I went to my local outdoor mall this afternoon and after I made my purchase I sat in my car for a few minutes and watched people exiting K-Mart, and yes, people are definitely larger than I've seen in say Europe or Japan. Quite a big percentage of all the people I noticed were anything between slightly overweight with 'middle-age spread', or beer bellies, to plainly obese. Lots of the kids I noticed too, specially the boys were overweight also. Perhaps because we have the world's highest standard of living it is hardly surprising that Americans tend to be larger in all dimensions than most of the rest of the world.
He is absolutely right and people should stop seeing this as simply another excuse to get into a political snit. . . its not political (only)
Americans are statistically much more overwieght than Europeans. And besides the stats (as listed in such places as fast food nation above) I have had much personal experience. I have spent much time recently abroad.
In Europe, --Germany, Belgiam and France-- I never saw an obese person that was not American -except for maybe once on the coast of the Mediteranean. THen when I returned to Upstate New York I could not believe my eyes. Every white male above the age of 28 was overwieght, and every female above 22 ,and many young people as well. EXCEPT for African Americans, who tended to have less obese men and more obese middle aged women.
But i think much of it it is a regional thing. In Northern California, and Oregon, where I have spent time there are fewer fat people. Many people there are recreational and/or can afford the gym fees.
Much of it is the fact that many people are forced to eat what is available: mostly fast food, or franchise theme-restauraunts, or they have to shop at the local strip mall markets, which have very little as far as choice of food. Add no time for making and taking, and next thing you know, you are forced to eat the Mad-Cow Triple Patty Biggie Sized Combo Special.
But even with choice there is a class reality to diet: I saw a show recently about class and it had a segment about a co-op style food store that replaced a franchise supermarket in a working class nieghborhood --the locals were livid -- they felt that the people from the new store would insult them and think that they were better than them. And even with the store selling nutritional breads and locally baked breads, the best selling bread was Wonderbread. Many people equate learning about healthy food with some kind of elitism . . . and often, the dreadlocked dude at the freaky co-op down in that other neighborhood actually does think that he is better than you . . . we all know he may not be better, but, he probably IS healthier...
Anyway -its mostly due to lack of walking (in Europe everybody walks --and you know what? its great--) and intense Biggie-Sizing in order to beat the local franchulate competition.
Insulin produces fat which is deposited in your veins and arteries, and in your waste, thighs and, personally, in my jowls, Jackie Gleason like chins and my big fat ass.
If you go 'healthy' and eat carbohydrates, here's what happens.
You eat carbohydrates and mix them with saliva as you chew them (try this at home: take a saltine cracker, chew the hell out of it and salivate as much as you can. You will taste... sweetness). You turn carbohydrates into... sugar. See above.
Caffeine... stimulates insulin production which makes fat.... "Diet" Coke indeed!
Sugar was rare before the 20th century. There were no diagnosed heart attacks either.
For more, read 'The New Atkins Diet' by Robert Atkins. And read it before you flame me.
Now for my personal observations:
I've experimented with the Atkins diet for the better part of two years. The results are most promising. Members of my family have gone on the Atkins diet with results proportional to how well they have adhered to it.
The Atkins diet works best with exercise. I haven't been able to exercise because I've got three kids and I spend a lot of time with them (actually, with the way that I've been eating (when I go off the Atkins diet) I should look like a blimp, so maybe I am getting exercise by playing with them . My knees have precluded running or any aerobic exercise (with my legs). (excuses, excuses....)
When I've done the Atkins diet properly, just the diet with no regular exercise, my energy increases, my attitude improves, my mind clears, my pants get loose, my kidneys are just fine and my blood pressure sinks.
The principles of the diet work to my satisfaction. After the holidays, I'm going to hit the Atkins Diet again. This time I'm going to exercise like Dr. Atkins suggests. I've been running three times AND NO STRUCTURAL KNEE PAIN! This time I'm going to follow the instructions.
I'll tell you what. I'll take a before picture and an after picture and post them on a web page and let you SEE how it went. I pledge not to Photoshop the results!
Now I've made a public assertion that I'm going to do this. Feel free to KICK MY ASS IF YOU DON'T HEAR ABOUT THIS FROM ME BY APRIL 1, 2002.
I blame it on the food, mostly. My God we do love our calories (I know I do). Also stress and not enough exercise. Not too surprising.
And it's true about the Japanese, they be crazy thin. Even the Sumoos, they really have to work for those pounds. Ever seen a Sumoo match? Those thin little rakes that adjudicate are all retired wrestlers. I guess the weight sort of just falls off after you throw in the towel.
[quote]
By Eugene:
Additionally, genetics is involved. The average Tongan or Samoan you see walking down the street is most likely quite rotund. I don't think it's the diet that makes them this way.
<hr></blockquote>
Actually, I saw a documentary when I was in Japan about this. Apparently, when Samoa was introduced to Western-style foods in the middling part of the 20th century is when they started getting so portly and that. If they stick to the traditional Samoan diet, they're really quite svelte.
