about the obesity epidemic?

a lot of things will have to change within society, as a whole, before anything can be done about the obesity.

The number one cause, IMO, is that society is too busy.

Too many people eat crap food because it's easier and faster.

Too many people go without exercise because they don't have time to fit it into their schedule.

If everyone would slow down, I think the rate of obesity would go down.

But neither are going to happen, in my opinion.

As it stands, there's nothing we can do as a society.

It has to start at home, with the children.

As it stands, there's nothing we can do as a society.

It has to start at home, with the children.


precisely.

we as a society cannot regulate what others (non family) eat... we can, however, try to teach our children proper eating habits.

then there's also the theory i've heard floating around the 'net and television: in a sense it's truly a display of social darwinism and survival of the fittest. in every society, there are going to be those who are "fit" and those who are not.

what's your take on that?

dh and i have discussed this "problem" and the places that "blame" lies and where it should lie many many times. while we both agree that there are genes and other genetic issues that can contribute to obesity the vast majority of the people that are overweight (most of my family and some of his too) are just not healthy. we will encourage our children to eat healthy, there will be a vegetable and lean meat at every meal, limited snacks (cookies, chips, etc) in the house although we will not completely forbid snacks. only 100% juice will be in our house (juicey juice). we will encourage physical activity, dh will coach little league or pee wee football or whatever so he can spend time with our kids.

as for society, people need to realize they can cook "real" meals on short periods of time. it takes some thinking but there are so many meals you can make in a crockpot or do what my grandma does in the morning--prep the meals (get everything ready to go in the oven and then just pop it in when you get home or have your kids if they are old enough do it). people need to take responsibility for their actions. if they stop at mcD's more days than not what do they expect is going to happen?

Well it definately needs to start at home for the children, but if the parents arn't doing it themselves- they won't be that strong in reinforcing it.

I think families just need to get more active. Take the dog for a walk! Make sure there is a no tv time! Healthy dinners, healthy lunches, and healthy breakfasts.

If the tv was turned off, the internet was turned off, the video games taken away- kids would get bored and start being more active.

It's up to the parents to control that and that would be one huge way of changing the health of our present, and future generations.

I would also like to add, that American bread has sugar in it. For that fact- mostly anything in America has sugar in it.

For instance- Wonder Bread is like what.. one if not the most popular breads in the US? And it's packed with sugar!!! The only reason it takes 2 weeks to go stale is because of the high amounts of sugar in it! I find that disgusting.

Bread is meant to go stale 2-3 days after it's baked.

Can you imagine the difference if bread and fizzy drink was cut out of an obese child's diet? Huge difference.

The Us, Britain & Australia are actually the worlds fattest nations.

Damn us aussies like Maccas lol.

Ultimately, it's the parent's responsibility to ensure that their children eat healthy and are active, but in light of the fact that many parents are obese themselves, and don't eat right or excercise, maybe some things can be implemented at schools to promote healthy eating and exercising.
* Mandatory Gym Class for ALL children k thru 12.
* Afterschool activities for Elementary Students. Kids need to be involved in activities that keep them from sitting in front of the TV all afternoon/evening after school. I know there's a cost factor - but MAYBE there should be government budget for programs for kids to stay active.
* No Soda/Junk Food in Vending Machines at schools.
* Free Breakfast for ALL students, not just low income students. Studies have shown that children that eat breakfast are higher performers in school. Promoting eating breakfast is a positive habit to teach for managing weight.
* Eat more dinners at home!!!! Not only is it a waste of money eating out all the time, but normally portion sizes are WAY over what they should be, and people tend to overeat when they go out to dinner. What a great way to re-connect with your kids at the end of the day by sitting down together and eating dinner at home!

For instance- Wonder Bread is like what.. one if not the most popular breads in the US? And it's packed with sugar!!! The only reason it takes 2 weeks to go stale is because of the high amounts of sugar in it! I find that disgusting.

Bread is meant to go stale 2-3 days after it's baked.

Can you imagine the difference if bread and fizzy drink was cut out of an obese child's diet? Huge difference.

The Us, Britain & Australia are actually the worlds fattest nations.

Damn us aussies like Maccas lol.

:lol cause that's the only bread I buy cause it takes forever to go bad :lol

we buy whole wheat or potato bread. we don't buy white bread

a lot of things will have to change within society, as a whole, before anything can be done about the obesity.

The number one cause, IMO, is that society is too busy.

Too many people eat crap food because it's easier and faster.

Too many people go without exercise because they don't have time to fit it into their schedule.

If everyone would slow down, I think the rate of obesity would go down.

But neither are going to happen, in my opinion.

:agree

Well the fact that you guys can't eat white bread without feeling guilty says it all.

I mean- I eat vegemite, or salad, or vegemite & salad, or ham and cheese on my bread back home- our bread has no sugar.. so it tastes good- it tastes savoury!

The first time I toasted wonder bread- it burnt in half a minute cos of the sugar lmao ......it was crazy!!! I was scared!


