"fattest state"

Loriann7 · Tue Aug 28, 2007 12:20 pm

Found this in Yahoo upon checking email. While Miss. may be the fattest, I think it's fair to say America in general is way overweight. But should our concern necessarily be obesity over healthy eating and exercise? We all know skinny people are not necessarily healthy!

http://health.yahoo.com/news/178814

Dylan · Tue Aug 28, 2007 1:01 pm

Lori, I definitely understand your point about our concern being with healthy eating and exercise in general, but I honestly do think that obesity is the bigger problem right now. There are plenty of "overweight" people who are very healthy (and to a lesser degree there are people who are considered "obese" who are also pretty healthy, but their overall health would likely improve by losing a few more pounds), and lots of "normal" weight people who don't eat as well or exercise, but in terms of the epidemic that our country is facing it is the weight issue that is a bigger concern. Of course, the reason that everyone is so overweight is because of bad diet and lack of exercise, so the two issues are closely related anyway. It's only a matter of time before many of those "normal" weight people with bad habits start to pack on the pounds, which is the reason why the percentage of Americans who are overweight goes up every year.

Loriann7 · Tue Aug 28, 2007 1:18 pm

Hi Dylan. I agree yet disagree. Not ALL obese people are so from their diet and lack of exercise. SOME, though VERY FEW, perhaps a quarter percent? Are obese due to thyroids.

Reignking · Tue Aug 28, 2007 1:21 pm

CNN recently had a report online that showed the progression of percentage of obese people per state, and it was staggering.

The debate about health versus weight has come up here many times.

Dylan · Tue Aug 28, 2007 2:15 pm

I definitely don't want to imply that I don't think there are other reasons for being obese besides diet and exercise - genetics and medical issues such as thyroid problems definitely impact weight. However, I doubt that that the increase in overweight Americans is due to these problems. Thyroid problems aren't contagious and spreading - I would expect that the same percentage of Americans with these issues today is comparable to 30 years ago. However, as a whole, the country keeps getting fatter and fatter. If thyroids and genetics have been held constant, then the increase is likely due to diet and exercise habits. The increasing strain on health care is more likely due to the weight gain from these bad habits.

For me personally, I've always been on the higher range of the "normal" scale. However, in the past few years I've steadily crept up into the "overweight" zone. Not being stick-think and small-boned is due to my genetics, becoming overweight is due to the fact that I don't exercise nearly as much as I did 10 years ago and I had gotten into the habit of eating way too many convenience foods that aren't good for me. Honestly, I think I'm pretty representative of the "typical American" who keeps packing on the pounds for no reason other than bad choices.

teeteehawk · Tue Aug 28, 2007 4:22 pm

I don't necessarily think the strain on the health care system is due to only obese people. I am obese yet I go to the doctor ten times LESS than my in-laws who are all at healthy weights. (I am hoping to change the whole obesity thing though) I don't believe it is a fair assumption to say it is all obese people. I think that people judge and say well...it is their fault...easier than looking at the whole problem.

Health care is on the rise for many reasons...more people with diabetes (not all obese), more people with cancer (how do you blame that on obesity?), more people with Aids and other sexually transmitted disease (I don't know how that would be only the obese people getting those), blood pressure and cholesterol (yes some of those are obese...some are actually genetic. my side of the family is obese...yet no one is on bp meds or cholesterol meds...go to my dh side...half the family is on those meds...yet they are healthy...eat healthy and exercise) and then there is more people that have weight issues - not only obesity....anorexia needs to be looked at as well.

Then you get into the sports injuries...some are due to people that are over-weight and obese doing more than they should...some are due to people that are healthy and just pushed their bodies too far! To say the unhealthy eating habits play a role in health care costs rising...I would agree. But those people aren't just obese and over-weight...some are just the right size!

I just wanted to say...I don't think that obesity is the "cause" of the rise in health care cost! I think that is an ignorant, bigotry and offensive assumption that many in the US now believe and say! I think that those that are obese do need to work on their weight, but people judging and always bringing them down and blaming them for all the problems is NOT going to solve the problem.

Reignking · Tue Aug 28, 2007 4:35 pm

Your argument is all over the place -- why don't we talk obesity, health and its effects, and not AIDS and cancer?

Genetics influences health -- so yes, you can get diabetes and be skinny, but that is besides the point.

Not all skinny people are healthy -- you can still eat awfully, be skinny, but do damage internally. Heck, a Spanish soccer player just died today at the age of 22 after suffering a heart attack in a game this weekend.

Not all obese people are unhealthy.

However, obesity has a causal relation with many diseases and conditions. It is fair to say that obesity can lead to health issues, while, on the other hand, healthy people tend to be in a healthy weight range, eat healthy, and exercise.

