The 'Obesity Epidemic'

[maximus otter]

We live in a society that has never been safer, yet authority figures and the media constantly bombard us with scare stories about crime, our health and the environment etc.

Tony Benn and l definitely didn’t see eye to eye philosophically, but l recently read a couple of quotes from him which l found relevant:

“An educated, healthy and confident nation is harder to govern.”

“I think there are two ways in which people are controlled - first of all frighten people and secondly demoralize them.”

- And let’s finish off with an old favourite from H L Mencken:

“The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.”

maximus otter

 

[charliebrown]

When I go to a restaurant I usually eat fried fish and French Fries because I figure the hot oil will kill any bad bacteria.

I know this is more calories, but I think safer.

On the other hand my wife is adventurous and tries different things on the menu.

Then Chinese take out is hot from the wok and usually safe.

Fast food hamburgers are questionable.

 

[charliebrown]

In the U.S. on September 18th, it is “ National Cheeseburger Day “ and MacDonalds will gave you a “Double Cheeseburger” for a dollar with any purchase.

Other fast food chains will probably come up something similar.

 

[Sollywos]

So when is 'National Broccoli Day' ?

 

[kesavaross]

So when is 'National Broccoli Day' ?

National Broccoli day is always yesterday.

 

[charliebrown]

During the National Nutrition Month in March, March 22nd is “ We Love Broccoli Day”.

It seems there is a day for everything like Valentine’s Day for love.

 

[Mythopoeika]

During the National Nutrition Month in March, March 22nd is “ We Love Broccoli Day”.

It seems there is a day for everything like Valentine’s Day for love.

I'd love it if there was a World Comfort Food Day.

 

[charliebrown]

There is a “ World Comfort Food Day “ on December 5th.

There is an unclear background but thought it was started by some movie actors with their favorite restaurants.

 

[Ronnie Jersey]

The first Friday in June is 'Free Donut Day' at our Dunkin' Donuts, every year.

 

[Floyd]

There is a “ World Comfort Food Day “ on December 5th.

'Comfort Food'. That phrase makes me want to kill.

 

[AnonyJ]

There are several reasons, IMHO for the 'epidemic' of obesity around the world.

For the first time in human history, since the 1950s we in western Europe & north America have lived in an environment of cheap, abundant food. Food has directly swapped with rent/mortgage as a proportion of houshold expenditure in the UK - off the top of my head I believe it was 45% food : 15% rent/housing in the late 19thC-early 20thC.

Individuals who have a genetic advantage in aeons-old evolutionary terms (ie., the ability to eat more and gain weight in times of abundance and survive the next period of dearth of food) are now placed in a environment of permanent abundance. The advantage of the delayed hormonal 'off switch' (Grehlin - the 'hunger hormone') is now a huge disadvantage and results in growing numbers of people with obese bodies.

Disordered eating is now rife - EDs are not just anorexia and bulimia. Hyperphagy, ARFID (Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder) and binge-eating disorder are common in people who are fat.

There are some genetic conditions that have hyperphagy/polyphagy (over-eating to the point of being ill) as a facet. In Prader-Willi syndrome (a genetic abnormality of chromosome 15, where there's a significant deletion) people with it are literally hungry all the time. There's a long list of genetically unalterable conditions that cause hyperphagia (AKA polyphagia) and here is a wee screengrab of the current wikipedia page at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyphagia :

It's interesting to note that in cases of disordered eating and genetic conditions, 'willpower' alone is probably not enough to stem the behaviour that causes obesity. It can be managed to a greater or lesser extent, and therapy/treatment is valuable but it's simply NOT just a case of a) being a greedy beggar and b) eating less/doing more.

So.. now to the very personal point of this post.

I am fat, I am obese. I am just on or just below the morbidly obese point in terms of BMI.

I have been chubby/fat since the age of 3/4. I was a large child, teenager and adult. At times I've managed to lose some of my bodyweight - around 25% - but events and choices have then influenced a partial or total regain, such as a spinal/nerve issue that has resulted in 4 x emergency surgeries over the past 18 years and rehabbing with permanent disability.

