Obesity in the U.S.
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2011-08-31/obesity-us
It’s no secret that Americans are getting fatter. Nearly one hundred million people in the U.S. are obese, Based on current trends more than half of all adults in U-S will be obese by 2030, and with this increase in obesity comes an uptick in serious health problems including diabetes, heart disease and cancer. The rise in obesity will also put enormous new strains on our health system - and perhaps most especially, Medicare. Join us for a discussion of the health and health care challenges of obesity, new research on weight loss, and why some say government leadership on this issue is essential.
Guests
Kevin Hall
senior investigator,
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases at the National Institutes of Health
Maya Rockeymoore
president and CEO, Global Policy Solutions
director, Leadership for Healthy Communities, a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Kenneth Thorpe
professor and chair, graduate faculty
Health Policy and Management
Rollins School of Public Health
Emory University
Claire Wang
assistant professor, Department of Health Policy & Management, Columbia Mailman School of Public Health
Comments
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With food costs rising and middle class standards of living shrinking is it any wonder that diets will be affected?
Biologically/Evolutionarily speaking we are prone to be drawn to food that is high in sugar, fat and sodium...everything that is bad for us. However, these are the things that human beings are programmed to crave.
Now, take away all the economic incentives that allow us to maintain a decent diet, mostly price and see what happens?
Obesity has long been a problem with the poor and everyone simply blamed poor people for consuming poor quality food. Truth is, poor quality food also happens to be cheap! Cheaper than fresh fruits and vegetables and lean cuts of meat.
The American consumer culture is conditioned to take away everything that is good for you and replace it with free market capitalism, no balanced diet, no proper healthcare and no education. We are on the road to ruin and the trash-heap of civilization. American exceptionalism is a joke.
Right Teece, Don't forget the relentless advertising and brainwashing. It sells products, services and politics. Manipulators are well in control of every facet of our uninformed lives. Is there a peaceful remedy? Is revolution inevitable?
We were forced onto food stamps(sole source income now).
Allowance about five dollar per person per day.
Limits purchase option. Pasta, lotsa pasta, can tomato, and if possible expired or damaged goods for adding a 'difference'.
Fresh fruit or vegetables, other than from yard/ woods, priced beyond our means.
Being hungry, all of the time, AND gaining weight from pasta !!!
Nutritional education from service has head spinning. Diet also partly responsible for spinning...
Soylent Green project lost in hurricane/ quake. Neighbors still have not returned. Soylent Green supplements cut and satellites for weather(LEO) budget CUT. Unemployment CUT.
Between room spins WE know who we would LIKE to CUT.
M e a t . . . Soylent Green- serving our neighborhoods for US.
Apparantly free adoption centers get suspicious if you adopt weekly... we meant 'pet' adoption centers... others TOO desperate.
Mankind(?) dominion succeeds. Loki has arrived. We will only worry if fires, pestilence, famine, drought, floods, brother against brother, profiting off ill, sick, and dying, and vets, east coast earthquakes and a 'malaise' across the land(OPUS Carter- read what he actually has said and done and he gets better and better(plus glow in dark bubblehead- go NAVY lol)) with time(unlike two term Great Recession 'King' who wishes that happens).
Great with room spinning, and 'poor' attitude, we will never get to work being 'superior'- but obsolete? And yet we must tell repairmen, customer service, and mechanics their trades.
Apparantly this is 'new' America everyone wants. Love asking for help and after they check Google tell me IT doesnt exist. Ask to check again AND spell 'Smith' for them- twice.
We are SCARED for many MORE reasons today- and we have died before, been blownup, shot, and stabbed(exciting life) MOSTLY in 'service' to others. Saved many lives- for this?
God help US. But that CUT diet making US FAT(in a bad way) people talk like this... our bad. We will try to restrict food riots to poor areas. Improve attitudes. Need more scoopers here.
Was going to make point about value of honest metrics. But that leads to matrii. And we like to keep comments short and to point(our rep).
We love our pasta. And thank our God. Fasting god for soul.
We await the 'burn'.
Please help(today) support MEDDLE.
MEDDLE:
Mitigate Erosive Deterious Data Leeching Environments(when using paranthesis).
Give to US today((please) YOU CAN make a difference(today))
MEDDLE(please(YOU make IT happen)(orcould)(AND should(probably))) TODAY(please?).
Please support Soylent Green(the REAL 'green' success story).
And remember to bless your meal(meals may not be available in YOUR area(legally void in most states(file complaint at- oh wait that department closed for 'savings'(never mind(in fact forget all post(in doublefact- losing focus- delete account(s)))(no wait(tough decisions- AND headspins(we must lay down(pooh))))))))(MEDDLE).
Everthing online now. No power, no home, no library, no computer, 'no way' Mr. Hand !
Must be where money and food is(online(or lost in parenthesises)). No wonder US spun, broke, and sore.
Good news.
Losing appettite.
And )( keys out of photon ink.
