each year is small but increasing. The continued increase in the prevalence of extreme obesity warrants greater attention. More research on the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of extreme obesity, assessment of the most effective and safe treatment options, and greater health care coverage of appropriate therapies are needed.

[Los Broncos]

now now now, dont be listening to everything momma tells you!

tsk tsk

(j/k)

ROFL! Well i am

[Bob's your Information Minister]

BroncoBuff just told me he was 6-foot-7, 288 pounds. Now, aside from the fact that it seems like everyone I run into on the internet claims to be some kind of giant, does anyone else think Casey should try out for the Broncos? Do you have any quickness or speed, Casey?

[elsid13]

To much corn syrus in drinks, fast food and not enough movement and you get fat out of shape Americans

[BroncoBuff]

HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP






blech!

[BroncoBuff]

Anybody who's still drinking sugar-pop or sugar-tea ... I strongly recommend changing to diet. If you don't know, it svcks at first, but after 3 weeks or so - BOOM! Suddenly it tastes great - better than sugar pop ever tasted. And you'll never want regular again.

It's a very weird phenomenon. Something about the aspartame molecule eventually "fooling" your taste buds. After maybe 3 weeks of complaining, "this is NOT sugar!" "this is NOT sugar!" "this is NOT sugar!" "this is NOT sugar!" "this is NOT sugar!" "this is NOT sugar!" "this is NOT sugar!" .... finally the taste buds just surrender.

[Bob's your Information Minister]

This is so wrong, but hilarious.

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[mosca]

Just drink water. Even without all the sugar, all the other stuff in the soda's bad for you too. Americans just can't seem to drink anything unless it's sweet and "tastes good".

[broncocalijohn]

It is too easy to get lunch out at fast food. SubWay is one of the only fast foods that push healthy grub. I love Carls but I know they are using 28% fat meat. As my Sig says, I am dieting by eating a little less, but try not to drink regular sodas and work out with water. Also, BB had a great point. I went from 2% milk to 1% for about 3 months then switched to non fat. Havent used anything else in over 12 years. I am getting lighter and stronger but i know i need to keep this up to keep the fat off. Why kids are getting this way? No outside activity and their parents. If parents dont know a good diet for themselves, how can they prepare it for their child?

[Hotrod]

Anybody who's still drinking sugar-pop or sugar-tea ... I strongly recommend changing to diet. If you don't know, it svcks at first, but after 3 weeks or so - BOOM! Suddenly it tastes great - better than sugar pop ever tasted. And you'll never want regular again.

It's a very weird phenomenon. Something about the aspartame molecule eventually "fooling" your taste buds. After maybe 3 weeks of complaining, "this is NOT sugar!" "this is NOT sugar!" "this is NOT sugar!" "this is NOT sugar!" "this is NOT sugar!" "this is NOT sugar!" "this is NOT sugar!" .... finally the taste buds just surrender.


Sorry but Jack and diet coke is simply Un-American son :)

[NYBronco]

Anybody who's still drinking sugar-pop or sugar-tea ... I strongly recommend changing to diet. If you don't know, it svcks at first, but after 3 weeks or so - BOOM! Suddenly it tastes great - better than sugar pop ever tasted. And you'll never want regular again.

It's a very weird phenomenon. Something about the aspartame molecule eventually "fooling" your taste buds. After maybe 3 weeks of complaining, "this is NOT sugar!" "this is NOT sugar!" "this is NOT sugar!" "this is NOT sugar!" "this is NOT sugar!" "this is NOT sugar!" "this is NOT sugar!" .... finally the taste buds just surrender.

I used to drink whole milk when I was younger and switched to skim so long ago I don't even remember. But you are right the transition at first is a little difficult but once over the hump it's a piece of cake.

Now I eat my salads without any dressing on them at all. I used to use the low fat kind but now depend on the vegetables and lettuce for my flavorings. It seems the transistions are easier now because I know it's just a matter of time for me to adjust.

[Garcia Bronco]

Just drink water. Even without all the sugar, all the other stuff in the soda's bad for you too. Americans just can't seem to drink anything unless it's sweet and "tastes good".

Amen. It's really all you have to do to fight off high daily calorie intake

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Anybody who's still drinking sugar-pop or sugar-tea ... I strongly recommend changing to diet. If you don't know, it svcks at first, but after 3 weeks or so - BOOM! Suddenly it tastes great - better than sugar pop ever tasted. And you'll never want regular again.

