Why is obesity such a problem in the USA?

Question

RickPen · Accepted Answer

Lack of self control encouraged by design.
Grocery stores are laid out specifically to encourage buying more, and buying junk. Consider bright colors; people are attracted to them. People also like sugar. Imagine the combination of advertising a sugary drink that's incredibly cheap to make, but charge people 10x its value. That's soda pop.

Second, consider economic conditions. Growing up, my family was poor and lived in a rural area. Going to a store was rarely possible, and taking a day to walk/carry groceries would result in ruined refrigerated products, so buying bulk dry goods was the only option. That combination of factors leads people to have the "college diet" of junk like ramen, pasta, and other highly processed foods; they're cheap, last a long time, and people can stay alive on them for a while.

Organic foods were completely out of the question, so we grew our own food, and hunted. It was cheaper to take a $1 round and kill a deer with it, and have 50 pounds of meat than it was to try carrying that meat 20 miles. We survived doing this, and also went hungry with no food at times, in order to pay bills and have a roof over our heads (to say nothing of telephone, electricity, internet, or water).

Additionally, we have an education system that utterly failed to teach about proper nutrition. Public school lunches follow the "food pyramid" which is a great way to gain weight with all the carbs (at least for me it causes weight gain), plus those carbs are complex and highly processed.

Our infrastructure is based around the automobile, and not walking, further exacerbating the issues of personal mobility (as well as increasing cost of living). We try to use cars to save time, but the roads in cities are often jammed and slow, nearly to the point of walking being faster.

Finally, we have a health system that is frankly unaffordable for at least half the population, if not more. People will not visit a doctor for help until it's an emergency, and doctors may be overworked, or simply not care. It's not a good system.

As I see it, we have a vast majority of Americans who are poor, with poor education, being coerced by marketing into buying bad things for them, and with little healthcare. Basically, the American way is a recipe for mass unhealthy living and shorter lifespan by way of poor nutrition, stress, and poverty. I'd call it blatantly classist, but it runs deeper than that.

blutwolfe · Accepted Answer

Well damn that's why she can't breathe, she probably needs one of those machines

They were living life like it was quarantine their whole life until lock down, then magically decided they wanted to go outside, when you're supersetting mcdonalds and taco bell it catches up to you

1Sophisticatedme · Accepted Answer

Its becoming more common now a days that people aren't so active anymore due too increased of technology where you dont have to leave home so much and no longer use your imagination to figure out what you can do outside. Also, the food has been changed dramatically, as the food industry are relying on making things last longer and adding ingredients to the foods that would become cheaper and less healthier for people with low income to purchase, and the foods that have all the nutrients are being sold at a high price where a lot of people can't afford it. Thats what i think... i may be wrong but thats what i haven heard.

purplepoppy · Accepted Answer

People want the freedom but not the responsibility. It's bull to say that in America people don't have access to healthy food or the education to understand nutrition. The truth is they choose to eat crap in large quantities and want to blame everything except their own gluttony

BeenThereLovedIt · Answer

The problem is that parents don't take the time to educate their children anything about life, responsibility, and healthy living. It's just so much easier to shove cheetos and soda and video games at kids to keep them out of your hair than to take the time to teach them real-life examples and consequences of their choices.

Crappy food is not cheaper, that's a myth. Most common fruits and veggies cost far less per pound than processed foods. Sure, you can buy a can of chef boyardee for a buck. You can also buy 2-3 ears of corn for the same, or an apple or an orange. Fruit juice costs the same or less than soda.

This started with the boomers, they invented the now termed "latch-key kids", they embraced consumerism and disconnected from parenting, raising an entire generation that got fat and unhealthy, and then they raised another generation of even worse kids.

You can try to blame genetics and medical issues, but those are symptoms, not causes. Convenience and "I want" are now our religion, and we're paying for it with declining health, lifespans, and overall happiness.

Gibbby · Answer

1. Unhealthy food is readily available and convenient
2. Unhealthy food is cheap.
3. Less home healthy cooked food
4. Lack of exercise
5. Proper nutrition and cooking was never taught in schools, in fact most school food is unhealthy.
6. Bigger portions served at restaurants if you compare it to around the world (look at the fast food portions around the world)
7. can't afford healthcare/dietician consultations
8. Lack of health education
9. Lack of self control especially when binge eating ( not only obese people do this everyone does it sometimes)
10. Decades of unhealthy diets and lifestyle makes it harder to break that vicious cycle for those who want to get healthier.

Kaazsz · Answer

Because people eat too fucking much and don’t have self control. You and only you decided to eat that much. Putting the blame on someone else is just avoiding personal responsibility. Nobody force fed you.

