[figures for this are approximate... but it makes a good point]
<!--QuoteBegin-a name i can't remember+--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (a name i can't remember)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I find it ironic that one fifth of the American population is obese, yet one fifth of the worlds population is starving to death...<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
read it in an article the other day... just thought i'd share with you <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> IIRC, starvation is generally a government problem. A bad government can still take in enough food to feed their people, heck, they can even be exporting food, but if they can't distribute it, it helps no one. Similarly, a good government will keep its people alive, even with a sortage of food.
<!--QuoteBegin-Scythe+Jun 11 2004, 08:07 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Scythe @ Jun 11 2004, 08:07 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-AU-Scorpion+--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (AU-Scorpion)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->We do have a lot of "overweight" people in this nation. It should come as no surprise. We produce a lot of food...<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
You <b>are</b> aware that it is possible to export food? This point you made is totally irrelevant.
<!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> reasa pointed this out, but maybe I should explain the string of logic in a bit more detail.
It does not surprise me, and should not surprise the media so darn much that americans in general are overweight.
America produces more food than her citizens need to survive...so much so that a third of it can be exported without having any effect on the local availability of food. This is a perfect example of an over-abundance of supply.
The very presence of an abundance lays the groundwork for an over-indulgence (especially in the realm of food) because:
1. The food is cheaper than normal due to the cost lowering effect of an over-abundance of supply.
2. Eating is pleasurable. If I gained no pleasure out of it, I would have no use for that extra slice of homemade blueberry cheesecake. I'm not obese, but I know I don't really need it... It was good by the way. <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
3. Whether we like it or not we have hunter/gatherer origins. They do have some effect in compelling us to get the most from each possible meal, as there are no guarantees that the next hunt will be successful. If a hunt failed, fat stored from the last would be put into use. We are just built this way, and our bodies do an excellent job of storing our excesses....some would say too excellent.
4. A ready supply of food is required to over-indulge in food. If there was not access to a local abundance of food, one would be hard pressed to over-indulge in the first place.
There should be no surprise, and no shock when this type of thing is uncovered.
A lot of people think of the statistics as a "bad" thing...but the way I see it, at least we have the opportunity to be fat.
<!--QuoteBegin-AU-Scorpion+Jun 12 2004, 08:28 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (AU-Scorpion @ Jun 12 2004, 08:28 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> 3. Whether we like it or not we have hunter/gatherer origins. They do have some effect in compelling us to get the most from each possible meal, as there are no guarantees that the next hunt will be successful. If a hunt failed, fat stored from the last would be put into use. We are just built this way, and our bodies do an excellent job of storing our excesses....some would say too excellent. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> I had read somewhere that the body will break down muscle and other tissues before it turns to fat if you dont eat anything. Now if you are working out, your muscles are being active triggering a response in your brain along the lines of "we need more muscle here" and it will build, allowing only for fat to be burnt off.
Well dont quote me on that, I'm not a expert in body chemistry, but I remember reading that.
<!--QuoteBegin-Thansal+Jun 11 2004, 10:50 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Thansal @ Jun 11 2004, 10:50 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-Scythe+--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Scythe)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->You are aware that a "carb" isn't a unit of measurement? No? Didn't think so.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> Yes it is. It refers to the numbers of grams of carbs in something. (remember, language is mutable) <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> Actually, a carb is a unit of energy, at least when we see it on the nutritional info part of food packaging. It is the amount of energy to raise 1 litre of water by 1 degree Celcius.
I live in France but I go to college in Colorado. I have to say I have seen a lot more fat people in the US than I have in France. I would say its not too uncommon for me to see someone who can barely walk because of their weight.
I think Communist is on to something when he says its the soda. I mean its everywhere, drunk with everything and its really cheap! It seems like for a lot of people it has replaced water...
I think one of the problems in the US is that things are almost too efficient. I mean its great for people who have a decent amount of self control, but seeing drive-in ATMs and gigantic Wal-Marts every other block just tells you how easy it is to live without the least muscular effort.
ThansalThe New ScumJoin Date: 2002-08-22Member: 1215Members, Constellation
I would be curious as to exactly where you see all of these horrbly obese people...
I live primarily in 2 places, Oberlin Ohio (near cleveland) and NYC. In neither of them has it been a common occurance to see some one "who can barely walk because of their weight". That is including that NYC is has one of the largest population densities in the country (thus yah see more people in a shorter time).
As for the soda thing.... I dono, personaly I don't drink the stuff much. And most people I know don't replace water with it. There are people out there that drink 2 litters+ a day, but again, they are not that common.
Your second point is more in line with an explenation for possible higher levels of overweight people. Caboose already pointed this out infact. Alot of the nation is a fast paced group of people, who again, like our food fast.
Howver, I would still like to see some ACTUAL numbers and explinations of terms. Or if yall are willing, to post up your hight/weight/where you are from.
12 Cans of Coca-Cola a day, Fast food 4 times a week, lazy when not at work.
All the above points to me being overweight. In actuality, I'm 10 Kg underweight, I'm thin as the proverbial rake.