It's a very weird phenomenon. Something about the aspartame molecule eventually "fooling" your taste buds. After maybe 3 weeks of complaining, "this is NOT sugar!" "this is NOT sugar!" "this is NOT sugar!" "this is NOT sugar!" "this is NOT sugar!" "this is NOT sugar!" "this is NOT sugar!" .... finally the taste buds just surrender.Just get rid of the pop all together. That stuff is terrible for your body in more ways than one. It absolutely ruins your teeth (pop drinkers will find this out the hard way later in life).
Aspartame breaks down into methane, formaldehyde, phenylalanine and several acids in the body. Some studies point towards brain diseases and cancers using the stuff and if that weren't enough Donald Rumsfeld played an integral part in getting the crap approved in the U.S.

Get rid of the milk too. If you need to drink milk drink soy milk (many times better for you and no growth hormones).

[Hotrod]

I actually grew up on milk straight from the cow. I was never a fat lard so I think it all depends on activity. Thats the key IMHO

[Bronco_Beerslug]

I actually grew up on milk straight from the cow. I was never a fat lard so I think it all depends on activity. Thats the key IMHODid you teet in the bucket first or take it straight from the nipple?

[Hotrod]

Did you teet in the bucket first or take it straight from the nipple?

LOL we bought it from the family down the road. Then you take the cream off the top, put it in a blender and get real 100% butter.

The milk itself tastes totally differnet then that fake/processed **** you buy in the store thou. I hardly ever drink milk these days. My kids both drink a good amount but neither if fat and both are very active.

People also dont realize how much suger is in "fruit drinks" they sell and market to kids.

Surprisingly one of the worst foods that we allow kids to eat today is Katsup. Seriously its 90% suger.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

LOL we bought it from the family down the road. Then you take the cream off the top, put it in a blender and get real 100% butter.

The milk itself tastes totally differnet then that fake/processed **** you buy in the store thou. I hardly ever drink milk these days. My kids both drink a good amount but neither if fat and both are very active.
People also dont realize how much suger is in "fruit drinks" they sell and market to kids.
Surprisingly one of the worst foods that we allow kids to eat today is Katsup. Seriously its 90% suger.Yeah my uncles and grandma were all dairy farmers in the Hudson area. Big farms, big operations (milking 300+ Holsteins each). We had fresh beef, pork and fresh milk, eggs and butter my entire childhood.

Artificial fruit drinks are horrible for you too! 100% juice drinks are much better but contain high amounts of sugar.

Most ketchup is only 3-4 grams of sugar per serving so that's not too bad.

[smalltowngrll]

What America seems to forget when they try to lose weight is that it must be a way of life! "Diets" are only temporary and once you are done with your diet and you've lost the weight, you will just gain it back because you go back to those same habits.

Not only that, but I don't think most people realize just how many calories they are consuming and they don't realize how many calories their body uses. The best thing I ever did was educate myself on how my body uses food and how many calories are in the foods that I eat. I was shocked years ago when I began learning.

My opinion is that our society has convinced people that there is a 'quick fix' to everything. You have the numerous fad diets, the thirty minute workout routines, the surgical procedures and the list goes on. The roots of this problem are deep and the only way to make a change is to begin with our children and teach them correct nutrition and excercise.

[Jason in LA]

I drink water all day long. About 3 liters. The only time I'll drink fruit drinks or soda is on Sundays, which is my cheat day. The only time I'll drink a sports drink, like gatorade, is right after a workout, when the body needs it. But people drink gatorade like it's Kool Aid. It's not good to drink gatorade and then just lunge around.

A physiological professor told me that diet soda is nearly as bad as regular soda. I forgot most of the details, but he was saying that one bad thing about soda is that it dehydrates the body. For every soda you drink, you have to drink two cups of water to make up for it. He said that it is still true for diet soda.

[boltaneer]

Lots of good advice in this thread.

This is mostly common knowledge sort of stuff but it's key to keeping the weight off and feeling better:

- Keep a regular exercise routine going, even just walking. You don't have to run miles and miles every day. Just keep an active lifestyle going.
- Cut the sugar and foods high in fat (fast food) out of your meals.
- Don't overeat. Eat until you're satisfied, not until you feel full. If you keep stuffing yourself, your body will get used to that feeling and want more food.
- But have some healthy snacks in between meals.
- Don't eat near bedtime.

