Gee... I wonder if obesity is becoming a problem.

[stallboy 0]

It's a good point Tony, yes there are medical conditions that lead to obesity.

I do think that this is a minority though and that many who think they are in category 5) are in fact in category 2) ie denial.

One day, I'm gonna grow wings, a chemical reaction, hysterical and useless...

[SpeedRacer 1]

Yep, obesity is a problem. Especially in the Red States (see the maps in that other thread).

Well, this is Speakers Corner, right?

Speed Racer
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[NWFlyer 2]

Quote

My belief is its a personal thing. Each individual knows that what they eat in relation to how active they are can make a difference.

I definitely agree, but part of the problem is that we (as a society) tend to look for a one size fits all approach. I can't tell you how many people tried to tell me that my choice of how to eat to lose weight "wasn't healthy." Well, I had the enthusiastic support of my doctor, and a lot of medical research. I think what we're finding is that the medical research is showing that one size doesn't fit all.

Reality is, some people's bodies can handle certian types of foods, some can't. Some people's brains can handle certain types of foods, some can't. I know that for me, I can't "indulge" in certain types of foods in moderation. Other people have no problem with that, I'm just not wired that way. So I treat that food like an alcoholic treats alcohol. I avoid it altogether.

Quote

You dont need to spend millions, people already know this and they have a choice about their lifestyle and what they shovel in their mouths. Ever heard of evoultion? People that are severe cases die young. I believe its referred to nowadays as survival of the fittest.

I definitely agree that this isn't something that is going to have a single fix, nor is it something that the government is going to fix. As I've said before, it's probably going to be a series of small changes.

As for the evolution argument - that's a neat and simple one that used to work. But now, we as a society we have medical skills that we didn't used to have - we can (and do) help the "less fit" survive for a lot longer than we used to. That's an entirely separate discussion, but the bottom line is that we spend an awful lot more on keeping the most vulnerable alive in our population ... we, as a society, fight Darwinism every day (witness premature babies kept alive, seemingly miraculously, but at what cost? witness the elderly kept alive much longer than they would have in the past, but at what cost?) Those are big, tough questions that have no easy answer, but the fact is, Darwin gets trumped by medicine all the time now.

[Lindsey 0]

I believe its referred to nowadays as survival of the fittest.

It's interesting that in the past, the ability to hang onto weight was a survival advantage, as food supplies were often cyclical, and people had to be able to gain weight when food was available and keep the weight on when food was scarce. These people were selected for then. They were the fittest. Only now food is abundant, so what was once favorable genetically isn't anymore.

linz

--
A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail

[SpeedRacer 1]

well, if America & western civilization get destroyed, as that Lamm guy says (by immigrants) or by nuclear war/Biblical apocalypse (as others are predicting) then that trait might come in handy again.

Speed Racer
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[NWFlyer 2]

In the interest in pointing out the baby steps that may ultimately make a difference... today's news is reporting that sugared sodas are being removed from vending machines in the majority of US public schools. Article here. It's not perfect, but it's a really nice step in the right direction and a good example of the types of public-private efforts that get change rolling.

That article led me to read CNN.com's coverage of the obesity problem and I was really impressed by their coverage. It addresses the complexity of the issue quite well and talks about some efforts that are being made, as well as giving some good, practical advice on managing eating.

http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2006/healthy.bodies/

[kelpdiver 2]

I'm not so optimistic about the move. Fruit juice has about the same calorie content as cola. Healthier to a degree in the nutrient perspective, not from a dieting one. Sports drinks are hardly better than cola, but have about half the calorie density.

Water or diet would be the preferably substitution. I wouldn't have done it back then.

So it can't hurt, but the gain is more of a baby step.

[mnealtx 0]

Quote

I'm not so optimistic about the move. Fruit juice has about the same calorie content as cola. Healthier to a degree in the nutrient perspective, not from a dieting one. Sports drinks are hardly better than cola, but have about half the calorie density.

Water or diet would be the preferably substitution. I wouldn't have done it back then.

So it can't hurt, but the gain is more of a baby step.

Hopefully they'll pull the sugared juices out next...

