Why are United States citizens so obese?

Question

Is it fast food? Is it because we use petroleum to perform most of life's functions? Are we suffering from malnutrition (ie too much food)? Are we destined to become Homo twinkus? Is it because we refuse to walk anywhere anymore? I have a woman in my office that was told a year ago that she needed to exercise and lose a little weight or face back surgery. She opted for the surgery. Why???????

Answer 1

I can only speak for myself.

12-hour workdays, all the fascinating stuff to sit and read, being a total klutz (and thus, embarrassed to hit the gym with all those athletic, dexterous people), lack of money (and living in a neighborhood with no sidewalks and people taking the speed limit as a suggestion), and depression (which makes you not want to get out of bed, much less go for a workout).

220 at my worst, and I put on most of this in college. I worked my way through it at a fast food job, so that was all I could afford (veggies are $$$). Full-time college, full time work, and working 2 jobs with I left college to pay off the bloody loans. That leaves you sore, exhausted, wolfing down junk food, and without access to a doctor (no insurance and no money).

I'm still working 12 hour days, but I have health insurance now and a job where I can afford to hit the community center and start exercising.

Answer 2

They eat out far too much, particularly at fast food restaurants. Most all restaurants have their food trucked in from wharehouses each day. The food comes in huge barrels and containers. It's been sitting on shelves for months and can because of a toxic soup of preservatives, mostly complex salt compounds which 1) make the food tastier and therefore somewhat addictive and 2) very fattening. If you don't belive it? Think of the number of people you know who weekly just have to have their "fix" from one of the fast food chains. And it's not just the fast food joints, most all of the corporate type chain store restaurants are using the same food stuffs from the same providers, like SYSCO foods which have been in whare houses for months.

Answer 3

This country was developed as an agrarian society. After the industrial revolution, technology took off and more people were involved in technology industry. I bet no one under 30 has ever had a vegetable garden. Everyone wants everything on demand. It is the price of progress.

Answer 4

In America we are no more obese then anyone else, well countries such as Africa maybe (they have little food there).

As I said to someone else, America is publicized more often. Other countries this is not there top priority, and/or feel outsiders do not need to know such things about there people.
Fast food bad,bad,bad but this is just my own opinion on fast food.
Who knows about the lady at your work, I doubt very seriously you even talked to the lady about it, or know what she has been through to talk about someone else in this mannor.....

Answer 5

It's gotta be all the processed food. The main culprit may be high fructose corn syrup.

Answer 6

Goodness, The guy above me was certainly hostile. I think omeone-say is a little at-fay, if you know what I mean.

I think it's a combination of poor eating habits, lack of exercise and the commonality of fat. (It's easier to be fat when everyone around you is fat)

Answer 7

Not everyone is obese.Some have medical problems,,some work too much to get enough excersize,,some dont eat healthy foods,,some are lazy.

Answer 8

2 main reasons:
1- too much junk food
2- loss of physical activities

Answer 9

We work longer and longer hours, our easy food is bad for us, and our jobs no longer require physical activity.

Answer 10

FAST FOOD super size me; TV reality shows & sports; Because alot of us are LAZZZZZZZYYYYYYYY