Obesity Epidemic

Question: Is the obesity epidemic full of myths or "truths"? I want to know if many of the health risk claims about obesity has some truth to it or just myths. If so, does diet, religious beliefs, and/or genetics contribute to the obesity epidemic that is presented in the United States, according to the media?

Answer: The CDC has a slide show, at the link below, that shows the progression of the obesity epidemic, from 1985-2008. In 1985, the highest State rate was 14%. 1991 19%, 1997 >20%, 2001 >25%, 2005 >30%. Our genes don't change enough in twenty-five years to account for the increase. I don't know of any rapidly growing religion that encourages their members to gain weight. Has our diet changed enough to account for the increase? Let me count the ways. These numbers are for the adult population, so we can look for changes since about 1970. The proliferation of fast food joints and pizza establishments is one obvious change. Watch the video, "Super Size Me". The ubiquitous partially hydrogenated vegetable oils. Encouraged to switch from butter to trans fat laden margarine. Highly refined corn, soy, canola or cotton seed oil in nearly all prepared foods. Genetically modified "foods". About 85% of our corn and 93% of our soy, has been genetically combined with other species. There have been no human studies that show these things are safe. The only human test was with people who had had colostomy's. They were fed a meal with GM corn and soy and their colostomy bag contents were checked. Their gut bacteria had been changed to start producing pesticide. High fructose corn syrup, hfcs, was introduced about 1975. It has been very successful so that now, fructose is the number one source of calories in America. Read the label on your packaged food. One problem with fructose is that it causes leptin resistance. Leptin is the hormone that signals the brain that you've had enough to eat. Without that signal, you continue eating.

Question: What are your thoughts on the obesity epidemic? I personally feel that it's a bunch of bull crap. What do you think on this issue?

Answer: I've lost weight by exercising every day, so the obesity epidemic is overblown to a big extent if you only focus on food.

Question: What aspects of the American lifestyle contribute to the obesity epidemic? Just to clarify, I am not tryint to single out people in the United States. My assignment is based on the Unitied States only for a paper, and I wanted everyone's opinion.

Answer: 1) More and more, we sit on our gazunkases while doing our "work." Our anscestors used to actually WORK for their living! 2) We rush everywhere and seldom have time for a leisurely meal, thus grabbing a quick bite at the fast food joint instead. 3) Who has time (or even knows how, for that matter) to cook for themselves anymore? 4) Crazy scheduling and/or broken families. The faimly sit-down dinner is fast becoming a thing of the past. 5) Self-indulgence and instant gratification. People would often rather eat what tastes good than what is good for them.

Question: What can Advertisers and Corporate American do to help the obesity epidemic? I just asked for some feedback on helping a person close to me in regards to how to approach her on the subject. With the replies that I have been given, I wonder now, why it is entirely up to the person to help themselves...the help is needed in other areas. What areas would you consider to be helpful?

Answer: all they have to is provide public knowledge and build public support to educate people on how to be healthy and Advertisers and Corporate America could change the trends in 10 years.... but there's more money in making people fat (or so they think)

Question: What can this country do to fight this obesity epidemic? I mean not just what we can do personally, but what else can we do as a country? Whether its on the shoulders of the governent or the shoulders of ourselves.

Answer: Not much that can be done. Obesity is a personal issue, that can only be solved through personal choices. But it would probably help; to make bad neighborhoods more safe, so that way obese people who can't afford to go to the gym and, live in a bad area, maybe more inclined to go for a walk, run or jog in their neighborhood. I remember when I was a child, I was overweight, and one of the reasons why I was so inactive until I went to high school, is because I was afraid to go outside due to the fact my family lived in a crime ridden neighborhood. And people!!! You can't completely blame fast food, when people do have a choice as to eat it or, not. And parents have a choice as to let their children eat it or, not.

Question: What could an already healthy person do to help with the obesity epidemic? In a country where almost 2 out of 3 people are either overweight or obese, what can a healthy person do to help those who are overweight? (Examples: Supporting health food companies, "boycotting" fast food, setting the example, etc.)

