Why Americans are fat

[billydkid]

I have this theory that there is a link between the American hysteria over sex and over eating. Notwithstanding the myth of the "sexual revolution" we Americans have got this really bizarre attitude toward sex and nakedness and all that goes with it. I think that it is part of the puritanical baggage we can't seem to let go of. I think eating, over eating, can be a substitute for the sexuality that is so suppressed and distorted in us. Does this sound like horsesh*t or does anyone else see the connection?

 

[rachaella]

I have this theory that there is a link between the American hysteria over sex and over eating. Notwithstanding the myth of the "sexual revolution" we Americans have got this really bizarre attitude toward sex and nakedness and all that goes with it. I think that it is part of the puritanical baggage we can't seem to let go of. I think eating, over eating, can be a substitute for the sexuality that is so suppressed and distorted in us. Does this sound like horsesh*t or does anyone else see the connection?

As much as I despise the puritanical and often highly hypocritical attitudes Americans have towards sex, and with as many different problems I think this can and has caused, I don't think being overweight is one of them. Nice idea though, definitely something worth looking into and if you can find any studies that have been done on this or evidence I would really be interested in learning more.

 

[Sundog]

I have this theory that there is a link between the American hysteria over sex and over eating. Notwithstanding the myth of the "sexual revolution" we Americans have got this really bizarre attitude toward sex and nakedness and all that goes with it. I think that it is part of the puritanical baggage we can't seem to let go of. I think eating, over eating, can be a substitute for the sexuality that is so suppressed and distorted in us. Does this sound like horsesh*t or does anyone else see the connection?

Sure. I think it could also explain the level of violence in our society.

"That's why they so MEAN!"

 

[arcticpenguin]

I would attribute it to Americans eating too much and exercising too little.

 

[billydkid]

I don't guess I have to say this....

I would attribute it to Americans eating too much and exercising too little.

But, of course, the question is why they eat too much.

 

[kittynh]

Hmmm, well when I lived in Belgium everyone told me Americans were too fat because they didn't smoke enough. They kept trying to get me to smoke because dying of lung cancer is better than dying of colon cancer. Seriously.

Plus, when I went to Hamburg there were some serious fat issues going on there!

As far as sex, well, there is a reason why French men come to the US on vacation! But the forum is rated G.

 

[HarryKeogh]

i think it's all the restaurants trying to out do each other in terms of serving size. it's marketing.

the servings are huge! and we tend to always clean our plates.

 

[Luciana]

Bacon and butter, butter, butter!

I'm only half-kidding. Even the milk is too fatty, at least compared to the one I'm used to drinking here. In the US you order a baked potato and it comes drowning in fat. I could do with 1/4 of that. Peanut butter is delicious, but really. Even the chocolate is pure butter, e.g Hershey's.

Those onion rings at Burger's King... I love onion rings, but the fat just drips, it's disgusting...

It's easy to know when a person has visited the US for the first time. That's because they're still amazed - "wow, but they're really VERY fat". That's saying something, considering that Brazilians themselves are in the fifth place regarding obesity around the world.

 

[Wile E. Coyote]

You may have something with that Sex theory, but I think it is only part of the problem.

I think Americans are overstimulated. Americans expect to be entertained all the time, and when they are not, they feel uncomfortable.

Sensory stimulation like sex and eating (ahem) give us a certain degree of pleasure that we are constantly seeking. When we feel bored, we eat. When you lack one form of stimulation, you seek another.

The pleasure center in the brain is the culprit responsible for addictions. Perhaps Americans are addicted to good food in the absence of any form of other stimulation in an effort to replace that good feeling.

 

[Andonyx]

The pleasure center in the brain is the culprit responsible for addictions. Perhaps Americans are addicted to good food in the absence of any form of other stimulation in an effort to replace that good feeling.

If you remove the word GOOD form that sentence I'll agree with you.

Here's a test, go to a really fantastic upscale restaurant and count the number of morbidly obese people....

Now go to McDonalds, and do the same....

That's mostly humor, but the truth is really good food is not nearly as fattening as the greasy fast food, the ho-hos, and my personal weakness, KC masterpiece Barbecue Chips.

 

[Rayn]

I have this theory that there is a link between the American hysteria over sex and over eating. Notwithstanding the myth of the "sexual revolution" we Americans have got this really bizarre attitude toward sex and nakedness and all that goes with it. I think that it is part of the puritanical baggage we can't seem to let go of. I think eating, over eating, can be a substitute for the sexuality that is so suppressed and distorted in us. Does this sound like horsesh*t or does anyone else see the connection?

That's an interesting theory, which may tie into the whole "oral fixation" aspect of various addictions as well. I can't say I've seen any studies that verify/de-bunk this claim, but I'd like to see more. The intrinsic repression of sexuality in America as opposed to the over-abundance of food may be a factor, but it may be a small factor. Interesting thought though, nonetheless.

 

[MoeFaux]

I have this theory that there is a link between the American hysteria over sex and over eating. Notwithstanding the myth of the "sexual revolution" we Americans have got this really bizarre attitude toward sex and nakedness and all that goes with it. I think that it is part of the puritanical baggage we can't seem to let go of. I think eating, over eating, can be a substitute for the sexuality that is so suppressed and distorted in us. Does this sound like horsesh*t or does anyone else see the connection?

Is this why I don't have a weight problem?