I have disordered eating. Being very fat affects my health but it is also very hard to put on the 'eating brakes' sometimes.
If the substance was alcohol, nicotine, opiates then abstinence is effective. I sometimes wish that I didn't have to eat at all - imagine if you were an alcoholic but you actually had to drink 3 cans of beer a day to stay alive, or a junkie that had to shoot up a wee bit of heroin daily! I practice Intermittent Fasting to reduce that time window for eating to just a few hours daily but that in itself has a minimal effect of body size.

I would guess that most very fat people know that they're obese. We know that we overeat for various reasons. We know our eating habits may be disordered. We know our health is suffering. We need constructive interventions and intensive health management in this 'obesogenic environment' we live in, that our bodies are not designed for - not being condemned, labelled as being weak-willed, bullied or patronised. If one has an ED but is very fat, the UK health services has very little, if not zero, interest in helping you. Morbid obesity might cause more deaths and health effects than anorexia but if you're skeletally thin and look frail and ill a heck of a lot more treatment comes your way, more quickly.

Basically, a bit more knowledge, love and understanding please. Most of us fatties aren't continually scoffing burgers and Mars bars. We're living with something like an addiction and failing every day.


(edited for typos)

 

[charliebrown]

Food companies make snacks colorful, good tasting texture to the mouth, and sweet.

We fall into the trap of extra calories and usually cannot resist things like donuts, pastries, pies, and cakes.

I myself can’t resist a good cookie.

 

[escargot]

Food companies make snacks colorful, good tasting texture to the mouth, and sweet.

We fall into the trap of extra calories and usually cannot resist things like donuts, pastries, pies, and cakes.

I myself can’t resist a good cookie.

It's the carbs innit.

 

[Mungoman]

There are several reasons, IMHO for the 'epidemic' of obesity around the world.

For the first time in human history, since the 1950s we in western Europe & north America have lived in an environment of cheap, abundant food. Food has directly swapped with rent/mortgage as a proportion of houshold expenditure in the UK - off the top of my head I believe it was 45% food : 15% rent/housing in the late 19thC-early 20thC.

Individuals who have a genetic advantage in aeons-old evolutionary terms (ie., the ability to eat more and gain weight in times of abundance and survive the next period of dearth of food) are now placed in a environment of permanent abundance. The advantage of the delayed hormonal 'off switch' (Grehlin - the 'hunger hormone') is now a huge disadvantage and results in growing numbers of people with obese bodies.

Disordered eating is now rife - EDs are not just anorexia and bulimia. Hyperphagy, ARFID (Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder) and binge-eating disorder are common in people who are fat.

There are some genetic conditions that have hyperphagy/polyphagy (over-eating to the point of being ill) as a facet. In Prader-Willi syndrome (a genetic abnormality of chromosome 15, where there's a significant deletion) people with it are literally hungry all the time. There's a long list of genetically unalterable conditions that cause hyperphagia (AKA polyphagia) and here is a wee screengrab of the current wikipedia page at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyphagia :

View attachment 69280

It's interesting to note that in cases of disordered eating and genetic conditions, 'willpower' alone is probably not enough to stem the behaviour that causes obesity. It can be managed to a greater or lesser extent, and therapy/treatment is valuable but it's simply NOT just a case of a) being a greedy beggar and b) eating less/doing more.

So.. now to the very personal point of this post.

I am fat, I am obese. I am just on or just below the morbidly obese point in terms of BMI.

I have been chubby/fat since the age of 3/4. I was a large child, teenager and adult. At times I've managed to lose some of my bodyweight - around 25% - but events and choices have then influenced a partial or total regain, such as a spinal/nerve issue that has resulted in 4 x emergency surgeries over the past 18 years and rehabbing with permanent disability.

I have disordered eating. Being very fat affects my health but it is also very hard to put on the 'eating brakes' sometimes.
If the substance was alcohol, nicotine, opiates then abstinence is effective. I sometimes wish that I didn't have to eat at all - imagine if you were an alcoholic but you actually had to drink 3 cans of beer a day to stay alive, or a junkie that had to shoot up a wee bit of heroin daily! I practice Intermittent Fasting to reduce that time window for eating to just a few hours daily but that in itself has a minimal effect of body size.