The one thing I'm guilty of is drinking diet soda. I'm working on cutting back on that.

[RkyMtnThunder]

The one thing I'm guilty of is drinking diet soda. I'm working on cutting back on that.



I drink too much diet soda as well. Its too hot out here for coffee IMO, so thats where I get my jolt.

I have been substituting diet sodas with iced green tea more and more, eventually the green tea will replace diet soda all together. I still get my jolt, but its much better for you.

[boltaneer]

This is why America is fat.

http://www.junkfoodblog.com/2006/07/jimmy-dean-chocolate-chip-pancakes.html

And I'm sure none of us are surprised that you're reading up on this kind of stuff. ;D

So tell me, they're delicious, yes?

[Garcia Bronco]

I drink too much diet soda as well. Its too hot out here for coffee IMO, so thats where I get my jolt.

I have been substituting diet sodas with iced green tea more and more, eventually the green tea will replace diet soda all together. I still get my jolt, but its much better for you.

You sir are on the right track. Props!!
Check out the V8 frusion stuff. 100% fruits and veggies for the day in 8 oz's. The tropical orange and bluebaerry are awesome.

[boltaneer]

I drink too much diet soda as well. Its too hot out here for coffee IMO, so thats where I get my jolt.

I have been substituting diet sodas with iced green tea more and more, eventually the green tea will replace diet soda all together. I still get my jolt, but its much better for you.

Hmm. I don't do it for the jolt. Actually, I drink caffeine-free since caffeine doesn't really do much for me. I just do it for the taste I guess.

I'll try some iced green tea today. I do like regular green tea. :)

[loborugger]

Just drink water. Even without all the sugar, all the other stuff in the soda's bad for you too. Americans just can't seem to drink anything unless it's sweet and "tastes good".

Another upshot to drinking plenty of water is you smell better. Water cleans your system out. People who are constantly dehydrated have nasty breath and their body odor is a lot more noticeable. Just think of anyone in your office who drinks nothing but coffee and sodas all day everyday. We had a fellow like that in my last office who drank coffee all morning and diet coke all afternoon - nice guy but I could smell his breath from 10 feet away. So addition to making you look better, it makes you smell better, too.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Originally Posted by BroncoBuff
Anybody who's still drinking sugar-pop or sugar-tea ... I strongly recommend changing to diet. If you don't know, it svcks at first, but after 3 weeks or so - BOOM! Suddenly it tastes great - better than sugar pop ever tasted. And you'll never want regular again.

It's a very weird phenomenon. Something about the aspartame molecule eventually "fooling" your taste buds. After maybe 3 weeks of complaining, "this is NOT sugar!" "this is NOT sugar!" "this is NOT sugar!" "this is NOT sugar!" "this is NOT sugar!" "this is NOT sugar!" "this is NOT sugar!" .... finally the taste buds just surrender.

That stuff is just as bad BB. Aspartame is pretty much turned into various poisons in your body.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Study: Diet soda linked to heart risks (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070723/ap_on_he_me/diet_soda_heart_risks_6;_ylt=Am7hnauAlWhhreueUX3yX 8AE1vAI)
By JAY LINDSAY, Associated Press Writer 6 minutes ago

BOSTON - People who drank more than one diet soda each day developed the same risks for heart disease as those who downed sugary regular soda, a large but inconclusive study found.

The results surprised the researchers who expected to see a difference between regular and diet soda drinkers. It could be, they suggest, that even no-calorie sweet drinks increase the craving for more sweets, and that people who indulge in sodas probably have less healthy diets overall.

The study's senior author, Dr. Vasan Ramachandran, emphasized the findings don't show diet sodas are a cause of increased heart disease risks. But he said they show a surprising link that must be studied.

CONT.

[Rock Chalk]

I'd say that people just don't care about their weight. It's become acceptible to be over weight because so many people are. I see some of my high school friends every now and then, and a lot of them have put on a lot of weight. There was this one girl that I messed around with, who had the perfect body back then, now she's like 30-40 lbs bigger. I was kind of upset at the way she was looking.

