The Fat Thread

[jonKranked]

this thread will be for ongoing discussion on obesity related topics, especially government related ones.

first, Palin attacks the first lady's initiative to help promote healthier lifestyles:

http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/11/2...iref=allsearch

now, research indicating that obesity is a growing problem (no pun intended) for the military:

http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/12/0...ex.html?hpt=C1

one fact that really stuck out:

In 2008, some 634 military personnel were discharged for transgressing "don't ask, don't tell." That same year, 4,555 were discharged for failing to meet military weight standards.

[stoney]

Fat people bother me. Not overweight, fat. In the obese range. 20-30# overweight: That's bad, but when you can't walk up stairs, or even work, you don't have a medical problem. You have an eating problem. I propose we stop supporting them. Cut them off, and watch them figure it out.

[Pesqueeb]

I must take a picture of our local hangar fattie. 650+lbs. I like the guy and all, I’ve known him for almost 10 years, but damn. Not only does his weight cause all the obvious health issues, but there is a “hygiene” and “odor” issue which I’m pretty sure is related to the logistical challenge of keeping that much real estate cleansed. Sad part, in relation to the stat you quote, is he was a 12 year air force guy who probably would have stayed career except he couldn't make weight.

[Fool]

650+lbs.

That's nearly 4 mes. I could get a lot of **** done and have ample riding time if there were 4 mes.
McRib with extra bacon, here I come!

[stoney]

I just don't get it. Even eating poorly, on new drugs with weight gaining side effects, and with zero exercise for the last 4-5 months, I only gained about 25#. My body seemed to hit a stable weight. I just don't know how you can get that fat.

[Westy]

I just don't get it. Even eating poorly, on new drugs with weight gaining side effects, and with zero exercise for the last 4-5 months, I only gained about 25#. My body seemed to hit a stable weight. I just don't know how you can get that fat.

Everyone is differfent. Bad diet and no exercise and I will gain 5lbs a week.

[mattmatt86]

Here's another good one.

Almost 10 Percent of U.S. Medical Costs Tied to Obesity

Obesity in the United States now carries the hefty price tag of $147 billion per year in direct medical costs, just over 9 percent of all medical spending, experts report.

In fact, people who are obese spend almost $1,500 more each year on health care -- about 41 percent more than an average-weight person.

For people on Medicare, average expenses for a normal-weight person average about $4,700 a year, while costs for an obese person range about $6,400 annually, Finkelstein said.

I'm a numbers person, so when I see something like 147 billion I get sick to my stomach.

[jonKranked]

This is more than just us not liking the lazy.

At what point does obesity become such an issue that the government needs to intervene?

And what are the implications of things like corn subsidies for farmers?

[4xBoy]

This is more than just us not liking the lazy.

At what point does obesity become such an issue that the government needs to intervene?

And what are the implications of things like corn subsidies for farmers?

Sadly I think we already passed the point where Government should have stepped in to say you are fat and lazy.


Subsidies are a great failure, although if they didn't exist some things would be hard to get people to grow.

[Pesqueeb]

That's nearly 4 mes. I could get a lot of **** done and have ample riding time if there were 4 mes.
McRib with extra bacon, here I come!

At one point a couple years ago the person in question had been put on some experimental metabolism boosting drug (employer provided “healthcare” turned him down for gastric bypass/lap band). He was on it for about three months before one day I noticed he looked like he was starting to shed some weight, so I mentioned it. He proceeded to tell me he had lost 180 lbs. Before I could even think about I said “Holy sh1t Dave that’s more than I weigh!” He took it well enough, but you could barley tell he had lost any weight, never mind 180 lbs. He was on the local news when all this was going on talking about his “struggle”. I’ll fish around and see if I can find video.


*edit: best I could find
http://www.kktv.com/news/headlines/34184734.html

[Secret Squirrel]

At what point does obesity become such an issue that the government needs to intervene?

Shock collars. Lots and lots of shock collars.

I was grabbing a pizza at Papa Murphy's on Friday and there was this chick (about 5'5" 275 or so...) in front of me. She called in an order for just about the most unhealthy thing they make...some huge meat meat meat cheese cheese cheese behemoth. She then asks if they have any salads other than the Italian one...they say yeah, a vegetarian. She takes one of those and asks for lo-fat dressing. Just buy the salad and f*ck the pizza...all of a sudden most of the health problems you probably suffer from will be reduced 10-fold.

Obesity really is an epidemic. All it takes is simple math skills and a few minutes to figure out how many calories you eat in a day and how many you burn. Pay attention for a week and average it.

But that's asking too much I suppose.

[BurlyShirley]

Three things:


1.) Staying in shape is work, and most people are lazy.

2.) Food is cheaper now than ever before, so Americans are free to indulge almost as much as they like, unlike in past times when you actually had to budget for food.

3.) It is both more expensive and more work to eat well.

I see no realistic solutions to any of these problems, because people dont actually care about their health until they realize they're dying, and by then it's too late. And government intervention in the public's diet will only piss people off, so nobody's going to touch this when being re-elected is priority #1.

[Silver]

Three things:


1.) Staying in shape is work, and most people are lazy.

2.) Food is cheaper now than ever before, so Americans are free to indulge almost as much as they like, unlike in past times when you actually had to budget for food.

3.) It is both more expensive and more work to eat well.

I see no realistic solutions to any of these problems, because people dont actually care about their health until they realize they're dying, and by then it's too late. And government intervention in the public's diet will only piss people off, so nobody's going to touch this when being re-elected is priority #1.

1-Yes. I have a fast metabolism, but as I'm getting older it's slowing down. This leads to decisions like, "I like onion rings, but they are ****ing horrible for me. Maybe, since I had them last night, I'll pass on them for a month." Along with exercise-I had my ass on the trainer last night at 10pm, and it wasn't because I wanted to do it. I had Old Raspustins in the fridge, and would have much rather sucked back a couple of those.

It's somewhat annoying when people say, "You're so lucky you're thin!" Yeah, if you count not eating 7500 calories a day and getting 10-12 hours of exercise a week lucky, I guess you're right.

2-This is also true. It seems like a big ass bag of chips costs less than a couple of raw ****ing potatoes. How is that even possible?

3-Also true. Eating processed food is much easier than making it from scratch. Have you ever made a pizza from scratch? By the time you get the dough done and the sauce made, you're looking at a couple of hours, plus the mess. Pizza Slut is 20 minutes to your door, and the remains go out in the trash in 5 seconds.

Just look at Sarah ****ing Retard Palin taking shots at Michelle Obama over cookies. Bang on, BS.

[Westy]

This is more than just us not liking the lazy.

At what point does obesity become such an issue that the government needs to intervene?

And what are the implications of things like corn subsidies for farmers?

I can't remember the exact numbers, corn and soy subsidies reduce the cost those items by a good 50%. 75% of the sugar and fat calories Americans consume originate from Corn and soy. Something like 30% of the calories we eat are pad for by the Gubment. Those calories are almost always the high fat empty carb types that just make people fat and diabetic.

[KavuRider]

1.) Staying in shape is work, and most people are lazy.

I think this is the primary reason for obesity, personally.

I know so many lazy people who are winded just walking from their desk to the fridge and back.

You don't have to be an Ironman competitor, but good god, at least be mobile.