Just how bad is America's Obesity epidemic (My test case)

[grapemaster]

Anywho... some obese people annoyed me today... I couldn't get around them walking... and I also post on here... but being on here, is different world fitness wise... so my mind is often in athletic terms. I got to looking around my office, wow, everybody is fat!!!

Anyway here is my test. I work and live downtown chicago. My work is exactly 4 blocks from my condo, 1/2 mile. My study? Do a head count of every person that passes by me and count the number of fat people (over 20-25%BF) <--- if they had a gut sticking out then I counted them as fat. I did not differentiate between women or men, and looking at my results... it doesn't really matter lol.

So this is the typical head count of an average big city in america.

I passed 74 total people on my way home in that 1/2 mile.
of those, 67. yes 67 people had a gut sticking out and definitely over 20% BF, many WAY over that. Only 7 were under that. Out of all of those there was only one trim person and it was a tall guy. I didn't pass a single person that looked in shape. Not one, but I guess they all passed me.

Anyhow... thats kina scary.

[proteinpump]

that is depressing

[clovely]

I hope you didn't walk all that way counting fat people. Would've been a lot easier to count the thin people!!

[grapemaster]

Originally Posted by clovely

I hope you didn't walk all that way counting fat people. Would've been a lot easier to count the thin people!!

Yes it was easy, I was counting the fat people in my head and trim people on my fingers. I still needed a total headcount though.

[matthor]

glandular surely?

[clovely]

Originally Posted by matthor

glandular surely?

LOL!

[tweaked17]

Originally Posted by matthor

glandular surely?

all the thin people were in the gym?


good detective work grape

I hate when you can't walk around a group of people... sure it takes less people when they're fat, but all slow walkers must be punished, vigilante style.

[depositio]

Originally Posted by grapemaster

Anyway here is my test. I work and live downtown chicago. ...

well, talk about a stacked deck and loaded die! No matter how you shuffle or shake a representative population of the United States, Chicagoans aren't going to come out looking trim and lean within a delt hand or weighing low upon a toss. Having lived there myself, I know that this is not a recent development either. In fact, for probably more than a century (and among many to this day), girth is one of the principal points of middle-coast, second city PRIDE. Come on: you're living on top of the stockyards and breadbasket, my friend. Counting up the fatso-atsos around there as evidence for a new American obesity epidemic is like counting beige grains of sand in the bahamas and declaring the world's shores overtaken by a streak of blandness!

EDIT: sent to you from the city of blubberly lurv. Cheesesteak anyone?
Downtown in Philadelphia where the citizens actually are fairly lean when contrasted with their cousins in the outer neighborhoods, people make a special effort to simply hog sidewalk space by walking in unpredictable curleyques spiked with pda-induced (nope not hugz) zigzags; wingspan demos; hoplite formations of unyeilding breast-abreast crawling marches; sudden lurches to dodge a homeless person sleeping on a fuming grate or a teenager barely avoiding that fate by collecting signatures on behalf of some "worthy cause" or passing out coupons for GlaxoSmithKlein; cafe-table-sized umbrella songs and dances; and dead stops to admire the mean meaningless of it all.

[martina92685]

I've done that too, but in my school dining hall. I've counted how many students around me had the cooked vegetable or a salad (with minimal dressing) on their plates. I'm usually one of two. If I counted how many had the baskets from the fast food part of the cafeteria, then I probabaly wouldn't even be able to count all the people. Sad

[tweaked17]

Originally Posted by depositio

well, talk about a stacked deck and loaded die!

lol, witty.

I want to try this at school now, but it's finals week.

[TheKansan]

Originally Posted by grapemaster

Anywho... some obese people annoyed me today... I couldn't get around them walking... and I also post on here... but being on here, is different world fitness wise... so my mind is often in athletic terms. I got to looking around my office, wow, everybody is fat!!!

Anyway here is my test. I work and live downtown chicago. My work is exactly 4 blocks from my condo, 1/2 mile. My study? Do a head count of every person that passes by me and count the number of fat people (over 20-25%BF) <--- if they had a gut sticking out then I counted them as fat. I did not differentiate between women or men, and looking at my results... it doesn't really matter lol.

So this is the typical head count of an average big city in america.

