SSP

The average weight of men in the United States increased by nearly 24 lb (per https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/ad/ad347.pdf).

Average height only increased by one inch during that time.

As a result, average Body Mass Index increased from just over 25 to almost 28.

Sadly, we're becoming a nation (if not, a world) of Fatties.

tsl

Hmmm... I guess I'm above average. In that time I put on 130 pounds and 36 inches.

Vieja Cabra

Another SSP rant.

Bud Bent

It's a good rant, though. It just amazes me how big so many people are, with no intentions of doing anything about it.

John E

Americans could be the healthiest, happiest people in the world, but we destroy ourselves by practicing the Deadly Sins of gluttony and sloth.

Leigh_caines

Don't you go knocking "sloth"
Nothing like a bit of "sloth" after a long ride
If fact nothing like a bit of "sloth" after a short ride

Tom Bombadil

I overachieved!

But am now working on bucking the trend. Lost 22 pounds in the last year. Hopefully will knock off another 10-15 in the next year.

roadpig2001

Look how much effort it takes to actually buy healthy food . You have to read the back of everything to find out if the "lowfat" or " light" label is a bunch of BS not to mention all of the partially hydrogenated crap in all of those "green" packages. The population just wants to grab the most convienient thing to shove down their mouths. And then theres the exercise...

jppe

I'd have to count myself as one of the unhealthy ones as well........at least until I lost 50+ pounds. If you haven't observed folks in general these days it is a very pitiful sight though-and also very, very concerning.

DnvrFox

And??

If you are concerned, what is your proposed solution?

BSLeVan

And, living longer. Go figure.

DougG

The thing that really makes me sad is to see young kids who are so obese. I think it's almost child abuse to let a kid get in that shape, as they have almost no hope of getting themselves down to a normal weight -- ever. People in their teens are developing the type of diabetes that used to hit people in middle age.

I heard recently that, for the first time since the 1800s, the average life expectancy of the generation that is about 10-15 years old now is less than the expectancy of the previous generation, and it's all due to increased obesity.

DnvrFox

Gripe, gripe, gripe.

How about a solution, instead of just griping?

What are YOU doing about it, or what COULD you (or we) do?

bentnail

Ya I know how to fix it !!

Burn all the TV and Cable stations, get rid of Net, then people would have to do some thing else other than sit on there butts.

Not likely "Just sayin"

Most often it takes a major health event to get people moving in the other direction

DnvrFox

I know that in the past, folks here have admitted to leading neighborhood bike rides for folks, etc. I know that I try to lead folks our age or older on bike rides and walks.

Also, several insurance companies pay for their senior members to join the "Silver Sneakers" senior exercise programs at gyms. They are amazigly popular and well attended around here. They are not my "cup of tea" but they are others.

Our city council /recreation department and county has provided for an amazing array of 100's of miles of beautiful and easily usable walking and bicycling trails, and thousands of acres of open space which are heavily used.

There are a couple of positive things going on.

But, then, Colorado has once again been listed as the "fittest" state in the country.

What others?

bobkat

This last year the life expectancy for Americans actually went DOWN, the first time in the history of the country!
I'd be willing to bet though, that the life expectancy of bikers probably will continue to go UP!

crtreedude 

Let see, I personally have increased my weight from about 8 lbs to 190 lbs in that time... Is that bad? (I was a baby in 1959 )

Beverly

There are tons of programs and education available to people but many choose to ignore them. They're content to take medications for their health problems instead of attacking the problem with diet and exercise. There is no way you can force a person to take control of their life....it has to be their choice.

I volunteer with the local parks and lead bike rides each week from April through October. We see very few families with kids attend this program. Most participants are 50+.

We had a cycling club board meeting last night and one of the items discussed was the lack of younger members and families. We discussed ways to attract this age group. We're looking at the possibility of holding a bike rodeo in conjuction with one of our regular club events. Anyone have ideas that have worked for their club?

As kids we didn't have the internet, computer games and other entertainment devices of the current generation. We went outdoors to play and ride our bikes. I have to admit if I had small children today I would be a little reluctant to let them have the freedom to roam the neighborhood like I had when I was growing up. Hell, I wouldn't even want them to go to the malls or other public places such as parks without me. The world is a lot more violent than the one I grew up in

DnvrFox

Our rec department is currently designing a new skate park. They have asked for input from the potential users of the park. They had over 80 young folks attend the first planning meeting.

A skate park provides an amazing amount of exercise, balance and skill development.

Not ALL is bad, folks.

