NPR: Americans Are Fat, And Expected To Get Much Fatter

Elena · #1 by **Elena** » Nov 17, 2011 7:58 pm

Americans Are Fat, And Expected To Get Much Fatter

In case you haven't noticed, we're fat, and getting fatter.

If Americans stay on this path, 83 percent of men will be overweight or obese by 2020. Women are right behind them, with 72 percent projected to be overweight or obese by then.

The implications go far beyond tight pants and groaning sofas. Obesity is a big risk factor for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Imagining an America of overweight, unhealthy people gives public health officials the willies. And it should be frightening to us civilians, too.

The latest numbers come from Mark Huffman, an assistant professor of preventive medicine and cardiology at Northwestern University who presented them at the annual scientific meeting of the American Heart Asssociation this week.

He looked at current rates for cardiovascular risk factors including smoking, lack of exercise, diet, weight, blood pressure and cholesterol. He found that reductions in smoking, high cholesterol and high blood pressure since 1988 have been offset by weight gain, diabetes, and pre-diabetes.

continues

The_Metatron · #2 by **The_Metatron** » Nov 17, 2011 8:16 pm

Marking...

aban57 · #3 by **aban57** » Nov 17, 2011 9:35 pm

Well that shouldnt be a problem for you, since you'll get the belgian citizenship :lol:

Anyway, your new diet should prevent you and your family from that kind of problems

HughMcB · #4 by **HughMcB** » Nov 17, 2011 10:13 pm

Although the issue is raised in light of the US population, I would think it is far more widespread than that.

Elena · #5 by **Elena** » Nov 19, 2011 9:08 pm

HughMcB wrote:Although the issue is raised in light of the US population, I would think it is far more widespread than that.

Which it's a shame considering that about one third of the population is undernourished and another third is starving (acc. to the WHO).

Sovereign · #6 by **Sovereign** » Nov 19, 2011 10:50 pm

I remember hearing one researcher make the statement that 1billion people are overweight and 1 billion people are starving and that it's the same problem. I'm going to have to search through the TED talks to find it.

HughMcB · #7 by **HughMcB** » Nov 20, 2011 9:41 pm

Elena wrote:
HughMcB wrote:Although the issue is raised in light of the US population, I would think it is far more widespread than that.

Which it's a shame considering that about one third of the population is undernourished and another third is starving (acc. to the WHO).

Well we did see the thread recently containing the UN findings on the overweight outnumbering the undernourished in the world. A very sad state of affairs. :confused:

Louiesan · #8 by **Louiesan** » Nov 23, 2011 2:07 pm

Well Americans cant be blame. Cheeseburgers and hotdogs really are addictive! Im beginning to wonder" why would I choose to be thin, when I have all the money to be fat" and its easier than braking sweat.

The_Metatron · #9 by **The_Metatron** » Nov 23, 2011 4:53 pm

Simple. Decide how long you'd like to live and how you want to die.

chairman bill · **#10** by **chairman bill** » Nov 23, 2011 5:10 pm

Sovereign wrote:I remember hearing one researcher make the statement that 1billion people are overweight and 1 billion people are starving ...

Soylent Green is the answer ... the starving get fed, and we reduce the population. Win all round.

I'm With Stupid · **#11** by **I'm With Stupid** » Nov 23, 2011 5:29 pm

You can tell whether a restaurant is aimed at foreigners over here by the portion sizes. It's even worse in Thailand. We spent our entire holiday eating local street food and then ended up on a tourist island. The portion sizes were (no exaggeration) about 3 times the size. When you look at the average calories intake of people over the past 50 years, it's not difficult to see where the problem lies. I think the healthy or unhealthy food is a bit of a red herring (for this particular health problem, at least), the real problem is the amount people are eating of it.

HughMcB · **#12** by **HughMcB** » Nov 24, 2011 2:51 pm

The_Metatron wrote:Simple. Decide how long you'd like to live and how you want to die.

Hopefully under a woman one third of my age (not until I'm at least 54 though). :grin:

babel · **#13** by **babel** » Nov 24, 2011 2:59 pm

HughMcB wrote:
The_Metatron wrote:Simple. Decide how long you'd like to live and how you want to die.

Hopefully under a woman one third of my age (not until I'm at least 54 though).

That's just lazy, Hugh. :naughty: