Being fat is a choice

[gramboh]

Originally posted by: edro
Most people prefer NTFS now a days.

Hahaha epic winz.

 

[InflatableBuddha]

Originally posted by: LxMxFxD4

Originally posted by: InflatableBuddha
For many people it is a choice, but not all. Genetics has been mentioned, and there are diseases such as Prader-Willi syndrome, which contribute to obesity.

Poverty is one of the biggest culprits. Go to your local supermarket. What are the cheapest foods there? Soda, chips, and pre-packaged foods. McDonald's burgers are only a couple bucks. In comparison, salads and wraps often cost twice as much, and although healthy, are not as filling.

Of course people should exercise more and lounge around less, but that becomes more difficult if the only food you can afford is shitty junk food or fast food which makes you feel full and lethargic all the time.

Blame the Farm Bill, which heavily subsidizes corn and soy farmers in the U.S., depressing the world market for healthy grains. Many junk foods are made with corn syrup and soy, so because of the subsidies, these foods become the cheapest choices. And for poorer people, they simply can't afford the healthier options on a regular basis.

You raise an interesting point. However, something like 25% of america is obese (or maybe its obese or overweight, I dont remember). Something like only 9% of america lives below "the poverty line." And I challenge even then that there are plenty of rich, obese people, and plenty of below the poverty line thin people.

I was only pointing it out as a correlation (and not an absolute). Of course there are skinny poor people and obese rich people. Officially, 12% of the US population is below the poverty line; 24.5% is obese.

But look at these stats here to support my point: Human Poverty Index

Probability. of not reaching 60:

US - 11.6%
Netherlands - 8.3%

Population below 50% of median income:

US - 17%
Netherlands - 7.3%

International Obesity Task Force - Obesity rates

US: 24.5% (source)
Netherlands: 10.4% Males/ 10.1% females obese

You can compare to other European countries from the links I provided - this is just a sample. But there's a clear correlation here: increased poverty correlates with increased obesity.

 

[Chrono]

You people are stupid if you think the OP was trying to stir something up by bringing up a race. Basically he's pointing out an example of people from here and their originating countries. Being fat is definitely a choice.

 

[BarneyFife]

Being fat is a choice. I know some people that will eat garbage everyday (cheeseburgers, pizza, coney dogs). I don't know how they do it.

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: Beev
Oh this is going to be great.

 

[Fingolfin269]

Originally posted by: InflatableBuddha

Originally posted by: LxMxFxD4

Originally posted by: InflatableBuddha
For many people it is a choice, but not all. Genetics has been mentioned, and there are diseases such as Prader-Willi syndrome, which contribute to obesity.

Poverty is one of the biggest culprits. Go to your local supermarket. What are the cheapest foods there? Soda, chips, and pre-packaged foods. McDonald's burgers are only a couple bucks. In comparison, salads and wraps often cost twice as much, and although healthy, are not as filling.

Of course people should exercise more and lounge around less, but that becomes more difficult if the only food you can afford is shitty junk food or fast food which makes you feel full and lethargic all the time.

Blame the Farm Bill, which heavily subsidizes corn and soy farmers in the U.S., depressing the world market for healthy grains. Many junk foods are made with corn syrup and soy, so because of the subsidies, these foods become the cheapest choices. And for poorer people, they simply can't afford the healthier options on a regular basis.

You raise an interesting point. However, something like 25% of america is obese (or maybe its obese or overweight, I dont remember). Something like only 9% of america lives below "the poverty line." And I challenge even then that there are plenty of rich, obese people, and plenty of below the poverty line thin people.

I was only pointing it out as a correlation (and not an absolute). Of course there are skinny poor people and obese rich people. Officially, 12% of the US population is below the poverty line; 24.5% is obese.

But look at these stats here to support my point: Human Poverty Index

Probability. of not reaching 60:

US - 11.6%
Netherlands - 8.3%

Population below 50% of median income:

US - 17%
Netherlands - 7.3%

International Obesity Task Force - Obesity rates

US: 24.5% (source)
Netherlands: 10.4% Males/ 10.1% females obese

You can compare to other European countries from the links I provided - this is just a sample. But there's a clear correlation here: increased poverty correlates with increased obesity.

I didn't know the poverty line was anyone below 50% of median income??? Ah, nevermind it is some kind of model that combines factors including anyone who makes less than median income. I see what you did there!

