CNN State Map of Obesity

Check out the CNN state map of obesity at http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2007/fit.nation/obesity.map/. It shows each state's percentage of obesity from 1985 through 2004--shocking!! Does anyone have a comment on this?

Link

Tue. Jul 24, 12:58pm

I don't find it shocking at all. In fact, I thought 2004 would have more "red" states than it does.

Tuesday, July 24, 2007, 1:29 PM

I am shocked everyday I go to the grocery store, any store at the number of overweight people, and not just a little overweight.

Tuesday, July 24, 2007, 2:16 PM

What amazes me are the people who eat out who are OBESE. Don't they realize that they are killing themsleves

Tuesday, July 24, 2007, 2:29 PM

While I'm sure the actual numbers are close to those figures, you have to consider their polling methods. They obtained the data by calling people at home...maybe those who didn't answer the phone for the survey were out exercising or just being active!
Obesity is a problem in the country - without a doubt. But remember to pay attention to how data is presented and how the data was obtained.

Tuesday, July 24, 2007, 2:31 PM

I live in WA and it should have been red. All you see here in my town are overwight people.
It is very sad how our country has gone down hill over the years

Tuesday, July 24, 2007, 2:46 PM

The sad thing about all of this is the increase in numbers of obese children. I worked in pediatric clinical care and I saw 6 year olds who weighed more than a hundred pounds and teenagers who weighed over 200. There were parents talking about gastric bypass surgery for their obese children. In the 80's, I rarely saw children with such severe weight problems. I know this is just personal observation but I think we are all starting to see it. The interesting thing is I live in one of the lighter blue states on that last map.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007, 11:28 AM

Scary thing about obesity in children

I work in a research environment at a large university, and have seen countless grant proposals aimed at educating pre-school and grade school-aged children about healthy eating and exercise. These well-intentioned programs focus on teaching young children to make healthy food choices and to have active lifestyles.

Over and over again, I've wondered if I'm the only person who realizes how little control children have over the food that is served to them in their school cafeteria or home. Look in to the carts around you in the line at the shopping center for a glimpse of what Americans feed our children. I've visited many schools whose lunch menus consist of pizza, chicken nuggets, and other high-calorie low-nutrition foods.

Childhood nutrition drives brain development and physical development, and impacts cognitive ability as well as lifelong health.

Today's children are the first generation with a life expectancy that is lower than that of their parents.

I look at the advances in medical knowledge and technology in the last few decades and shake my head in sorrow at this legacy we've given our children.

Shame on us as a society.

Thursday, July 26, 2007, 4:20 PM

What amazes me are the people who eat out who are OBESE. Don't they realize that they are killing themsleves

Tuesday, July 24, 2007, 2:29 PM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
???? I have to say I am taken aback by your response here... and a little offended.

I am obese because I eat too much of the wrong things and didn't exercise. I am changing that. I am losing weight steadily (with exercise) and I still eat out on occaision. I eat smart and I splurge every so often. I don't agree with your point of view. Anyone can be healthy and eat out occaisionally - eating out is not the primary reason for obesity.... IMO it's a sedentary lifestyle and poor choices when eating (out or otherwise).

I agree - Obesity in Children is a really terrible problem. I don't understand what parents are thinking. This is where the change needs to happen.

Thursday, July 26, 2007, 10:08 PM

I also live in WA and we do have a weight issue here but I can't say that our state should have been in red, the darker blue seems more accurate. Not surprising at all the obesity growth rate. We live in an age of break through technology and our children are just getting bigger and bigger for it. Gone are the days when parents pushed the kids out the door after breakfast and tell them to go play. We do have the power to change that though. But it is up to the parents not the government or schools. We are the fattest nation, also the laziest.

Thursday, July 26, 2007, 11:05 PM

Well - I'm a waitress and let me tell you there are more kids running the show than parents.

"I want friiiiiiies!!!!"

"Chips!"

"No! No water - Juice!"

"Waaaaaah!"

and the parents cave every time...

Maybe 1 in 20 don't and it shows in the way their kids behave, how considerate they are, how polite they are and how they address and interact with others. I'm not saying it's easy to raise kids, but there are way too many kids controlling the parents rather than vice versa.

I'm kinda surprised there aren't more red states.

Friday, July 27, 2007, 1:59 AM

10:08 - you stated you are obese and eat out, which confirms my statement

So you are 1 in maybe thousands, but the fact is you did not get like that over night. The FACT is that 2/3 of the US are not just overweight, but are OBESE. To further elaborate on a previous post the present young generation is the first one that will have a shorter life span than their parents, in an age of increased medicine availability, health awareness and education people are continuing to ignore the epidemic of obesity and thus the related health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, joint issues, and increased risk of cancer.
So you can be taken aback all you want all you have to do is take a look through the window of any given restaurant and count how many people are obese, I think the observation would speak for itself.

Friday, July 27, 2007, 10:09 AM

eating out and obesity

Eating out does not cause obesity. Eating too much and moving too little causes obesity. That is basic science and you can't refute that.

I'll be the first to agree that restaurant portions are ridiculous, but we have to control our intake whether we eat at home or at a restaurant.