I would guess that most very fat people know that they're obese. We know that we overeat for various reasons. We know our eating habits may be disordered. We know our health is suffering. We need constructive interventions and intensive health management in this 'obesogenic environment' we live in, that our bodies are not designed for - not being condemned, labelled as being weak-willed, bullied or patronised. If one has an ED but is very fat, the UK health services has very little, if not zero, interest in helping you. Morbid obesity might cause more deaths and health effects than anorexia but if you're skeletally thin and look frail and ill a heck of a lot more treatment comes your way, more quickly.

Basically, a bit more knowledge, love and understanding please. Most of us fatties aren't continually scoffing burgers and Mars bars. We're living with something like an addiction and failing every day.


(edited for typos)

Understood mate.

 

[PeteS]

The dog has just taken me for my walk and we go through a couple of new-build estates.

Not one child playing football/cricket/tennis or even riding a bike. And there's fields nearby as well- empty (apart from one 99 year old going for a run).

There is even a grassed area next to the houses that is for catching rainwater, that is bone dry and has sloping sides that would be ideal for a kick-about, cricket or tennis or riding bikes.

It's always the same if I walk through on a Saturday or Sunday too.
No one even mowing their lawns or cutting hedges etc.

As far as I am aware, sport is still popular and it's a very pleasant day weatherwise.

They can't all be inside staring at a screen surely?

I wonder whether part of the reason for the absence of children playing outside is the vast amount of homework handed out by schools. From the age of about 6 grandchild got homework every day and this took well over an hour and sometimes all evening til bedtime to complete and often caused tantrums because of the pressure involved. It was ridiculous and approaches to the school were ignored. Some kids are worn out after a school day and then have to spend evenings doing sometimes meaningless homework. No time for playing and enjoying childhood. Certainly not like that when I were a lad.

 

[Floyd]

There are several reasons, IMHO for the 'epidemic' of obesity around the world.

For the first time in human history, since the 1950s we in western Europe & north America have lived in an environment of cheap, abundant food. Food has directly swapped with rent/mortgage as a proportion of houshold expenditure in the UK - off the top of my head I believe it was 45% food : 15% rent/housing in the late 19thC-early 20thC.

I disagree.

I never went hungry as a child (even though we had very little money).

This arguement that it's because of all the junk food available nowadays is true, but only to a certain degree.

Fast-food has always been around, certainly in my lifetime and in any case the food we were often given wasn't exactly the best quality stuff in the 1970s/80s either. In fact, I'm sure some of it was downright dangerously un-healthy.

We know that not every obese person is at fault. It's just the way some people are, just like some are tall or short.

But something has gone wrong for there to be so many overweight people now. And not just a little bit over, but vastly so.

I think it's actually far less to do with the type of food(s) that are consumed as it is lack of excersise - in most cases.

 

[Floyd]

I wonder whether part of the reason for the absence of children playing outside is the vast amount of homework handed out by schools. From the age of about 6 grandchild got homework every day and this took well over an hour and sometimes all evening til bedtime to complete and often caused tantrums because of the pressure involved. It was ridiculous and approaches to the school were ignored. Some kids are worn out after a school day and then have to spend evenings doing sometimes meaningless homework. No time for playing and enjoying childhood. Certainly not like that when I were a lad.

I suppose it could be, but I'm not up to date on school life.
What is this 'homework' you speak of? It sounds very Dickensian.

 

[Ogdred Weary]

I wonder whether part of the reason for the absence of children playing outside is the vast amount of homework handed out by schools. From the age of about 6 grandchild got homework every day and this took well over an hour and sometimes all evening til bedtime to complete and often caused tantrums because of the pressure involved. It was ridiculous and approaches to the school were ignored. Some kids are worn out after a school day and then have to spend evenings doing sometimes meaningless homework. No time for playing and enjoying childhood. Certainly not like that when I were a lad.

Anything beyond very limited homework for Primary School children is obscene overkill.

 

[Ogdred Weary]

I disagree.

I never went hungry as a child (even though we had very little money).

This arguement that it's because of all the junk food available nowadays is true, but only to a certain degree.

Fast-food has always been around, certainly in my lifetime and in any case the food we were often given wasn't exactly the best quality stuff in the 1970s/80s either. In fact, I'm sure some of it was downright dangerously un-healthy.

We know that not every obese person is at fault. It's just the way some people are, just like some are tall or short.