SSP

Well, from my perspective, bicycles are the answer! I ride mine to work most days, and burn over 3000 calories per week from my daily commutes. Plus, I'm not contributing to the global CO2 crisis.

Unfortunately, our society is geared towards an automobile lifestyle, with many of us living in houses that are miles and miles away from where we work. Many neighborhoods are also arranged so that it is not at all easy to do your basic errands without getting in your car. Contrast this to most cities where these daily tasks (grocery shopping, going to the bank, etc.) are done by walking - it's one reason why city dwellers tend to be thinner than their porky suburban counterparts.


Actually, the "solution" to the problem of fatness is quite simple - move a little more each day, and eat a little less. Unfortunately, just because it's simple doesn't mean it's easy. Most folks fail because they'd rather sit on the couch and eat while they're entertained by the drivel on TV (or, the computer).


The same issue of the New England Journal of Medicine from which I got the link above contained several reviews of new textbooks on obesity. They're synopsis: "Is obesity a treatable disease? The short answer is no. Clinicians who have been in practice for more than 20 years are aware of the facts. Despite the lip service that has been paid to healthful lifestyles, people of all ages, geographic origins, and nationalities have been steadily increasing their girth."


One thing that might help is if we raised the gasoline tax. Raising it by $2-5 per gallon could help a lot by encouraging folks to drive less and walk/bike more. Call it a "Carbon Tax" or a "War on Terror Tax", or whatever. It would get US gas prices in line with most of the rest of the world, and generate revenue that could be used for something like a national health care system. Of course, it will never happen because we in the US feel it's our god-given right to drive our big ole SUV's whenever and wherever we want with fuel that costs less than bottled water.

Road Fan

how many calories is all that panel-reading worth?

oilman_15106

It is a worldwide problem, not just the USA. From a vacation in Mexico several weeks ago, there were folks from at least a dozen countries world wide at the resort and 80% of them were either just plain fat or overweight.

roadpig2001

Its not so much the calories ,its the nasty chemicals added to many foods that are hocked to the public as healthy. Personally I avoid items that are loaded with chemicals especially ANYTHING that is partially hydrogenated. The sad thing is that alot of overweight people go for these psuedo heath foods that may be slightly lower in fat but jacked up with extra carbs. BTW I challenge you to find me a product made by Pillsbury that does not have partially hydrogenated something in it. IMO they are the worst of the big food companies. Shop organic from small venders, may cost more but its worth it.

stapfam

1959 and I was 12 and Britain was just about to recover from the hardships of WWll. It took that long for things to recover over here. Then early to mid 60's and the baby boomers started to go to work. More money coming into households and those kids not being a burden on the parents.

In 59 we did not have supermarkets- fast food outlets or Junk Food. That had Changed by by 69 and In the town I lived in we had a supermarket- and a cafe that sold hot dogs. By 79 I was taking the wife out for an evening meal in a restaurant that I could afford-lower end of the pricing though- and the food was Pre-prepared and sold to the restaurants and just heated up. Can't remember 89 as new house and high Mortgage- but the kids treat on a saturday shopping trip was to be taken to Mc D's. 99 and the kids are taking themselves to McD's.

In 59 we had genuine food shops selling good food. by the 90's- the only butchers and bakers were in Supermarkets. Mass produced food for the masses. You can blame the obese as much as you like but it is the way of life dictated to us by society that has caused the problem. You have to look for good wholesome food that is naturally produced as food is now produced for the Seller and not the buyer. There is, and always has been, the choice of Eating Cr*p food or not. I have always preferred not to.

BlazingPedals

You're not likely to see kids playing outside anytime soon. Parents are too afraid of the muggers, dope dealers, kidnappers, and general perverts. That's also why parents now drive their kids everywhere - for safety in spite of the problems it causes. Better to have a fat kid than a dead one.

I'm becoming convinced it's not so much the lack of exercise or processed food. Although computer games and burgers and fries don't help things. No, The biggest enemy is... soda pop. Empty calories, that most people mindlessly swill all day long. You can easily drink enough of it to gain a pound a week or more. The problem is, diet pop has been shown to contribute even more to weight gain than standard high-sucrose stuff. Nobody's found out why that's true, but even anecdotal evidence agrees. If I could order a large iced water at McDonalds, for half the price of a soda pop, I'd do it. But at any fast food restaurant if you want water, you either buy bottled water for a premium or you get a tiny dixie cup. As for buying a Coke(tm) and then filling the cup with water instead -- the Scottish part of me won't let me do that!