We are validating all of these excuses but when someone who is obese stops and thinks, they can self reflect and figure out why it happened.

And they can learn how to lose the weight. They don’t have the willpower. They won’t choose a better way because they don’t want to. You wanted to get fat so now you’re fat. And now that you know that you have to eat less to lose weight, you don’t want to do it.

Instead, as society taught you, you put the blame on someone or something else. Some people even believe they are incapable of losing weight. As if their bodies defy the laws of physics. They don’t. There is no fat person who can’t lose weight. There is no genetic pre-disposition that turns low calories into lots of calories.

nelly83 · Answer

When you walk into a market , your juices yogurts granola bars oat milk chocolate milk is filled with sugar. You cannot afford to grab a healthy bite while you’re outside unless you want to sit at the table cloth and tip the waiter. A quick affordable bite is usually McDonald’s Burger King Wendy’s. Americans are obsessed with fried foods pizza Mac and cheese , bacon and eggs cheese omletes for breakfast

some parents think they can overfeed their kids with healthy food which always leads to weight gain

Hannah591 · Answer

Lack of mental health support. People who eat excessively often use it as a comfort and it can be seen as an addiction. If more and more people realised that, they could be treated like anyone else with an addiction and be able to go to a MH centre to help them retrain their thoughts around food and get to the emotional cause of the problem (in many cases anyway). But that support isn't there and there's now hoards of people trying to argue that it's healthy and okay to be obese, which to me is like supporting lung damage caused by smoking. Eating to excess and having an addiction isn't healthy, just like smoking isn't.

BeMuse · Answer

I’ve never seen anyone that fat anywhere in America and I’ve visited like 70% of the states. I have no idea where they find these people, but I guess there’s someone out there sleuthing them out. So my guess is that we have an obesity problem because BMI is a flawed system to begin with. People with larger frames and muscle tend to be overweight when they are fit and if they let themselves go a little they slip into the obese category. Even if they get more fit they are technically obese… For example is is an obese America. He’s 6’3 around 244 LB.

GoodGuyBreakingBad · Answer

I went through struggle coming from a family of Obesity
I've managed to lose 100 lbs but my weight seems to
plateau from time to time and I went on crash diet when
I was in High School and nearly killed myself and after
going down to 160 lbs I gradually gained weight plus
I dealt with health issues with low blood sugar and then
I became a Diabetic so yes crash diets and overeating
has been my problem for years and I been overweight all
my life not too good trust me and my Great-Grandma on
my late Mom's side was 300 lbs and was a big Woman
so yes it happens in life and why it's such a problem is
cause people don't want to eat healthily and the cost of
healthy food is extreme. So most of my problem is
genetics and inherited, my late Mom passed away
at 200 lbs she was Diabetic she died due to cancer

Anonymous · Answer

Why? Because you are only supposed to eat like 2000 calories a day and there's fast food on every corner that tempt you to eat as much as you can and stuff like that. I think they are using it to self medicate or something for mental illness like depression. A good example I have thought of recently about depression would be like how animals who live in zoos become depressed and lose motivation and start self destructing and not being good and happy. Instead with humans self destructing would be like eating more to cope with not being not depressed. Then others might just be addicted to it or suicidal etc. Like if they wanted to die anyways and didn't have the guts to do it themselves they'd probably just go about life being a miserable pos and eating themselves to death instead. I can relate tho in a way and it's probably not completely their fault they are like that.

Cherokeehp · Answer

Healthy foods can be expensive. Processed food and fast foods are cheap, easily accessible, and prepared for you. The sugar and salt in fast foods makes it literally addictive. Some people live in food deserts where healthy meals aren’t easily available. Some people just sit on their ass all day. There’s plenty of reasons.

MissDawn7961 · Answer

I live in the U. S. and the problem with obesity is that there are to many all you can eat places in America ! so people want to go there and get their moneys worth by eating until they can hardly breath ! so this is why there are so many overweight people in the United States ! Thanks

NYCQuestions1976 · Answer

There are actually more fat people in Europe (particularly the United Kingdom) than in the United States. However, the fat people we do have, happen to be that fattest on Earth, on average. So we may not have the most Fatty Alfredos, but we definitely have the best! 👍😂

emmily2396 · Answer

You are wealthier than other countries. I can't rven acford a car, I nned to either walk or use public transport. Try walking withose heavy bags for 15 mins. Plus, you get tons of ads which make you buy shit you don't need, including food. I can't afford that either.

lightbulb27 · Answer

Garbage diet combined with lack of walking... all promoted. lack of self discipline in the face of aggressive marketing.

