67% of Americans are overweight.

[Lindy]

You attacked me. I have a right to return the favor.

Edit: My intention with this thread was not to attack anyone, but if you're going to trash me (Lindy), at least try to make it good. My time is way too precious to be wasted on something I experienced in kindergarden.

I'd like to point out that you were "attacking" before I'd even said anything.

"I think it's so typical of Americans to try and deflect and avoid the issue and so, either your being defensive or you're trying to turn it upside down. <b>The rest of the world didn't force food down your throat, you did.</b>"

"I don't understand why anyone would even try to defend the issue, <b>I guess that's why your country is going to continue to be fattest.</b>"

I don't really feel the need to press it any more, when you've dug your own grave.

[Azure Chrysanthemum]

I'm feeling generous,

http://www.naaso.org/statistics/obesity_trends.asp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_mass_index

According to the first website, the level of overweight is 64%. Note that they say overweight, not obese. The website does specify that the greatest increase is in the obese section, however.

I also link to wikipedia because I want to establish that there is a level of variance and the BMI chart is not a perfect method of discerning weight, the BMI is, to quote wikipedia, "the BMI as a statistical estimate of adiposity." However, it's often promoted as a 'rule of thumb' guide, as wikipedia goes on to state, due to the ease at which it can be calculated.

Also, I'll touch briefly on the fact that the information presented by NAASO may indeed be considered biased.

Looking at the bar graph, we see 64% is overweight. Overweight, by the way, is a loose term, there are obviously different levels thereof and different factors to be considered. I'd be willing to estimate that at least 10% of the 64% could probably be safely thrown out, and it could probably go much higher.

Anyway, I just went and got the statistics FOR you. NOW we can discuss.

[krissy]

this is because we live in a society wherein people would rather drive 2 minutes than walk 7 in order to buy some donuts, and a society where people have genetic factors that are winning.

chris, that wasn't a personal trashhin' attack.

lindy, eat something man

http://www.obesityresearch.org/cgi/c...9/suppl_4/S228

http://www.obesityresearch.org/cgi/c...uppl_4/S228/F1

[Chris]

I'd like to point out that you were "attacking" before I'd even said anything.

"I think it's so typical of Americans to try and deflect and avoid the issue and so, either your being defensive or you're trying to turn it upside down. <b>The rest of the world didn't force food down your throat, you did.</b>"

"I don't understand why anyone would even try to defend the issue, <b>I guess that's why your country is going to continue to be fattest.</b>"

I don't really feel the need to press it any more, when you've dug your own grave.

I don't see how I was attacking, but hey, if you can't handle the truth I guess you should stay away from me? I'll always tell you the truth of how I perceive things. Don't like it? I'm not going to force you to listen or even like me. I don't want this to end ugly. I'm better than you at this game, so let's just leave each other be. That's my final word.

[Lindy]

I'll always tell you the truth of how I perceive things.

That's called "opinion".

[Old Manus]

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What makes you think that you can post this? Don't. ~Yams

Ok fine then

67% of americans are fat? No way.

[DMKA]

Destroying Oklahoma would be a start to remedy the problem.

I don't really take that statistic any more seriously than any of the other bogus statistics people throw out on national television every other day. Also, "overweight" does not mean "obese". Many people are overweight due to muscle mass, and even when someone is overweight due to body fat, that still doesn't mean they're fat. I was considered overweight before I joined the Navy and had to lose weight to get in, but I was hardly fat.

Or maybe I'm just lying to myself and don't want to take pride in my nation's superiority.

Edit: I'll miss you Old Manus. ;________;

[War Angel]

So, why do you think America is so overweight?

Because many Americans eat too much of the wrong kind of food, and lead a lazy life. Duh.

Note, I'm 5'11, and 160 lbs. I look damn fine.

Why wouldn't you? Even if you were 5'11" and 200 pounds, you would still look good if those excess 30-40 pounds were muscle.

BMI (body mass index) used for those statistics is flawed. It doesn't include bone mass, muscle mass, body form (lanky, broad, etc) and many other variables.

I'd say, that if you start to see a bit too much fat on your body, and people start to make notice and tell you about it, it's probably a good sign to eat less and excercise more.

I am slightly over-weight, and I know exactly why. I also know that it is in my power to change it. I don't understand how people become so obese - it's a complete lack of self-control, of not being able to percieve yourself as fat and lack of ability to do something about it.

[Rye]

Chris : "I think Americans are all fat! Here's a random statistic!"
Voidy : "You're making up a statistic and have no basis for your claims, could you back them up?"
Chris : "OMG u dun agre wiv me ;( u must be fat and ofended!111 lol ur fat!111"

Just summing up.

Win.

Why do we even need to discuss this, if you're so sure it's true, Chris? I don't see what it accomplishes?

I wonder why people feel so bad about their weight and such nowadays. I'm 5 feet tall and 118 pounds and I feel fat. I shouldn't feel that way, but I do. I don't see what pointing this stuff out accomplishes. Are we supposed to shame Americans about their image into being skinny? Well, if that would work, I suppose I'd be underweight then.

Way to go, Chris. I'll be waiting next to my scale to see if being ashamed of my weight due to being a hefty American will make me lose some weight. Because I suppose this is what this thread is supposed to accomplish.

[Elite Lord Sigma]

I'm an American 13 year old guy who is about 5'10''. I'm not overweight (to my knowledge). But I feel perfectly fine, so I'm probably not.

[-N-]

[q=*wins again*]67% of Americans are overweight. If you are one of the Americans who aren't, put this in your sig.[/q]

[Zeldy]

I hate to admit it, but my generation in England are the fattest in the world. I see it everyday, Girls younger than me with their tops bulging over their stomachs.

67% May be overweight, but theres still.. 33% who arn't. I blame it on fast food personally. Too many advertisements, To many shops. To much fat.

[Venom]

I hate to admit it, but my generation in England are the fattest in the world. I see it everyday, Girls younger than me with their tops bulging over their stomachs.

67% May be overweight, but theres still.. 33% who arn't. I blame it on fast food personally. Too many advertisements, To many shops. To much fat.

Or maybe we have so much hi-tech stuff that we dont need to do anything anymore.

[Zeldy]

Or maybe we have so much hi-tech stuff that we dont need to do anything anymore.

True.

- We are the lazy generation.

[Miriel]

Sheesh. Yeah, his statistics are probably skewed, but his question is still a valid one.

Reason #1: Everyone drives everywhere. Except New Yorkers, who walk a gripload. But everyone else drives and don't get nearly as much exercise as they could if they walked.

Reason #2: If you think about American food, you think steaks, hot dogs, lots of red meat, deep fried chicken, etc. Compare that to things like Japanese and Asian food that consists of rice, vegetables, tofu, etc. I'm not even talking about fast food here, American cuisine itself isn't all too healthy.

Reason #3: Proportions are gargantuan in America. Everything is supersized.

There are more reasons, dozens of more reasons. But like War Angel already posted, it boils down to people eating unhealthy food and not exercising enough.