Why are Americans Today so Obese?

My oh my...so much to argue against...Well then let's get started, shall we?

A physical or psychological need for a product is what addiction is.

I'll let YourDictionary.com handle this one:
Addiction - (This is the second definition they have for the word) a. The condition of being habitually or compulsively occupied with or involved in something. b. An instance of this: had an addiction for fast cars.

But no one would eat out. Since people can, for fairly little effort, make their own food, eating out would become pointless if the food was the same stuff you could make at home.

Oh yes they would! One of the major reasons, as I mentioned, that McDonald's is so successful is the convenience. Not everybody would go to the supermarket to buy a pack of raw patties, a pack of buns, slices of cheese, pickles, onions, and ketchup, and grill a burger in the morning before going to work each day. McDonald's would be just as convenient if the food was healthier, so they probably wouldn't lose much business.

Just as the ingredients in fast food have been improved over the years.

I highly doubt what they do to their meat can be called an "improvement."

Yet people still eat them. Which implies that they are, in fact, good enough.

The majority of our population accepts that they are unhealthy (or aren't even aware) and continue to eat it. That doesn't mean it's good enough. A change needs to be made, it would only be for the better.

Unless you can show me what ingredient exactly causes one to become addicted to Big Macs, I'll dismiss this argument.

What are you talking about? I never said there were chemicals in the burgers, I said there doesn't need to be any for people to be addicted to them.

I'm taking a government class now, so you beg the question. Why exactly do you think the government should intervene in a private, non-government controlled, moderated, or operated by, corporation that forces no one to consume its products? Where is that outlined in the Constitution?

I never said the government should intervene. Did I? When I said some action needs to be taken, I meant that McD's should make an internal decision.

I'm sort of side-tracking myself but what you said made me think of this irrelevant question: Why can't we say the same for marijuana? Why is it illegal, I mean? It damages your mind, body, and life, but so does extensive amounts of fast food. And no one is forced to smoke it, people choose to.

It's a quite good analogy. If you feel that Toshiba's products are becoming lower in quality, then you have the freedom to buy from one of the many vendors in that same market. Agreed? Now change "Toshiba" to "McDonalds" and you get my exact argument.

Toshiba's made many technological advancements and we shouldn't pressure them to do more for us than they already have. I don't think we can say the same for McD's.

I'll let YourDictionary.com handle this one:
Addiction - (This is the second definition they have for the word) a. The condition of being habitually or compulsively occupied with or involved in something. b. An instance of this: had an addiction for fast cars.

Not to counter a dictionary with another one, but I'll let M-W handle this one.

Originally Posted by Merriam Webster, addiction

compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance (as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal; broadly : persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be harmful

Tell me if you think the official definition of "addiction" will allow for someone wanting to eat McDonalds because they like the food.

And on a side note, why do we automatically want to change the food because we're "addicted" to it, but not the ingredients to a cigarette, or a bottle of beer. We understand that they can definitely hurt, yet we don't push those companies to make their products any less harmful. Why do we get to be lazy and instead of "breaking our addiction" from McDonalds, just ask them to make their food better, but if they don't, keep eating there? It makes no sense.

The majority of our population accepts that they are unhealthy (or aren't even aware) and continue to eat it. That doesn't mean it's good enough. A change needs to be made, it would only be for the better.

Does a change really need to be made? Ask the people that eat there. Now I'm not saying that the food there is great, because I don't think it is. I too think they should improve the healthiness (word?) of their food, but I'm not going to try to force them. I could start a petition, but I can't make them. It seems to me you want to make them change their recipies, and you just can't do that.

What are you talking about? I never said there were chemicals in the burgers, I said there doesn't need to be any for people to be addicted to them.

If there's no chemicals making your body dependent upon the food, then I'd say it's a heckuva lot easier to quit eating there than to stop smoking cold turkey.

I'm sort of side-tracking myself but what you said made me think of this irrelevant question: Why can't we say the same for marijuana? Why is it illegal, I mean? It damages your mind, body, and life, but so does extensive amounts of fast food. And no one is forced to smoke it, people choose to.