I passed 74 total people on my way home in that 1/2 mile.
of those, 67. yes 67 people had a gut sticking out and definitely over 20% BF, many WAY over that. Only 7 were under that. Out of all of those there was only one trim person and it was a tall guy. I didn't pass a single person that looked in shape. Not one, but I guess they all passed me.

Anyhow... thats kina scary.

Wow another urbanite here. Wish I lived in downtown Chicago. Let me just say that I have never seen more people in one place exercising. There were so many joggers, bicyclers, roller bladers, dog walkers, etc on the lake front every time I visit Chicago. Everyone there seems to be trying to get in shape.

I think the problem with your study is this, you live downtown. All the suburbanites and tourists are the people you see walking around you on your way to work, not actually other urbanites. Other urbanites are probably in much better health because people who live in the city actually walk places, or take transit.

[TheKansan]

By the way, I couldn't do this test here in Kansas City. Hardly anyone walks around here, except poor people (like me). I was out walking downtown today and I probably passed only 30 people in the 40+ blocks I walked. Most of those people were headed toward their cars.

[landon3]

Over here in boston, everyone is in shape or trying to get in shape due to spring. It's kind of depressing because you don't feel so special for being in shape, you feel.... normal.

[Skyles]

It's easier to get fat and out of shape than to be in shape, and the more obese you are ... the more difficult it's gonna be to get back in shape and most of these people know it, that's why they prefer the easy life... waiting for the miracle pill, rather than busting their asses on some treadmill, or lifting some heavy weight.

[garlan5]

not everybody understands how to be fit or get fit. maybe you shouldnt be so harsh towards people. you all sound very shallow.

[grapemaster]

Originally Posted by garlan5

not everybody understands how to be fit or get fit. maybe you shouldnt be so harsh towards people. you all sound very shallow.

just the opposite, I grew up fat for several years and was picked on in elementary school. My mom is a type I diabetic, so I understand that aspect too. I'm very aware. what is there to understand? do some exercise, stop eating. Oh I never say anything to anybody, if anything, it is them teasing me about the food I eat etc. like heyyy don't u want this, sure u don't want a doughnut... I've had them put **** on my desk all the time just to see if I'll eat it. chicken and rice again??? damn you eat a lot of nuts??? what is that??? isn't it early for chicken??? just chicken??? I worked as a cashier and then manager of a grocery store during college... I saw peoples carts, there was a very high correlation of peoples diets and what they looked like.

anyway how am I being harsh, I can't think? sorry but I'm not eating candy and stuff everyday like them.
and yes could have been a mix, there ARE a lot of parks here and people exercise yes.

[garlan5]

my point is you should keep **** like that to yourself and work on your training and not pointing out that other people are fat and talking about them like they are nobodys just because they dont or cant or havent YET to the time to figure out their weight problems. i'm 27 and i'm overwieght and am just know figuring some things out. alot of info on nutrietion is new to me and i learn more every time i read through these forums. not everyone is blessed with a fit body. or blessed with will power

[grapemaster]

Originally Posted by garlan5

my point is you should keep **** like that to yourself and work on your training and not pointing out that other people are fat and talking about them like they are nobodys just because they dont or cant or havent YET to the time to figure out their weight problems. i'm 27 and i'm overwieght and am just know figuring some things out. alot of info on nutrietion is new to me and i learn more every time i read through these forums. not everyone is blessed with a fit body. or blessed with will power

r ur feelingz hurt ?

and don't give me that **** everybody isn't blessed with will power, you have free will don't u? or are you a ****ing robot. I HATE THAT EXCUSE. I have no problem with people doing stuff about it, its just all the apathetic people who think their life is horrid b/c they are fat which is bull****, or any other problem they might have. it is no way to live your life. who said they were nobodys? I think you have some personal issues you need to deal with man... a lot of people here are formerly fat... stop being all emo.

[ChacoTom]

Of course, you can't necessarily assume that just because someone's 25% body fat, they're out of shape. I'm currently at 25% (down from 36% a year ago) but I'm in better shape than 95% of the people I see in the gym, much less the people I see on the street.

