Waistlines continue to grow in U.S.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

But I do know that genetics only play a part in someone's overall weight. Gaining fat only comes from eating more calories than you burn - there's no way around that fact.

Yep. Genetics are worldwide & you don't see half as many fat people in walking cities (NYC, Chicago, etc) or in Europe. My fiance can't even fit in American clothes, they're all WAY too big.

Laziness sucks!

Good point, but I'm not sure laziness is the right term for it. I work sitting on my ####### all day - there's no way around it. For years I had worked doing physical labor but now I'm on my duff for at least 9 hours a day, yet ironically, by the time I get home, I'm exhausted. I have to push myself to get to the gym at night. I try to make a trip to the gym during lunchtime at work or sometimes I'll take a walk break in the afternoons, but I almost wish my computer would have to run by me pedalling underneath my desk. Combine the sedentary job with the easy access and cheap cost of unhealthy restaurant food and it's no wonder so many of us Americans are overweight.

[isleta521 5]

Let me have a double cheesburger and supersize the fries please, Oh and give me a diet Pepsi.

[CarolineM 0]

I have a hard time believing that a doctor told someone to be clinically overweight.

I really do.

There is a difference between underweight and overweight and that's right there in the middle at HEALTHY weight.

I, too, am overwight but I know why. I eat and drink too much and work out too little. I HATE when ppl blame everything but themselves for their weight issues.

Personal responsibility ppl. Come on.

[garya505 2]

Most obese people in the US think they have a healthy diet and get rigorous exercise 3 times a week, so it must be be genetics!

[no name 1]

Most obese people in the US think they have a healthy diet and get rigorous exercise 3 times a week

[danae 0]

But I do know that genetics only play a part in someone's overall weight. Gaining fat only comes from eating more calories than you burn - there's no way around that fact.

Yep. Genetics are worldwide & you don't see half as many fat people in walking cities (NYC, Chicago, etc) or in Europe. My fiance can't even fit in American clothes, they're all WAY too big.

Laziness sucks!

Good point, but I'm not sure laziness is the right term for it. I work sitting on my ####### all day - there's no way around it. For years I had worked doing physical labor but now I'm on my duff for at least 9 hours a day, yet ironically, by the time I get home, I'm exhausted. I have to push myself to get to the gym at night. I try to make a trip to the gym during lunchtime at work or sometimes I'll take a walk break in the afternoons, but I almost wish my computer would have to run by me pedalling underneath my desk. Combine the sedentary job with the easy access and cheap cost of unhealthy restaurant food and it's no wonder so many of us Americans are overweight.

Exactly. Personal responsiblty comes into it of course- like someone said, you eat more calories than you burn, you gain weight- end of. However, the structure of american society does make it extremely difficult. And im not only referring to the ease of fast food (which obviously is a huge part!) but even your standard foods like bread, pasta- they all have all this extra junk added to them- nasty toxins and hidden sugars.

Being a vegan, I watch what I eat- and purchase all my food at heath stores. In the UK, I purchased most of my food from supermarkets. This is because the products in the UK are all round healthier and I didnt need to search out heathly products as much.

I find it very difficult to find foods here that arent full of rubbish. I manage, but it is harder. And of course, the healthier foods are more expensive. Too expensive for many americans to buy. So what does that leave them with- fatty, calorific junk!

[garya505 2]

But I do know that genetics only play a part in someone's overall weight. Gaining fat only comes from eating more calories than you burn - there's no way around that fact.

Yep. Genetics are worldwide & you don't see half as many fat people in walking cities (NYC, Chicago, etc) or in Europe. My fiance can't even fit in American clothes, they're all WAY too big.

Laziness sucks!

Good point, but I'm not sure laziness is the right term for it. I work sitting on my ####### all day - there's no way around it. For years I had worked doing physical labor but now I'm on my duff for at least 9 hours a day, yet ironically, by the time I get home, I'm exhausted. I have to push myself to get to the gym at night. I try to make a trip to the gym during lunchtime at work or sometimes I'll take a walk break in the afternoons, but I almost wish my computer would have to run by me pedalling underneath my desk. Combine the sedentary job with the easy access and cheap cost of unhealthy restaurant food and it's no wonder so many of us Americans are overweight.