I think we should have to take a medical certificate to McDonalds to prove that we are ok to eat it. I think we should have mandatory PE classes from k-12 and I think there should be a time in the house where the kids go outside and play and they arn't allowed to stay inside with electronics- and if its raining, Monopoly will be good enough.

We're just lazy as a society. We like to go out and get shakes and burgers, and then we go home and watch tv or sit on our computers for the most part. Back in the day, people stayed more fit because they did more activies outside whether it was gardening or playing hopscotch. I don't spend enough time off my computer, but I do try to exercise on a regular basis. I've started to eat better and move more. That's the key, activity.

Kids really are having more problems with obesity because they're sitting watching sesame street and other things for longer than they should, and then they go in their rooms and sit down to play a video game or whatever. We just need to all start moving our butts a little more :)

a lot of things will have to change within society, as a whole, before anything can be done about the obesity.

The number one cause, IMO, is that society is too busy.

Too many people eat crap food because it's easier and faster.

Too many people go without exercise because they don't have time to fit it into their schedule.

If everyone would slow down, I think the rate of obesity would go down.

But neither are going to happen, in my opinion.

:agree
Of course, keep raising the gas prices and people won't be able to afford to drive and will have to walk. That's a way to get people moving and losing weight. I swear its a conspiracy. :giggle

a lot of things will have to change within society, as a whole, before anything can be done about the obesity.

The number one cause, IMO, is that society is too busy.

Too many people eat crap food because it's easier and faster.

Too many people go without exercise because they don't have time to fit it into their schedule.

If everyone would slow down, I think the rate of obesity would go down.

But neither are going to happen, in my opinion.

:yes
And it starts at home!

oh simmy reminded me: that our fast food restaurants do not need to encourage people to eat there. we do not need the monopoly million dollar give away at mcDs. we do not need the toys in happy meals, etc etc

oh simmy reminded me: that our fast food restaurants do not need to encourage people to eat there. we do not need the monopoly million dollar give away at mcDs. we do not need the toys in happy meals, etc etc

I disagree with you. People need to make eating fast food a personal decision. If someone wants to go get happy meals everyday to get the toy or drink a coke everday for the game pieces, then good for them. Businesses should not have to stop having promotions because people cannot keep themselves away. It is a personal choice and personal responsibility to eat better.

I agree with Ellen and her comment about breakfast in schools. I think EVERY school EVERY day should have breakfast available, I am not saying a hot breakfast, but cereal, fruit, bagles, muffins, that type of thing. I think that students who eat breakfast will then be less likely to eat a ton of snacks when they get home from school.

I think that, as Brandi stated, we SLOW down as a society. I do not think TV, video games, etc are the MAIN culprit. I think busy schedules that give you a 30 minute time frame with which to prepare, eat and clean up from a meal is inadequate and causes people to "swing through the drive-thru" far too often.

Parents ought to have granola bars and fruit around for snacks and instill in their children that these are the snacks they should eat, not oreos or puddings.



As a kid I was ALWAYS on the go, outside playing, soccer games, tennis matches, track meets, etc. But now that I have school and work and basically eat dinner alone when I am at school, I cannot see stopping what I am doing to cook a whole meal just for me, sandwiches get old to eat day in and day out was well as salads and other easy healthy foods. So I do find myself getting take out more than anyone should and I have gained a significant amount of weight in the past few years. I just think that is a personal thing. I PERSONALLY need to lose weight, it is not McDonald's job to lose it for me.

I disagree with you. People need to make eating fast food a personal decision. If someone wants to go get happy meals everyday to get the toy or drink a coke everday for the game pieces, then good for them. Businesses should not have to stop having promotions because people cannot keep themselves away. It is a personal choice and personal responsibility to eat better.

I agree with Ellen and her comment about breakfast in schools. I think EVERY school EVERY day should have breakfast available, I am not saying a hot breakfast, but cereal, fruit, bagles, muffins, that type of thing. I think that students who eat breakfast will then be less likely to eat a ton of snacks when they get home from school.

I think that, as Brandi stated, we SLOW down as a society. I do not think TV, video games, etc are the MAIN culprit. I think busy schedules that give you a 30 minute time frame with which to prepare, eat and clean up from a meal is inadequate and causes people to "swing through the drive-thru" far too often.

Parents ought to have granola bars and fruit around for snacks and instill in their children that these are the snacks they should eat, not oreos or puddings.



As a kid I was ALWAYS on the go, outside playing, soccer games, tennis matches, track meets, etc. But now that I have school and work and basically eat dinner alone when I am at school, I cannot see stopping what I am doing to cook a whole meal just for me, sandwiches get old to eat day in and day out was well as salads and other easy healthy foods. So I do find myself getting take out more than anyone should and I have gained a significant amount of weight in the past few years. I just think that is a personal thing. I PERSONALLY need to lose weight, it is not McDonald's job to lose it for me.

they don't need to encourage people to go to mcdonalds or burger king or whatever they are multi-billion dollar industries because we are already lazy enough why should they say that "hey come here and get this combo meal and get a ticket to not win the million dollars"

they don't need to encourage people to go to mcdonalds or burger king or whatever they are multi-billion dollar industries because we are already lazy enough why should they say that "hey come here and get this combo meal and get a ticket to not win the million dollars"

They make money off of those games. People who may not normally go there do. Do you disagree with lottery as well? Or just attaching games of chance to fast food.