It is easier than ever to make healthy food choices when you eat out if you know how to make good choices and are willing to do so.

If eating out caused obesity and eating prevented it, I'd be thin as a rail. I happen to be a very good cook, and I'm far more likely to over-indulge on something I've prepared myself than on something I've ordered in a restaurant.

I wish people wouldn't take use information they pick up in magazines or on web sites, overgeneralize, and point fingers at others.

Obesity is a far more complicated issue than that.

Friday, July 27, 2007, 11:06 AM

Read the post correctly

"What amazes me are the people who eat out who are OBESE"

Nowhere is there the insinuation that people who are obese are that way because they eat out.
It simply says that people who are eating out are obese, they are obese because they have problems with overeating and they are still going to a restaurant where the portions are oversized and laden with fat. It is like being an alcoholic and sitting in bar. Why do obese people place themselves in that scenario, where they are open to very addiction that caused them to be that way in the first place?

Friday, July 27, 2007, 2:16 PM

Re: "Read the post correctly"

LOL. The statement you just made is even more ridiculous and more close-minded than what was originally implied.

So because someone is obese (for whatever reason -- childbirth, illness, sedentary lifestyle) -- they should stop going out and living their lives? They should stop attending social functions that happen to occur at restaurants?

"Nope, sorry, I cannot attend the baby shower because you are having it in a restaurant." -- "oh, we're celebrating mom's birthday in a restaurant?, sorry, I can't go because I'm obese and I shouldn't put myself in a situation like that".... "you want to meet for lunch? sorry... no can do ... you see I'm fat and if I meet you for lunch that means that I am putting myself in a situation that might make me fatter."... "My schedule is so tight I can't make it home to cook tonight... I guess I'll have to starve myself becuase obese people shouldn't eat out"

Wow. I knew there were insensitive and judgemental people in the world, but I was under the peertrainer is a forum for SUPPORT... not ridicule or judgement.

Friday, July 27, 2007, 4:54 PM

4:54

Obviously you are an angry obese person in denial, who doesn't care what she looks like.

Friday, July 27, 2007, 5:06 PM

5:06

um... actually no. I am just sad that people like you actually breathe air in the same world that I do. No empathy, no understanding, no sign of knowledge, no sign of intelligence .. and yet so full of judgement.

I can actually say I'm really quite sad for you. You are either very young, very unexperienced in life, or very ignorant.

Either way, you really have no business posting on a board that is meant to SUPPORT (again... key word... SUPPORT) those heading toward healthier lifestyles.

Friday, July 27, 2007, 6:23 PM

The comments are getting nasty and that isn't called for...

However I see the point that previous posters are trying to make. Obesity is a huge problem in the US when it wasn't 20 years ago. I think families are eating out more which CONTRIBUTES to the problem. It's not the only reason but part of it. There is no denying that. Parents are loading their homes with junk food and preparing fatty meals for their children which is making it impossible for them to be healthy. Schools are preparing crap for lunches.

BUT what can we do to change it?: go out to eat only for special treats, prepare more healthy meals at home with you children and teach them (as you are learning yourself!) about healthy eating habits. Serve small portions at home. Pack your children's lunches so they aren't exposed to cafeteria food.

I don't know when or why this epidemic started but it has to stop. How sad that our future generations have shorter life expectancies than their parents. Heart disease is the number one killer in America now. More than lung cancer which was previously number one... Smokers are healthier than non-smoking obese people... What does that tell us?

Friday, July 27, 2007, 6:45 PM

Related Content: How To Lose Weight- The Basics Weight Watchers Points System The Fat Smash Diet The Eat To Live Diet The Beck Diet Solution How To Get The Motivation To Lose Weight		How To Be Successful Using PEERtrainer How To Burn Fat Online Weight Loss Support- How It Works Does Green Tea Help You Lose Weight? Tips On Using PEERtrainer Visit The PEERtrainer Community Diet and Fitness Resources
Fitness Weight Watchers Meetings Learning To Inspire Others: You Already Are Writing Down Your Daily Workouts Spending Money On A Personal Trainer? How I Became A Marathon Runner		Preventive Health How To Prevent Injuries During Your Workout Flu Season: Should You Take The Flu Shot? Are You Really Ready To Start PEERtrainer? Super Foods That Can Boost Your Energy Reversing Disease Through Nutrition
New Diet and Fitness Articles: Weight Watchers Points Plus How To Adjust Your Body To Exercise New: Weight Watchers Momentum Program New: PEERtrainer Blog Archive Review Of The New Weight Watchers Momentum Program		Weight Loss Motivation by Joshua Wayne: Why Simple Goal Setting Is Not Enough How To Delay Short Term Gratification How To Stay Motivated How To Exercise With A Busy Schedule
Real World Nutrition and Fitness Questions Can Weight Lifting Help You Lose Weight? Are Protein Drinks Safe? Nutrition As Medicine?		Everyday Weight Loss Tips How To Eat Healthy At A Party How To Eat Out And Still Lose Weight The Three Bite Rule Tips On How To Stop A Binge