I'm not sure what you're getting at. Are you saying that McDonald's should be illegal, marijuana should be legalized, or are you just pointing out how hypocritical it is?

Toshiba's made many technological advancements and we shouldn't pressure them to do more for us than they already have. I don't think we can say the same for McD's.

That's simply your opinion, and not fact.

Originally Posted by DaBomb96

I'll let YourDictionary.com handle this one:
Addiction - (This is the second definition they have for the word) a. The condition of being habitually or compulsively occupied with or involved in something. b. An instance of this: had an addiction for fast cars.

Pyro handled this comment well.

Oh yes they would! One of the major reasons, as I mentioned, that McDonald's is so successful is the convenience. Not everybody would go to the supermarket to buy a pack of raw patties, a pack of buns, slices of cheese, pickles, onions, and ketchup, and grill a burger in the morning before going to work each day.

Then that's their fault, isn't it. You can't honestly say that because people are lazy McDonald's should have to pay.

McDonald's would be just as convenient if the food was healthier, so they probably wouldn't lose much business.

The food, however, would taste, if not worse, then different, which would cost them many of their customers.

Let me put this another way. What if Nintendo suddenly turned the Zelda series into a civilization IV-ish game? They'd lose all of their current customers. You're proposing a similar change for McDonald's.

I highly doubt what they do to their meat can be called an "improvement."

No? You'd rather have it as it originally was? Back when food standards were laxer?

The majority of our population accepts that they are unhealthy (or aren't even aware) and continue to eat it. That doesn't mean it's good enough. A change needs to be made, it would only be for the better.

Actually, it does mean that it's good enough. If it wasn't then people wouldn't buy it.

I never said the government should intervene. Did I? When I said some action needs to be taken, I meant that McD's should make an internal decision.

Which would cost them a huge portion of their profits, most of their customers, and could quite easily drive them into bankruptcy?

I'm sort of side-tracking myself but what you said made me think of this irrelevant question: Why can't we say the same for marijuana? Why is it illegal, I mean? It damages your mind, body, and life, but so does extensive amounts of fast food. And no one is forced to smoke it, people choose to.

Fast food damages your mind? It gives you cancer? It forces you to steal from people in order to keep up the habit? I think you have a bit of an issue with scale.

Toshiba's made many technological advancements and we shouldn't pressure them to do more for us than they already have. I don't think we can say the same for McD's.

You're setting up arbitrary standards. You need to justify what is enough, and why it is enough.

Tell me if you think the official definition of "addiction" will allow for someone wanting to eat McDonalds because they like the food.

I don't need to tell you that because there are many definitions for the word. If you didn't understand which kind of addiction I was referring to, I shouldn't be arguing about this with you at all. You too, GDwarf.

Does a change really need to be made? Ask the people that eat there. Now I'm not saying that the food there is great, because I don't think it is. I too think they should improve the healthiness (word?) of their food, but I'm not going to try to force them.

Many of the people that eat there will not want to. It should still be done. God knows they can benefit from it, whether they're willing to admit it or not.

And on a side note, why do we automatically want to change the food because we're "addicted" to it, but not the ingredients to a cigarette, or a bottle of beer. We understand that they can definitely hurt, yet we don't push those companies to make their products any less harmful. Why do we get to be lazy and instead of "breaking our addiction" from McDonalds, just ask them to make their food better, but if they don't, keep eating there? It makes no sense.

This confuses me. What exactly do you mean?

If there's no chemicals making your body dependent upon the food, then I'd say it's a heckuva lot easier to quit eating there than to stop smoking cold turkey.

Not all that much easier, actually. Quitting fast food and completely reconstructing your diet can be very difficult, it seems to me you're not getting that. The only difference is that with drugs, physical malfunction in your body is involved for a while after you stop.

I'm not sure what you're getting at. Are you saying that McDonald's should be illegal, marijuana should be legalized, or are you just pointing out how hypocritical it is?

I'm just wondering as to why they're not looked upon the same way. One is perceived as fine, and the other is the most horrible thing you could do to yourself, when they're both almost equally consequential. I probably am saying how hypocritical it is.

