this bothered me Saturday

Good point OL, on the overstatement of statistics.

I agree too, the consumers drive the market, if they stopped buying Supersize meals and started demanding healthier foods, the market itself would change.

Again though it all comes down to lifestyle changes too.

I am not usually an activist of any type, but I found this compelling...

Yes, very much so. Along the same line... and this
They're older but make the same points....

you're a wise man, Charlie Brown!
---
megawill

Ironically as we are having this written conversation, a report just came across Headline News which stated the FAA is reviewing and adjusting it's regulations for small commuter jets as the previous average of 180 # is no longer a valid benchmark for weight of passenger ratio to weight planes can carry. The report stated that the FAA will no allow for 2 less passengers to account for average weights in the US rising. This is a result of a plane wreck in Charlotte a few months back, where the plane carried to much weight, whether it was in the thighs, stomach or buttocks was not reported.

Very compelling discussion here. I don't go anymore, but I used to go to Sam's Club and I'd see these absolutely enormous people buying Triple X clothing and then I'd notice that in their carts, there were also enormous boxes of wing dings or Little Debbies or whatever. It seemed clear to me that if you didn't have one, you wouldn't need the other.

Lest you think I lack sympathy, I've fought my weight all my life. I'm fighting it right this minute. I gained some back when I couldn't run and have a lot of work ahead of me. I can tell you that no one knows more about nutrition than people who are really overweight. They're not stupid. It's just that overeating is not rational, so approaching it that way isn't successful.

Same thing with smoking. Nobody knows better than a smoker how harmful it is, but smoking isn't a rational activity. Telling someone "That could kill you!" doesn't mean they'll say, "Really? Thanks!" and stub it right out.

I do think lots of people are god-awful lazy and will, if they do it at all, try anything pill-like before doing any real work to get and stay healthy.

I have a very hard time believing that story about the airplane crashing because it was overloaded with fat passengers that lied about their weight. Isn't there a certain factor of safety figured into the weight limits? I think the media is just hyping the 'fat passengers' bit because it's what's popular and will sell the news.

The latest craze here (at least with the Main-Liners) is the Gastric Bypass, AKA, stomach stapling.

I have a very hard time believing that story about the airplane crashing because it was overloaded with fat passengers that lied about their weight. Isn't there a certain factor of safety figured into the weight limits? I think the media is just hyping the 'fat passengers' bit because it's what's popular and will sell the news.
Guess in my neverending attempt at throwing a cynical twist into things I didn't go deep enough into the media's report that the plane was close to/if not over it's weight limit. Because of this the FAA researched the amount of passengers allowed and realized the old average of 180# was no longer applicable and that they were cutting back on # of passengers. CNN was the one who said " this is another result of the supersizing of America". SO I guess it was the media. The FAA said that they feel that a technical difficulty caused the planes wreck, but that the weight factor did play into the pilot not being able to overcome some of his problems.

Are you sure some of the people on board weren't hip cats like Justin Timberlake, Carson Daly and Dean Cain and they were actually referring to 'phat passengers'? thanks, I'll be here all week!

I never said I was angry at overweight people (just stupid people :) ). I said I was angry at overweight people who do NOTHING to help themselves and then expect sympathy. Big difference. And you're right. Everyone has battles. But not everyone expects, hell, DEMANDS, sympathy for them. If you try and fail, you've accomplished something. If you just sit back and do nothing, you inherently give up your right to complain. Question: what's this about a sex battle? :?

I never said I was angry at overweight people (just stupid people :) ). I said I was angry at overweight people who do NOTHING to help themselves and then expect sympathy. Big difference. And you're right. Everyone has battles. But not everyone expects, hell, DEMANDS, sympathy for them. If you try and fail, you've accomplished something. If you just sit back and do nothing, you inherently give up your right to complain. Question: what's this about a sex battle? :? too much...too little....cheating....'one-man shows' (if you know what I mean)....porn...etc.... And I think I agree with you, but I'm not sure yet... OH, and all this discussion makes me think of John Mayer's song... great indoors Check your pulse it's proof that you're not listening to The call your life's been issuing you The rhythm of a line of idle days Scared of a world outside you should go explore Pull all the shades and wander the great indoors The great indoors Lamplight makes the shadows play And posters take the walls away The T.V. is your window pane The view won't let you down So put your faith in a late night show I bet you didn't even know Depends on how far out you go The channel numbers change Scared of a world outside you should go explore Pull all the shades and wander the great indoors Though lately I can't blame you I have seen the world And sometimes wish your room Had room for two So go unlock the door And find what you are here for Leave the great indoors Please leave the great indoors Check your pulse it's proof that you're not listening to The call your life's been issuing you The rhythm of a line of idle

I know someone who know's she's pretty overweight, she's not happy with how she looks, it's keeping her from meeting people, etc. I talked about Weight Watchers, which worked pretty well for me, and even gave her the schedule of where all the offices are, and hours, etc., of the area. She seemed amenable. I said we could go together. She said, "I just can't go before school ends." (She's a teacher.) I know she's busy but that is just another excuse. We're all busy. My question is, why DOESN'T it matter more to her? Why isn't her need to do this equally as important as her getting to the grocery store once a week, or getting her laundry done once a week, or anything else? What will it take for people to give this a higher priority?

Wow, I didn't think this thread would grow so Big; it's like OBESE So why shouldn't we healthy, hard-working people be screaming at our govt. for letting the rest of the country be so fat? After all, we are the ones who will be caring for, and paying for, the rest of the lard-@sses when they've got heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. As members of this society, do we not have certain responsibilities? For instance, we are required to find ways to make less impact on our environment. Isn't the growing epidemic of disease (that is preventable) going to have a huge impact on our society, economy and environment? Talk amongst yourselves. I may come back and stir this one more time.

If you find out, let me know, I have a good friend who is pretty significantly overweight and also keeps making excuses. It really worries me because I know what she's doing to her health and I think she knows she just won't change. :(
BTW, Your smoker analogy was perfect, thanks for clarifying that for me!