But something has gone wrong for there to be so many overweight people now. And not just a little bit over, but vastly so.

I think it's actually far less to do with the type of food(s) that are consumed as it is lack of excersise - in most cases.

And yet: reducing calorie intake is a far surer way to reduce weight (or prevent the gain) than exercise.

One can consume enormous amounts of calories without even trying, very few people can burn off huge amounts in one go - it's only professional athletes really. Fat, unfit people, contrary to popular belief do not burn that many calories when exercising, despite the effort and sweating. Fitter people can exercise that much more intensely and for longer - because they are fitter.

Food has changed, there is more fact food and more calorific food. Exercise is a component but a smaller one than food.

 

[Floyd]

And yet: reducing calorie intake is a far surer way to reduce weight (or prevent the gain) than exercise.

One can consume enormous amounts of calories without even trying, very few people can burn off huge amounts in one go - it's only professional athletes really. Fat, unfit people, contrary to popular belief do not burn that many calories when exercising, despite the effort and sweating. Fitter people can exercise that much more intensely and for longer - because they are fitter.

Food has changed, there is more fact food and more calorific food. Exercise is a component but a smaller one than food.

This is why a lot of people give up trying. It doesn't seem to be working immediately, so they go back to their old routine.
You have to persevere just like you do when you give up smoking/ drinking alcohol/ coffee or whatever.

The effects won't be seen instantly.

As for food- there are supermarkets full of vegetables and good quality meats and I still maintain that the quality (and sheer amount of choice) is far greater now than when I was a nipper and it doesn't have to be processed rubbish.
That's your choice though.

 

[Sollywos]

wonder whether part of the reason for the absence of children playing outside is the vast amount of homework handed out by schools.

We were never given homework at my first primary school (small village school 1950's) but when I was coming up to 11 we moved to a slightly larger village and there the headmaster was very keen to get as many of us through the 11plus as possible. For a month or two before said exam he gave us lot due to take it loads of homework. At the end of the school day he buggered off to his house in the posh end of the village and us council house kids all got together as a group and did it between us sitting on our front steps. All the quicker to get rid of the burden and then get on with playing/doing household chores. Happy days!

I can't help but think there is something going wrong with the whole school system these days. What exactly are they trying to achieve?

I wonder if another factor might be because so many mothers have to work outside the home full time so many children are having to go to after school clubs and whatnot which means that they won't be out and about playing. But what do I know?

 

[Sollywos]

There is more self righteous rubbish talked about this obesity issue than anything else. If the answers were as simple as some try to make out we'd be well on the way to solving it by now.

People who've managed to lose a lot of weight quite rightly give themselves a pat on the back but that doesn't give them or anybody else the right to condemn others whose circumstances are often very different. It's not a one size fits all (sorry for the pun) solution.

Looking at overweight people and deciding that it's just because they are greedy and or lazy bastards just shows ignorance. It's far more complex as I believe @AnonyJ was trying to address in their thoughtful and well considered post. There were many points raised in the post and a blanket 'I disagree' (naming no names) was rude and simplistic IMHO. *

Yes people are eating more and exercising less but hold steady a cottton pickin' minute will ya? Those overworked underfed ancestors of ours were maybe thin but were they more healthy? And when exactly was this golden age when we all eating good nutritious food and getting the right amount of exercise and living long and happy lives? We didn't cover that in my history lessons.

 

[Floyd]

There is more self righteous rubbish talked about this obesity issue than anything else. If the answers were as simple as some try to make out we'd be well on the way to solving it by now.

People who've managed to lose a lot of weight quite rightly give themselves a pat on the back but that doesn't give them or anybody else the right to condemn others whose circumstances are often very different. It's not a one size fits all (sorry for the pun) solution.

No one said it was.

Looking at overweight people and deciding that it's just because they are greedy and or lazy bastards just shows ignorance.

No one said that. Not once.

And when exactly was this golden age when we all eating good nutritious food and getting the right amount of exercise and living long and happy lives? We didn't cover that in my history lessons.

Who said there was one?

 

[Ronnie Jersey]

I disagree.

I never went hungry as a child (even though we had very little money).

This arguement that it's because of all the junk food available nowadays is true, but only to a certain degree.