In general, of course, you're right - most of those people are out of shape. If we were really that concerned about this as a society, though, we would stop subsidizing the manufacturers of foods that make us fat, e.g. corn and wheat producers, and start subsidizing organic foods. We would stop subsidizing cars and freeways, and work on creating communities where people walk more.

[tweaked17]

Originally Posted by garlan5

my point is you should keep **** like that to yourself and work on your training and not pointing out that other people are fat and talking about them like they are nobodys just because they dont or cant or havent YET to the time to figure out their weight problems. i'm 27 and i'm overwieght and am just know figuring some things out. alot of info on nutrietion is new to me and i learn more every time i read through these forums. not everyone is blessed with a fit body. or blessed with will power

listen man, you're going to have to deal with it. this is a great place to learn from but a lot of fat-bashing goes on here (as it does in all spheres of society). outside of this place though, many of us are discriminated against or ridiculed for how we eat.

personally, I don't like attention of any kind. I don't see it as a complement when people ask me "how can you eat like that?" and I especially don't like when people attribute any of my qualities to some arbitrary "blessing" or designation of will power.

no one is blessed with willpower. you will yourself to do something.

Originally Posted by grapemaster

r ur feelingz hurt ?

and don't give me that **** everybody isn't blessed with will power, you have free will don't u? or are you a ****ing robot. I HATE THAT EXCUSE

x2 not everyone has the same amount of willpower, but you sure as hell can learn it. and it feels good.

[tweaked17]

Originally Posted by ChacoTom

If we were really that concerned about this as a society, though, we would stop subsidizing the manufacturers of foods that make us fat, e.g. corn and wheat producers, and start subsidizing organic foods. We would stop subsidizing cars and freeways, and work on creating communities where people walk more.

and we'd do something about the nutrition situation in public elementary and high schools. we'd also strive for better public education.

[grapemaster]

Originally Posted by ChacoTom

Of course, you can't necessarily assume that just because someone's 25% body fat, they're out of shape. I'm currently at 25% (down from 36% a year ago) but I'm in better shape than 95% of the people I see in the gym, much less the people I see on the street.

In general, of course, you're right - most of those people are out of shape. If we were really that concerned about this as a society, though, we would stop subsidizing the manufacturers of foods that make us fat, e.g. corn and wheat producers, and start subsidizing organic foods. We would stop subsidizing cars and freeways, and work on creating communities where people walk more.

nah man there weren't even any big stocky guys, i know what u mean lol... they were just fat, trust me.

and look i'm not bashing fat people, I was pointing out a problem for discussion, don't take it personal.

[garlan5]

just because you have figured things out and know the right way to eat and train dosent give any of you the right to slam others. i'm not being emo, i'm showing a little class.

[grapemaster]

Originally Posted by garlan5

just because you have figured things out and know the right way to eat and train dosent give any of you the right to slam others. i'm not being emo, i'm showing a little class.

how am i slamming you? lol... I am a human and just observing.

[tweaked17]

Originally Posted by garlan5

just because you have figured things out and know the right way to eat and train dosent give any of you the right to slam others. i'm not being emo, i'm showing a little class.

I just quickly skimmed the thread again and I don't really see anyone slamming anyone. I did mention that slow walkers must be punished

What seems to be the problem is extreme sensitivity to the word "fat" - but that's okay, because that's how we're socialized here in America. It's okay to laugh at the fat dumb husband on X sitcom on TV, but addressing someone's weight issues is almost more taboo than race these days.

You think I was born knowing the right way to eat and train? I am one of four family members (extending as far as my first cousins on both sides) with a gym membership. I come from a family of diabetics and CHD patients. A good deal of my father's side of the family is overweight or obese. Yeah, obese - and I love them, but at the end of the day it comes down to personal choice. I think what most of you people confuse is that it's okay to not make it your priority, but at least admit that it's not. It all comes down to willpower and how driven you are. Most of them would rather take medication and make small dietary changes than completely overhaul their lives.

Sorry for the hijack.

[ChacoTom]

Originally Posted by tweaked17

Yeah, obese - and I love them, but at the end of the day it comes down to personal choice. I think what most of you people confuse is that it's okay to not make it your priority, but at least admit that it's not. It all comes down to willpower and how driven you are. Most of them would rather take medication and make small dietary changes than completely overhaul their lives.

