BEFORE YOU CONTINUE READING UNDERSTAND THAT I DO NOT VIEW OBESE PEOPLE AS LAZY. I ACTUALLY HAVE QUITE A FEW OVERWEIGHT FRIENDS. HOWEVER I HAVE NOTICED MORE OF IT THAN THERE SHOULD BE AND IT WORRIES ME AND THAT IS WHY I CREATED THIS THREAD. THANK YOU.
I'm not quite certain about elsewhere but here in the U.S. we seem to have a big problem with obesity (fat people).

Here I can assuredly say it is a HUGE problem. I work at a grocery store and I am there at least twice a week. And in the past 3-4 months I've seen maybe 20-30 PEOPLE TOTAL (for the entire 3-4 months) who were at a healthy weight. And most of the rest were fat. WAY TOO FAT.

I personally think it has to do with cheap pleasure and American culture. American culture seems to revolve heavily around food. Food and sitting on your ass. Good examples would be the Super Bowl, All You Can Eat Bufet, any sports game, tailgating (parties just before games), and then there's the general food consumption on top of that. Plus if you think about it the reason anyone eats anything like a candy bar or potato chips is because it's FUN. It's on no level good for us and we know it. So why do we do it? Because it makes us feel good. It's like entertainment with cholesteral. And it's cheap which means low income people can easily afford it (little do they seem to realize that 50 cents a day can really add up).

Personally I think we've gotten glutonous here in the U.S. and we need to stop it. We also need to stop using genetics as a scapegoat. I can't tell you how many times I've heard fat people say "you know they're finding more and more that obesity is caused by genes". MY ASS IT'S CAUSED BY GENES! Maybe 1/100 people has that excuse and you know what? Most of them are in better shape then the ones who blame it on genetics.

Fad diets are also another reason. People go on things like the ATKINS diet and think it'll make them thin and sexy and then they can eat what they want and the world will be peachy. That aint how it works . No one seems to realize they actually have to change the way they live or else they know they must change their life style and they don't have the resolve to do so and so they just give up on keeping themselves healthy.

In the end I guess obese people annoy me because the vast majority of the time they are just lazy pure and simple. And I have little tolerance for laziness. I also have zero tolerance for people who don't take responsibility and in most cases people aren't taking responsibility and it pisses me off. If you're going to screw things up at least take responsibility for it and don't come up with some halfassed cop-out.

So what do you think?

Do you think obesity is a growing problem in your town/city/country?

And if it is a problem WHY is it a problem?

I have a few points of view on obesity

Some of the Obese population is just because they are plain lazy like you say... Which actually consists of a lot of people living in the US. But most of the people living here also have the luxery ti have desk jobs and work long hours. Then they are too tired to make dinner so get fast food or semething which here it isn't nearly as healthy as some other places. But one of the reasons it's not as healthy is because we add so many chemicals to our food to make them last longer or taste better.

A few people are active but do have genetic problems or health problems. I have see kids who are extreemely active and their parents are very active and they eat healthy and still gain weight. I fall in this catagory. I have half my thyroid and they can't balance my thyroid level so I gain weight very easily. I am still very active and eat the same amount if not less than i did befor my thyroid problem but i still gained a lot of weight.

Most of the time people can prevent getting fat and some do and others don't care. In some countries it's even considered a privelage to be fat. The more white you are or the bigger you are means the more welth you have and so you get treated a lot better in return.

Sometimes people get into this very stressful time where they gain some weight then fad diet and lose a bit but yoyo back even en worse than befor and do it again and again and once you hit a certain weight it is very hard to lose it. Once you gain a certain amount of weight (whatever weight your body don't seem to want to handle - which can be 10lbs to 200lbs depending on your frame, height, stamena, muscle, metabolizme, and many other factors) you really feel the weight and it makes it harder and harder to do anything about it. Then they have you spend $30k to get one of the dozen sergeries out there where you lose weight too fast adn your body freaks out and you feel like you are dying anyway.