Then that's their fault, isn't it. You can't honestly say that because people are lazy McDonald's should have to pay.

You say pay like they're suffering. I was thinking more along the lines of 'help', but they should pay, especially for playing a role in making these people lazy. These people should pay for destroying the lives of 1/3 of Americans, out of greed.

Let me put this another way. What if Nintendo suddenly turned the Zelda series into a civilization IV-ish game? They'd lose all of their current customers. You're proposing a similar change for McDonald's.

That's not a particularyly good comparison. Turning Zelda into Civilization IV is the most random change. Like the transition from Zelda to AOL. No one liked it mostly because it was so different. We wouldn't be sacrificing much for a bit of higher quality food.

No? You'd rather have it as it originally was? Back when food standards were laxer?

Laxer doesn't even necessarily mean worse. It just means a little less consistency in flavor. But, since the food was probably just as unhealthy back then, I'd rather not eat much of it at all.

The point is, their food still hasn't improved. Improvement implies that it's gotten better. The only way it's gotten better is that it's easier to manufacture, and if we have to sacrifice nutrition for that, I don't see much of an improvement at all.

Which would cost them a huge portion of their profits, most of their customers, and could quite easily drive them into bankruptcy?

Stop exaggerating. McD's would not lose 'most' of their customers, especially since healthier burgers don't even taste that bad compared to industrialized ones at McD's.

Fast food damages your mind? It gives you cancer? It forces you to steal from people in order to keep up the habit? I think you have a bit of an issue with scale.

Fast food does damage minds. It gives people high blood pressure, heart disease, likeliness of seizure or stroke, and blood clots. It makes many of its victims insecure about their bodies.

Please don't get me started on what fast food can do to you. Next time, a little more analization please.

I'm REALLY starting to get FED UP with the obese talk. Okay, yes, it isn't healthy, definitley not, but anorexia is JUST as an important matter! People DIE from undereating, perhaps just as much/more than overeating.

I know that Britian, or England, has been actually paying attention to it, other than America, who PROMOTES IT. What people don't realize that undereating is unhealthy, and a proper diet, NOT making yourself throw up and whatnot, makes you healthy, not eating at all.

I really, really wish more people would realize this, and we need to get more attention on staying at the average weight(which I'm slightly above, so perhaps I shouldn't be talking)instead of just over it, or at least get the message across that undereating is unhealthy.

I know it's sort of obvious, but a lot of pressure on us girls can just blot all that out, and I've thought about it before.

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Now I guess I should get more on topic. First of all, obesity is also a disease, so that plays as a factor to being overweight, even though some us it as an excuse. Also, lack of excersize and healthy food. It's really just that simple, especially with America. All you have to do is diet and exercise, and I think that the fact that people make such a big deal about it and make it so complicated is one of the reasons that a lot of people are actually scared of dieting.

Why are we fatter than, let's say, Asia? If you look at an average American's food for the whole week, most of it will be bright carboard boxes full of junk food, but when you look at the average Asian's food, their's would be grain, fruits, and other such healthy things.

But, meh. Maybe we should just get over it. Someday the world will stop worrying about what they look like, and then, and only then, shall we recieve true perfection - being satisfied with what we look like and not striving so much to change ourselves to what others want us to be.

People DIE from undereating, perhaps just as much/more than overeating.

Anorexia/bulimia are becoming increasingly prevalent, but they're nowhere near as commoon as obesity.

But, meh. Maybe we should just get over it. Someday the world will stop worrying about what they look like, and then, and only then, shall we recieve true perfection - being satisfied with what we look like and not striving so much to change ourselves to what others want us to be.

Not quite...The problem isn't even what we lok like. We're killing ourselves! Not wanting to look fat is only half the problem. The other half is what we're doing to the health of our bodies. We really do need to do something.

Otherwise, your post is well thought out. I agree!

I don't need to tell you that because there are many definitions for the word. If you didn't understand which kind of addiction I was referring to, I shouldn't be arguing about this with you at all. You too, GDwarf.