I don't see this problem going away. It's too easy to get over weight, and it takes a lot of work and restraint to stay in shape. Only once was I over weight. I just stopped working out for about a year and a half, and ate like crap. I didn't become obese, but my normaly weight was around 170 lbs, and I was up to 210 lbs. That 40 extra pounds wasn't muscle. Losing that weight was extremely hard, and keeping it off is just as hard because there is so much crappy food all over the place. It takes will power to eat right, and it takes will power not to skip workouts. Most people don't have that will power. They just let themselves go.

The problem will probably get worse, like the article stated.

Im glad Im one of those people that doesn't gain weight regardless of my activity level or nutritional intake.

[BroncoBuff]

A physiological professor told me that diet soda is nearly as bad as regular soda. I forgot most of the details, but he was saying that one bad thing about soda is that it dehydrates the body. For every soda you drink, you have to drink two cups of water to make up for it. He said that it is still true for diet soda.

No offense Jason, you know I luv ya man ... but your professor is an idiot ;D

[BroncoBuff]

That stuff is just as bad BB. Aspartame is pretty much turned into various poisons in your body.

I never said diet soda was full of vitamins or anything like that ... but think about it: Regular soft drinks are almost 1/3 sugars and/or high-fructose-corn-syrup. Now THAT is bad for you. Especially since many people drink lots and lots of sugar soda. At ~280 calories per "medium" 24-ounce drink (and who drinks a medium really?), you can see that many soda drinkers get 1,000+ calories a day in soda alone. Easily. Just two 32-ounce Big Gulps are about 800 calories. THAT'S what I meant when I recommended switching to Diet Sodas.

1,000 calories a day -or- ZERO calories a day?


And yes, BBS, you're right that aspartame (Nutrasweet) is a very strange molecule. It converts into methane (or methanol?) in the digestive system, and also formaldehyde. And the phenylalanine in aspartame is also very weird. It's only "dangerous" per se to the small number of people with a genetic disorder regarding phenylalanine, but it also affects brain neurotransmitters. That hasn't been proven "dangerous" yet, but it's pretty weird.

Saccharin (Sweet'n'Low) and sucralose (Splenda) are both MUCH better. Saccharin - despite what you may have heard - is probably the safest food additive ever created. The infamous 1970s test that caused bladder cancer in rats has been completely discredited. First - the rats were fed only pure saccharin, and in greater volumes than their standard food intake. Second - the cancerous action in their bladders had ZERO realation to the human digestive system. And Third - that study used bad syringes, and the plastic or something from the syringes was found to have actually caused the cancer. Some soft drink companies are switching to sucralose, including Canada Dry. I hope more will follow. For me, it's only Sweet'n'Low in my coffee, tea and even smoothies.


Secret History of Nutrasweet:

TRUE STORY: Despite trying and trying, G.D. Searle - the company that owned the rights to aspartame in the 1970s - could not get it approved by Nixon or Ford's FDA (Food and Drug Admin). After Jimmy Carter was elected, Searle looked for a CEO who knew the 'ins and outs' of Washington. And they found him: Donald Rumsfeld. Yes, that Donald Rumsfeld. He went from Ford's Secretary of Defense straight to CEO of G.D. Searle. But even Rumsfeld could not get it approved by Jimmy Carter's FDA. Then, as the 1980 campaign approached, he told them it was a shoo-in to be approved if Reagan was elected, reportedly because Rummy had "connections." So Searle put the process in motion and sued the FDA as Carter's term was in its last year, and when Reagan took over - BOOM! I give you ... Nutrasweet!

[mosca]

1,000 calories a day -or- ZERO calories a day?
I'll take the healthy ZERO calorie choice - water. Don't see the need for my drinks to include sweeteners of any kind - natural or artificial. I prefer to avoid the caffeine as well. I drink liquids to hydrate myself - not the opposite! Diet soda also still has phosphoric acid, which has its own issues in regards to our health. Diet soda may be better than regular soda, but it's not "healthy" by any means. Avoid this stuff!

[footstepsfrom#27]

That news doesn't sound very good for those in the dating pool.
Sure it does. It means that if you're even in decent shape you'll be considered a supreme catch. ;D

[Vladimir]

As long as you get a diet coke to go with it you will be fine. :thumbs:

rofl.