Yes, it is a matter of choice, but don't forget, when you're 19, and don't have a mortgage, and don't have two kids to put through school, etc., it's a lot easier to make that choice. I'm not making excuses here, because I AM doing something about it, but I imagine when you're my age, you'll have a bit more empathy toward the plight of the obese.

[Skyles]

Originally Posted by tweaked17

I just quickly skimmed the thread again and I don't really see anyone slamming anyone. I did mention that slow walkers must be punished

What seems to be the problem is extreme sensitivity to the word "fat" - but that's okay, because that's how we're socialized here in America. It's okay to laugh at the fat dumb husband on X sitcom on TV, but addressing someone's weight issues is almost more taboo than race these days.

You think I was born knowing the right way to eat and train? I am one of four family members (extending as far as my first cousins on both sides) with a gym membership. I come from a family of diabetics and CHD patients. A good deal of my father's side of the family is overweight or obese. Yeah, obese - and I love them, but at the end of the day it comes down to personal choice. I think what most of you people confuse is that it's okay to not make it your priority, but at least admit that it's not. It all comes down to willpower and how driven you are. Most of them would rather take medication and make small dietary changes than completely overhaul their lives.

Sorry for the hijack.

I agree, no one was born knowing how to eat....

Something supplement and weight management companies always
try to take advantage of by misleading the public in order to make a buck, how many times have you seen ads of fad diets and fat loss pills .... there's a lot of hype and misleading info out there, I just feel sorry for the people that are caught in between.

[tweaked17]

Originally Posted by ChacoTom

Yes, it is a matter of choice, but don't forget, when you're 19, and don't have a mortgage, and don't have two kids to put through school, etc., it's a lot easier to make that choice. I'm not making excuses here, because I AM doing something about it, but I imagine when you're my age, you'll have a bit more empathy toward the plight of the obese.

I have plenty of empathy. I respect my aunt in California who's a nurse and works ridiculous overtime hours because her husband is on medical disability, takes care of my Grandfather, has a son in college, and still cooks all the meals. Her weight obviously isn't her priority. That's why I mentioned priority and those who refuse to admit that they don't care or just can't.

I can respect someone letting themselves go because "life gets in the way" but at the same time it's kinda sad because life should be about yourself sometimes too... and that includes your wellness.

I don't have a mortgage or kids, but I think I put plenty on my plate for a 19 year old. What I do with my life is probably not all that relevant, so I'll save you a paragraph or two.

Originally Posted by Skyles

I agree, no one was born knowing how to eat....

Something supplement and weight management companies always
try to take advantage of by misleading the public in order to make a buck, how many times have you seen ads of fad diets and fat loss pills .... there's a lot of hype and misleading info out there, I just feel sorry for the people that are caught in between.

Yup, if I didn't ditch the lessons I learned about food from watching my family eat, well, things just wouldn't be so great right now lol

I agree, misinformation is the biggest "enabler" of the obesity problem. The best thing you can do is to make a conscious effort to get the right information.

[DarinK]

At least 70% of all people I encounter in my daily travels are overweight. All the fastfood places where I live are PACKED with people from thursday to sunday. They don't care about the fact they are overweight. I think some of them see how much work they need to do on themselves and this discourages them because they know they are going to have to change everything. Many of them don't know anything about nutrition. I was in line yesterday in the supermarket and a lady who was moderately overweight was talking on a cell phone explaining to someone she is "on a diet". I looked at her shopping cart and it was filled with a mixture of 30% healthy food and 70% junk. She obviously didn't know that to diet and get results you have to eat healthy consistently.

[mcdbb]

Tell me about it. Live overseas, somewhere where obesity is starting to rear its ugly head - like Asia or Europe, and come back to the US, then tell me what you think.

I just went back to the states after 18 months in Japan, and wow. Just wow. But when you consider accessibility of food, it's not surprising. The convenience stores over here are stocked with reasonably nutritious fare. If I want, I can pop into a store and get a bowl of buckwheat noodles for pretty cheap. At the airport, I had my choice between McDonalds, Wendy's, and some newsstand with candy bars and bagged trail mix. Given those food choices, not surprising the nation's waistline is burgeoning.