Different places have a different amount of obese people anyway. Where I live most of the people are druggies or asian so aren't really all that big.. maybe 1 in 100 noticebly over weight. I mean come on.. 5-15lbs isn't over weight though acording to some bmi charts you are considered obese because of it.

--- Oh yea and I can't really respond to the poll because in some cases it is and some it isn't.. so there is no yes or no .. and i dunno doesn't work either

EDIT:
I like how you re-worded your post :P figured i'd tell you

I agree with many of the points already mentioned. That SOME cases of obesity are caused by genes and that it is difficult to lose weight. I know a lot of people that blame their problem on genes, which also pisses me off because I know that they are just plain lazy.

I have never been overweight in my life and I live an active lifestyle (despite my asthma and time limits). You just have to do everything in moderation, otherwise you end up in one of the extremes (too skinny or too fat).

I think in some places it is an epidemic and in others it's not.

I do believe some obesity is cause by genes/diseases/ect, but that most of it is because people are lazy.

Part of the problem is that here in the US, many people are previlaged to have desk jobs (me among them) and so they don't become as active as they should (I try to combat this by walking to places if I can, despite my asthma).

I have a friend who is obese, but he is trying to do something about it by going to the gym and what not. I encourage him every chance I get. ^_^

Obesity is a problem in the US for sure but I don't believe it should be my problem to worry about. If the obese people die then that's their truck not mine. If they try to improve their own health I'm all for that. The fact is obese people are LAZY. You actually need very little time to keep fit. It's not amount of time you spend exercising but rather the intensity of your workout. You could walk for 4 hours or run for 1 and you'd burn the same amount of calories. Or you could do an intense aerobic routine for 30 minutes. Do this 2-3 times a week. Someone who can't spare 1.5 hours a week for exercise deserves to be fat.

Those who are obese due to some kind of medical problem have no excuse either. There's this guy out there who has this skin disease that causes it to peel off. Doctors were sure he wouldn't live past birht but now he's in like marathons for swimming and stuff. Lance Armstrong had cancer and he's won the Tour de France like 7 times already or so. Stop outsourcing the blame. The blame lies within you.

And that's my two yen.

Obesity is a problem. Anyone who doesn't see that needs to open up their eyes. But, unlike cancer, is has a cure that is sure to work. Now, skinny people calling fat people fat isn't going to help them. Sorry to burst all your size 00 bubbles. Overall, I think that alot of encouragement could go a long way. You're telling obese people to excercise. Okay, do something better. Excercise with them. Get out there and and continue to tell them that you know they can do it and when they hit their breaking point make sure to tell them that they did a good job and with time they will be able to do more and more.

If you're willing enough to call them fat, then be willing enough to help them become the same size as you.

Quote by WynterMajik
If you're willing enough to call them fat, then be willing enough to help them become the same size as you.

Well said

The problem I have is that all my obese friends are so depressed that they just sit inside and play video games all the time. And I rarely, if ever, see them so I can't do alot about it.

I think that's another problem. With so many people expecting their children to be rich and have a lot of kids and all that, it's no wonder that so many people are depressed.

I also believe that being obese leads to a bit of a nasty cycle in which they become depressed about being overweight and so they become sedate. And that leads to them gaining more weight which makes them more depressed.

And before anyone gets on my back about it I'd like to say that I was overweight (and I think clinically obese) and I finally just got really D@#$ sick of it! So I worked my self to death and now I'm significantly lighter but still overweight. It aint a walk in the park but it sure makes you feel good to be able to move without all of that luggage to carry around.

So I guess the bottom line is attitude. You've got to want to change it before it'll happen. Because losing weight isn't about just exercise but eating right too (and I'm not talking about the Atkins diet). In short it's a lifestyle change and I can speak from experience when I say it isn't an easy change.

Quote by ShadowWraithThe problem I have is that all my obese friends are so depressed that they just sit inside and play video games all the time. And I rarely, if ever, see them so I can't do alot about it.