 

[Dacalo]

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: Dacalo
Why take it to such extreme? Just look at Europe vs. the U.S. A lot of fatties here; obsessed with super sizing, eating a lot = considered manly, larger portions in general, lots of fatty food, etc.

It's not just about how much you eat. I consume ~6,000 calories a day and do just fine for myself.

True, but not everyone is a soldier like you being active. High caloric consumption is the root cause.

 

[ja1484]

Originally posted by: Beev
Oh this is going to be great.

I agree, this is going to be phenomenal.

His friend has a great point. You don't see any fat black people in Ethiopia!

 

[Blackjack200]

That's like saying Alcoholism is a choice because there aren't any Muslim Alcoholics.

 

[MyThirdEye]

Originally posted by: SlickSnake
Don't this post belong in Health and Fitness? :light:

Do not this post belong in H&F?

I'm not even going to start...

 

[Farang]

Your friend's point would be better made if he used Japanese and Japanese-Americans as examples. This avoids the poverty argument and shows that lifestyle choices are the cause of obesity.

Anyone who has lived in a foreign country, especially in Asia, can attest to this. In Thailand I lost a bunch of weight because every meal was a scoop of rice and some meat and vegetables. I'd eat pork that was half fat, I'd drink three cokes a day and tons of beer. I still lost weight, because you don't eat until you're packed full, you eat until you're not hungry. Fast and processed foods, and portion size, are the cause of obesity in America.

 

[InflatableBuddha]

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269

Originally posted by: InflatableBuddha

Originally posted by: LxMxFxD4

Originally posted by: InflatableBuddha
For many people it is a choice, but not all. Genetics has been mentioned, and there are diseases such as Prader-Willi syndrome, which contribute to obesity.

Poverty is one of the biggest culprits. Go to your local supermarket. What are the cheapest foods there? Soda, chips, and pre-packaged foods. McDonald's burgers are only a couple bucks. In comparison, salads and wraps often cost twice as much, and although healthy, are not as filling.

Of course people should exercise more and lounge around less, but that becomes more difficult if the only food you can afford is shitty junk food or fast food which makes you feel full and lethargic all the time.

Blame the Farm Bill, which heavily subsidizes corn and soy farmers in the U.S., depressing the world market for healthy grains. Many junk foods are made with corn syrup and soy, so because of the subsidies, these foods become the cheapest choices. And for poorer people, they simply can't afford the healthier options on a regular basis.

You raise an interesting point. However, something like 25% of america is obese (or maybe its obese or overweight, I dont remember). Something like only 9% of america lives below "the poverty line." And I challenge even then that there are plenty of rich, obese people, and plenty of below the poverty line thin people.

I was only pointing it out as a correlation (and not an absolute). Of course there are skinny poor people and obese rich people. Officially, 12% of the US population is below the poverty line; 24.5% is obese.

But look at these stats here to support my point: Human Poverty Index

Probability. of not reaching 60:

US - 11.6%
Netherlands - 8.3%

Population below 50% of median income:

US - 17%
Netherlands - 7.3%

International Obesity Task Force - Obesity rates

US: 24.5% (source)
Netherlands: 10.4% Males/ 10.1% females obese

You can compare to other European countries from the links I provided - this is just a sample. But there's a clear correlation here: increased poverty correlates with increased obesity.

I didn't know the poverty line was anyone below 50% of median income??? Ah, nevermind it is some kind of model that combines factors including anyone who makes less than median income. I see what you did there!

If you read my post, I wasn't comparing the Human Poverty Index ratings for the two countries. I compared two specific measures which are part of that formula. BTW, the study is commissioned by the UN - so that's reputable enough for me.

Read the linked article again, and look just below the formula:

P3: Population below income poverty line (50% of median adjusted household disposable income)

I cited the data for the poverty line in both countries as defined by the article, and took both measures from that article. Thus my correlation stands.

Either find a different study which refutes what I posted here, or STFU.

 

[BoomerD]

WHAT? You think fat people WANT to be fat? You think we CHOSE to be this way?

Are you out of your fucking mind?

Hey, move will ya...you're in between me and the buffet, and they're bringing out more deep-fried twinkies...

 

[ja1484]

He guys, he's got a point there. I mean look at Darfur. Look at the Congo. Look at Somalia. No fat blacks anywhere.