Why Are Many Americans So Fat?
pismofilmdude
Join Date: 2004-01-21 Member: 25529Members
in Off-Topic
<div class="IPBDescription">Edited for clarity by Nem</div> I knew smoking was bad, and that people were getting fatter, but this blew my mind. Check this out.
In the U.S., we eat more than 1,000,000 animals an hour
In 1972, we spent 3 billion a year on fast food - today we spend more than 110 billion
Left unabated, obesity will surpass smoking as the leading cause of preventable death in America
Have any of you heard about <a href='http://t.soulkool.com/?126-2844' target='_blank'>this</a>? I want to see this for sure.
In the U.S., we eat more than 1,000,000 animals an hour
In 1972, we spent 3 billion a year on fast food - today we spend more than 110 billion
Left unabated, obesity will surpass smoking as the leading cause of preventable death in America
Have any of you heard about <a href='http://t.soulkool.com/?126-2844' target='_blank'>this</a>? I want to see this for sure.
Comments
You know how unreliable beef and chicken is these days, what with the bovine spongiform, and that avian flu... We've got to find an alternative! And oddly enough, it's more PETA friendly.
By the way, that movie looks pretty interesting.
Just thought I'd voice that.
I have no respect for some one who thinks it is a good idea to sudenly change their diet to one of all Fast Food and nothing else.
There are some (not very many) People who eat like that, however they have been doingf this for a large portion of their lives. If you wana see the effects of suden diet changes on a smaller scale try one of these 2 things:
1) Find a Vegan who is willing to eat a hamburger or some chease... watch them feel VERY ill. Their body can't process the stuff. It is possible for a vegan (or anyone who cuts out a section of food) to be able to eat that again, it just takes alot of time (building up)
2) Switch your cat/dog food (Biljak will make your dog sick regardles). Watch your pet puke on your rug. Again, they have been eating one thing for a large portion of their lives, now they can't deal with it.
As for some of this other stuff....
Don't believe everything you see.
1,000,000 animals per hour?
thats about .003 of an animal per person per hour....
time 24 = .072 of an animal per day per person.
OH NO!
from:
<a href='http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/foodreview/jan2000/frjan2000g.pdf' target='_blank'>http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/foodr.../frjan2000g.pdf</a>
All numbers were for 1992
we spend about $316 per person per year on Fast Food.
we spend $1526 per capita on food at home.
and $348 for resturants.
So yah, $110 bill is sorta close (its actualy around 92 bill for these figures)
However it isn't that MUCH compared to what we spend on food that we eat at home: $447 bill (combine that with the factor that the 92 bill is factoring in labour, where as the 447 does not)
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Left unabated, obesity will surpass smoking as the leading cause of preventable death in America<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
says who?
Personaly I count almost all forms of death as avoidable (wear your seatbelt! lock your door! jump left when the friken Acme Safe is comming!)
Oh, and As for PETA?
Trust nothing they say.
Shun what they do.
And then you will be in coencidence with most of the animal rights people.
PETA is a disgusting organisation that is about 1 step away from a terrorist group.
Slandering Atkins (they were the ones who spread lie about it)
The "Got Beer?" campaign (they did this on college campuses... MADD nearly killed them all)
the list goes on for a long time.
As for is obecity a problem in the US?
YES!
Is this the way to do something about it?
No.
(waits for flame reply)
However, the thing to learn is that you can make quick and simple things that are NOT bad for you (salad pops into my mind, folowed closely by pasta).
I am slowely getting better at cooking things that are not bad for me (and I find myslef craving the occasional salad, with real veggies and stuff... though I still like it with some bacon or chiken <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->)
water + heat + pasta + sauce from shop = Eatable Food
and its nice and quick with minumum attention required.
i dont eat that much salady things but i do occasionally try beetroots and things that have lots of flavor (flavour?). i also dont drink and have no unhealthy habits (expect playing NS <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo--> ) which could be the only thing keeping me from being overweight.
I pride myself on having a VERY strong stomach, I never get stomach problems except from two things: extreme stress, and fast food in all its forms. Fast food is some of the worst food you can eat, and frankly the corporations that deal in selling it are terrible and dispicable entities for allowing you to poison yourself while they get rich off of it.
[edit] nm, misreading on my part
I said there WAS something you could do about almost all forms of death.
Thus including the ones accociated with obecity (wich are mostly kidney/liver faliure and cerculatory problems)
Again, I DO think there is a problem, I just think that people like this guy and PETA just make the issue look silly instead of offering up viable alternatives.
Oh, and lets not forget the fact that included in fast food is things like subway. Though not exactly GOOD for you (unless you eat veggie delights with no chease, butyou can have mayo b/c it is low fat <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->) it isn't realy BAD either.
