Topic: Obesity, where does your state rank?
no photo
Fri 07/08/11 07:04 PM
Obesity is showing up in our kids at a very alarming number.

From twenty year ago to now..

As for what the OP has written this for we don't know yet?

But like many area's in life I usual stay away from,,I'll guess at the reasoning as THIS,,our youths,,being seen a BIGGER than they use to be?

When we have talk shows on TV showing Mother's and Fathers allowing their kids to gorge their food and or have second thirds and FORTH's,,,THIS MAKES AMERICA LOOK AT HEAVY PARENTS AND THEN SEE THEIR DOING "THAT" TO THEIR OWN KIDS?

As for me,,I'm a realist,,and twenty years ago and on back,,kids didn't have ALL the SWEETS EVERYWHERE,,like they do now,,
Fast-food has become a BIG THING for two working parents,,or for the single parent who also has to hold down a job and feed their kids,,so fast food consumptions has risen as well.
AND WE DON'T KNOW HALF OF WHAT THEY PUT IN THEIR FOOD?
OUR KIDS USE TO RUN,PLAY,BE MOVING ALWAYS AFTER SCHOOL OR ON WEEKENDS,,NOW,,Many set in front of their computers all day and night like US here now,,,lol..Twenty years ago,,WE DIDN'T HAVE THIS..
I don't think we will ever have the knowledge to REALLY KNOW,,WHY some people just CAN'T GAIN WEIGHT,,and some others feel IF THEY LOOK AT FOOD THEY GAIN A POUND..lol

I personally THINK,,that we have MANY MANY new substances IN OUR FOODS that can and HAVE,,and DO,,cause MANY different effects on the people who consume them daily or weekly?

Thats like the babies NOW being born with Autism,,who twenty years ago was only about a forth of how many NOW are being born with this very sad disorder..

I think WHY? and come up with the labs around the Globe,,making NEW taste urges,,NEW taste LIKES,,,and so on,,,well,,those may enhance US to like their products and THINK they taste GREAT,,but what ELSE DO THOSE INGREDIENTS DO IN OUR BODIES?

We are not EVER going to have THEM,,take them ALL back out,,,and we have to do our own investigations as to even FIND informations on them,,to know IF they might be harmful to us or our kids,,,and as WE ALL LIVE TO DO AND HAVE AND BE ---FASTER at getting it done or getting us there,,,WE DON'T TAKE THAT TIME TO WORRY ABOUT MOST,,because WE TRUST THEM TO BE RIGHT WITH ALL THEY SELL US TO CONSUME?


Mean while back into this post,,,,lol
I really hope the OP had a reason behind its making,lol?
And not just a cheap shot at over-weight people?
Because WE have ventured into IT now with our thoughts and minds to try and write in it,,toward its comtent......

But really,,,WHAT DOES A STATE have to do with Obesity as to its people also posing an issue as to their REASONS for having MORE or LESS Obesity within their State?
I always thought that Alaska was or would be the highest amount of heavy people in it,,because it and Hawaii both seem to have bigger human beings as to most of the states because of the cultures there being from each generation on,,,their frames are bigger,,bones,,and broader bodies,,,over-all,,,maybe that has to do with their ancestors up to now,,living more off fish and mammals than animals?
And PLEASE don't take ANY of this as ANY kind of FACTS,,as its just my thoughts here....:wink: :smile:

no photo
Sat 07/09/11 08:42 AM

Thats like the babies NOW being born with Autism,,who twenty years ago was only about a forth of how many NOW are being born with this very sad disorder..


Autism was discovered in the 1940's, but there was no method for identifying autism until 1991, so it was not very a well known disease. Autism isn't on the rise, identification if autistic people is on the rise.

no photo
Sat 07/09/11 08:56 AM
Obesity isn't caused by over eating. You can eat 4000 calories a day of vegetables (non-starchy) and meat and gain no more than a pound or two over a year. What causes obesity is eating food that spike your blood sugar and effect your metabolism. Foods that are high in carbs and low in nutrition.

Carbs are quickly and easily digested, vegetables and meat aren't. They take longer to digest, which means your body has to use more energy to digest vegetables and meat than it does to digest bread or potatoes (you will actually lose weight from just eating a meat and vegetable diet).