It's the same idea as teachers and police officers. They're they to help you, but they can't help those who don't want to be helped. And, I can understand why they'd only want to sit inside and play video games all day. I would hate being ridiculed and joked for my weight everyday. If I was the same, I wouldn't want to leave the house and be open to that type of treatment.

But, like you said, attitude is a huge part of it. And, I know that some of my bigger friends are very much anti-getting out and doing something. But, when I say, "Hey, let's go for a quick walk down to the store to mall and shop and little! What do you say? Sound good?" then they're all for it. Kinda like me and cleaning. Oh, i'll clean up a storm, but only if I know i'm getting something for putting in the hard work. And, obese people aren't going to see big results after one walk. So, what better to encourage them with then something they like that isn't food. ^_^ Like, the mall, the movies, Blockbuster (to rent a game. ) or maybe to a arcade or something?

I live in Houston, the 2nd fattest city in the U.S (behind Detroit or Chicago, forgot which).

Obesity is a personal choice, unless it's genetic. That's all it comes down to

I think it is, but I also think it's more of a symptom. ...The real root is lack of exercize, and overdoses of sugar and gluten, IMHO. ...That and TV/Videogames. Worse, it's crippling, so folks can't even get out and do those real-life adventures. I sometiems find myself in that trap too. I have to admit, I'm not surprised that Houston is the fattest city. It's hot out, humid, and worse, the dense environment doesn't exactly lead to people running about.

But... ...It's where the whole world is going methinks. Onto the PC, console and TV, perched in front of their air conditioners. ...All the while believing that the CO2 generated as a result of them using their air conditioners is destroying the planet... ...And whining about that. It is really sad, on so many levels. But all of us have an option to put down the propaganda box, and live a real life.

well, i would say it was, but people nowadays, esp girls are so affected by the anorexic girls that appear on tv, so they all go on diets...knowing being thinner would attract more male fans...so no, obesity is no problem at all...

yes... of course it's an epidemic. a lot of people are getting obese nowadays... and it's not a good thing...

I wouldn't say it's an "epidemic", even though I have heard that the obesity rate is 30%, and 60% of Americans are overweight. Personally, I just don't see that many obese people, just kinda fat. What bothers me the most though is the people who opt for surgery, especially the people who have surgery performed on them before trying anything else.
I think the majority of people don't need surgery, they just need to make lifestyle changes. But like some of you have already said, some people are just too lazy. I guess Americans just want the easy way out.

I have to say, you're right. People should really start eating healthier diets. And quit with all the McDonalds and all those other fast food chains. Those don't help at all. I always wondered why so many people wouldnt ask themselves before digging in, "do I really need this junk food? will it do me any good?". -.-''

Quote by CyberDragoon
Those who are obese due to some kind of medical problem have no excuse either. There's this guy out there who has this skin disease that causes it to peel off. Doctors were sure he wouldn't live past birht but now he's in like marathons for swimming and stuff. Lance Armstrong had cancer and he's won the Tour de France like 7 times already or so. Stop outsourcing the blame. The blame lies within you.

Do you have many friends who are Obese because of medical problems? I am Fat as people put it. I have severe medical problems But i eat healthey and exercise 2 hours a day. Because of my medical problems I still gain weight... some of it is muscle weight but most of it is fat and I can't do a damn thing about it. Even though i continue to gain weight I do still exercize a lot and I feel a little better about it even though since i started having my medical issues i have gained 150lbs even with exercizing 10+ hours a week and eating extreemely healthy. My Cholestoral is perfect because of the way i eat... and I exercize but i gain weight.. now how am I suposed to say it's not an good reason to be over weight when I do everything I am suposed to do? Other than being over weight i am actually fairly healthy... Some medical problems you don't have control over... some wouldn't effect your weight.. like the cancer armstrong had....

So i want to tell you people who think ALL FAT PEOPLE it's their fault... you are 99% right.. but the other 1% like me... We have no choice. I don't use me being obese as an excuse not to do things and I am far from lazy... but my medical problems are the reason i am over wieght, not because of anything i Didn't decided to to.

