Where are all the fat people hiding?

Question

Yahoo just put out an article that says "obesity now affects about one-third of Americans." My question: where are all of these obese people?

I don't doubt that the general population is heavier than it was in the past, but obesity is a BMI of 30 or greater, which is pretty fat. Maybe I live in a low-obesity area, but not even 1 out of every 10 people i see could be possibly considered "obese". I have a couple of small questions to ask:

Anyone have any sites that show where the surveys that support the "1 out of 3" ratio take place?

Since i live in a community that is under the 1 out of 3 ratio, there must be some community that is above the ratio to even it out...anyone live in an area where just about half the people are obese?

Or...who else believes the "obesity epidemic" is 20 pounds of bull **** in a 10 pound bag?

I used the obesity BMI they gave in the article: 30.

So either im right, or they're wrong.

Answer 1

Try looking in the Deep South like, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana. You will see a 1 in 3 ratio especially in Alabama. (Sorry guys, I know the truth hurts.) I moved to AL. from the Northwest before I moved to FL., I was appalled at all of the obese women. Mostly young women who had had a baby. It seemed like they ate enough to feed 4 people instead of 2, and then never felt like they needed to lose all of the weight afterwords. A lot of the men like heavier women (I guess it's what you get used to, lol.) they called it "Bama Butt".

I could never understand how they could be so far behind the times on the heart healthy diet routine, but they are. It is just now becoming a big deal in these states. I swear, I never saw so many obese people in all of my life, until I moved to the deep south. So I think demographics plays a role in this.

Answer 2

a BMI of 30 isnt' as big as you think. technically the BMI is a a statistical categorisation and was never meant to be used on the individual. both the BMI and body fat % can be used to classify a person as obese. so this would be a BMI over 30 or a male with 25% or more body fat and a female with over 30% body fat.

in 1986 when I was in HS the average male had a body fat % of 14-17%. in 2007 that number is now 17-19%. people are indeed getting fatter and fatter. this is backed up by scientific data from many different industries.

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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21713571/

Answer 3

First let me say that at over 30 on the BMI I did not look obese. My children suggested that I did not need to lose weight. I knew I was not where I needed to be and I was having health problems because of it. I have lost a lot of weight and feel wonderful.

I think you are expecting obesity to look like the 300 pound plus folks that you see on The Biggest Loser TV show. There are a whole lot of "normal" looking people that are over weight to the point that their health is at risk. Their BMI is well into the obesity range but they hide it well. Part of it is that they have very little lean muscle mass from lack of exercise and that makes us a nation of unfit people!

I don't think the "obesity epidemic" is a scam at all. I went to the State Fair this year in California. I observed people. It was really frightening to see so many physically unfit people. There were lots of people in wheel chairs because they were too fat to be walking. I would say I saw an average of 1 in 3 people that were obese, 1 in 4 that were grossly obese to the point of having trouble moving their body. A lot of obese people don't leave their homes.

In my neighborhood, in the three houses adjacent to mine there are 8 adults and 3 children. Of those there are 3 children that are obese, and 5 adults. That is a pretty sad state of affairs.

Answer 4

You found one here. However, like the guy above said, you can't go by BMI alone.

I'm 6'4", 230. My BMI is 28, borderline obese, and I look it.

Dave Batista, a pro wrestler, is 6'5" 300. His BMI is 35.6, very obese. He has a physique I would kill to have. Not an once of fat on the man.

The BMI is debatable, at best.

Answer 5

I see them everywhere.Go to a Restaurant that's all you see.I hardly ever see an average size person.It's gotten really bad.Just think about health care .I see big increases coming up.Whats so sad is that is something that can be controlled.They bring it on themselves.And I understand that it's mostly because of all the quick fix and man made foods.If every one would go back to the basics,they may not get so big and unhealthy.Most of your fruits and vegetables fight cancer.I look at it this way man made foods are whats so bad.And contributes to the problem.

Answer 6

Although better to eat a healthy diet and exercise, dark solid colors like black or vertical striping hides a fat tummy.

Answer 7

all the fat people you refer to are at home and/or work hiding because of people who cannot or will not relate to the problems they face -- this is not just an opinion, this was the story of my life, until I was ready to face why I was hiding behind food -- so if you don't see them it doesn't mean they don't exist

for proof try sitting in an emergency room or doctors office and you will see your far share as obese people have more than their share of health problems

Answer 8

You may want to google "BMI"...Things have changed over the years.Over 50% of us weigh more than we should. Maybe your idea of "obese" is different ?

Answer 9

same with me, only i didnt relize it untill there were these norwegian exchange students and they were fatter then us! they even said, "not very many people in america are fat, norwegians seem fatter."

Answer 10

They are hiding behind their rolls of fat.