RE: All Americans overweight in 40 years?

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Consecrated2God -> RE: All Americans overweight in 40 years? (8/11/2008 7:53:23 AM)
I'm sure gas prices have a lot to do with it, but among the parents I talked to, many of the kids themselves just didn't show any interest this year.

garsyt -> RE: All Americans overweight in 40 years? (8/11/2008 8:43:02 AM)
That is true Lisa! I do think some kids are simply tired of feeling like they HAVE to do whatever it is. I also think kids pick up on what's a worry of their parents - even if we try to hide it from them. Some kids just know when things are tight and even if their parents are able and willing to support their child's athletic endeavors they'll start pulling back. I also think some kids simply get overwhelmed by everything their parents or they thought they wanted to do and when it becomes to much they drop it all. I know one child - a friend of my eldest daughter, that two years ago as a 3rd grader was in dance, gymnastics, swimming and girl scouts. And Mom wanted the child to add something else!! And they were wondering why she was struggling in school. They couldn't figure out why the ENTIRE family was so exhausted all the time. Finally in 4th grade the child herself told mom that she wanted to drop dance and gymnastics and focus on swimming and stay in scouts for the fun of it. I've noticed a much more relaxed child that started doing better in school, started doing better in her swimming and now her little brother is getting some much needed attention from mom and dad as well. No I don't think all Americans will be overweight in 40 years. But I would love to see a more healthy and fit society. Blessings, Garsy

csl7037 -> RE: All Americans overweight in 40 years? (8/11/2008 4:39:46 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: garsyt There is a point to where parents are saying tho - I simply can't do anymore. I mean, the economy is making in very hard on some folks. People that were once ekking out a decent living are now struggling paycheck to paycheck. I mean when it comes to finding the fees to pay for a football or to make sure that dad has gas in the car to get back and forth to work or the electric bill is paid, it's a shame but families often can't pick football. And with unemployment being what it is - well more and more parents aren't working so the funds are simply not there. I know that alone was a BIG factor in what we were able to do this summer. Then again, it comes to priorities. How many will let their kid's football participation or dance lessons go before they'll cut the eating out or getting nails done or the fast (and prepackaged) food or other convenience items go? It's easy to drop the activities when they come to a natural end - the end of the season and, when prices go up on other stuff before the season starts again, all of a sudden, "the money's not there, sorry Johnnie". When, in truth, if it was a priority, the money could come from lots of places. All I'm saying is, unless we make it a priority, we don't try very hard to find the cash from somewhere else. But it also doesn't take expensive, organized sports to keep kids moving or to teach them about living healthy. The hard truth is that 99% of Americans, IMO, don't have a clue and aren't terribly inclined to really do it anyway for themselves, much less their children. How's that going to change?

garsyt -> RE: All Americans overweight in 40 years? (8/11/2008 7:59:20 PM)
And I guess my priorities were keeping a roof over our heads, the bills paid, and food on the table. EVEN with pinching as many pennies as possible and cutting out luxuries pretty much altogether (hubby and I haven't been out to eat more then an ice cream cone at Zestos since VALENTINES DAY. We did go out on Mother's day with the family. Fast food is essentially non-exsistant MAYBE once every 3 months or so. The last time we had fast food was maybe late June or early July. Your right it is about priorities, and some parents could likely cut out a bunch of luxuries (I can't remember when I spent anything over a $50 gift card I received on scrapbooking supplies. I know it wasn't much then and I think it was in March so I could make a gift for a friend that was getting married.) But then there are truly those that can't cut out anymore and no matter how drastically they pinched pennies and cut corners the sports and other activities aren't going to happen any longer. And I did state in one of my earlier posts that I pretty much agree with this quote: But it also doesn't take expensive, organized sports to keep kids moving or to teach them about living healthy. The hard truth is that 99% of Americans, IMO, don't have a clue and aren't terribly inclined to really do it anyway for themselves, much less their children. How's that going to change? Which is why instead of paying for lessons we switched activities to things we can do that make much more sense economically for us. I don't know how to change it for the vast majority of America but I'm thrilled to be one of the 1% that's doing what they can with the blessings God does provide for us. Blessings, Garsy