Diet is important. You have to know your metabolism and know it well. Family history has a bit to do with it as well. I know that when I hit my early twenties my metabolism will slow down and I will start to balloon out like my brother and father, when that happens I'll have to change my diet/lifestyle accordingly.
Persons with slower metabolisms have to know what they can eat and in what quantity as well as make appropriate changes to their lifestyle so that they can increase their energy usage.
Of course the overabundance of food cited earlier does contribute as well as certain fast food places indoctrinating people at younger and younger ages (neato toys and gimmicks etc).
Do whats right by your body and you should be fine.
Comments
[figures for this are approximate... but it makes a good point]
<!--QuoteBegin-a name i can't remember+--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (a name i can't remember)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I find it ironic that one fifth of the American population is obese, yet one fifth of the worlds population is starving to death...<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
read it in an article the other day... just thought i'd share with you <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
IIRC, starvation is generally a government problem. A bad government can still take in enough food to feed their people, heck, they can even be exporting food, but if they can't distribute it, it helps no one. Similarly, a good government will keep its people alive, even with a sortage of food.
You <b>are</b> aware that it is possible to export food? This point you made is totally irrelevant.
<!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
reasa pointed this out, but maybe I should explain the string of logic in a bit more detail.
It does not surprise me, and should not surprise the media so darn much that americans in general are overweight.
America produces more food than her citizens need to survive...so much so that a third of it can be exported without having any effect on the local availability of food. This is a perfect example of an over-abundance of supply.
The very presence of an abundance lays the groundwork for an over-indulgence (especially in the realm of food) because:
1. The food is cheaper than normal due to the cost lowering effect of an over-abundance of supply.
2. Eating is pleasurable. If I gained no pleasure out of it, I would have no use for that extra slice of homemade blueberry cheesecake. I'm not obese, but I know I don't really need it... It was good by the way. <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
3. Whether we like it or not we have hunter/gatherer origins. They do have some effect in compelling us to get the most from each possible meal, as there are no guarantees that the next hunt will be successful. If a hunt failed, fat stored from the last would be put into use. We are just built this way, and our bodies do an excellent job of storing our excesses....some would say too excellent.
4. A ready supply of food is required to over-indulge in food. If there was not access to a local abundance of food, one would be hard pressed to over-indulge in the first place.
There should be no surprise, and no shock when this type of thing is uncovered.
A lot of people think of the statistics as a "bad" thing...but the way I see it, at least we have the opportunity to be fat.
I had read somewhere that the body will break down muscle and other tissues before it turns to fat if you dont eat anything. Now if you are working out, your muscles are being active triggering a response in your brain along the lines of "we need more muscle here" and it will build, allowing only for fat to be burnt off.
Well dont quote me on that, I'm not a expert in body chemistry, but I remember reading that.
Yes it is. It refers to the numbers of grams of carbs in something. (remember, language is mutable) <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Actually, a carb is a unit of energy, at least when we see it on the nutritional info part of food packaging. It is the amount of energy to raise 1 litre of water by 1 degree Celcius.
thats a callorie (little c I think, the Big C one is 1000 callories, and is what we measure food energy in)
further correction, your descrription was a Callorie.
a callorie is 1 ml of h2o and 1 degree celcius.
--Scythe--
I think Communist is on to something when he says its the soda. I mean its everywhere, drunk with everything and its really cheap! It seems like for a lot of people it has replaced water...
I think one of the problems in the US is that things are almost too efficient. I mean its great for people who have a decent amount of self control, but seeing drive-in ATMs and gigantic Wal-Marts every other block just tells you how easy it is to live without the least muscular effort.
I live primarily in 2 places, Oberlin Ohio (near cleveland) and NYC. In neither of them has it been a common occurance to see some one "who can barely walk because of their weight". That is including that NYC is has one of the largest population densities in the country (thus yah see more people in a shorter time).
As for the soda thing....
I dono, personaly I don't drink the stuff much. And most people I know don't replace water with it.
There are people out there that drink 2 litters+ a day, but again, they are not that common.
Your second point is more in line with an explenation for possible higher levels of overweight people. Caboose already pointed this out infact. Alot of the nation is a fast paced group of people, who again, like our food fast.
Howver, I would still like to see some ACTUAL numbers and explinations of terms.
Or if yall are willing, to post up your hight/weight/where you are from.
Then we'll see who gets the last laugh!
USA!
USA!
USA!
All the above points to me being overweight. In actuality, I'm 10 Kg underweight, I'm thin as the proverbial rake.
Diet is important. You have to know your metabolism and know it well. Family history has a bit to do with it as well. I know that when I hit my early twenties my metabolism will slow down and I will start to balloon out like my brother and father, when that happens I'll have to change my diet/lifestyle accordingly.
Persons with slower metabolisms have to know what they can eat and in what quantity as well as make appropriate changes to their lifestyle so that they can increase their energy usage.
Of course the overabundance of food cited earlier does contribute as well as certain fast food places indoctrinating people at younger and younger ages (neato toys and gimmicks etc).
Do whats right by your body and you should be fine.