Where do you people come from? If your fat eat less! I do not agree that healthy foods are more expensive. A box of no sugar added cereal is cheaper than the sugar coated cereal. A bag of apples or bunch of bananas are cheaper than a bag of cookies. Frozen concentrate orange juice is cheaper than soft drinks.
Why is everything some one else's fault, evil corporations AGAIN, really. When I stand in line every week at the grocery store I see overloaded grocery carts filled with garbage, expensive garbage. Did you know black people are the largest consumers of bottled water. Talk about wasted money.
http://motherjones.com/blue-marble/2011/08/bottled-waters-ethnic-gap
I should read my own links, check this one about actual quality of bottled water. Mother Jones has taken what could have been informative and contructive and twisted it hard left. Major cities where most blacks live do have safe drinking water.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/02/0224_060224_bottled_wate...
Semi-Anonymous, are you on acid?
I would like to hope that we won't come to revolution. Not to be cliche but revolutions have a habit of devouring their own children.
Seriously, I hope this morning that the panel will take up and discuss the fact that in many terms all of these social ills that are now being visited upon us fall under the auspices of "we can't afford ourselves". The social contract (if there ever was one) is up and those who have all the chips simply do not care what happens to the rest of us. Too bad for us for not being more ruthless about how to live (survive).
Social Darwinism. Not the first time in history that right-wing extremists have adopted that philosophy.
Healthcare, a living wage, diet and education along with the well being of our society to name but a few topics all fall under the category of "we can't afford you anymore".
I suggest everyone read the motherjones article referenced by monte. You'll find that blacks consume a higher percentage of their household income on bottled water, not that they consume more bottled water. It's worth reading to find out exactly why that is the case.
A healthy diet and modest physical exercise go a long way. A reduced-calorie diet may even prolong life.
Read more here:
http://brainmindinstrev.blogspot.com/2009/02/reduced-calorie-diet-body-m...
monte wrote:
"Semi-Anonymous, are you on acid?"
I'm no expert, but it looks to me as though S-A's posts resemble schizophrenic ideations which, BTW, is one of the effects the CIA was looking to achieve when they were experimenting with weaponizing LSD.
Besides which, if anyone is feeling that impoverished and having that much of a bad time, I doubt they're going to spend precious resources on a drug that renders impressions immeasurably more intense and deeply felt. As usual, I could be wrong...
I keep up on the research on obesity - it was my specialty in graduate school and professional practice.
Obesity is complex. Humans started as hunters/gathers to adapting to agriculture and subsequent feast/famine cycles. Variables include lack of exercise because of our current life styles (work, transportation, etc.), access to unhealthy food, stress, and other environmental factors.
I will be interested in hearing more from the panel. I wonder how much chemical endocrine disruptors acts as a variable.
I think that increasing "calories out" is as important (if not more) that "calories in" I am seeing that more schools are doing away with gym class. Also, without sidewalks children are not allowed to ride bikes or walk to school.
This is the same for adults. I take public transportation or ride or walk to work whenever I can. More support of this (again sidewalks and walkways to office buildings) would go a long way to keep weight in check. In fact, just getting up to walk around the office every 30 minutes can have a difference.
I think that increasing "calories out" is as important (if not more) that "calories in" I am seeing that more schools are doing away with gym class. Also, without sidewalks children are not allowed to ride bikes or walk to school.
This is the same for adults. I take public transportation or ride or walk to work whenever I can. More support of this (again sidewalks and walkways to office buildings) would go a long way to keep weight in check. In fact, just getting up to walk around the office every 30 minutes can have a difference.
I think that increasing "calories out" is as important (if not more) that "calories in" I am seeing that more schools are doing away with gym class. Also, without sidewalks children are not allowed to ride bikes or walk to school.
This is the same for adults. I take public transportation or ride or walk to work whenever I can. More support of this (again sidewalks and walkways to office buildings) would go a long way to keep weight in check. In fact, just getting up to walk around the office every 30 minutes can have a difference.
As someone who values and lives a healthy lifestyle and maintains an appropriate weight, I find it more and more disturbing that I am forced to pay higher health insurance premiums because I am "pooled" with individuals who make extremely poor lifestyle choices and as a result are overweight/obese. When will health insurance companies start to offer lower rates to non-overweight people? Isn't it just like life insurance companies offering lower rates to non-smokers?
Does anyone know where to find the research article that they are discussing?
Always enjoy your show. Please avoid "food moralizing." As an anorexic, I know how much this hurts. Obese people and overweight people are already in enough pain, suffering ostracism and blame, without the added stress of being blamed for our rising health care costs. While the link between obesity and health care costs is clear, I am sure that you, Diane, would never intend to cause pain to any person. Obesity is more than merely eating too much, and obese people suffer terrible emotional pain every day. People without a weight problem have no idea, or they would not make such insensitive remarks, which do NOT help the obese person lose weight. Thank you.
There are many variables that contribute to obesity. One that I believe is often not taken seriously is the mental health aspect. What role does depression, anxiety and other mental health disorders contribute to obesity? I believe food addiction is also another reality that can't be ignored. In other words what role does brain chemistry and environmental susceptibility play in this discussion? Food for thought, pun intended.