csl7037 -> RE: All Americans overweight in 40 years? (8/11/2008 8:11:31 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: csl7037 But it also doesn't take expensive, organized sports to keep kids moving or to teach them about living healthy. The hard truth is that 99% of Americans, IMO, don't have a clue and aren't terribly inclined to really do it anyway for themselves, much less their children. How's that going to change? We were also talking about the role of churches a few posts up. And I thought of this after I posted the last one a while ago...the church where my kids go to school does have a phenomenal youth sports league. Actually, they have things for adults too. But they do soccer, flag football, and basketball and I talked to a man today who's working on starting cheerleading; I told him I'd love to help with that! But the season's registration fee is like $35 and it's well organized and it's a great environment with wonderful Godly men volunteering to coach. Obviously it's a very large church to be able to fill several teams enough to get a "league" going (but I wouldn't call it a mega church, I don't think). This is something more churches should be doing. It builds a sense of community within the church (/school) but is also a great outreach to the surrounding community and it feels a real need - reasonably priced, realistic commitment, Christian atmosphere sports program for kids - what more could we ask for? It's great!

garsyt -> RE: All Americans overweight in 40 years? (8/11/2008 8:26:44 PM)
Oh I definitely agree. The church down the street from us has soccer, basketball, flag football and cheerleading for basketball and football for kids and a walking club for all ages and other activities for adults as well. All the kids activities have a fee to them never more then $65 or $70 dollars and there are always scholarships available. They are committed to making sure that EVERY child that wants to play can. But due to logistics and facilities the choices of activities are limited. I don't fault the churches for this as there are limitations and not every church is going to be able to put in swimming pools and tennis courts - but they are trying. Something that is needed BADLY around here is local - non-school based - athletics for older teens, as most of the league for kids only go through 7th grade or maybe 8th grade. That's a market that needs to be tapped by local churches here! Blessings, Garsy

zamdad -> RE: All Americans overweight in 40 years? (8/11/2008 9:28:13 PM)
It seems we need to get back to basics. Basics in life. This thread is aobut Americans all becoming obese in the next 40 years. This has to do with lifestyle. Our lifestyle's here in the US tend to be to seek the easiest trail, the path of least resistance. We all want to look and feel great, but far too many don't want to do the hard work required to achieve and maintain that ideal standard. If we're going to get back to basics, it's going ot mean we have simplity our lives. Eating less is not the problem, we have to get back to eating the foods God created for us, not the processed versions of what God provided. As for excercize, we have opportunities galore everyday. Yet, we miss them because of our rushed schedules or our desire to sit and watch something on the tube instead. As gas prices began to climb, I wondered if it was going to have an impact on youth sports. While I love sports and have played all my life, I see an unhealthy thing happening to families as sports consume them. I noticed this after moving from Fairbanks, AK to MN. We had been very involved in ice hockey. My kids were very young at the time we moved. I coached my sons team. At that age, it was Saturday's only. The older kids had one to two practices per week and games on weekends. Being in a community like Fairbanks, there is not a lot of travel required. The move to MN revealed a vast difference. Practice four nights a week and games on weekends. For us, the closest rink is 35 miles away. Games are held in different towns, sometimes meaning a night or two in a hotel so the kids can play hockey. Four nights a week for practice is too much on a family. Especially when their are other kids in other events. We still love the game of hockey and have gotten kids from the community together to play pond hockey. It's much more fun and relaxing. It's good exercize and good fellowship. I talk to many kids in the area that are involved in hockey and love the game. But almost all wish they had the time to play pickup hockey on the pond as opposed to being driven to pursue the dream of a scholarship or contract. If only we could get back to basics.

his_chosen -> RE: All Americans overweight in 40 years? (8/11/2008 9:42:57 PM)
Why does it have to be organized sports for kids? What's wrong with heading out for a bike ride? Last summer my guys and I did lots of "Ice cream" rides. We'd drive part way, then ride to a little town for ice cream. Round trip it was 32miles. It was the perfect way to spend the afternoon. Yes, there was a snack involved. But that's part of having fun. That's how I started with my oldest son. Now, we do longer bike tours (2-day 210mile tour in the spring) and he's racing duathlons. These shorter rides got him started. And there is healthy eating. I have fresh fruit available at all times. I leave it on the counter rather than hidden in the fridge. They think nothing of snacking on an apple. But, then again, there isn't much junk food to be found. This afternoon I was canning tomatoes. The kids kept coming by and snacking on cherry tomatoes!