Preservatives, lack of education, wealth resulting in high calories without all the work like a farmer does.

mental illness...

tartaarsaus · Answer

I think it says a lot that there was a lot of uproar in European nations about a free trade agreement with the USA due to the fear that they could import all their food to Europe, as the standards are far lower. A lot of food in the USA is essentially just extremely unhealthy. Combine this with the fact that unhealthy food is really cheap and the USA has quite high income inequality, a lot of people are basically left no choice but to consume the incredibly unhealthy food.

Darcia · Answer

Genetics, thyroid issues, Willi-Prader syndrome, lack of education which foods are safe, low socioeconomic opportunities, fetishes some people like being this way to claim disability, being dependent upon, preferences some rather be bigger than others, lack of social support, no motivation, medication causes excessive weight gain, healthy meals are inexpensive but many folks don’t realize it, lack of resources to eat properly, lack of exercise, feelings of hopelessness, so many factors.

hellionthesagereborn · Answer

Actually, its not (honestly a little surprised. I always thought they over inflated (no pun intended) our rates but it turns out we actually are on par with most every one else in the west). At least not comparative to Europe. Our rate is about 20% which seems to be the standard rate for every other European nation (the UK has a rate of 27% even).

Why is obesity such a problem in the USA?

aWes0MeNeSs · Answer

I truly believe that the biggest contributor is the sugar content in our foods. Our food has a significantly higher amount of sugar in it than in most other countries.

Also, as a first world country, many people in the US have the luxury of not having to do strenuous work on a daily basis (of course there are quite a few jobs that require it, but those people usually stay fit and thin), and a lot of people, especially those who work desk jobs, are pretty sedentary.

GoodManDave · Answer

Genetics sometimes, but I think more often then not, bad education, lack of time, more people with less money, add in other health concerns for some people that make it hard to exercise and can’t find something that doesn’t come across as a chore, that leads to a lot of issues with obesity tending to be more common.

Akachan · Answer

Our portions are wau larger and it cost less to be unhealthy. Here's a video that explains it well.

Anonymous · Answer

Natural/organic foods aren’t subsidized like the chemicals in food made by DOW chemical for example. Been reading a lot about taking in low carbs, no sugar. I’m healthy but wouldn’t mind improving some. It doesn’t help when people that are well respected, etc... tell everyone not to care about their body, pink hair, etc... just when I got used to being around people again ten years ago everything went to shit again. I can’t even eat fat in steak lmao I look so weird around other guys eating, I don’t give a... I just throw them jokes. The books by Dr. Joel Wallach D. V. M, N. D are worth thousands in medical advice it’s amazing, I highly highly recommend them for anyone interested in taking back your personal health, nutrition.

just_a_potato · Answer

Though it is on the person to keep themselves healthy, a good part of the problem is the food being sold in stores, the resturant choices, and the proportion sizes. If you compared them to other countries you can see why they have less of a problem then we do.

TripleAce · Answer

lol...
Its really to do with the food and lack of exercise for many...
when you have sugary drinks sold for 1$ at the store, and they give you a massive giant plastic cup for it...

its going to happen
they made a sandwich which a breaded chicken breast between two donuts... pure heart attack

humanearth · Answer

Because, too many fast food restaurants, people are lazier now days,

Back in the day, everyone lived on farms and had to work hard. Most people that would try to live like the 1800s or earlier peasants in today time. They would almost certainly die

Phoenix98 · Answer

I mean it's not just a problem here there are more then a few places where it's a bigger issue.

But with that being said it has to do with the mindset here in society in that certain people are trying to make it the norm and things like health, fitness and being attractive get shamed while being a slob who lives and breathes food is glorified, that's why you have models who are like 200+ pounds.

hellacray · Answer

Cause people have freedom to eat what they want. And they literally eat what they want all the time.

People need to take some responsibility, cause it's their damn fault they're so fat.

Don't blame junk food and stop pushing fat acceptance on to people.

worldscolide · Answer

you can thank the fat acceptance movement combined with the fact that even the poorest among us dont live in what you would call scarcity. Plus have you seen the portions at fast food places? There have been times where the wife and i will go to Applebees and order a meal for each.. and end up taking most of it home because of the portions.

Metatarsals · Answer

Poor education on health risks of obesity combined with thinking exercise and diet are purely for looks.
Unhealthy food being cheap.
Lack of motivation when that weight piles on.
If you're poor, you're working too many jobs, you don't have time for self care and then It becomes a commodity of people who have more time or money.