Dylan · Tue Aug 28, 2007 4:47 pm

I don't see anywhere that I implied that the strain to the health care system is due only to obese people. However, it would be naive to assume that it is not impacting health care costs - just as it would be naive to assume that the depleting ozone has no impact on skin cancer. There are many, many factors that go into rising health care costs, but I certainly wouldn't advocate ignoring the weight issue because it is a little un-P.C. and may hurt some feelings. I'm certainly not saying we should start pointing fingers at overweight people and say "It's your fault that health care costs are rising!" - not at all! But we should use this information to stop the upward trend in obesity. Obesity is not a good thing! Please do not take that as being judgemental or critical - but I think that being overweight is becoming the norm, and measures need to be taken to reverse that. I'm all for better food options and education, fitness in schools, and safe places to exercise. This issue isn't going to go away by ignoring it.

teeteehawk · Tue Aug 28, 2007 5:42 pm

I would agree we need to help the situation with education. I guess what my point was, with being obese, so many times I see people and hear people talk about how obesity is that cause of so many things. While I agree that obesity is a problem, people have got to realize obesity isn't the only problem and only reason things are the way they are! Being healthy is important...very important! Eating healthy and exercising need to be the focus rather than being a size 6, BMI of 22. If you are a size 10-12, BMI 24-26 and you exercise everyday and eat healthy (like with the SBD) you are probably healthier than a lot of size 4, BMI 19 people that are anorexic or bulimic just so they can stay small.

Reign King - I wasn't trying to make the argument all over the place...I was just trying to say, the rise in healthcare is not due ONLY because of obese people. It is due to STDs, Cancer, injuries and weight problems. I guess I didn't use my words right with that.

I have seen so many times lately on the TV and News and such that it blames weight for the health problems in the US. While I will agree they are contributing to the problem, I also believe that it is ostersizing more than helping. I think there are a lot of people out there that think if we got rid of the overweight and obese people, the health problems would go away. I don't think they would. I am just saying...there are other contributing factors.

I am obese but my children are at healthy weights. Both are considered, "under weight". My oldest daughter is actually considered "under weight" cause she is 44" and 42 lbs (should be 44lbs). The doctor said not to worry, she is healthy and that is what matters. She will gain a couple pounds and grow some more. As long as she eats when she is hungry, she is okay. I try VERY hard to teach my children to eat healthy portions and healthy food! I don't want them to have to deal with what I have to deal with! It is hard! I also am trying to become healthier.

Each day I will do jumping jacks with my girls (they love it). I also let them walk on the treadmill when I get off! We go for walks outside and I encourage the girls to run as fast as they can to a certain point and back to us. I don't have the energy yet to do that over and over, but I do it with them at least once or twice. They do have that energy and they should use that! I also focus on drinking water with my girls and we don't keep juices in the house...never have. I have fruits and veggies, string cheese & yogurts for their snacks...and they love it! They also always share my nuts for the day! LOL

I guess I am more sensitive when it comes to these matters because I am there. I don't think a lot of people realize the struggle it is to be extremely overweight, obese. How horrible it is to be labeled as "obese". What if feels like to walk into a restraunt and have people be like..."okay you so should not be eating right now"! I KNOW that part of my problem is due to a condition that affects my hormones, but I also know that part of it is me and I can change that part! I can change that I overeat or eat the wrong choice of food. I just hate it, that I can make good choices for a month straight, but if I walk into a McD's for a treat for the girls, I get judged like...if you came here 10 times less you wouldn't have that problem. That isn't the case!

Before SBD I had extreme depression due to my weight cause no matter what I did, the weight wouldn't budge! It was so stressful and hard. I hated going in public and being the "fattest" in the room...I hated that in private too! I hate that people judge my children's future off of me! I hate that my children will probably be teased about MY weight until I get it all off!

In some ways, I think there needs to be more tolerance with obesity! When I say tolerance, I mean less judging. Rather than teaching children that obesity is bad and basically teaching them to judge...why not teach them that eating healthy foods and portions and getting exercise is the most important thing...not the size you are in the end! If you are eating healthy portions and food and getting exercise...the rest will take care of itself! I don't think weighing a child in school helps anything...other than causing more judging and showing a child they are "fat" so they are bad! Most likely that child is already aware they are "bigger" than the other children. I was a "bigger" child and always sensitive about it. I did have a normal/skinny teenager stage...but it was always - fat is bad, not exercise to be healthy! I know that I will NEVER allow my child to weighed...not because they are overweight but more because I believe it isn't the schools business. That is something for the doctors and parents...not the teachers, school and govt!

Sorry about the novel. I guess I needed to vent about my feelings on it! I in no way am trying to offend or attack anyone...this is just my opinion!

SALAD! · Wed Aug 29, 2007 2:49 am

My son is going to a brand new "state of the art" high school this year....that has a "food court" for a lunchroom. Complete with burgers, pizza, fries etc.

We wonder why Americans are getting bigger?

Holy Cow!


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