HisLamb26 -> RE: All Americans overweight in 40 years? (8/11/2008 10:24:27 PM)
quote: see an unhealthy thing happening to families as sports consume them. I noticed this after moving from Fairbanks, AK to MN. We had been very involved in ice hockey. My kids were very young at the time we moved. I coached my sons team. At that age, it was Saturday's only. The older kids had one to two practices per week and games on weekends. Being in a community like Fairbanks, there is not a lot of travel required. The move to MN revealed a vast difference. Practice four nights a week and games on weekends. For us, the closest rink is 35 miles away. Games are held in different towns, sometimes meaning a night or two in a hotel so the kids can play hockey. Four nights a week for practice is too much on a family. Especially when their are other kids in other events. I absolutely agree with Zamdad here. I think "organized" sports for young children is way too much overkill. I didn't play "organized" sports until I was in Junior High, and the school provided the transportation back and forth to games. I played sports all 3 seasons. I was however very active as a younger child before school sports kicked in. There are plenty of ways to make sure your kids get exercise without spending 6 nights a week sitting in a field juggling organized sports for young children-it can get way out of control-especially for families with more than one kid. I see so many parents that are at the fields constantly-so much so it interferes with family time, and dinner time. And guess what? Their kids are still fat. Nothing wrong with plain old fashioned "go out and play" time and common sense dietary habits. My kids are on my gym membership, and they swim a couple of times a week-plus ride bikes, scooters, and go to the playground almost nightly with their dad. We eat healthy food most of the time, and they are all fit and healthy. In the winter-they are out sledding, building snowmen, making snow angels...after the shoveling is done of course. [:)] If folks would just use plain old fashioned common sense-cut out the soda and junk food they eat regularly, eat healthy natural foods as much possible-and get regular exercise instead of sitting in front of glowing cathoray tubes of one sort or another on a regular basis, we wouldn't have a national obesity problem.

zamdad -> RE: All Americans overweight in 40 years? (8/11/2008 11:21:23 PM)
quote: If folks would just use plain old fashioned common sense-cut out the soda and junk food they eat regularly, eat healthy natural foods as much possible-and get regular exercise instead of sitting in front of glowing cathoray tubes of one sort or another on a regular basis, we wouldn't have a national obesity problem. This brings up another good point relating to lifestyle. I've noticed all the more recently as I gave up soda pop. Pop is everywhere. I see far too many kids consuming Mt. Dew, Coke, Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, etc than water. It has become part of our diet. It's even advertised as if it has nutritional value. I understand it. I guess I've noticed it for along time. But it's gained my attention all the more since I gave up pop. Heck, I was raised on the stuff. My folks were partners in a business back in the day called The Poppe Shoppe. Seems that many in my genderation have come to see pop as preferable to water. God gave us water, we gave ourselves pop.

HisLamb26 -> RE: All Americans overweight in 40 years? (8/12/2008 6:35:44 AM)
The Pop! (or soda as we call it...). Don't even get me started on that. We never had it in the house when I was a kid unless it was a Holiday or special occasion like birtday. I never developed a taste for it, or the habit of drinking it. My son's girlfriends family don't seem to know what milk or water is-they have soda at lunch and dinner...and guess what? The whole family is pretty good sized. I think there is a connection. quote: I've noticed all the more recently as I gave up soda pop. Funny how you notice things like that after making a lifestyle change. Just for fun-take a good look at carts in the market next time you go grocery shopping. Over and over again I have noticed a direct correlation between body size and amount of junk in the shoppping cart that has absolutely amazed me. Either folks don't know how to eat, or they don't care-I'm not sure which. But surely if folks can afford all those cookies, cakes, sugar laden products and soda they could afford fruit, vegetables, lean proteins and healthy grains. [8D] (Try it for yourself next time you grocery shop and see if I'm not correct....)