It is a SMART decision NOT to eat there for those games, but if people do, why should the businesses have to stop.

They make money off of those games. People who may not normally go there do. Do you disagree with lottery as well? Or just attaching games of chance to fast food.

It is a SMART decision NOT to eat there for those games, but if people do, why should the businesses have to stop.

i agree with the lottery because the money made off of it goes to the state. and there are certain states where the lottery funds go to the state schools to help with programs and other various things. if the fast food industry is already a multi-billion dollar industry they are just greedy to have to use incentives like the monopoly game (that's my main gripe not so much the toys) to get MORE money.

I think parents should take more time to get there kids up and moving, set a better example for them..and I also think a MAJOR one in my book is the school system's needs to have better PE/Gym classes or have less class room time so the kids can actually have time after homework, or before, to go outside and play. I think it is really hard for kids to come home from school do there homework and eat dinner at a reasonable time and still have a reasonable time if any to go out and play before it hits dark.

i agree with the lottery because the money made off of it goes to the state. and there are certain states where the lottery funds go to the state schools to help with programs and other various things. if the fast food industry is already a multi-billion dollar industry they are just greedy to have to use incentives like the monopoly game (that's my main gripe not so much the toys) to get MORE money.

I dont understand why you think businesses should not be able to further their money making and pursue new revenue ventures

I think it's mainly about personal decisions, and I actually agree with Ash! Food businesses should do whatever they want to market, it's all about your decision. Like take McD's has Shrek glasses right now... I'm not going to go eat there every day this week to collect them all for my cousin.
I do think education is very important. In school kids should learn about daily calorie intake, and learn to make wise choices when it comes to eating. Physical fitness should also be encouraged.
Simmy, I love white bread, but I don't eat 5 slices every day. It's all bout portion control in my opinion. I love Taco Bell, I love ice cream, but I also love to eat fruit and other things that are good for me. Moderation is the key!

I think it's mainly about personal decisions, and I actually agree with Ash! Food businesses should do whatever they want to market, it's all about your decision. Like take McD's has Shrek glasses right now... I'm not going to go eat there every day this week to collect them all for my cousin.


I cannot believe we agree!! :lol

as for the glasses, I do own all 4 for my sister, however, I got diet cokes to be able to purchase them all ;)

ash i see your point i really do.

In addition to people making better choices about food and exercise, I think healthy food should be AFFORDABLE!

I work with mostly low income families and fresh fruits, veggies, and meats are expensive to feed a family. You can feed people cheaper on fast food and hostess treats and that is just pathetic. If healthy food was more affordable, then people would really have the power to chose their own meals. A lot of people would still chose unhealthy things, but everyone deserves to have that choice.

In addition to people making better choices about food and exercise, I think healthy food should be AFFORDABLE!

I work with mostly low income families and fresh fruits, veggies, and meats are expensive to feed a family. You can feed people cheaper on fast food and hostess treats and that is just pathetic. If healthy food was more affordable, then people would really have the power to chose their own meals. A lot of people would still chose unhealthy things, but everyone deserves to have that choice.

that's very true

:agree
Of course, keep raising the gas prices and people won't be able to afford to drive and will have to walk. That's a way to get people moving and losing weight. I swear its a conspiracy. :giggle

:rofl

In addition to people making better choices about food and exercise, I think healthy food should be AFFORDABLE!

I work with mostly low income families and fresh fruits, veggies, and meats are expensive to feed a family. You can feed people cheaper on fast food and hostess treats and that is just pathetic. If healthy food was more affordable, then people would really have the power to chose their own meals. A lot of people would still chose unhealthy things, but everyone deserves to have that choice.

That is so true! Over here fruits & vegetables are quite expensive, but the problem is- they are not fresh and by the time they get to Baumholder- they are wilted. So we have to drive like 40 minutes away to the other Commissary in Ramstein to get fresh fruits & veggies.

Unfortunately- it's like this everywhere. And I totally agree with the fast food thing too. It is just so much easier & cheaper to grab a burger from Maccas then it is to - go find the fresh produce, and then prepare it!

It's never going to change though.

I think everyday I'm doing my part to battle obesity, the 4 people in my house are of a healthy weight and are going to stay that way. My kids & I eat a very balanced diet, I take them to the gym often, and when they get old enough they'll be enrolled in some sort of athletics. I think setting a good example is the best way to teach them, kids learn what they see.

I dont understand why you think businesses should not be able to further their money making and pursue new revenue ventures

I agree.. businesses should be able to do whatever it takes to make there product sale..but it is the parent's responsibility to teach there kids that maybe once a month of Mcd's is okay but not everyday...Parent's need to learn to say no and introduce better foods.