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[kelpdiver 2]

the article said non sugared juices only, but I'm talking about this already. OJ runs 122 cals/8oz, coke only 97.

[mnealtx 0]

Quote

the article said non sugared juices only, but I'm talking about this already. OJ runs 122 cals/8oz, coke only 97.

Damn...I didn't think it had THAT many calories!

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[kelpdiver 2]

yeah. This is why nutritionists would rather us eat fruit than fruit juice. When you squeeze out the fiber, the calorie density is quite high.

[mnealtx 0]

I knew about the fiber benefits (since I'm on a controlled-carb diet)... I'd just never looked up the number of calories in juice... floored me!!

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[NWFlyer 2]

Yeah, it's not perfect. But it's something.

[Broke 0]

Changing what our children are eating in school is not going to keep people from becoming obease. Healthy eating habits need to be reinforced in the home, and not just in our schools. Most kids are getting fat not because of the one meal at school they eat, but because of the two meals at home and all the snacking that goes on as well.
Us adults need to put forth a good example for our children. If they see us making the healthy decisions then they in turn will make those same choices.

Divot your source for all things Hillbilly.
Anvil Brother 84
SCR 14192

[Lindsey 0]

But it's pitiful that if I want my child to have a healthy meal at school, I have to send it with him....and I do. What's funny is that all of the kids want what he's eating. He gets a little junk food in there too, but usually PB&J, grapes, one other fruit, cheese, carrots or tommy toe tomatoes, a yogurt smoothie to drink. Whenever he does eat at school, he gets a horribly unhealthy meal. They do at least give 'em milk to drink.

So yeah....healthy eating and living habits in general have to come from home, but it's ridiculous that the schools don't provide more nutritious meals. I hope that this "no cokes in the machines" move isn't just to placate parents who want their children to have healthier choices. I hope it's the beginning of a new trend....

linz

--
A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail

[Broke 0]

There is a school where they were saying if a kid wants to bring in snacks for say a birthday they have to be healthy snacks. Come on what a crock is that. A cupcake once in a while is not going to kill anyone.

This is an example of parents pushing the responsibility of educating their children onto someone else.

Divot your source for all things Hillbilly.
Anvil Brother 84
SCR 14192

[billvon 3,108]

>There is a school where they were saying if a kid wants to bring
>in snacks for say a birthday they have to be healthy snacks.

I don't see that as much different that a school that says you have to wash your hands after you pee, or that says you have to take a shower after gym class.

>A cupcake once in a while is not going to kill anyone.

Well, but given how many people they _are_ killing nowadays, I can understand the concern.

[Lindsey 0]

There are all kinds of extremes. It's just easy to provide healthy food. Why go out of their way to give kids junk to eat for their meals at school? I'd be happy if they at least had some healthy choices there.

linz

--
A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail

[Broke 0]

As I said a cupcake once in a while won't kill anyone, however we now have parents who let their childred raid the pantry with impunity. When I was growing up going to McD's/Dunkin Donuts/other crappy food for you was a treat. Now those have become daily stops for families.

Divot your source for all things Hillbilly.
Anvil Brother 84
SCR 14192

[shropshire 0]

<> I see a business opportunity opening for you here....


..$$

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[Lindsey 0]

What's funny is that all of the kids want what he's eating>> I see a business opportunity opening for you here....

Imagining me with PB&J and assembly line of fruit and sandwich bags in my kitchen. I think I'll stick with my current "business opportunity." Been working on it for too many years to give it up in exchange for mindless snack box preparation....lol.

--
A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail

[shropshire 0]

Yeah.. but picture all those little darlings with jam over the face at break time......
Also, dont actually dothe work yourself , employ the sweat-shop style child labour - Healthy food and a work ethic.

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[wmw999 2,584]

Quote

Also, dont actually dothe work yourself , employ the sweat-shop style child labour

I was thinking illegal aliens myself

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[shropshire 0]

Kids dont pay tax... so they must be illegal (according to some on here)

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[NWFlyer 2]

I didn't say this was a solution to the problem. It is but one small step that may help contribute to the overall solution.

The problem didn't appear overnight and because of one change. It's not going to go away overnight and because of one change.