Why so many of us fat?

Question

Fifty years ago, even ten for that matter, there was a much lower percentage of fat people. Do you think people are fatter today because of advertising, fast food, lack of willpower, lack of exercise, chemical pollution, unnatural foods, stress or what?

Obviously some people are overweight because of medical conditions, but they are a small minority. For most of us, there is some other reason. I'd appreciate your thoughts. What do you think?

Answer 1

Every factor you mentioned, from the aggressive promotion of junk food, to the greater accessibility and volume of fast food, larger portion sizes, artificial foods, stressful lifestyles, and lack of exercise due to an increasingly automated and mechanized society has all lead to the obesity epidemic in this country.

If I were to isolate one culprit, that may not be covered in the litany of normal causes of pervasive obesity in America, I think it comes down to the breakdown of the American family and change in internal dynamics of the families that stay intact. As more and more families are comprised of divorcees, we have more single parent households. This in turn results lack of proper leadership to instill everyone the need for moderation, generosity, and accountability – the very traits that prevent people from the excess that leads to obesity. Mealtime centered around whole natural foods cooked by mom and dad at the dinner table, are becoming less and less common. Fast food establishments and vending machines fill the vacuum thus rendering a fatter nation

Answer 2

It is a combination of lack of willpower and excercise. Video games and TVs have been around a while now, so you just can't blame them. People now drive even though the location is just a few blocks away. People see food and go "MUST EAT! I HAVE NO CHOICE." and then blame fast food companies for the food they have had for years. Finally, people now just eat so much food, and then go and take a nap. MOVE PEOPLE! The TV is not making you sit still, nor is the game, or the paper. All that you are not moving for is yourself.

Answer 3

I believe, aside from the medical conditions, that its our upbringing. From childhood you are either pushed outdoors, challenged by our parents and peers, actively involved in sports, etc. That training and upbringing is what has me always working out. If i didn't have that, and was allowed to rot on a couch or skip practices, i wouldn't have the energy or willpower to go workout after grueling days of work. but because i remember four hour practices after school, because i remember being entered into road races at eight years old, i remember that the workout can be completed, even after being hung over, etc. so its all in how you were raised.

Answer 4

Our work and life style aside (those are obvious) another cause is the price of food. in America, many poor people are fat. This is because food is cheap and the cheap food is fattening. If poor and hungry you can buy a bag of chips for a $1.00 and eat the whole thing for dinner. The poor and working poor tend to buy the fatter cuts of meat, hot dogs, processed food and those add the pounds.

Most poor, in countries around the world, are thin and skinny because there is often NO money for food or simply NO food. In America they are fat....because we have plenty of food the poor can buy, but the choices are fattening.

Answer 5

Sugar and fat. There is too much sugar and fat in food that you buy. Here is a challenge; try finding an item of food that does not have a lot of sugar or fat. Also, lately I am wondering about what hormone drugs are administered to chicken and beef to make them grow, can this have an effect on people who eat the meat?

Answer 6

i completely agree with what you stated. people have horrible eating and exercise patterns, and a large part of the problem is fast food. no one who eats at mcdonalds (or any other fast food restaurant) every day or even every other day could be thin or healthy. also, people don't need to exercise. we have cars that will take us wherever we want to go, so there's no need to walk. also, i think that urban sprawl is a large contributer to the weight problem. many people live in the suburbs and have to commute every day to work, meaning that they will sit in their car for an hour or more each day. in general, people who live in the city are more likely to walk or take a bus to work, because they can. many of the contributing factors to today's weight problem cannot be fixed easily. i think the only way to fix it is to educate children about what is wrong with fast food, and to stop feeding them fast food. a problem that i find is that many people know that fast food is bad, but they have grown up eating it and like it so much that they don't even care.

Answer 7

Better finances allows for more food purchases and consumption. More stress, leads to comfort eating. Faster pace lifestyle leads to fast food choices. People working more and more and have less energy and time to work out or get proper excercise. Cars make it too easy to drive, even short distances. People do not walk 2 blocks. People take elevators and not walk stairs. Household chores take less work and effort due to increased technology. In short we are eating more, poor choices and moving less.

Answer 8

i just moved with my daughter from Germany to the USA . Yesterday we enrolled her in school. I asked what the kids get to eat ...its pizza , hamburgers , french fries and soda ..
In Germany the food ( school )was less oily and sodas are forbidden.
What i also see is that unhealthy , fat food is cheaper then the healthy one (a burger for 1$ ,who can beat that ?)

Also nobody walks on the street or drive a bicycle (everything is done by car )When i walk my dog ppl look at me if i was insane or ask me if i am lost.

But please don't get me wrong . I love the USA and i am proud to live here.

the things i said are just the things which a very opposite from where i came from and i guess i recognize them so much because i am new to the country .

i live in Dallas , TX

Answer 9

Laziness. It's easy for most people to sit back, and not do anything with themselves. Me on the other hand, I discovered skateboarding very early in life and I simply can't stop, that's why I'm such a skinny little punk.

Answer 10

Laziness. Computers, video games. This trend to try to convince people that being overweight is "OK". You hear, "Not everyone looks like a model". Well no sh*t, not everyone works as hard as they do. People want excuses for not having to exercise and eat right.