Read the China Study... read Diet for a Small Planet... stop drinking milk. Then start walking and leave your car in the driveway. We can live on fewer calories if we are not craving foods that are known to be unhealthy. Saves money in the short term and reduces health care cost in the long run. And we can enjoy a healthy lifestyle until we die...Avoid animal protein. Our bodies find a healthy weight on our own when we eat properly.
Politically ... this will never happen. No profit in it for Pharma or the Food Industry. No profit in it for fad diets either... These shows are only skirting the basic causes of bad health... most MD's know NOTHING about health...they only make money fixing us when we break.
The two countries in the world with the longest life expectancy are Japan and Italy. Having traveled to Italy many times, the differences in food quality and eating habits there and the US are obvious. Much smaller portions, a great deal more flavor and, I'm sure, nutritional value, as well as sitting down and eating at a leisurely pace and in a social setting leave one satisfied and not stuffed. Food is revered and savored in Italy. Conversations about food abound there, but they are never about calories or fat grams! American have to change their mindset about what constitutes a normal size portion and also I believe the American habit of eating when one are rushed, driving, or working at a desk is absolutely ridiculous. We should take a cue from the Italians and eat mindfully---stop, relax, savor, converse, be discriminating and enjoy food!
I wonder if the food additive business has contributed in an unknown way to the current obesity issue?
The two countries in the world with the longest life expectancy are Japan and Italy. Having traveled to Italy many times, the differences in food quality and eating habits there and the US are obvious. Much smaller portions, a great deal more flavor and, I'm sure, nutritional value, as well as sitting down and eating at a leisurely pace and in a social setting leave one satisfied and not stuffed. Food is revered and savored in Italy. Conversations about food abound there, but they are never about calories or fat grams! American have to change their mindset about what constitutes a normal size portion and also I believe the American habit of eating when one are rushed, driving, or working at a desk is absolutely ridiculous. We should take a cue from the Italians and eat mindfully---stop, relax, savor, converse, be discriminating and enjoy food!
I have an easy formula for calculating body mass index that does not involve converting weight to kilograms and height to meters. This is from an old Washington Post article that says the information is from the National Center for Health Statistics:
Multiply 703 x your weight in pounds divided by the square of your height in inches
Why doesn't the government tax pop/soda drinks. They tax cigarettes and obesity is a greater danger than smoking at this time. Soda and sugar drinks are a major cause of obesity in children and adults.
Why doesn't the government tax pop/soda drinks. They tax cigarettes and obesity is a greater danger than smoking at this time. Soda and sugar drinks are a major cause of obesity in children and adults.
I found a solution that enabled me to lose 116 pounds since 7/1/2010 & am getting healthy. I had never thought it possible to lose up to 2 to 5 pounds per week.
There is an abundance of valid points but my question is the validity of the BMI..I am 6ft 230 and with a Body Fat Percentage of 18%, A bit high but by no means obese..I am a former Marine, a disabled vet, A former Fitness Manager for Golds Gym and have been an athelete all my life,but according to the BMI I have been obese since freshman year of highscool when I found the gym! I have to call into question the tolerances, after Marine Corps Bootcamp I weighed in at 190, I had 12% body fat yet according to the BMI I was overweight..I have to believe that I am not the only one dealing with this and the data has to be somewhat inflated...
People should pay the "financial impact" of their role in adding obesity to society, per the caller at 53 minutes.
Sure as I'm all for personal responsibility I'm also for proportionate targeting. General Mills, Armour and ConAgra should be first, no?
(PS I've only heard about 20 mins of the show. If not already mentioned, Greg Critser's "Fat Land" is a must read.)
I find this topic very interesting. From the perspective of a teacher, a parent, and a person who has grown up in the lower segment of our socio-economic society, I have a different perspective on the fast food issue. I believe there is a big role that education can play in the choices people make for food. Many people choose McD's or other fast food places b/c of the cheap prices, it is said, but I think there is a two-fold reason:
1) It is a special treat when all of life seems so hard (maybe unemployment, unhappy job, single parent, etc.).
2) There is not ingrained education of nutritional values. Many schools are now teaching a lot more about reading labels. As children become more aware of the concept of nutritiously dense food, they should seek it out. The food deserts will realize that there is need and what business does not supply when there is need?
An illustration: Compare the $1 menu to a trip to the supermarket. Instead of a burger & fries with a soda, a candy bar looking protein bar which is low in sugar, high in vitamins and protein to keep one full can be accompanied by a juice, yogurt drink or milk and a piece of fruit (banana). The cost is about the same, the nutritional value vastly different...and it still looks like you are eating candy for lunch...what child wouldn't like that?
PH Prof: Here is the link that describes the article in the Lancet, which you could get from your library if the Lancet won't allow a free download:
http://www.nih.gov/news/health/aug2011/niddk-25.htm
Good luck.