And he also states that you'd have to be insanely dumb to eat nothing but fast food for every meal.
IMHO the buck stops right at your feet. Noone's shoving this guff down your throat, and there's a hell of a lot of tastier food that you can make yourself for little to no effort. My advice is to educate yourself and your future offspring on nutrition and exercise.... unless you want to be chugging around on a reinforced wheelchair while being simultaneously laughed at and reviled by almost the whole community (until they surpass your size, natch).
well yah. Thats what I said.
Thus he is insanely dumb <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo-->
I could have told him the general effects (forget the cloging of arteries and such) of eatting like that.
The fact that he seems to be slightly surprised that he ended up in the hospital makes me wana shoot him.
We're not fat, we're just big boned.
Well wouldn't you be suprised if something that was considered by most of society to acceptable and common almost killed you? I mean, what if if you looked at a monitor every day for 30 days you landed yourself in the hospital, don't you think someone would have gotten mad about that? Frankly no, him ending up in the hospital is not suprising, but it's merely meant to be an exageration of what we as a people do to ourselves every day. Something that will kill you with 30 days use most likely shouldn't be legal, that's basically the gist of it.
Obesity is a problem in Europe and the US alike, a problem that has manifested because the 20th century was the first time humans could be picky about what to eat. Our bodies have adapted to survive on much less food than we consume on daily basis. It would be good for both us and the environment if we only ate when we really have to, ie. eat to live, not live to eat.
Very few people eat 3 meals at McDonalds 7 days a week.
What he is trying to show is that Fast food is horrible for you (more so then what people think)
What he ACTUALY showed is that a drastic change in your diet is horrible for you. However most people who see this still think that it is the fast food's fault (you included aparently).
What he did was drasticly increased his Caloric intake, his Fat intake, and his protien intake.
His body couldn't handel all 3 (probably couldn't have handled one), it has nothing to do with it being fast food, it has to do with the change itself.
Look, I have a scientific mind. I have problems with people that do sudo scientific experiments, and then clami their results as showing one thing when they actualy show a different. (I know, he dosn't actualy say that fast food will kill you, however he does basicaly imply it)
Obesity is a problem in Europe and the US alike, a problem that has manifested because the 20th century was the first time humans could be picky about what to eat. Our bodies have adapted to survive on much less food than we consume on daily basis. It would be good for both us and the environment if we only ate when we really have to, ie. eat to live, not live to eat. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
I just want to point a few things out that I find funny here:
1) its from rotten.com (if you don't know what this is, be glad)
2) They broke the key rule of internet arguments/debates:
"Who ever brings up Hittle/Nazi, when it doesn't DIRECTLY pertain to the discussion, automaticly loses"
If I see this some where reliable I will think about it... till then, nope.
Asuming that you eat them in the same quanteties that he did with the same amount of soda. (Don't forget that the caloric intake includes the oil, so if your gona cook your food better you have to eat that much more)
As for defending Fast food?
Sory, forgot to mention. I ain't. Most of the stuff is horrible for you (salads, subway/quiznos excluded)
I am just attacking him for the idiot that he is.
It just realy sets me on edge when people pass of falcities through bad logic.
Same deal with the use of statistics. We all know the quote:
"There are three types of lies: Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics"
Well, its even more true then alot of people realize. Part of my seathing hatred for this stuff comes from having taken a Criminal Justice Class that included in it an intro to stats (including which ones you can belive for what).
Again, I am not defending Fast Food as marginaly nontoxic (though I love the stuff) I am just saying that what he shows has some problems in it.
Asuming that you eat them in the same quanteties that he did with the same amount of soda. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
WTH is there to eat besides meat bread cheese and potatoes (and a the few scant vegatables)?!?!?! And most peopel drink soda for most every meal anyways.
On paper, shouldn't all that stuff make a decent meal?
BigMac = 600 Calories
SuperSize Fires = 610
SuperSize Coke = 410
1620 Calories in one meal.
recomended daily Diet = 2000 calories.
we probably eat somewhere between 3-4K
You see the problem?
Combine that with the fact that he is consuming 51% of his daily fat is one BigMac, and pop goes your digestive system.
I am not saying that fast food is good for you. I am saying that his health problems are not based entirely on the fact that it was McDonalds, that had a play in this. It is that alot of it didn't come from the fact that it was McDonalds.
Oh, and the vegies that he was eating consisted of a wilted piece of iceburg (0 nutrional value) some pickle slices (next to nill) and a tomatoe slive (not gona make up for it).
FAST FOOD IS BAD FOR YOU! I know it, every one knows it (and those who claim they don't are just after a quick buck. so start on another american stereotype <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->).