It's all a mental thing. If your genes toss a curveball at you, you gotta work a little harder to keep off the pounds. Some of us are just born with better metabolisms. If you've got a medical problem that makes you heavier...eh, work with what you've got. Learn to appreciate other stuff about yourself. You may be fat, but that doesn't have to dictate who you are.

I don't think it's caused by eating fast food. I think it's because people have no damn will power. The people are just too damn lazy that they don't want to take the blame for themselves, so they decide to place the blame on someone else. "OMG! McDonalds made me fat!" :0 Myself, I believe McDonald's need to be kicked in the nuts because of its reputation as the biggest fast food chain in the world and the lies it give to people. They claim that their foods has nutritional values to it when it cleary isn't true. >__>

Quote by xxcopyrightI don't think it's caused by eating fast food. I think it's because people have no damn will power. The people are just too damn lazy that they don't want to take the blame for themselves, so they decide to place the blame on someone else. "OMG! McDonalds made me fat!" :0 Myself, I believe McDonald's need to be kicked in the nuts because of its reputation as the biggest fast food chain in the world and the lies it give to people. They claim that their foods has nutritional values to it when it cleary isn't true. >__>

That lawsuit was hilarious... and it was even more funny that some lawyer actually took the case. "McDonalds made me Fat" well he didn't mention he was buying 3 meals each time or that he ate there 3-5 times a day.. sheesh

Obesity itself isn't the epidemic though, its people lacking responsibilty for themselves. Its also has a lot to do with a lack of vision, people just don't have any motivation to do anything with their lives, because society tells them to not bother. If everyone was mentally strong we wouldn't have this problem, but they aren't because they are raised that way.

It's a huge problem. I've seen people so big they can't even get into a BATHROOM STALL. That's too much and what's worse is that I know some of them don't try to lose weight and expect everyone to accomodate them. it's unbelievable

No, simply no.

Epidemic implies a disease. Obesity is not a disease. It is simply a reasult of what this country has come to nowdays. What you say about not viewing obese people i8s partially correct. I know of many people who are seriously overwheight and it has bnothing to do with they level of activity, but I know of many more who do seem to have caused their weight problem with a serious lack of activity. The reasons for obesity are simple: more fattening food, less sliming work. I really think that this whole obesity problem could be easily fixed by forcing these people to change themeselves.
I know live in the US but before I lived in Uzbekistan. a cuntry on the outskirts of the middle east. There were never any obese people there, not one. The general ideology of the US is you should do as little work as possible and consume as much as possible(not jsut food). I really think the whole thing is simply caused by people who have too much and cant resist, then later do nothing to fix themeselves.

-my 2 cents

hmm...epidemic - the sudden increase in the amount of times that something bad happens...which means not only diseases are epidemic...but anything else that is bad...
i would say obesity is not really really an epidemic...but i changed my mind, it is becoming one thanks to technology and our comfortable world of luxury...i mean before people walked to schools, when cars and other forms of transportation were not so common, and also they ate healthy, slept healthy..
now we are too comfortable, our food is fattening, and sleep...we pull all nighters and sleep more or less than we should, which is very unhealthy...also we are too lazy to exercise...so yes, cases of obesity in the past 50 years have increased alot...

I live in Staten Island, NY. It has been dubbed, sadly, the fattest borough of NY.

We even learn about obesity in HS as a serious "disease." I have to disagree with them, because you can a multitude of disease from obesity, but obesity itself is not a disease.
I think it's a big problem here because most men lead sedentary lifestyles and also don't have the time to shed their pounds. Also, if you take a ride around Staten Island, you will see so many fast food joints, and if you take a glimpse in their parking lots, there are a lot more cars in there than in regular restaurants. McDonalds, Wendy's + others are to blame!
ever seen the movie "Supersize Me"?

Definitely I consider it a problem in my area. Change in how people eat food, proliferation of fastfood, not exercising, etc. all lead to weight gain that was not around in the 50's and 60's in the U.S.

Anyone remember seeing documentary, "Supersize It"? Now that was a slap in the face to fastfood industry.