Exactly. Personal responsiblty comes into it of course- like someone said, you eat more calories than you burn, you gain weight- end of. However, the structure of american society does make it extremely difficult. And im not only referring to the ease of fast food (which obviously is a huge part!) but even your standard foods like bread, pasta- they all have all this extra junk added to them- nasty toxins and hidden sugars.

Being a vegan, I watch what I eat- and purchase all my food at heath stores. In the UK, I purchased most of my food from supermarkets. This is because the products in the UK are all round healthier and I didnt need to search out heathly products as much.

I find it very difficult to find foods here that arent full of rubbish. I manage, but it is harder. And of course, the healthier foods are more expensive. Too expensive for many americans to buy. So what does that leave them with- fatty, calorific junk!

The American diet is mostly unhealthy and yes healthy food can be more expensive, but if people would cut out all the low quality stuff they don't need they can eat healthy at a reasonable cost.

I hear that excuse all the time, "healthy food too expensive". Then I see them with their potato chips and coke.

[iceyspots 0]

Muscle builders would be considered clinically overweight because of their BMI, but it's really just the weight of lean muscle.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Muscle builders would be considered clinically overweight because of their BMI, but it's really just the weight of lean muscle.

I think weighing someone in water is the most accurate way to determine body fat percentage.

Classification...........Women (% fat)...........Men (% fat)

Essential Fat..................10-12%....................2-4%

Athletes........................14-20%....................6-13%

Fitness..........................21-24%...................14-17%

Acceptable....................25-31%...................18-25%

Obese..........................32% plus..................25% plus

http://www.healthchecksystems.com/bodyfat.htm

[iceyspots 0]

mississippi ? fattest state? omg no more chicken and dumplings for hachemi!

[Jenn! 918]

I agree that it's about the more sedentary lifestyle. I lost 20 pounds when I was living in Italy, because I was walking everywhere all day. And believe me, I ate well!

Now I sit in my cube for 9 hours a day. And I hate going to the gym. I much preferred getting "natural" exercise.

[iceyspots 0]

Muscle builders would be considered clinically overweight because of their BMI, but it's really just the weight of lean muscle.

I think weighing someone in water is the most accurate way to determine body fat percentage.

Classification...........Women (% fat)...........Men (% fat)

Essential Fat..................10-12%....................2-4%

Athletes........................14-20%....................6-13%

Fitness..........................21-24%...................14-17%

Acceptable....................25-31%...................18-25%

Obese..........................32% plus..................25% plus

http://www.healthchecksystems.com/bodyfat.htm

yes weighing in water is much better but unfortunately not many doctors office equipped with it!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I agree that it's about the more sedentary lifestyle. I lost 20 pounds when I was living in Italy, because I was walking everywhere all day. And believe me, I ate well!

Now I sit in my cube for 9 hours a day. And I hate going to the gym. I much preferred getting "natural" exercise.

I totally am for 'natural' exercise. It's kind of a sad statement of our society that we drive our cars to the gym so we can jog on a treadmill, but for me, time is of the essence and going to a gym that's open 24hrs is just too convenient. I remember my mom would purposely park the car far out in the parking lot whenever she went somewhere so that she'd have to walk a little more. Taking the stairs instead of the elevator is suppose to make a huge difference. Taking a brisk walk for 10 minutes works well also. The more we can learn to re-integrate physical activity into our everyday life, the better off we will be in the long run, especially if we can't always make it to the gym.

[ChristinaM 0]

Portion control is completely non-existant in the US.

Also, the cost of healthy food is a big deal. Compare the cost of a pound of [pick a vegetable of your choice here] to the cost of a Big Mac meal - it's not insignificant that fast food is cheap and easy to get hold of.

[Jenn! 918]

Portion control is completely non-existant in the US.

Also, the cost of healthy food is a big deal. Compare the cost of a pound of [pick a vegetable of your choice here] to the cost of a Big Mac meal - it's not insignificant that fast food is cheap and easy to get hold of.

I disagree with that. You can make plenty of low-cost healthy meals. I can cook something very healthy for both of us for less than what I would pay for a big mac meal.