You could argue that it's an addiction, but it's certainly not at the same level as a drug.

Many of the people that eat there will not want to. It should still be done. God knows they can benefit from it, whether they're willing to admit it or not.

If they won't eat somewhere else, it's their fault. Not McDonalds. Blaming your obesity on McDonalds or any fast-food restaurant is not only lazy and irresponsible, it's plain immature.

This confuses me. What exactly do you mean?

I just wonder why you push so hard to get fast-food reform, but don't show any sort of care for the companies that make alcohol and cigarettes. Those are as much, if not more, dangerous to any person who overuses those. It's a misplacement of priorities.

Not all that much easier, actually. Quitting fast food and completely reconstructing your diet can be very difficult, it seems to me you're not getting that. The only difference is that with drugs, physical malfunction in your body is involved for a while after you stop.

Before you tell me it's as hard, if that's what you really want to push, show me some documentation.

I'm just wondering as to why they're not looked upon the same way. One is perceived as fine, and the other is the most horrible thing you could do to yourself, when they're both almost equally consequential. I probably am saying how hypocritical it is.

Okay, so let's deal with the more dangerous issues -- drug and alcohol abuse.

You say pay like they're suffering. I was thinking more along the lines of 'help', but they should pay, especially for playing a role in making these people lazy. These people should pay for destroying the lives of 1/3 of Americans, out of greed.

Greed or not, they can do what they want. It's their company. If McDonalds doesn't want to make their food healthier, they don't have to.

That's not a particularyly good comparison. Turning Zelda into Civilization IV is the most random change. Like the transition from Zelda to AOL. No one liked it mostly because it was so different. We wouldn't be sacrificing much for a bit of higher quality food.

Depends who you ask.

Laxer doesn't even necessarily mean worse. It just means a little less consistency in flavor. But, since the food was probably just as unhealthy back then, I'd rather not eat much of it at all.

The point is, their food still hasn't improved. Improvement implies that it's gotten better. The only way it's gotten better is that it's easier to manufacture, and if we have to sacrifice nutrition for that, I don't see much of an improvement at all.

Again, it depends on who you ask. Obviously to the person that's "addicted" to it so much that they can't bring themselves to eat elsewhere, any modifications, save for more taste (which doesn't often come from healthier ingredients), won't be an "improvement."

Stop exaggerating. McD's would not lose 'most' of their customers, especially since healthier burgers don't even taste that bad compared to industrialized ones at McD's.

If so, then why don't people simply eat elsewhere?

Fast food does damage minds. It gives people high blood pressure, heart disease, likeliness of seizure or stroke, and blood clots. It makes many of its victims insecure about their bodies.

You're generalizing. Unhealthy, salty and greasy food can do that. Don't just say "fast food" will do that.

I think I've forgotten to state my opinion on this subject. Yes, I do think a lot of fast food restaurants serve unhealthy food. But not all of them. The one I work at does not. I think lots of companies should make their food healthier, but we shouldn't try to force them. You could write their corporate offices or sign a petition, but don't expect them to do anything unless a lot of people speak out. If the restaurant you eat at isn't healthy, eat somewhere else. Don't say you can't, because you can.

Americans are SOMETIMES obese because they either have a brain disfunction and a stressful life, or they really dont care anything about staying somewhat physically fit. I can completely understand someone being slightly overweight but being really fat is a serious problem, you need to exersize, do stuff, dont eat too much sugar, eat vegatables [if you can stand it {i need to find a way to like that stuff}] and dont go to fast food all the time, mabe a couple of times like on the weekend, but dont overdo it. people that dont care anything whatsoever about there health get this way and become Dangerously fat.

I think I've forgotten to state my opinion on this subject. Yes, I do think a lot of fast food restaurants serve unhealthy food. But not all of them. The one I work at does not. I think lots of companies should make their food healthier, but we shouldn't try to force them. You could write their corporate offices or sign a petition, but don't expect them to do anything unless a lot of people speak out. If the restaurant you eat at isn't healthy, eat somewhere else. Don't say you can't, because you can.