0oGreyo0 · Answer

Sugar and corn syrup and refined carbs like bread. To much heao access to it. For the poor and depressed.
Sugar is more addictive than most drugs in my opinion.
That's why you have all these new autoimmune disease people all of sudden

Flower7 · Answer

Lack of education. And because it's become the cultural norm. When people get so used to seeing something, they start thinking that it's okay and that it's acceptable.

tHISpLACEiSbONKERZ · Answer

Because it's a fast food nation   .. Most people don't know how to cook there so they just eat any trash (fast food) they can get their hands on.

Powderpuff97 · Answer

hmm not sure if you're trying to block the blm movement but you can literally get 5 double cheeseburgers from mcdonalds for only 5 buck or a meal for 3 bucks salads at chic fil a cost 9 dollars

Freddy78361 · Answer

Processed foods are cheaper, people spend time on video games or watching tv, we don't celebrate activity or athletics and people have cars to drive everywhere since towns are planned with space between things. Instead of riding bikes.

Astarlessnightsky · Answer

Many reasons (from what I've heard) They drive with their car everywhere. American food has either lots of sugar or lots of fat or both. American food comes in really big portions.

FreyaRed · Answer

This isn't only an US problem. It's lack of self-control and laziness to cook their own meals.

Konabeana · Answer

Because in the US there are so many processing plants, commercialized products, and false advertising that lead America’s to consuming large amounts of unhealthy, fatty foods.

jennifer_bloom · Answer

My theory is they neglected their bodies thinking they could lose weight later and then encountered so much resistance when they tried to lose it that they gave up

mike5150 · Answer

There's either a McDonalds, Taco Bell or Burger King on ever corner. Most of them have dollar menus so it's easier to consume a 1500 calories fast food meal for $5 than to buy fruits and vegetables individually and then prepare them.

JohnPrice2000 · Answer

Within 5 minutes of each other on a street fairly close to my house there is a Dunkin donuts McDonald's Rita's KFC and a Taco Bell all next to each other

andreasderjuengere · Answer

It's because Putin is manipulating the food industry, and because China purposely exports food at the same time. The U. S. are surrounded by ill-meaning neighbours, and this makes many fat. ... :D

GraveDoll · Answer

🤣🤣 im going to pass on this one  even i can't keep a straight face with this so much irony going on...🤣

CubsterShura · Answer

Calorie-dense foods are more easily accessible, and lifestyle is much more sedentary. It's that simple.

Anonymous · Answer

Cities are built in a way that forces most people to drive everywhere. Everywhere else in earth people walk to get milk for example at the local store.

KingdomForAKiss · Answer

Easy access to cheap and unhealthy foods. And general laziness.

jojixlight · Answer

Maybe because they got money to buy a lot of fast food? or because they eat a lot and can't control that...

nodnol32 · Answer

I've heard fast food is much cheaper in comparison to here (britain) and that the portions are much much bigger. So maybe unhealthier foods are much more easily affordable?

ChibiChuck · Answer

No control, health regulations (I came from another country and food is much better in most other places), no one walks.

I-am-a-nobody · Answer

They eat too much and exercise too little. A lot is cultural. If your parents are fat, you probably will be, too.

Anonymous · Answer

people eat when they aren't hungry and the food we eat has a lot of additives sugar and other crap in it that makes us obese.

leonidas69 · Answer

The portion sizes when you eat out alone are probably reason enough. Small medium and large in America is actually medium large and jumbo.

mayesham · Answer

Because we got hella food and people be eating way too much all day.

Boredguy400 · Answer

Poor eating habits and lots of fast food advertising.

Anonymous · Answer

Because they cut funding to gym programs in public schools and also, there's good food here.

NeeleyCM · Answer

Because unhealthy food is cheap, while healthy food is expensive.

DamnSam · Answer

The American dream, do what you want and give a fuck about other opinions even if you're wrong...

Sailor2001 · Answer

It's the culture with big sized meals, all you can eat offers , junk food and a car focused infrastructure. That's a strong temptation for eating too much and beeing physically inactive.

continentalbreakfast · Answer

have you never been to america? Or seen what its like from TV at least. Lots of cheap food. Lots of lazy people.

Enochian · Answer

It's a problem almost everywhere. Lots of people seem to love food way to much. And I'm not talking about healthy food here.

TienShenhan · Answer

Because there's a lot of bullshit food products here and people dont exercise

Therisinghero12 · Answer

Im skinny myself, but from what I can understand it's that it's so much easier to eat unhealthily here, fast food and sweets everywhere, and healthy foods are expensive and time consuming to prepare.

Why is obesity such a problem in the USA?

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Why is there such an obesity epidemic in this country?

Why is obesity such a problem in the USA?

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Why is there such an obesity epidemic in this country?

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