Fast-food has always been around, certainly in my lifetime and in any case the food we were often given wasn't exactly the best quality stuff in the 1970s/80s either. In fact, I'm sure some of it was downright dangerously un-healthy.

We know that not every obese person is at fault. It's just the way some people are, just like some are tall or short.

But something has gone wrong for there to be so many overweight people now. And not just a little bit over, but vastly so.

I think it's actually far less to do with the type of food(s) that are consumed as it is lack of excersise - in most cases.

I just dropped 10 pounds without even noticing, from being so busy moving in the summer heat and humidity.
Also snacking on quite a bit of various fruits, instead of carbs.
This new modern technology is wonderful, but sitting and texting does not qualify as exercise, I agree with you.

 

[AnonyJ]

....But something has gone wrong for there to be so many overweight people now. And not just a little bit over, but vastly so.

I think it's actually far less to do with the type of food(s) that are consumed as it is lack of excersise - in most cases.

Current 'healthy eating' guidelines don't help. They advocate high carb, low fat, frequent eating. Ever since the 'eating fat = makes you fat' theory came in (late 1970s) the proportion of obese people has shot up. The kind of food relentlessly pushed at us is high carb and high sugar.

Lower exercise levels and central heating are also in play.

The only way of eating I've found that kind of works is fasting for 14-18 hours daily and very low carb + high natural fat diet (ketogenic) with lots of low-carb vegetables (almost all green veg, salads, low sugar fruits). It's very boring and its hard, but it gradually works.

Several GPs over the years have approved of it in my case. Better to have slightly higher blood lipids (due to the ketone burning) than elevated blood sugars and all the horrors that entails.

 

[charliebrown]

Will you be overweight, look at your parent’s genetics as their genetics can affect your weight anywhere from 25% to 60%.

My wife I have always struggled with weight all our lives.

We always wondered what it would be like to shop in the normal size clothes section instead of the plus size sections in stores.

We have in our life time have felt an unfriendliness towards us because we were not normal size.

We were happy that our daughters and their families are normal size people.

 

[Sollywos]

The only way of eating I've found that kind of works is fasting for 14-18 hours daily and very low carb + high natural fat diet (ketogenic) with lots of low-carb vegetables (almost all green veg, salads, low sugar fruits). It's very boring and its hard, but it gradually works.

Cutting the carbs and increasing the fat certainly leaves you feeling satisfied for longer that's for sure. I suspect that the 70's advice was over the top and added one more thing for us all to worry about.

 

[Sollywos]

I just dropped 10 pounds without even noticing, from being so busy moving in the summer heat and humidity.
Also snacking on quite a bit of various fruits, instead of carbs.
This new modern technology is wonderful, but sitting and texting does not qualify as exercise, I agree with you.

Well good for you. Thank your genetics that they are the sort that will react in that way. Please read @AnonyJ post again and take aboard the points raised.

I don't see anyone claiming that texting qualifies as exercise, Why was that point thrown into the mix? I'm somewhat bemused.

No one said that. Not once.

etc. as Charliebrown commented

We have in our life time have felt an unfriendliness towards us because we were not normal size.

( well that and being patronised)
Plenty of people say those things and it gets tiresome being on the receiving end!

 

[Ronnie Jersey]

Well good for you. Thank your genetics that they are the sort that will react in that way. Please read @AnonyJ post again and take aboard the points raised.

I don't see anyone claiming that texting qualifies as exercise, Why was that point thrown into the mix? I'm somewhat bemused.

And no one did claim that.
I was bringing up the point that is all I see lately, texting on phones continually. I certainly don't see anyone jogging, or walking around the block for exercise. And I was replying to @Floyd1 's comment on 'lack of exercise'.
And I worked my fanny off for several weeks, which resulted in a 10 pound weight loss. I wasn't trying to lose weight, and was very surprised.
Exercise actually does help trim off the pounds.
And I also said that I've been eating plenty of a variety of fruits, and I do eat lots of green, leafy salads.

 

[Simon James]

Funnily enough I was just watching Bill Maher on the JRE talking about medical professionals misconstruing the phrase 'epidemic' with obesity, and how the only variables is our modern sedentary lifestyle is the 'epidemic' in itself.