But of course the traditional Samoan diet is (no offense intended) somewhere between rat poison and extra-chunky Quaker Oats mixed with raw uncooked fish intestines, as far as I could gather.
<strong>Sugar was rare before the 20th century. There were no diagnosed heart attacks either. </strong><hr></blockquote>
I saw a special on TeeVee about mummies. There was one in China so well preserved they were able to do an autopsy. The woman died of a heart attack. She was fat too.
<strong>lol, if she were mummiefied, she was probably some rich ruler who ate like the average 6 year old does in the U.S.</strong><hr></blockquote>
She was rich, or her husband was. But the idea that there was no heart attacks before modern times is bull shit. Oh I'm sorry, no "diagnosed" heart attacks.
lol, scott H., i completely agree with you about the heart attack claim. i'd have to see that one in writing before i believed it. but i'm sure the diet nowadays is about a thousnad times worse than they used to be. oh well, we'll just keep getting better and better medecine to deal with people's lazy ass problems. keeps everyone in a job you know.
"Actually, I saw a documentary when I was in Japan about this. Apparently, when Samoa was introduced to Western-style foods in the middling part of the 20th century is when they started getting so portly and that. If they stick to the traditional Samoan diet, they're really quite svelte."
Your statements corroborate mine. They're eating the same food I am. If I stuck to a traditional Samoan diet I would most likely starve.
<strong>I'm not fat, though I have a bit of a paunch. I'm 5'10" and 160 lbs. I eat like shit. I don't work out. 90% of my exersize is walking or climbing the two flights of stairs to my flat. That's only because my sex life sucks right now, though.
If I ever get a Segway, I'll be sure and get a horny GF to offset the walking I wouldn't be doing. </strong><hr></blockquote>
Maybe that's it!
Europeans and Rest of World must be having more sex than Americans!
<strong>Americans (the race) are fat (the discrimination/prejudice) = Racist</strong><hr></blockquote>Americans are a "race?"
[quote]Originally posted by Aries 1B:
<strong>For more, read 'The New Atkins Diet' by Robert Atkins. And read it before you flame me.</strong><hr></blockquote>Absolute, unadulterated, unscientific, Oprah-book-club hooey.
Comments
<strong>Why are all foreigners so stereotypical?</strong><hr></blockquote>
Humor on a high level
<strong>I eat like a pig, but I'm borderline emaciated. My metabolism doesn't allow me to be fat at this point in my life, but that could change.
That energy has to go somewhere. It takes me well over an hour to fall asleep every night.</strong><hr></blockquote>Wow! I'm exactly the same. :eek:
People are always asking me, "why dotcha put a little meat on dem' bones?" <img src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" />
Uhh, I try. I really do. "would you like fries with that?" "Yes, please!! Can't you see I'm wasting away here??"
Americans are statistically much more overwieght than Europeans. And besides the stats (as listed in such places as fast food nation above) I have had much personal experience. I have spent much time recently abroad.
In Europe, --Germany, Belgiam and France-- I never saw an obese person that was not American -except for maybe once on the coast of the Mediteranean. THen when I returned to Upstate New York I could not believe my eyes. Every white male above the age of 28 was overwieght, and every female above 22 ,and many young people as well. EXCEPT for African Americans, who tended to have less obese men and more obese middle aged women.
But i think much of it it is a regional thing. In Northern California, and Oregon, where I have spent time there are fewer fat people. Many people there are recreational and/or can afford the gym fees.
Much of it is the fact that many people are forced to eat what is available: mostly fast food, or franchise theme-restauraunts, or they have to shop at the local strip mall markets, which have very little as far as choice of food. Add no time for making and taking, and next thing you know, you are forced to eat the Mad-Cow Triple Patty Biggie Sized Combo Special.
But even with choice there is a class reality to diet: I saw a show recently about class and it had a segment about a co-op style food store that replaced a franchise supermarket in a working class nieghborhood --the locals were livid -- they felt that the people from the new store would insult them and think that they were better than them. And even with the store selling nutritional breads and locally baked breads, the best selling bread was Wonderbread. Many people equate learning about healthy food with some kind of elitism . . . and often, the dreadlocked dude at the freaky co-op down in that other neighborhood actually does think that he is better than you . . . we all know he may not be better, but, he probably IS healthier...
Anyway -its mostly due to lack of walking (in Europe everybody walks --and you know what? its great--) and intense Biggie-Sizing in order to beat the local franchulate competition.
Sugar.
You ingest sugar.
It goes into the bloodstream.
It is then metabolized by insulin.
Insulin produces fat which is deposited in your veins and arteries, and in your waste, thighs and, personally, in my jowls, Jackie Gleason like chins and my big fat ass.
If you go 'healthy' and eat carbohydrates, here's what happens.
You eat carbohydrates and mix them with saliva as you chew them (try this at home: take a saltine cracker, chew the hell out of it and salivate as much as you can. You will taste... sweetness). You turn carbohydrates into... sugar. See above.
Caffeine... stimulates insulin production which makes fat.... "Diet" Coke indeed!