[Hulamau]

Here in Amsterdam you almost never see a Fattie ...unless they are an American tourist, I'm sad to say ... its down right embarrassing seeing these beached whales that everyone instantly recognizes as American walking down the bike lanes here (a big no no!) ... as if they own the place ... and in Holland they even have tv shows warning parents not to let Dutch kids go to the dogs like in America where every other person is a two ton Tony Galinto! Of course, it helps that everyone rides a bike here or walks as well .. the magic of a little exercise besides moving a keyboard :-)

Need to boycott 24 ounce sodas in school and supersize me EVERYTHING... from the US.

Also need to get kids started on TRX straps early in life .. they can take it with them anywhere .. unlike a gym or weights ... and have no excuse any longer for not staying truly fit and functionally strong. http://www.fitnessanywhere.com

[elsid13]

Two things that Europe has over us when comes to health. First they have sidewalk that encourage people to walk to a location - American spend to much time in their cars- and two until recently there wasn't as much fast food restaurants over there - better eating habits.

Also sidenote drinking/sipping to much Gatoraid also ruins your teeth. The high corn syrup content and ammo acids really do a number on your choppers. IF you drink it after work out chug the stuff and wash your mouth out with water if to keep the acid down.

[Jason in LA]

No offense Jason, you know I luv ya man ... but your professor is an idiot ;D


Well, he's only a physiological science professor. What the hell would he know about diet and exercise? ;D

[Jason in LA]

I never said diet soda was full of vitamins or anything like that ... but think about it: Regular soft drinks are almost 1/3 sugars and/or high-fructose-corn-syrup. Now THAT is bad for you. Especially since many people drink lots and lots of sugar soda. At ~280 calories per "medium" 24-ounce drink (and who drinks a medium really?), you can see that many soda drinkers get 1,000+ calories a day in soda alone. Easily. Just two 32-ounce Big Gulps are about 800 calories. THAT'S what I meant when I recommended switching to Diet Sodas.

1,000 calories a day -or- ZERO calories a day?


And yes, BBS, you're right that aspartame (Nutrasweet) is a very strange molecule. It converts into methane (or methanol?) in the digestive system, and also formaldehyde. And the phenylalanine in aspartame is also very weird. It's only "dangerous" per se to the small number of people with a genetic disorder regarding phenylalanine, but it also affects brain neurotransmitters. That hasn't been proven "dangerous" yet, but it's pretty weird.

Saccharin (Sweet'n'Low) and sucralose (Splenda) are both MUCH better. Saccharin - despite what you may have heard - is probably the safest food additive ever created. The infamous 1970s test that caused bladder cancer in rats has been completely discredited. First - the rats were fed only pure saccharin, and in greater volumes than their standard food intake. Second - the cancerous action in their bladders had ZERO realation to the human digestive system. And Third - that study used bad syringes, and the plastic or something from the syringes was found to have actually caused the cancer. Some soft drink companies are switching to sucralose, including Canada Dry. I hope more will follow. For me, it's only Sweet'n'Low in my coffee, tea and even smoothies.


Secret History of Nutrasweet:

TRUE STORY: Despite trying and trying, G.D. Searle - the company that owned the rights to aspartame in the 1970s - could not get it approved by Nixon or Ford's FDA (Food and Drug Admin). After Jimmy Carter was elected, Searle looked for a CEO who knew the 'ins and outs' of Washington. And they found him: Donald Rumsfeld. Yes, that Donald Rumsfeld. He went from Ford's Secretary of Defense straight to CEO of G.D. Searle. But even Rumsfeld could not get it approved by Jimmy Carter's FDA. Then, as the 1980 campaign approached, he told them it was a shoo-in to be approved if Reagan was elected, reportedly because Rummy had "connections." So Searle put the process in motion and sued the FDA as Carter's term was in its last year, and when Reagan took over - BOOM! I give you ... Nutrasweet!

The problem with sodas isn't just the sugar and calories. I cannot recall all of the details, but the way it was explained to me, one of the major problems was that sodas dehydrates the body. People are suppused to drink 8 cups of water a day (how many people actually do that?). For every soda you drink, add two cups of water to that. Even if you are drinking diet sodas, you are still dehydrating your body.

Just drink water. It's good for you.