Carbs spike your blood sugar, which causes your body to produce insulin. One of the purposes of insulin is to tell your fat cells to store glucose as fat, but your cells can become insulin resistant. Insulin Resistance forces your body to produce more and more insulin to get the same result. In this situation, your blood insulin levels never drop enough for your body to release fat from your fat cells, so your cells will only store fat and never release it.

no photo
Sat 07/09/11 10:15 AM


Thats like the babies NOW being born with Autism,,who twenty years ago was only about a forth of how many NOW are being born with this very sad disorder..


Autism was discovered in the 1940's, but there was no method for identifying autism until 1991, so it was not very a well known disease. Autism isn't on the rise, identification if autistic people is on the rise.


I agree with most of what you said and I know it's just semantics, but technically, autism is a condition and not a disease. Also, there is some strong evidence that the condition is, at least, exacerbated by immunization. Many times symptoms of autism don't even appear until the barrage of immunizations a child is given at age 2. There have even been some cases of severe brain damage and death.

no photo
Sat 07/09/11 10:24 AM
Edited by Alterette on Sat 07/09/11 10:26 AM

Obesity isn't caused by over eating. You can eat 4000 calories a day of vegetables (non-starchy) and meat and gain no more than a pound or two over a year. What causes obesity is eating food that spike your blood sugar and effect your metabolism. Foods that are high in carbs and low in nutrition.

Carbs are quickly and easily digested, vegetables and meat aren't. They take longer to digest, which means your body has to use more energy to digest vegetables and meat than it does to digest bread or potatoes (you will actually lose weight from just eating a meat and vegetable diet).

Carbs spike your blood sugar, which causes your body to produce insulin. One of the purposes of insulin is to tell your fat cells to store glucose as fat, but your cells can become insulin resistant. Insulin Resistance forces your body to produce more and more insulin to get the same result. In this situation, your blood insulin levels never drop enough for your body to release fat from your fat cells, so your cells will only store fat and never release it.


I totally and completely agree ... I am an example. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2001. It was handled completely by a low carb diet and I have been considered in remission for the last 9 years. My weight stabilized when I ate 100 grams of carbs or less per day; however, I was still overweight.

Since I have recently stopped eating grains and other high carb foods (basically a Paleo WOE), I have been slowly but steadily dropping weight without otherwise changing my diet. And yes, I still eat some carbs; our bodies need them. I'm just not regularly eating them. I do eat bread once a week, for the Sabbath dinner; but the others I've replaced with lower carb substitutes (like zucchini "spagetti") or given up altogether. I eat plenty of healthy fats (everything in moderation, tho) and I'm still losing weight.

ArtGurl's photo
Sat 07/09/11 10:24 AM
Empty 'food' processed beyond comprehension, hormones, pesticides, artificial sweeteners, phytoestrogens, plastics ... cancer, obesity, autoimmune diseases ...



Slow death by rubber duck ...

no photo
Sat 07/09/11 10:30 AM

Empty 'food' processed beyond comprehension, hormones, pesticides, artificial sweeteners, phytoestrogens, plastics ... cancer, obesity, autoimmune diseases ...



Slow death by rubber duck ...


scared


It's absurd to see the most expensive nutritional foods are in the poorest communities. Some of these communities don't have grocery stores at all.

Yup all Mickey D's, Burger kings and taco bells ill

ArtGurl's photo
Sat 07/09/11 10:47 AM


Empty 'food' processed beyond comprehension, hormones, pesticides, artificial sweeteners, phytoestrogens, plastics ... cancer, obesity, autoimmune diseases ...



Slow death by rubber duck ...


scared


It's absurd to see the most expensive nutritional foods are in the poorest communities. Some of these communities don't have grocery stores at all.

Yup all Mickey D's, Burger kings and taco bells ill


Yes ... and no

Even when people avoid the obvious fast food places ...

Chickens force fed unnatural diets
Cattle injected with massive amounts of hormones
Grains genetically modified
Sedentary lifestyles
High stress loads: both externally from life but internally from processing all the garbage.
Fruits and veggies loaded with chemicals
Plastic everywhere! Leaching phytoestrogens into the body ... this is a pretty big deal that very few think about. Seriously, there is a book titled "Slow Death by Rubber Duck"

This is where we live ...

