Are Americans aware of how unhealthy their food culture is?
I’m from a European country and I’ve been following the fat acceptance movement for a while now. The debate is, as most people now, divided between those who think overweight is genetic or due to illness, and those who blames poor discipline solely. Personally, I want to discuss another aspect of the matter: how too much unhealthy food is normal and accepted in USA (among people of all sizes). I’ve gonna give you some examples from what I experienced as a tourist in the country:Every meal you order at a restaurant is AT LEAST twice the size as it would have been in my country.I went to an asian buffét. I have never seen a restaurant that big. It was 4–5 times as big as the biggest buffét in my country.I went to a hamburger restaurant at Six flags. There where no plus size option, instead the fries and coke was “one size fits all”. The coke was twice the size my countrys plus size coke at McDonal’ds and I got enought fries to support a rugby team.I went to a restaurant with some friends. The chef made a mistakes with my friends food and because of that she had to wait like 3 extra minutes. The waitress couldn’t apologize enough and we were like “hey, it’s ok but thanks for apologizing”. Because of this small mistake that harmed nobody my friend got a cake for desert. The cake was the size of a bithday cake you share with 10 people.I went to a restaurant and ordered meat and fries. But because I was super hungry that day I ordered ceasar salad as an appetizer. When the salad came in I got a bit nervous, cause I thought the waitor had had my order mixed up and had missed that I wanted meat as the main course. Because I got a full dinner there, with salad, a loaf of bread, 1 gallon of sauce. But no, this was really just an appetizer, my meat would be served in a couple of minutes.Stayed at a motel, breakfast was included. The only breakfast option available was sweeted yoghurt with chocolate cereals. Or wait, they hadThere seem to be very few options if you want to eat or buy something not including sugar.I love USA, and don’t want to bash the country. I just want to now if Americans are aware of this? I mean, how can you blame individuals when the problem exist on a societal level? /the asker
What do you think of Obesity in America?
You are correct about the BMI. I don't understand why it's become so important. It doesn't differentiate between men and women, for one thing. And it doesn't take into account body fat percentage. There is talk that the BMI is going to be supplemented with waist information--that if your BMI is a certain number AND your waist is above a certain number, then you're fat. I think it's because the BMI is easy to figure out while body fat percentage is difficult. However, I don't think vast numbers of "overweight" Americans (via BMI numbers) are actually bodybuilders who are skewing the results. Take a walk in the mall and look at all the fat.
Is cookie Monster the reason for childhood obesity in America and abroad?
No way! He is great. If people like to eat it's because that's what they like to do. Cookie monster has nothing to do with that.... Rediculous. It is funny how overweight people are always trying to blame it on something else rather than just admitting that they have a problem. I am overweight. I really wish I could stop LOVING food but... I love it. I really like Cookie monster too - but I definitly don't think he had made me be what I am. I just love food and cookies too... Poor Cookie monster - He is just plain FUNNY - I've heard this "blame cookie monsther" thing before. the obesity problem in kids today - is probably due to all the couch potatos who sit and watch TV and MORE IMPORTANTLY **play Video Games** This is probably one of the major causes of kids being fat and not even WANTING to go out side to play active. Many of them would much rather sit on their growing butts to play some stupid video game that saps every last ounce of imagination from their unsuspecting brains. What do you want Cookie monster to change his name to Brocollii monster? or may be tofu monster? ;) LOL He is great the way he is! LOVE'im !!! ♥
Are fast food restaurants to blame for obesity in America?
Wow, doesn't look like you're getting much help for your debate assignment. And I'm sorry to say I'm not gonna be much help either. NO. I'm overweight, I actually just fit into the medical definition of "Obese". And I can honestly say that McDonald's, Burger King, Del Taco, Wienerschitzel, and the rest are not to blame. Not once has the manager of any fast food joint held a gun to my head and forced me to gorge myself on their menu. I'm the one to blame. Me. Not them, me. I mean, I am the guy that looks at the family meal deal as a single serving, I'm the guy that sees a sign reading "All you can eat" and thinks "wanna bet". It's all my fault, so there. Now as far as your assignment goes, you might get some help from the flick "Super-Size Me" or you could read the articles I have linked below. Good Luck (even though you have to argue the "wrong" side :) )
What do you think about the fat acceptance movement?
I can understand it as an attempt to lessen the social stigma. Fat people being harassed for their weight in everyday situations isn't quite the motivation for a lifestyle change that some people think it should be. It often just escalates the desire to find comfort in food and pardons the equally unhealthy behaviors of anorexics and bulimics. We as a society need to advocate a healthy diet as something that you do for yourself and your personal health, not primarily as a fix for an atheistic fault. But the "fat acceptance" advocates also need to acknowledge that they're goal should be for their movement to become obsolete. They can't portray obesity as being an acceptable lifestyle choice. They need to seek to help people do what's right for their bodies.
Why is obesity becoming so prevalent in America?
Super sizes with everything now - Kids just play with their video games more than ever - quite different when we were young.