Do you think the obesity epidemic in the U.S. is mostly caused by peoples' immobility?

Question

It seems like almost everyone is overweight. I get disgusted seeing so many grossly obese people in my city. It seems everyone jumps in their car, sits on their butt on their way to work, and then sit at a desk all day, on their butts. People are too lazy to walk from their car to the store, and complain about having to park far away. Children who used to play outside now sit in front of a video came or computer cramming themselves full of junk food. I have been to the european countries where people do alot of walking and stair climbing and I haven't seen that many overweight people. I did see a grossly obese woman in Leicester Square, but guess what, she was a fellow American, as I heard her talking. Why do people call it a disease when most of it is caused by lack of control and exercise. I can understand someone might have a medical condition that causes them to be overweight, but then why do I see them cramming themselves full of food when I am out?

Answer 1

Yes and if you don't have a ride they think it is a tragedy to walk.

Answer 2

It's part of the problem. Another major factor is that most people don't do much physical labor for a living, either; nor do they have gardens etc., so they don't get much exercise on a daily basis. In addition, people eat out more often, and the fast food places serve foods high in fat, salt and sugar; and even at the good places the trend is to larger portions than necessary. Finally, schools are cutting back on physical education so they can cover other topics or close earlier in the day so the kids get less exercise than they used to. And instead of playing informal games of sports, they go home and sit in front of their computers, like you say. It's a whole range of things.

Answer 3

I think people get obese from a combination of immobility & eating fatty foods. It's not solely an American problem, it's becoming a major problem in Europe too. Although I am astounded at the size of portions in America compared to portion sizes here.

Answer 4

YES ! Back in the day (70's) when I came home from school,I used to run up and down the street with my friends. Now the kids come home,plop down in front of the TV,computer, and Playstation 2 for hours and hours.

Answer 5

Immobility certainly is part of it.

That and the type and amount of food people eat -- fatty foods, in heaping portions.

The worse the food is for you, the bigger quantity it's sold in.

Candy bars are huge, ditto bags of potato chips, fries at fast food joints -- portions in general.

And there's a vicious cycle -- gain weight, and walking becomes harder, leading to less activity.

I does seem nutty to me to drive around for 20 minutes in order to avoid a 3 minute walk.

And it is alarming to me that kids don't "go outside and play" anymore -- not just for the health, but for psychological growth and well-being. Simple play, where you make up things to do and do them, just for fun.

When people never get used to moving around, they, well, never get used to moving around.

And it is so easy to sit in front of a box and stuff oneself silly, hour after hour.

Answer 6

Yes, laziness is a huge factor as is our diet of fast foods, frozen and canned prepared foods (which again is a bi-product of our laziness!)!

Answer 7

computers,easy access "on demand" movies,you don't need to go to the video store anymore,video games,easy access junk food,everything is within arms reach now

Answer 8

It is caused by media brainwashing in advertisements.

Answer 9

its a classic case of too much money, too many luxuries