I guarantee that website is run by fat people. Look in Europe their are way too many fat people, but its still positively ectomorphic compared to the US. Its a mixture of Super size EVERYTHING, (wall-mart was an experience) and lack of exercise. America needs to get way more people into sports, not just the top athletes. Its too elitist it seems.
Super size me was a good film at highlighting junk food problem in the US, although a bit OTT in my opinion (wopw you ate nothing but junk for 30 days and got fat and unhealthy, what a revelation) it still emphasized the lack of healthier lifestyle initiatives in the US.
It is interesting to note the studies that have shown that on a 7 day exercise program overweight people significantly increased their blood profiles without losing any weight. What this means, who knows. I am waiting for this f-ing PPT to be posted so I can throw out the references. I want to take some time to pick it apart as well.
using the BMI is absurd. It doesnt even differentiate for sex or age. It was also invented around 80 years ago when the average person was somewhat smaller framed. (I think)
[quote]illbill22 wrote:
using the BMI is absurd. It doesnt even differentiate for sex or age. It was also invented around 80 years ago when the average person was somewhat smaller framed. (I think)[/quote]
It was originally developed by an insurance company (I forget the name, I could figure it out if you’re interested) to estimate the costs overweight clients would accrue. It’s about 70% accurate.
The average person was smaller framed then, that is true. Also leaner.
The data would become MUCH more accurate if doctors did a simple 3-site skinfold when people went in for a checkup. Why they don’t, I have no idea.
We own a healthclub and fitness center for women. We have women who are obese as PT clients and you have never seen lazier people in your life. The traits they all have in common are hating to sweat, lazy demeanor, moving in slow motion, absolutely ZERO will power and i mean ZERO. Type 1 or 2 diabetes. One 26 year old has had a heart attack and still continues to binge on steak, ribs and dessert. Her doctor almost fired himself to not have to be resposible for her anymore. Another fat woman, Type 2 diabetes, open heart surgery, still refuses to exercise, won’t even get a day pass to our gym. She has to “think about it”, i say think about all you want because if your chest being cracked open due to your eating did not make you think, nothing ever will. The list goes on. They binge on a whole cake in one sitting in private. We get to hear the confessions.
I believe that obesity is not a problem here though. What is the REAL problem is something about people’s psychology. I can’t put my finger on it but i feel obesity is just a side effect of an individuals psychology, and the psychological issues are the real epidemic.
I see your point illbill. However, one must take into account that BMI is for sedentary population not active population. Do you do a BMI measure on anyone sedentary, they won’t be surprise if they are classified overweight or obese. People generally know they are in this predicament.
However, If you take me for example. 165 in my 5’6" frame is classified as overweight (BMI=26) but I also know that this measure is not appropriate for me.
The key here is sedentary. The BMI is one way to tell they to start doing something.
[quote]illbill22 wrote:
If obesity stats come from BMI it might be greatly overstated. Its really not hard to be classified as overwieght or even obese according to BMI. [/quote]
I saw something scroll by on the bottom of the TV screen that said the CDC revised its rankings of killer diseases and dropped obesity down from something like # 3 to # 7. (I don’t recall the exact ranking).
It also said people with a slightly higher than desirable BMI actually had a lower mortality rate than people with an ideal BMI. I don’t know if that means it is better to carry a little extra fat (or muscle) or if it just means very sick people can often be underweight.
I am really worried because I am really overweight. According to my BMI that is. All I have to do is get my body fat into the negative range and I will be at the top of my normal weight range.
Oh my God, will people stop saying that “Obesity is not a problem anymore”?!
One (flawed) study does not negate 60 years of science!
There are numerous problems with the JAMA study. The first of which being, the non-obese population they studied was not screened for chronic disease. People with chronic diseases tend to be skinnier, obviously. People with cancer, various degenerative diseases, these are skinny people. If obese people got these diseases, they would lose weight and be moved from the “obese” category into the thinner category. This makes it look like obese people are by definition healthier since chronic disease tends to cause weight loss. Can you see how this makes the study completely misleading? Never mind the decades of science that came before this study that show that obesity is a dangerous risk factor for all kinds of diseases.
This study and the publicity its getting is a public health disaster. It’s probably set healthy eating back 10 years.
[quote]Gregus wrote:
I believe that obesity is not a problem here though. What is the REAL problem is something about people’s psychology. I can’t put my finger on it but i feel obesity is just a side effect of an individuals psychology, and the psychological issues are the real epidemic.[/quote]
The real problem is everybody afraid of stepping on people’s toes. Nobody wants to lower somebody else’s self-esteem. That’s ridiculous - YOU’RE FAT - you should feel bad, go exercise - and you will feel better as you see the positive impact it has on you.
I think its no shocker that the BMI is being used by people who are arguing AGAINST the obesity epidemic. I have known for years that the scale did not appropriately differentiate between male and female frames as well as muscle weight vs. fat weight.
The psychological problem is the political correct-bullshit that has taken over American culture. You can’t call them fat, that might hurt their feelings, they are simply overweight or they can’t help their genetics.
Fat people should have to go to live on their own island. I’m pretty sure the McDonald’s there would never close.