I think it's really very easy to explain - there's just so much more junk food and easy access to it. People have more money, and easier access to grocery stores. So buying food is easier.
There's also a LOT more television. A person eats junk and then sits on their bum in front of the television.
It's inactivity.

 

[jj]

I have this theory that there is a link between the American hysteria over sex and over eating. Notwithstanding the myth of the "sexual revolution" we Americans have got this really bizarre attitude toward sex and nakedness and all that goes with it. I think that it is part of the puritanical baggage we can't seem to let go of. I think eating, over eating, can be a substitute for the sexuality that is so suppressed and distorted in us. Does this sound like horsesh*t or does anyone else see the connection?

Well, I think that's very Fraudian.

My own theory...

Too much food + too little exercise == too much fat.

Now, some people indeed have various predispositions, but the conservation of energy just IS, guys.

 

[QuarkChild]

This hasn't been mentioned yet, but my personal view of the subject is that yo-yo dieting plays a role in elevating the rates of obesity. Dieting is a huge part of American cultture. A couple of women in my building are making a big deal about being on Weight Watchers right now. One even has an electronic "points calculator." I didn't say anyhing to her, but the first thing I thought when I heard about it was, "So what happens when you go off the diet?" You just gain the weight back, right? Plus a couple of extra pounds, because the body has a tendency to over-compensate.

I found this out when I had jaw surgery, and had my jaw banded shut for a month. I lost about 10 pounds being a liquid diet (which was miserable.) Then for months afterwards, I remained hungry (and miserable), even though I was eating more than I was before. It was as if my brain had forgotten how to turn off the hunger signal. By the time my eating habits were back to normal, I weighed 5 or 10 pounds more than before the surgery. Now suppose I went through that process 5 or 10 times, like many dieters do. How long would it take me to become obese?

Do you think people would be fatter or thinner in the long term if they never dieted?

 

[BTox]

Re: Re: Why Americans are fat

My own theory...

Too much food + too little exercise == too much fat.

Now, some people indeed have various predispositions, but the conservation of energy just IS, guys.

Agree, with more emphasis on the "too little exercise" factor in your equation.

 

[billydkid]

Re: Re: Why Americans are fat

Well, I think that's very Fraudian.

My own theory...

Too much food + too little exercise == too much fat.

Now, some people indeed have various predispositions, but the conservation of energy just IS, guys.

Well, yes, obviously that is true, but it misses the point. The question is why are Americans inclined toward those sorts of behaviours? Why do junk and fast foods flourish here so tremendously. Why do Americans feel so compelled to gorge themselves in a way that other developed countries do not? Why are they obsessed with putting something in their mouths? Why does that form of gratification hold such a significant place in the lives of Americans? I theorize that it is because other forms of gratification are so taboo.

 

[kittynh]

I would say from my own experience living in Europe and America that Americans don't have as much time to eat or cook. So fast food! In Europe an hour for lunch was common. After work, you would go have a few drinks, then go out for a late long dinner. Eating took up so much time I would go bonkers as an American. I got to the point where I would take a banana and a sandwich so I could get some work done! Where Pool Boy works the employees are given a tax free "food voucher". It's about $40 a day! So that's a nice meal. People tend to spend it at a nice restaurant rather than on groceries. And Brussels has LOTS of places to eat. My European friends would make fun of me, as I was too much into "working" and managing my time. Hey, I actually wanted to get home to the kids (but my co workers didn't have children it should be noted).

And I walked a lot. You have to walk to the tram/bus/subway then walk to work from the stop. Living in the city I walked and carried my groceries home almost everyday. I didn't think I was working out, I was just doing what everyone else was doing (only not in heels). If I had only added in smoking, I would have been really thin! As for fast food, I have never seen as many McDonalds as I did in Holland. They were very clean, but always packed. They sure love their McDonalds. But, they usually have biked or walked there!

 

[dbowden]

Public Transportation

Living in Detroit, where all transportation is via automobile, I'd have to say being overweight is due to a lack of public transportation.

I lived in Vienna for a semester, and lost about 30 lbs. during that time. I wasn't starving myself either - mmm... Viennese food. Lotsa meat, tons of chocolate, lard spread on bread, many many litres of beer, and ooh -- Italian Ice!

No -- the big difference was that I walked everywhere. I figure I probably averaged 2-3 miles/weekday, and weekends when I visited other European cities I would probably walk 8-10 miles/day on average. If anything, those numbers are on the low side. Total: 20 miles/week easily

In Detroit, I walk from the front door to the driveway, from the parking lot to my cubicle, where I sit all day, and then reverse the process to get home. If I'm feeling especially energetic, I'll take my daughter for a walk or to the zoo. Total: 3-4 miles per week probably.

So... to get the same amount of exercise I got just living in Vienna, I'd have to budget at least an hour/day -- more on the weekends -- just to exercise, which I personally find boring.

No wonder I gained that 30 lbs + right back.

 

[Abdul Alhazred]

Re: I don't guess I have to say this....

But, of course, the question is why they eat too much.

An evil conspiracy of some kind no doubt. A change of regime is required to make food more expensive and less palatable.

 

[Professor Frink]

I think there is also an evolutionary reason. Not too long ago people had to be in shape to survive, weather out the cold winters without central heat, and the hot summers without a/c. Do you think our bodies are programmed to lose weight or to gain it? I think that for the most part our bodies are evolved in a way that makes it advantageous to gain weight. If you imagine a caveman who is 140 pounds and one who is 180 pounds, the 180-pounder would probably survive a food shortage better.

Frink