Most people don't have choices. I paid $11 for a 4oz piece of tenderloin and $7 for a single organic chicken breast the other day. Who can afford to do that? Especially if they have a family to feed?

Unless you grow your own food ... which I don't ... we can only go so far with our food choices.

kre8karma's photo
Sat 07/09/11 11:23 AM



Empty 'food' processed beyond comprehension, hormones, pesticides, artificial sweeteners, phytoestrogens, plastics ... cancer, obesity, autoimmune diseases ...



Slow death by rubber duck ...


scared


It's absurd to see the most expensive nutritional foods are in the poorest communities. Some of these communities don't have grocery stores at all.

Yup all Mickey D's, Burger kings and taco bells ill


Yes ... and no

Even when people avoid the obvious fast food places ...

Chickens force fed unnatural diets
Cattle injected with massive amounts of hormones
Grains genetically modified
Sedentary lifestyles
High stress loads: both externally from life but internally from processing all the garbage.
Fruits and veggies loaded with chemicals
Plastic everywhere! Leaching phytoestrogens into the body ... this is a pretty big deal that very few think about. Seriously, there is a book titled "Slow Death by Rubber Duck"

This is where we live ...

Most people don't have choices. I paid $11 for a 4oz piece of tenderloin and $7 for a single organic chicken breast the other day. Who can afford to do that? Especially if they have a family to feed?

Unless you grow your own food ... which I don't ... we can only go so far with our food choices.
I agree with all you said and didn't miss your point, but am going to question the line about phytoestrogens leaching from plastics. As a chemist and person who took Latin, I think you may have the wrong term there....phyto means "plant-based". Did you mean "phthalates" instead? Those are used as plasticizers in many commercial plastic items to make them pliable. Picky I know, just wanted to make sure your fine argument is technically correct....as I think you should continue to spread the word.

ArtGurl's photo
Sat 07/09/11 11:48 AM




Empty 'food' processed beyond comprehension, hormones, pesticides, artificial sweeteners, phytoestrogens, plastics ... cancer, obesity, autoimmune diseases ...



Slow death by rubber duck ...


scared


It's absurd to see the most expensive nutritional foods are in the poorest communities. Some of these communities don't have grocery stores at all.

Yup all Mickey D's, Burger kings and taco bells ill


Yes ... and no

Even when people avoid the obvious fast food places ...

Chickens force fed unnatural diets
Cattle injected with massive amounts of hormones
Grains genetically modified
Sedentary lifestyles
High stress loads: both externally from life but internally from processing all the garbage.
Fruits and veggies loaded with chemicals
Plastic everywhere! Leaching phytoestrogens into the body ... this is a pretty big deal that very few think about. Seriously, there is a book titled "Slow Death by Rubber Duck"

This is where we live ...

Most people don't have choices. I paid $11 for a 4oz piece of tenderloin and $7 for a single organic chicken breast the other day. Who can afford to do that? Especially if they have a family to feed?

Unless you grow your own food ... which I don't ... we can only go so far with our food choices.
I agree with all you said and didn't miss your point, but am going to question the line about phytoestrogens leaching from plastics. As a chemist and person who took Latin, I think you may have the wrong term there....phyto means "plant-based". Did you mean "phthalates" instead? Those are used as plasticizers in many commercial plastic items to make them pliable. Picky I know, just wanted to make sure your fine argument is technically correct....as I think you should continue to spread the word.


Oh good lord! Yes that is what I meant. Thank you for the correction flowerforyou

I've been working 17 hour days - and I think my brain has started misfiring.

I am no scientist ... I just think that sometimes common sense gets lost in the hunt for production and profit...and we end up in the crossfire. As though what we do to the environment or the things we put in our bodies aren't going to affect us. Culturally, we are pretty numbed out ... and it seems, in North America, for the most part ... we are pretty apathetic about it too ...

I think it is important to question ...



no photo
Sat 07/09/11 11:57 AM



Empty 'food' processed beyond comprehension, hormones, pesticides, artificial sweeteners, phytoestrogens, plastics ... cancer, obesity, autoimmune diseases ...



Slow death by rubber duck ...


scared


It's absurd to see the most expensive nutritional foods are in the poorest communities. Some of these communities don't have grocery stores at all.

Yup all Mickey D's, Burger kings and taco bells ill


Yes ... and no

Even when people avoid the obvious fast food places ...

