Thinnest state in America would have been fattest 16 years ago

[memphis]

Wasn't 1995 before the FDA or whoever redefined the benchmark for obesity as to include millions more people?

It was "overweight" that was redefined in 1998. Obesity remained bmi greater than 30, which is a much more helpful metric for populations rather than individuals. Also, the use of white for lack of data is highly misleading because it looks as if it is a least obese category based on the color scheme. Black would have worked better.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

People would rather make up excuses about metabolism or genetics than address the problem. Mississippi might blame their high rate of obesity on blacks. However, there's one huge problem for that lame excuse, DC isn't much fatter than Colorado.

[Jacobtm]

Why do so many Americans have such sh**tty metabolisms?

As a former fat, that little excuse has about as much validity as Bachmann's understanding of American history. Have you ever observed what Americans eat at restaurants in places far from the "fit belt," of which my own Orange County is the epicenter?  Have you been to a restaurant in the Midwest lately, or in a time warp state like PA?  It is as if American's are bug chasers, not for the AIDS virus, but for diabetes. They seem almost desperate to come down with it, and then die miserably.

The excuse - or rather the blame - lies not with the metabolism, but with the corporation and capitalism.  The drones are being fattened because it is convenient for their owners to keep them in this sad condition - just like the chickens their owners fatten in cages.

If people had 20 hour work weeks, 3 months holiday per year, a comfortable minimum income guaranteed by high minimum wages, a comfortable dole, and mandatory unionization of all jobs, their stress would melt away, and they would have free time to live and eat properly.  It is our enslavement which makes us fat.

There are people with full time jobs who eat well and exercise, and there are people with full time jobs who eat poorly and watch tv. It's ing easy to eat well, if you care one little bit. Most people don't. Whole grain bread takes no more time to buy than white bread. Fish takes no more time to buy than beef. Broccoli is right there on display, just as the frozen french fries are. Apples take no preparation time.

[opebo]

The excuse - or rather the blame - lies not with the metabolism, but with the corporation and capitalism.  The drones are being fattened because it is convenient for their owners to keep them in this sad condition - just like the chickens their owners fatten in cages.

If people had 20 hour work weeks, 3 months holiday per year, a comfortable minimum income guaranteed by high minimum wages, a comfortable dole, and mandatory unionization of all jobs, their stress would melt away, and they would have free time to live and eat properly.  It is our enslavement which makes us fat.

There are people with full time jobs who eat well and exercise, and there are people with full time jobs who eat poorly and watch tv.

When one is speaking in epidemiological terms, Jacobtm, one does not concern oneself with what 'individuals' do by their fictional volition, but rather with what the population as a whole does. 

[Jacobtm]

The excuse - or rather the blame - lies not with the metabolism, but with the corporation and capitalism.  The drones are being fattened because it is convenient for their owners to keep them in this sad condition - just like the chickens their owners fatten in cages.

If people had 20 hour work weeks, 3 months holiday per year, a comfortable minimum income guaranteed by high minimum wages, a comfortable dole, and mandatory unionization of all jobs, their stress would melt away, and they would have free time to live and eat properly.  It is our enslavement which makes us fat.

There are people with full time jobs who eat well and exercise, and there are people with full time jobs who eat poorly and watch tv.

When one is speaking in epidemiological terms, Jacobtm, one does not concern oneself with what 'individuals' do by their fictional volition, but rather with what the population as a whole does.  

The population as a whole, unsurprisingly, prefers fatty, sweet and salty foods.  It´s human nature to prefer such flavors. Everyone knows that fewer sweets and fried foods, and more fruits and veggies, along with smaller portions and exercise, would lead to weight loss. They don`t choose that.

That does not mean they don`t have a choice. They simply choose to be sedentary and eat unhealthy food.

Ther are corporations out there which cater to people who make the choice to eat and live healthy lifestyles. Trader Joe`s makes a profit just like McDonald`s does, by satisfying the desires of their consumers.

Clearly McDonald´s and any big corproation does alot to help shape consumer preferences in order to sell more of what they`re selling, but corporations selling health food do the same. The reason McDonald´s is more sucessful than Trade Joe´s is because they´re selling salt, sugar and fat, which people choose despite knowing it is bad for them.

The preference for such flavors would not change with a shorter work week or higher wages

[The Mikado]

As a very, very thin guy, I've always had mixed reactions to this news.  On the one hand, it helps me feel superior to fatties.  On the other hand, as Americans get bigger and bigger, my problem of being mistaken for being about 8 years younger than I am gets worse.  No, I am not a goddamn high school student, give me back my ID and give me my beer.

[opebo]

...Everyone knows that fewer sweets and fried foods, and more fruits and veggies, along with smaller portions and exercise, would lead to weight loss. They don`t choose that.

That does not mean they don`t have a choice. They simply choose to be sedentary and eat unhealthy food.

Not so, good chump.  They cannot 'choose' anything.  It is chosen for them by their economic role designated by force by their masters, the owners.

Ther are corporations out there which cater to people who make the choice to eat and live healthy lifestyles. Trader Joe`s makes a profit just like McDonald`s does, by satisfying the desires of their consumers.

As dubious as is the assumption that 'tradar joes' is healthy, let me point out that  it can only be utilized by the upper-middle class.

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No, the reason they are more successful is because there are more poors.

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Obviously it would - as you just pointed out, the upper middle class goes to Tradar Joes!

[opebo]

As a very, very thin guy, I've always had mixed reactions to this news.  On the one hand, it helps me feel superior to fatties.  On the other hand, as Americans get bigger and bigger, my problem of being mistaken for being about 8 years younger than I am gets worse.  No, I am not a goddamn high school student, give me back my ID and give me my beer.

Yes but I believe you are an Irish, are you not?

[Simfan34]

Americans refuse to accept that in order to be fiscially healthy, we cannot spend whatever we want without raising revenues. We've got to either raise taxes or limit our spending.

Very true, what you said, but I couldn't help but notice this.

[TJ in Oregon]

Americans refuse to accept that in order to be fiscially healthy, we cannot spend whatever we want without raising revenues. We've got to either raise taxes or limit our spending.

Very true, what you said, but I couldn't help but notice this.

Both follow the simple model of a mass and/or energy balance:
ACCUMULATION = IN - OUT + GENERATION - CONSUMPTION

Things often get muddled by the complexities of the situation but at its heart, the problems really are quite simple.