Main reason for obesity in the United States?

[Anonymous]

Few possible reasons below

Fast Food

Lack of Exercise

Social Environment

Health Conditions

[peace-love-couture]

I believe 3/4 of your options are the main reason for obesity in the United States.

Fast Food-We're bombarded with ads left and right, of McDonalds, Jack in the Box, Burger King and even, food competitions as glorified on Man.V. Food(Travel channel). In these processed foods are chemicals galore, chemicals such as MSG and other "addictive" ingredients.

Lack of exercise-Instead of glamorizing exercise or putting more effort into getting people moving, we attempt to find the "easy way out" by inventing "the only proven diet pill," pill after pill. People seem to think there is an easy way out, when there isn't. Burning calories is the way to go, no gobbling down pills or sitting around all day bitching and complaining about your weight.

Social environment-Our society has gone out of our way to walk on eggshells regarding obesity. Instead of saying "hey, it's unattractive, unhealthy and pathetic" we have resorted to referring to "real men want curves" or the Dove campaign and instead of encouraging people to be happy with their bodies at a healthy weight, they(celebs) encourage people to be happy with themselves at any weight.

The use of "health conditions" is old. Only Americans spew that bs out. Only in America do health conditions cause obesity, not laziness and overeating, but "hormonal issues"

[curiouschica]

I think it cannot be explained by a single factor. But I feel that lack of education about exercise and proper nutrition is an important factor. People don't realize foods can have more than one serving size so they don't eat the proper portions of things. Or they don't eat enough fruits and vegetables...things like that. I am more pissed off though with big food companies! They don't seem to care about ppl's health and lie about the nutrition of their products. Like something can have less than 0.5 trans fats in it and they can write it has zero (0.5 is the cutoff). Or they can say something is wheat but it might not be 100% wheat. Or they constantly show food in t.v. commercials that young children are watching. I guess I just wish they cared more about health versus profit. I honestly believe that they could still profit from selling healthier foods. Healthy can be delicious too! You know? The problem is that everyone wants things to be "easy" and "convenient." Eating out or prepackaged meals...Or have excuses not to exercise...if you have legs and arms, why shouldn't you? There are 24 hours in a day...I think at least one of those hours can be spent exercising...Anyway, there's no easy answer about all this...think the system requires a whole lot of revamping! Better sooner than later!

[CubanRaftRider]

All of the above but I would say mostly its the social environment. We are a country where we have this idea that we have a million things to do a day but not enough time to do them. If we would learn that we need to start taking care of our bodies before we can be 101 things everyday then I think that would help to curb the obesity problem. Also compare the prices of the unhealthy stuff (fast food, potato chips, etc) to the healthy stuff (fruits, vegetables, etc) and you will find the unhealthy stuff is quicker to cook/prepare, quicker to eat, cheaper, and lasts long (longer shelf life) compared to healthy stuff.

[Disputin_Rasputin]

A bit of everything above. Though social environment is a pretty huge factor; particularly when every second commercial is a commercial relating to fast-food or junk food. Schools usually only ever provide an unhealthy menu at the cafeteria as well.

Last year, the First Lady tried to introduce healthier choices in public schools, but it was met by such attacks from the GOP, mainly along the lines of "HOMG, IT'S SOCIALISM! GOVERNMENT TAKEOVER OF FOOD, LOL!11!1".

So, that's why obesity is a problem, particularly with the children.

[Butterfly_kisses09]

Lack of exercise. People think they can eat whatever they want and then take a little pill (so many commercials fir weight loss pills) and they will just magically lose weight. They lack the desire and motivation to put the food down, get off the couch, and go to the gym or go for a run.

Now ofcourse people with health problems and older people are different and may have a harder time losing weight. However for people with no other problems, being obese really is a choice IMO. They just don't want to exercise or do anything about it when they have plenty I'd opportunities to do so.

They don't even have to go to a gym. Just simple things like going for a walk or a run, doing sit ups or jumping jacks at home, eating healthier can make a big difference.

[WtfIdiot]

Fat people like to re-assure each other that it's OK and that they could still find a partner with their hideous body. Fat people also often deny they are fat. (Living in denial)

but it's not OK.