I'll quit being stubborn and stop this right here, since it seems you're right.

My point, and the reason I started the argument was to prove that it wasn't completely the fault of the consumers that they were obese.

What irked me about the arguments from both you and GDwarf was that they seemed to imply that we should just point a finger at the fat and say "Stop eating McDonald's!" Neither of you are realizing how difficult it is.

What you need to do is put yourself in the position of a fat person. Don't tell me you wouldn't become fat in the first place, just imagine being fat. I highly doubt you'd want to 'grow a garden' to improve your diet. I'm simply trying to say that we shouldn't just blame those who fail at completely rearranging their habits. They're not actually all that lazy - they try.

But I guess we can't change McDonald's. I see no potential for healthier food from them, and we can't just force them. Maybe we should be focusing on reforming society itself...but how? Nothing teachers or adults tell kids seem to stop them from wanting fast food. And if they grow up with too much McDonald's in their diet, they're practically doomed.

Maybe that's the question this thread should be answering, since the thread seems to be going nowhere. How can do something about obesity?

What you need to do is put yourself in the position of a fat person. Don't tell me you wouldn't become fat in the first place, just imagine being fat. I highly doubt you'd want to 'grow a garden' to improve your diet. I'm simply trying to say that we shouldn't just blame those who fail at completely rearranging their habits. They're not actually all that lazy - they try.

I would say that the majority of people who are overweight and constantly eat unhealthy fat food don't really put forth much of an effort to break their habit. Some try, but not all do.

But I guess we can't change McDonald's. I see no potential for healthier food from them, and we can't just force them. Maybe we should be focusing on reforming society itself...but how? Nothing teachers or adults tell kids seem to stop them from wanting fast food. And if they grow up with too much McDonald's in their diet, they're practically doomed.

Again, we need to teach our kids responsibility and consequences. They should know that certain foods aren't as healthy as others, and how to make healthy food. It's not rocket science.

Maybe that's the question this thread should be answering, since the thread seems to be going nowhere. How can do something about obesity?

Try to eat healthy foods. Exercise. Promote good health in general. That's what you can do, personally. I think everyone knows how to generally be healthy, there's just that matter of actually being it...

Fast food, and too much of food. Too many insecurities, Its too bad really, People are starving in other places and we are here stuffing ourselves...


Cheers,

Joe

You know, more kids know who Ronald Mcdonald is than Jesus. Thats not a lie either, so don't go replying to me saying it is. Says something about humans in general though.

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Hail Darth Revan!

I went to Ukraine to visit some friends and its surprising how much food the people eat there. People make just enough for everyone where second helpings are rare. Compared to the U.S. people have fast food restraunts and all you can eat buffets and are eating more than they need to be.

I love to eat but I am not obese. I can't seem to gain weight... No seriously I'm nineteen and I weigh like 164. Although I eat a lot I don't just sit around which I think is America's problem. People need to go running or go out frequently. I don't take bus transportations to work, I ride my new bike, or I walk to where ever I want to go.

Also the food restaurants in my city are a little far so I don't go walking to them like I used to in New York.

Originally Posted by CT-

I love to eat but I am not obese. I can't seem to gain weight... No seriously I'm nineteen and I weigh like 164. Although I eat a lot I don't just sit around which I think is America's problem. People need to go running or go out frequently. I don't take bus transportations to work, I ride my new bike, or I walk to where ever I want to go.

Also the food restaurants in my city are a little far so I don't go walking to them like I used to in New York.

I hear you dude. I love eating, but I have never been fat. Strange, because I sit on my laurels quite a lot. Some people just have genetics that allow them to gain a whole lot a weight, I guess. I probably won't be putting on any weight until I'm middle-aged. I don't think I've ever exceeded 160 pounds, and I'm about 5'6. To tell you the truth, I never know how much I weigh. I don't really care about it.

Originally Posted by ShInEr

You know, more kids know who Ronald Mcdonald is than Jesus. Thats not a lie either, so don't go replying to me saying it is. Says something about humans in general though.

That's really sad. To know a fast food mascot, but not knowing even your own Father...