Chickens force fed unnatural diets
Cattle injected with massive amounts of hormones
Grains genetically modified
Sedentary lifestyles
High stress loads: both externally from life but internally from processing all the garbage.
Fruits and veggies loaded with chemicals
Plastic everywhere! Leaching phytoestrogens into the body ... this is a pretty big deal that very few think about. Seriously, there is a book titled "Slow Death by Rubber Duck"

This is where we live ...

Most people don't have choices. I paid $11 for a 4oz piece of tenderloin and $7 for a single organic chicken breast the other day. Who can afford to do that? Especially if they have a family to feed?

Unless you grow your own food ... which I don't ... we can only go so far with our food choices.


Agreed! Dr.David Suzuki always said: "A genetically modified Tomato, is no longer a Tomato"

In any case, I'd still prefer eating chemicals in my fruits for breakfast than a double beef burrito(shrugs).... Some don't even have THAT choice in the ghetto wastelands ohwell

PS: don't get me started with how much hydrogenated oils they are feeding us... It's in EVERYTHING! mad

ArtGurl's photo
Sat 07/09/11 12:49 PM




Empty 'food' processed beyond comprehension, hormones, pesticides, artificial sweeteners, phytoestrogens, plastics ... cancer, obesity, autoimmune diseases ...



Slow death by rubber duck ...


scared


It's absurd to see the most expensive nutritional foods are in the poorest communities. Some of these communities don't have grocery stores at all.

Yup all Mickey D's, Burger kings and taco bells ill


Yes ... and no

Even when people avoid the obvious fast food places ...

Chickens force fed unnatural diets
Cattle injected with massive amounts of hormones
Grains genetically modified
Sedentary lifestyles
High stress loads: both externally from life but internally from processing all the garbage.
Fruits and veggies loaded with chemicals
Plastic everywhere! Leaching phytoestrogens into the body ... this is a pretty big deal that very few think about. Seriously, there is a book titled "Slow Death by Rubber Duck"

This is where we live ...

Most people don't have choices. I paid $11 for a 4oz piece of tenderloin and $7 for a single organic chicken breast the other day. Who can afford to do that? Especially if they have a family to feed?

Unless you grow your own food ... which I don't ... we can only go so far with our food choices.


Agreed! Dr.David Suzuki always said: "A genetically modified Tomato, is no longer a Tomato"

In any case, I'd still prefer eating chemicals in my fruits for breakfast than a double beef burrito(shrugs).... Some don't even have THAT choice in the ghetto wastelands ohwell

PS: don't get me started with how much hydrogenated oils they are feeding us... It's in EVERYTHING! mad



Yup! I hear you flowerforyou

no photo
Sat 07/09/11 02:40 PM


Empty 'food' processed beyond comprehension, hormones, pesticides, artificial sweeteners, phytoestrogens, plastics ... cancer, obesity, autoimmune diseases ...



Slow death by rubber duck ...


scared


It's absurd to see the most expensive nutritional foods are in the poorest communities. Some of these communities don't have grocery stores at all.

Yup all Mickey D's, Burger kings and taco bells ill


Nothing wrong with McDonalds, a double quarter pounder without the bun and a diet coke won't kill you. The fries and the bun will.

ArtGurl's photo
Sat 07/09/11 09:25 PM



Empty 'food' processed beyond comprehension, hormones, pesticides, artificial sweeteners, phytoestrogens, plastics ... cancer, obesity, autoimmune diseases ...



Slow death by rubber duck ...


scared


It's absurd to see the most expensive nutritional foods are in the poorest communities. Some of these communities don't have grocery stores at all.

Yup all Mickey D's, Burger kings and taco bells ill


Nothing wrong with McDonalds, a double quarter pounder without the bun and a diet coke won't kill you. The fries and the bun will.



I'm not so sure about the artificial sweeteners...scared

heavenlyboy34's photo
Sat 07/09/11 09:32 PM


The main reason for obesity is a change in diet. The US has undergone a dramatic change over the past 100 years. What used to be the standard (a plate of food containing a reasonable portion of protein and some vegetables) has turned into pizza, burgers, and fries to the extent that thousands of calories get added unnoticed each year. The addition of high fructose corn syrup to most processed food adds additional empty calories and creates a craving for the same junk.