[Atwater His Ass]

Here in Amsterdam you almost never see a Fattie ...unless they are an American tourist, I'm sad to say ... its down right embarrassing seeing these beached whales that everyone instantly recognizes as American walking down the bike lanes here (a big no no!) ... as if they own the place ... and in Holland they even have tv shows warning parents not to let Dutch kids go to the dogs like in America where every other person is a two ton Tony Galinto! Of course, it helps that everyone rides a bike here or walks as well .. the magic of a little exercise besides moving a keyboard :-)

Need to boycott 24 ounce sodas in school and supersize me EVERYTHING... from the US.

Also need to get kids started on TRX straps early in life .. they can take it with them anywhere .. unlike a gym or weights ... and have no excuse any longer for not staying truly fit and functionally strong. http://www.fitnessanywhere.com

It's funny you say that. A friend of mine just got back from a week vacation to Disney World in Orlando. They are in shape people that actually spent the last year as a goal to get into even better shape for this trip. Anyway, they said they noticed there were 2 kinds of people there for the most part - Fat Americans, and in-shape foreigners. Hardly anyone was inbetween/normal. It was one exterme or the other.

Now, it's obvious anywhere that a lot of Americans just don't care and have become overweight. But it really becomes apparant at places like Disney World where you can see the side-by-side comparisons.

[RkyMtnThunder]

We went to a waterpark here in Phoenix on Sunday

Knowing how fat we are getting in general; I was still astounded to see just how many adults were well overweight. Fat girls in bikinis has become the norm, just let it ALL hang out girls! And the guys, forget about it they were no better.

I would say at least 90% of the adults were extremely overweight. In fact, outside of me and my wife, I counted 6 adults who appeared hight/weight proportionate. Everyone else was huge.

And you could SMELL them - the heat of the day plus walking uphill or stairways to slide queues left them huffing and sweaty and SMELLY - you could smell a line of people from hundred feet away. It was disgusting.


Even more sad, I dont think I have ever seen so many fat kids in one place in my life - no joke. How could any parent allow their children to get so fat?!


Looking over to a herd of fatties - its easy to see how they allow it - the junk these people eat is mind boggling

and they cant help it huh? They should be ashamed of themselves. This visit to the waterpark really hit home how big this problem has become. National disaster IMO

[Atwater His Ass]

It's pretty sad rkymtn. I forgot to mention above at Disney World was at one of the water parks as well.

People are lazy. I mean, it would take effort to make a lunch for the family and bring it into the water park. So instead they rely on the food the park has there and none of it is healthy and it is very expensive whereas it would be so much cheaper to buy some bread and make sandwiches or whatever.

[Spider]

you bastards . we are in on season mode .......... you idiots will suffer the wraith of the football only brigade here .......... I hope they bust your asses good , with a thread titled ...... why cant we just stick to football around here .......

[Atwater His Ass]

They just moved a bunch of other threads, I'm sure this one will be moved shortly.

[elsid13]

you bastards . we are in on season mode .......... you idiots will suffer the wraith of the football only brigade here .......... I hope they bust your asses good , with a thread titled ...... why cant we just stick to football around here .......

dude it related, if America don't get healthier we're all going to look like Sam Adams. See a football tie in.

[Spider]

They just moved a bunch of other threads, I'm sure this one will be moved shortly.
well it damn well better be before some people find out around here

[Spider]

dude it related, if America don't get healthier we're all going to look like Sam Adams. See a football tie in.
you dont want the ire of these people on you ......
http://orangemane.com/BB/showthread.php?t=57727........
LOL this thread was moved .......for the record I was just poking fun at the stupid ones here that cant tell a off topic thread from a sports one

[RhymesayersDU]

Actually, it DOES tie in to football. The country will get fatter, and soon Bowlen is going to have to authorize that stadium seats be made wider. What does that mean? Less seats. Less season tickets. Less tickets in general.

Thus, tickets will be at an even HIGHER premium than they are right now. People think they're expensive now? We haven't even seen high yet, at this rate.

[RkyMtnThunder]

Actually, it DOES tie in to football. The country will get fatter, and soon Bowlen is going to have to authorize that stadium seats be made wider. What does that mean? Less seats. Less season tickets. Less tickets in general.

Thus, tickets will be at an even HIGHER premium than they are right now. People think they're expensive now? We haven't even seen high yet, at this rate.