Sugar was rare before the 20th century. There were no diagnosed heart attacks either.
For more, read 'The New Atkins Diet' by Robert Atkins. And read it before you flame me.
Now for my personal observations:
I've experimented with the Atkins diet for the better part of two years. The results are most promising. Members of my family have gone on the Atkins diet with results proportional to how well they have adhered to it.
The Atkins diet works best with exercise. I haven't been able to exercise because I've got three kids and I spend a lot of time with them (actually, with the way that I've been eating (when I go off the Atkins diet) I should look like a blimp, so maybe I am getting exercise by playing with them
When I've done the Atkins diet properly, just the diet with no regular exercise, my energy increases, my attitude improves, my mind clears, my pants get loose, my kidneys are just fine and my blood pressure sinks.
The principles of the diet work to my satisfaction. After the holidays, I'm going to hit the Atkins Diet again. This time I'm going to exercise like Dr. Atkins suggests. I've been running three times AND NO STRUCTURAL KNEE PAIN!
I'll tell you what. I'll take a before picture and an after picture and post them on a web page and let you SEE how it went. I pledge not to Photoshop the results!
Now I've made a public assertion that I'm going to do this. Feel free to KICK MY ASS IF YOU DON'T HEAR ABOUT THIS FROM ME BY APRIL 1, 2002.
And it's true about the Japanese, they be crazy thin. Even the Sumoos, they really have to work for those pounds. Ever seen a Sumoo match? Those thin little rakes that adjudicate are all retired wrestlers. I guess the weight sort of just falls off after you throw in the towel.
[quote]
By Eugene:
Additionally, genetics is involved. The average Tongan or Samoan you see walking down the street is most likely quite rotund. I don't think it's the diet that makes them this way.
<hr></blockquote>
Actually, I saw a documentary when I was in Japan about this. Apparently, when Samoa was introduced to Western-style foods in the middling part of the 20th century is when they started getting so portly and that. If they stick to the traditional Samoan diet, they're really quite svelte.
But of course the traditional Samoan diet is (no offense intended) somewhere between rat poison and extra-chunky Quaker Oats mixed with raw uncooked fish intestines, as far as I could gather.
<Horatio Sans SNL voice> C R I S P M E A T ! </Horation Sans SNL voice>
<strong>Sugar was rare before the 20th century. There were no diagnosed heart attacks either. </strong><hr></blockquote>
I saw a special on TeeVee about mummies. There was one in China so well preserved they were able to do an autopsy. The woman died of a heart attack. She was fat too.
i'm sure the food eaten by people in the U.S. is the big problem with why over 67% of adults are obese. oh well.
with all the threads about morals floating around, i wonder how the McDonald's/BurgerKing owners sleep at night.
lol, they're next after the cig. companies.
<strong>lol, if she were mummiefied, she was probably some rich ruler who ate like the average 6 year old does in the U.S.</strong><hr></blockquote>
She was rich, or her husband was. But the idea that there was no heart attacks before modern times is bull shit. Oh I'm sorry, no "diagnosed" heart attacks.
[QB]i wonder how the McDonald's/BurgerKing owners sleep at night.<hr></blockquote>
On top of a big pile of money with many beautiful ladies.
<strong>Why would that be racism?</strong><hr></blockquote>
rac·ism
n.
Discrimination or prejudice based on race.
Americans (the race) are fat (the discrimination/prejudice) = Racist
J
Your statements corroborate mine. They're eating the same food I am. If I stuck to a traditional Samoan diet I would most likely starve.
<strong>I'm not fat, though I have a bit of a paunch. I'm 5'10" and 160 lbs. I eat like shit. I don't work out. 90% of my exersize is walking or climbing the two flights of stairs to my flat. That's only because my sex life sucks right now, though.
If I ever get a Segway, I'll be sure and get a horny GF to offset the walking I wouldn't be doing.
Maybe that's it!
Europeans and Rest of World must be having more sex than Americans!
J :cool:
<strong>Americans (the race) are fat (the discrimination/prejudice) = Racist</strong><hr></blockquote>Americans are a "race?"
[quote]Originally posted by Aries 1B:
<strong>For more, read 'The New Atkins Diet' by Robert Atkins. And read it before you flame me.</strong><hr></blockquote>Absolute, unadulterated, unscientific, Oprah-book-club hooey.
<strong>
Maybe that's it!
Europeans and Rest of World must be having more sex than Americans!
J :cool: </strong><hr></blockquote>
Actually, I just read a report that Americans claim to have sex more frequently and with more partners then any other country in the world.
If I find the link to the report I'll post it.
<strong>
Actually, I just read a report that Americans claim to have sex more frequently and with more partners then any other country in the world.
If I find the link to the report I'll post it.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Yes i have heard this on a french radio (equivalent of the BBC), they said also that the french people are in second position.
<strong>they said also that the french people are in second position.</strong><hr></blockquote>
What position is that? Doggie style?
J
[ 12-11-2001: Message edited by: jamiemarshall ]</p>