Vendors are now selling junk food at public schools and high sugar items such as chocolate milk are offered as normal food instead of a treat.

Countries who have adopted American style eating habits and menus are getting fat too.

A small minority of the population will gain weight due to genetics but the vast majority simply eats the wrong type and amount of food, and gets too little exercise.

The US government subsidizes low nutrient food like corn which make high fructose corn syrup super cheap (push that soda!). High nutrient density foods like cantaloupe, broccoli, and spinach get little or no subsidy so cost a lot more per calorie.

And then there are the marketing aspects. How can diet mayo cost more than real mayo when they substitute water for much of the fat? Fat cost more than water! Why? Because people with pay more for anything with the word "diet" printed on the label.

Gads I'm hungry! I think I'll go get a double cheeseburger ... nature's most perfect food!happy


It is more than a small minority that have genetic or illness that causes obesity.



I just want to know why people care about obesity if it ain't them being obese?

Seems like this prejudice just won't die.

It is wrong to be prejudice against others because of body mass no matter if it is their choices.

Just think of it this way, if you are one of those obsessed with obesity of others, it will be more social security money for you in the end because they won't live to get theirs. Same for smoking. Same for risky hobbies. Same for walking out your front door, more so in certain neighborhoods, etc slaphead

People care because obesity typically leads to various diseases like heart disease and diabetes. The cost of caring for these completely avoidable diseases are passed on to the rest of us because of the way the "insurance" and health care system is structured.

ybcat1's photo
Sat 07/09/11 10:05 PM

Being thin doesn't necessarily mean you're healthy either ...

Technically, I'm considered obese. I weigh over 25% of what is deemed "healthy" by the insurance charts. However, I eat right, exercise, meditate, rest and laugh a lot. My latest analysis says that my blood is similar to a 30 year old's (I'm 53) and I have no narrowing or blockages to the arteries in my heart. I rarely ever get sick.

I know skinny people who eat a lot of junk, smoke dope and the only exercise they get is raising a cigarette or a beer can to their lips. You can't tell me they're healthier than I am, just because they're thinner.

There are different reasons for being overweight, other than stuffing your face.


I agree. I have a under active thyroid condition, so there (licking my tongue out).

no photo
Sun 07/10/11 12:02 AM

I'm not so sure about the artificial sweeteners...scared


They also sell water. I personally love Sonic, I can get protein, so veggies and a 44 ounce water. And to make it all the sweeter, the water is only 40 cents.

indianadave4's photo
Sun 07/10/11 08:36 PM
Edited by indianadave4 on Sun 07/10/11 08:39 PM
I just want to know why people care about obesity if it ain't them being obese?


Shall we start with death at a lower age or much higher medical costs to society? The list goes on and on. It effects all of us, not just the obese person.

Smoking, alcohol, drug abuse and obesity all are lifestyle problems that effect our society. Why should one group be exempt from scrutiny?

Dragoness's photo
Sun 07/10/11 10:02 PM

I just want to know why people care about obesity if it ain't them being obese?


Shall we start with death at a lower age or much higher medical costs to society? The list goes on and on. It effects all of us, not just the obese person.

Smoking, alcohol, drug abuse and obesity all are lifestyle problems that effect our society. Why should one group be exempt from scrutiny?


So do you want to live in a free country or not?

If we start limiting folks diets then we have to go to limit all other "risky" activity which could mean driving even.

There is no other reason to "scrutinize" unless you plan to limit their freedoms unless one wants to prejudiciously scrutinize with no other purpose than to talk down to and about others.

GravelRidgeBoy's photo
Sun 07/10/11 11:48 PM
I can not believe Arkansas here has actually raised up on the list. Arkansas use to be like #2 worst state. I do not see the people here getting smaller so I guess the other states are just getting larger.

Most of the obese states are the poorer states, I know here there is not too much to do activity wise. The roads are terrible, limited sidewalks, no bike lanes, and the people are careless drivers so bicycling or walking is taking your life in your hands here. But the summer time hits and it is so hot most people just want to sit in the AC and become couch potatoes...

Obesity is contagious also, if you are judging yourself against your friends then you are not using a good scale. I test myself and I consider myself and even though I need to lose more fat (15%) everyone around me are usually staying I need to eat more... I think they want everyone to be as big as they are so they will not be the minority...