Thread: Is WORLD obesity America's fault?

According to this article (if you believe fox news anyway)
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,150544,00.html
Europeans are just as fat as Americans, except for the French. The Greeks are even fatter.

BUT, they attriburte this unhealthy trend to American/McD style supersizing.

Is it our (America's) fault?? And why?

Its hard for me to understand because to me eating is something you do so you dont die, there's no pleasure in it for me. And I think McD's is repulsive. But looking around outside, wow...I just wonder why and what could be done about it.

I wouldn't blame America for world's obesity. If the States hadn't originated fast food (i believe it's what we're talking about) it'd have been done by someone else. Well, people decide for themselves whether to go to these restraurants or not. If you have a weak will and can't resist going to McD's, it's your own fault. IMHO, you should be able to combine eating junk food with healthy food. For example, you might have a healthy breakfast and lunch at home but if you want sth special for dinner you could go somewhere and eat what you really want. Just don't do it too often What do you think?

Originally Posted by Biancca

Its hard for me to understand because to me eating is something you do so you dont die, there's no pleasure in it for me.

No pleasure in eating at all?? This seems most unusual. Surely you jest?

Obesity is becoming a noticeable problem here in Ireland. I think it's to do with greater prosperity and wealth. In the last ten years or so the country has turned from being one of the poorer countries in Europe to one of the wealthiest (in per capita terms) and everyone can afford to eat well. I think most people enjoy eating and just get into the habit of eating the wrong kind of foods. People are naturally drawn to high-calorie sugary foods and often just don't know when to stop.

I think the example of America probably plays some role as well, but it's hard to gauge if it's that significant. The popularity of video games among children and young adults often means they neglect other activites like outdoor sports and this is a big factor I think.

I suppose a lot of it is down to unhappiness and frustration among people as well who can now afford to find comfort in that extra helping of cake or those chocolate bars.

I suppose a lot of it is down to unhappiness and frustration among people as well who can now afford to find comfort in that extra helping of cake or those chocolate bars.

Why do you suppose so? The USA is by far the most developed country in the world (at least, a lot of people consider it to be one). I don't think they are frusrated. I have never been to the USA, so I've no idea if there are any other places to visit, I mean good restaraunts offering you healthy food. There are lots of such restaurants in England. You can always choose where to go. People don't usually go to expensive restaurants just to have a snack.

Would obesity is the fault of fat fuckers who can't stop eating.

A strange question.

Is world alcoholism the fault of the French (for introducing wine)...or the Russias (for introducing vodka)?

I agree with TATY...it is clearly the "fault" (responsibilty) of the eater.

I (an American in Europe) am already being blamed for most of the world's problems...I'll be d@#$%ed if I'm also going to be blamed because Hans McEater in Berlin can't stop eating super-sized fries (chips) everyday!!!

Originally Posted by Dobry

I (an American in Europe) am already being blamed for most of the world's problems...I'll be d@#$%ed if I'm also going to be blamed because Hans McEater in Berlin can't stop eating super-sized fries (chips) everyday!!!

Exactly!!! That's exactly where I was going with this. I think Americans get blamed for everything because people can't face the fact that anything is their own fault.

Every country has loads of problems. Hardly anyone can now blame Germany for WWII, can they? People decide for themselves what to do. Going to McD's I don't think that if anything happens to me America will be to blame. It's absurd!

I trust you. Like I said, I've never been to the States, so I can only judge by what I hear, read and see. It's hard to form your own opinion if you're not involved yourself I'm travelling to Canada any day now, so I'll probably be able to express my own opinion on the matter here. Canada is not the US, though.

P.S. Hey, Dobry, where's your post?

It's Mexico's fault!

Originally Posted by ReDSanchous

I suppose a lot of it is down to unhappiness and frustration among people as well who can now afford to find comfort in that extra helping of cake or those chocolate bars.

Why do you suppose so? The USA is by far the most developed country in the world (at least, a lot of people consider it to be one). I don't think they are frusrated. I have never been to the USA, so I've no idea if there are any other places to visit, I mean good restaraunts offering you healthy food. There are lots of such restaurants in England. You can always choose where to go. People don't usually go to expensive restaurants just to have a snack.

Well, that's the funny thing. You'd expect when a country becomes more wealthy everyone gets happier and they have more choices open to them than just to indulge in junk food. Doesn't seem to work out like that though. I just associate obesity with some other negative changes that have occurred as the society has become more prosperous. I don't recall it being a problem 10 years ago, now I hear reports on TV and radio talking about the problem of obesity, especially among children, all the time.

Still, I have to admit, there's something strangely persuasive about TATY's argument

Yep Taty is pretty much right, here I reckon but there is one little twist I could throw in to the equation: The over abundance of over processed and refined food. It is in everything, unless you want to only eat fresh fruit and vegetables. It seems that any food that is prepared for sale in the store has some type of processing or additive to keep it fresh. They even put nitrites in fresh meat in the US supermarkets to make the cow look redder.

Mexican girls get real fat after they turn about 19 but that started eons ago so I don't think that we can blame America for that. Come tothink of it didn't Mexico invent fast food? You know, with their burrito's and taco's?

You know who we should blame? BLAME CANADA!

With all their beady little eyes,
their flapping heads so full of lies
Blame Canada!
Blame Canada!

It seems that everything's gone wrong since
Canada came along
Blame Canada!
Blame Canada! They're not even a real country anyway.

Ha, ever been to a Ryan's?
TAKE MEEE 2 D BUFIT

I just want to point out that the obesity problem in America is actually related to poverty. Junk food is cheap, and you can see many low-income families spend their dinners there. In the old days, big people was associated with wealth (plump women were in, skinny were out!), now it is with poverty.

I indulge in fast food now and then, going once or twice a month is not going to kill you. What is a bigger problem is not the food, but the lack of exercise. that is my opinion.

I know plenty of wealthy fat people.
Actually, I know A TON OF WEALTHY FAT PEOPLE.
I know fat people of every race, social standing, stereotype, etc.

Point: Fat people are everywhere in America, and it scares me sometimes.

Originally Posted by TriggerHappyJack

Point: Fat people are everywhere in America, and it scares me sometimes.

Very true.

It's the fault of the English. They invented fast food:

The sandwich was invented by John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich (1718-1792). About 1762, he is reputed to have been too busy to have a formal meal, and instructed his cook to pack his meat inside the bread to save him time - and the sandwich was invented.

I eat fast food everyday. McDonalds, Burger King, Jack-in-the-Box, KFC. My favorite meal is a Quater Pounder with cheese and a Supersize Coke. No fries, I hate french fries. I am 5'7" and weigh a thin 60kg.

Blame the French. I think it's the French fries that make people fat.

It's not just McDonalds and junk food that makes you fat though. You can have a nice nutritious meal in a restaurant (but high in calories perhaps) and follow it up with a dessert packed with calories. A friend of mine was telling me yesterday about someone at work who had a dessert that contained more than the recommended total calorie intake for the day. If you get into the habit of eating those after even a quality meal you won't be long expanding into a whale like blob