They will also need to reinforce the supports in the upper decks least the top 1/2 of the stadium come crashing down under the weight of fan girth- Broncos will have to pass on this expense via ticket price increase. Let the fans 'eat' the cost since they seem to have no qualms eating everything else!

[Jana®]

Now ya see why I want a ticket on the lower level.. LOL

[Sassy]

Saccharin (Sweet'n'Low) and sucralose (Splenda) are both MUCH better. Saccharin - despite what you may have heard - is probably the safest food additive ever created. The infamous 1970s test that caused bladder cancer in rats has been completely discredited. First - the rats were fed only pure saccharin, and in greater volumes than their standard food intake. Second - the cancerous action in their bladders had ZERO realation to the human digestive system. And Third - that study used bad syringes, and the plastic or something from the syringes was found to have actually caused the cancer. Some soft drink companies are switching to sucralose, including Canada Dry. I hope more will follow. For me, it's only Sweet'n'Low in my coffee, tea and even smoothies.

I buy the yoplait lt. smoothies...which have splenda in them. I am trying to quit the dt. coke altogether but have been trying the dt. coke with splenda...I don't care for it as much...it tastes sweeter than aspartame...more like dt. pepsi.

I am terribly addicted to coffee lately though...

[BroncoBuff]

Wow - they have a separate Diet Coke with Splenda? I didn't know that ... For separate medical reasons I don't drink caffeine+aspartame together any more. My Diet Pepsi habit (1+ liter a day) was causing my heart sinus node to PSNR - pre-sinus node rhythms (not as bad as it sounds actually). So I gave up Diet Pepsi 99% and now drink only Diet 7-Up, Canada Dry Ginger Ale, A&W Creme Soda and Squirt. All very good, and no caffeine.

I am a coffee-holic too Sass. Not a whole lot, just 2 mugs a day in AM, but I must have it E V E R Y morning. I use Sweet'n'Low only in coffee and tea, and have totally lost that pre-rhythmic beat in my heart (again, not as serious as it sounds).

My cardioilogist showed me studies where it said Saccharin was found to be "probably the safest food additive ever created," which is where I got that quote.

[RhymesayersDU]

I enjoy the ice cream and stuff made with splenda... But as far as iced tea goes, I think it's disgusting. Pink packets (sweet n low) only, please!

[Sassy]

Wow - they have a separate Diet Coke with Splenda? I didn't know that ... For separate medical reasons I don't drink caffeine+aspartame together any more. My Diet Pepsi habit (1+ liter a day) was causing my heart sinus node to PSNR - pre-sinus node rhythms (not as bad as it sounds actually). So I gave up Diet Pepsi 99% and now drink only Diet 7-Up, Canada Dry Ginger Ale, A&W Creme Soda and Squirt. All very good, and no caffeine.

I am a coffee-holic too Sass. Not a whole lot, just 2 mugs a day in AM, but I must have it E V E R Y morning. I use Sweet'n'Low only in coffee and tea, and have totally lost that pre-rhythmic beat in my heart (again, not as serious as it sounds).

My cardioilogist showed me studies where it said Saccharin was found to be "probably the safest food additive ever created," which is where I got that quote.

I'm weird though...no sugar in my coffee...which is a good thing. Although, I do like a little half and half in it.

[Atwater His Ass]

I love coffee and iced tea. I don't use any sweetners, creams, etc in either, although I do like a little real lemon (not articficially flavor /puke) with my tea from time to time.

And maybe once a month I'll treat myself to a mocha or latte from starbucks or equivalent. Can't be good all the time.

[smalltowngrll]

Here's a good excuse: ;) :P Ha!

http://www.geocities.com/smalltowngrll/CruiseDay6Belly.jpg

[Jana®]

I like Splenda.. I honestly don't taste much difference between Splenda and Sugar. Splenda is finer though.

[BroncoBuff]

I love coffee ... maybe once a month I'll treat myself to a mocha or latte from starbucks or equivalent. Can't be good all the time.
Ain't no thang, Ass! (I mean Atwater...)

About a year ago, Starbucks changed to all reduced-fat milk (unless otherwise specified), so there's not much guilt at all there ... I never hesitate to stop for my favorite -
Venti no-foam latte with an extra shot ... four packs of Sweet'n'Low, please.