What I guess I am trying to say is that I could probably get my self to the point where I could eat McDonalds 3 meals a day/7days a week. However I would have to do it over a long period of time. To let my body know what it is gona have to be dealing with. I would NOT be healthy, however I wouldn't be rushed o the hospital like he did (untill I need emergency quadruple bypass <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->)
1) its from rotten.com (if you don't know what this is, be glad)<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Forget the front page. The library is great stuff indeed. Some articles are not for the squeamish, but most of them offer information with nice sarcastic undertones.
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->2) They broke the key rule of internet arguments/debates:
"Who ever brings up Hittle/Nazi, when it doesn't DIRECTLY pertain to the discussion, automaticly loses"<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<a href='http://dictionary.reference.com/search?r=2&q=metaphor' target='_blank'>Sometimes</a> the <a href='http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=humor' target='_blank'>undertones</a> of the articles may appear confusing to a casual viewer. The reference was in fact a joke comparison between eugenics programs and genetic engineering of plants, which do indeed aim to produce the same results. Also, that "key rule" is a joke, too.
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->If I see this some where reliable I will think about it... till then, nope.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<a href='http://abcnews.go.com/sections/WNT/Living/obesity_031208.html' target='_blank'>Google</a> <a href='http://www.salon.com/news/wire/2004/03/25/sweetener_obesity/' target='_blank'>does</a> <a href='http://soil-testing.tamu.edu/topics/Corn/uses.html' target='_blank'>it</a>. If the statistics in the last link are still accurate, the animals on your plate ate <a href='http://www.grains.org/grains/corn.html' target='_blank'>114.4 million metric tons</a> of corn last year. Talk about corned beef...
Out of honest curiosity, do a quick check of about howmany calories you eat daily
pick a box of cereal, multiply the serving size * what you actualy eat, add on about how much potatoes you think you eat, and pick some other instant product like soup or something. You can do that as you get another slice of pie from the fridge (you bast'd you have pie and I don't!)
compare those calories vs what I showed you.
Then ofcourse up the fat and what not b/c you would be eating alot more meat, and think about it...
@Scinet
I was mainly poking fun at it simply b/c it came from rotten, if you can show me other stuff I will look it over and think about it (I am doing that atm, I will get back to you <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->)
Looking at the article some more it dosn't realy say anything...
Sugar is bad for you? wow, never knew that (and as far as I know eating sugar dosn't cause hypo/hyperglycimia, that is a problem with you body creating to much/to little insuline. And the quick fix for hypoglycimia dosn't use a corn product, it uses glucose... so yah.. it si still squiffy in my mind)
And as for corned beef? I thought that had nothing to do with corn.. (googles..)
YUP, finaly found a recepie for corned beef, its just brined brisket.
NOTE: The corned beef side not was a joke combined with me having been wondering how corned beef was made <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Just thought I'd voice that. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
the reason for the increase in weight here in the US is that we sit on our arses all day eating chips and soda and don't bother to get the hell up and do something.
just thought i'd voice the fact that, with such an astounding percentile of obese individuals in the nation, dinner being the "big meal" isn't the only problem.
calorie counting isn't a solution. it's just an observation.
i eat about 6-8k calories a day. i eat a **** lot. i'm 5'4 and weigh about 115-120 pounds.
why am i so thin while i consume so much?
because i do stuff.
Out of honest curiosity, do a quick check of about howmany calories you eat daily
pick a box of cereal, multiply the serving size * what you actualy eat, add on about how much potatoes you think you eat, and pick some other instant product like soup or something. You can do that as you get another slice of pie from the fridge (you bast'd you have pie and I don't!) <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Nah, too fat and lazy to check up on that one. (AKA, I am tired and shall sleep soon, so I'm ducking out of this debate with a hint of comedy)
And Haw haw! I gots teh pai!!!
/me wonders what munchies he has....
AH HA!
OatmealCream Pies (370 calories... omg.... no wonder I am over weight <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->)
Again, it would be an interesting experiment to try out:
1) Get ACTUAL caloric values from McDonalds food (as opposed to taking their word for it)
2) Compare with howmuch you would have to eat of 'normal' food to equal it.
3) Contemplate what it would be like if you suddenly switched your diet to consist entirely of that.
I also wonder what the guy ate like before he started his 'experiment'
Forinstance, if he was a vegitarian before he started then he realy did poison himself
.vegetarians slowely lose the ability to break down the nutriants in meat, Vegans are even worse off. (I have a friend who is Vegan and periodicly gets realy sick from eating our colleges food b/c often what they claim is vegan still has dairy in it....)
So, lets call this a comdeic draw between us? (atleast till tomorow if the thread still exists <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->)
kinda funny <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->