Answer: This is a difficult question because the cure for obesity is very well known, getting ppl to follow a healthy diet and exercise regime is almost impossible at times. You could educate yourself about obesity and become a speaker at schools to help encourage children to be healthy. You could try to get healthy challenges started in the workplace, I work at children's hospital and we have a healthy steps program where employees can earn points by choosing a healthy lifestyle (not smoking, working out, getting regular biometric tests done and participating in community events like 5k and triathalons) the points can earn employees a reduced insurance rate and prizes. We also have challenges for our dept like the biggest loser (we all put in 20 and the winner at the end of 6months won the pot which came out to over 400$) You could team up with a local gym and grocery store to promote healthy living and offer incentives or deals for certain foods and gym packages when purchased together for customers. You could start an awareness group and have events/runs/festivals to raise money for more awareness events and promote healthy living. There is a lot to do to offer help but unfortunately obesity will always be a problem. Good luck

Question: Will there be an increased need for dietitians/nutritonists due to the obesity epidemic? Will there be a greater need for careers in nutrition?

Answer: There's not really an obesity epidemic. It's just that every few years the news channels run out of things to report so they make one up. However, there will always be a need for dietitians and nutritionists.

Question: What is a good title for an essay about The steps the government would take, to reduce obesity epidemic? i need help, i need a really good title, it's for an essay contest

Answer: Obesity: An epidemic ... thats needs the government help. uhm.. something like that.. Yeah i don't know a really solid one but maybe this will give you ideas for something. good luck.

Question: Can we solve the obesity epidemic by simply healthy foods in moderate portions? I was reading an article in Newsweek about fad diets, and one woman, after trying several of these, decided to become a nutritionist. She found out that the best way to lose weight was to eat healthy foods in moderate portions. And I thought, how about that?!

Answer: How stunningly logical. The problem is human stupidity and gluttony. Have you ever tried to reason with an overweight, ignorant slob?

Question: What are different countries doing about the obesity epidemic ? does that mean cancer isn't a disease as well ?

Answer: obesity is not a disease. You cannot contract it.

Question: Do you think the economic downturn might help with the American obesity epidemic? Might people be more active and eat less?

Answer: Interesting question. Since part of the obesity problem is the high cost of eating healthy as opposed to cheap, calorie-laden, high-fat, unhealthy fast food, I think maybe the reverse will be true. Secondly, people tend to be less active when they are depressed and an economic crisis is certainly reason enough for many people to be depressed.

Question: What do you think about the fact that the obesity epidemic costs $1.47 billion a year in health care? This Democrat wouldn't tax someone for being fat. MM, s'that a Marlboro Red in her mouth?

Answer: More people need to shut their pie holes and exercise more...

Question: How much responsibility the fast food industry has for the obesity epidemic in the US?

Answer: Why do we eat that stuff? Simply, convenience and well, things that are convenient are pretty much bad for us. I think it is choice. If someone wants to let themselves go, then that is their problem. Why blame the fast food industry when it is simply easy to say no thank you. No one forces them to pull through the drive through and tells them, you must super size. I think our society likes to point too many fingers and the big issue really is that we need to take responsibility for our own actions for once!

Question: Is the obesity epidemic pretty much hopeless? Are there going to be beached whales everywhere we go in the US? Is the only we can do to prevent it is what we're doing by preaching "awareness" & healthy eating alternatives? I am fine I'm 5 ft 3 inches 110 lbs i men others

Answer: First off there are currently studies showing that as our obesity increases as does our helpings and our silverware size. In other words we are trying to get a 'vaule' but in return making ourselves weigh more. Obesity is a huge issue and just preaching awareness is not going to help us. Industries like video game systems and the computer make it easier to stay inside and sit around rather then run around and play outside for kids. When your a child and your over weight it will be much harder to get rid of it later in life. We must show great concern with our children's health to wean off this very real and very serious problem. When I was little all the neighbor hood kids would play outside, now I see no children running around. We need to work on this as a culture and no longer allow our children to stay in side all day. The leading cause of death in the US are all risk factors when one is over weight. Just 10 years ago the nation hardly had any states overweight, now not one single state is not in the very dangerous zone of having their population 15% and above overweight.

Question: Do you find that people are genuinely concerned about the alleged obesity epidemic of the United States? Or is this just another vehicle for people to try to take control over the lives of others?

Answer: Fat chance

Question: Is there an answer to the obesity epidemic in America? If so, what is the answer?

Answer: First, they need to REQUIRE physical education classes at schools. They have courses that students can take 'in place of' PE. Kids will do anything to get out of PE!!! For adults, higher insurance rates for over-weight people. Tax breaks for physically fit?? Limiting computer time for school age children might help. Parents being responsible for their children's health and physical condition. Which means...spend some time with them and make sure they get exercise and fresh air & sunshine.