1. Being fat is un-healthy

2. You take up more room on public transport.

3. You are not attractive. (Your own problem really.)

4. You'll die younger than a healthy person.

[WtfIdiot]

Anyone giving me a down arrow. If you would not be so cowardly as to not state why you did. Please.

[danigurl56]

Lol, I'm sure your just perfect...1. Your right, being fat is unhealthy, but so is being stupid 2. your just being a jerk 3. just because your not attractive to a "fat" person doesn't mean NOBODY is 4. you may be right, but then again you could be wrong. I've seen a few of your responses to "weight" questions, do you have fat phobia or something? what if your mom was fat, would you talk sh*t about her like that?

[Arwens-Fire]

I gave you a thumbs down because you're stating those who are overweight are "unattractive" and "hideous". And your overall opinion of those who are overweight is one that is judgemental,AND your opinion highlighted your predjudices of ones aesthetics as opposed to answering the question. Secondly,it sounds almost like an ignorant rant,ragging on those who are overweight.

[WtfIdiot]

By mom is fat. No I wouldn't call her hideous. Obviously. But to be honest it is very gross. Seeing her fatness.

Most people aren't attracted to fat people. That's not my opinion. It's fact.

[peace-love-couture]

I DO have to say, I 100% agree with you, although put in such crude terms(as seen by the thumbs down)

People are truly in denial. Your intent, or rather, to everyone thumbing him down,his intent is not to be rude. He NEVER said he was perfect, but he is stating facts and it's clearly striking a nerve. Why is it considered so bad to call out the facts on fat people? It isn't seen as attractive,let;s be real, being healthy and in shape is and can't get mad when you have to pay for 2 plane tickets

[peace-love-couture]

Anyone who's denying that being overweight is considered unattractive is blowing smoke out of their asses. Why is it SOOO hard to be healthy and in shape. This has nothing to do with being perfect, which clearly is the mentality of a fat person.

[WtfIdiot]

thank you Evangelina.

I always call things how I see them. But it seems when weight is involved people like to rage at me

[bubbleboy]

#2 pisses me off the most

[MandMandM]

1) High energy diet - fats / sugars due to farm subsidy / trade restrictions

2) Low exercise/physical effort avoidance culture - short termist human nature

2) needs less energy than consumed pursuant to 1).

Excess energy intake expresses as fat deposits.

[Belleza]

cant be explained by just one of these - I believe it is everything - well if you don't exercise - and you eat healthy - your not as strong. If you eat fast food but exercise - you are still unhealthy. If I gain weight - it is really because of cakes and sweets - not fast food!

[smallz660]

I think all possible reasons for obesity stem from one big one. People are lazy f***s. People eat fast food because it's quick and it's easy. People don't exercise because they're lazy. People then get fat and they have more health problems.

[Arwens-Fire]

I beive it's a combination of all of those things. Portion sizes,the chemicals in the food,(which lead to health issues,which keep pharmacuetical companies afloat),Lack of exercise etc. Numerous reasons...

[TheGoodTheBadTheHOT]

It's probably because it's the centre of commercialism. Where all the companies focused on draining people of their money at the expense of their health and wellbeing are based. Mcdonalds, wallmart, wendys; to name a few.

[mormollio]

People are too busy/lazy to cook at home. So they go out and eat fatty fast foods all the time. Life is easier than it was back in the day so less physical work? There's a bunch of different factors.

[ihatework]

it's a mixture of different reasons.

link

[Belgie]

It's not just the "fast" food. It's all the food.

It's all terribly unhealthy, with ridiculous portion sizes, loaded with carbs and fat and chemicals.

[sweet_18]

All of the above. Its the lifestyle of highly industrialized countries and living in the age of technology. There is less and less that we have to DO, therefore, we no longer get natural exercise.

[kmhco]

I think it falls mainly under the category of laziness.

[Anonymous]

Over abundance of food due to the best land in the world and government subsidizing crops. Easier jobs because of the industrial revolution which is basically same as lack of exercise.

[Anonymous]

Cuz they're American DUH. its EVERYTHING man...you can pinpoint it on just one thing. the entire mentality is F***ED.

[Anonymous]

The #1 reason is SUGAR. Stop eating sugar and processed carbs and you will loose weight.

[josesmaf]

Sedentary Lifestyle

[Anonymous]

laziness