3cappuccinosmom -> RE: All Americans overweight in 40 years? (8/12/2008 7:11:05 AM)
quote: If folks would just use plain old fashioned common sense-cut out the soda and junk food they eat regularly, eat healthy natural foods as much possible-and get regular exercise instead of sitting in front of glowing cathoray tubes of one sort or another on a regular basis, we wouldn't have a national obesity problem. This is partly true. It kills me to see children being fed garbage food, and it happens all the time. VBS this year the snacks were terrible, and there were children there who plainly needed help with food issues (and they were all different sizes--skinny kids can be unhealthy too!). However there are two issues: 1. "common sense" is no longer common. Many people genuinely think McDonald's is cheaper than eating at home. I suppose it is if "eating at home" means tv meals and such things. Unfortunately, I don't think very many people in America's general population have a very good idea of how to cook healthy but inexpensive meals. People are constantly reacting to me as if I'm either crazy or compulsive if they find out I cook meals every day for my family. To them cooking from scratch is what grandma's do for holidays and special occasions, and simply impossible to do on a regular basis. [&:] 2. "getting out" may be harder than it sounds, depending on where someone lives. When we move, I will happily be walking 1/2 mile one way to get to the little shopping center nearby our new house. I can do that because there are sidewalks and only one major road to cross. With a double stroller and a 5 yo who's a good walker, that will be manageable. However, where we are now, it is unsafe to just walk around, and certainly not safe to have a predictable walking/jogging route. Then there's the fact that there are no sidewalks in the entire development, and no shoulder to the road. The nearest shopping center, even though we are in a semi-urban area, is 20-30 minutes walking distance away with several very busy roads to cross. Because of the safety issues, that distance is simply not do-able, and certainly not with small children. My boys have literally worn a "crop circle" in our teeny backyard because when we are down to one car, that is simply the only way they can expend energy. This is difficult for us as a family, and we have the knowledge and dedication needed to make an effort at healthy living. Our neighbors are mostly products of shattered families, raising a new generation in still more shattered and chaotic families. The subculture contains certain bits of "wisdom" about childrearing (such as: fat=healthy and food=love) that contribute to the problem, and I think a lot of people are simply too tired (because of struggling to survive, and living unhealthy lifestyles) to even think about grocery shopping and cooking from scratch at the end of the day. There is certainly personal responsibility here. I take full responsibility for my weight problem and I am putting in a huge effort to make sure my kids don't have food issues like I do. However, there is a larger problem with the system and the way our towns are designed (utterly non-walkable in many cases) and the fact that fresh food is not available locally in many areas, especially the poorer neighborhoods.

csl7037 -> RE: All Americans overweight in 40 years? (8/12/2008 7:42:50 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: HisLamb26 I see so many parents that are at the fields constantly-so much so it interferes with family time, and dinner time. And guess what? Their kids are still fat. That's from driving through McDonald's 3x/week for dinner on the way to those practices! quote: ORIGINAL: 3cappuccinosmom 2. "getting out" may be harder than it sounds, depending on where someone lives... This is difficult for us as a family, and we have the knowledge and dedication needed to make an effort at healthy living. Our neighbors are mostly products of shattered families, raising a new generation in still more shattered and chaotic families. The subculture contains certain bits of "wisdom" about childrearing (such as: fat=healthy and food=love) that contribute to the problem, and I think a lot of people are simply too tired (because of struggling to survive, and living unhealthy lifestyles) to even think about grocery shopping and cooking from scratch at the end of the day. This is true. When I was a kid, we spent 5 or 6 hours/day in the summer just out running around on our own and came home when we got hungry. My kids are 7 and 9 and I still wont let them just go out and play unless I can go sit out there with them. They can go behind our house but that's just the pool. If they want to go in the side yard or ride bikes, we all have to go sit out front. But you're so right about the shopping and cooking. As organized as people have to be to make all those practices and games with all that gear - you'd think they could put a little bit of time and effort into what they're feeding their growing children. My dh recently went on a very strict, very clean, diet that his trainer laid out for him. All that cooking and planning was a bit of a pain but once we got into a groove it wasn't bad at all. Granted, we've both fallen off the wagon (and feel LOUSY!) and we need to get back to it. It's not rocket science. Dh says if you can't grow it or kill it, don't eat it. quote: ORIGINAL: 3cappuccinosmom There is certainly personal responsibility here. I take full responsibility for my weight problem and I am putting in a huge effort to make sure my kids don't have food issues like I do. A lot of people wont do that, though.

JimboFletch -> RE: All Americans overweight in 40 years? (8/12/2008 9:06:53 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: his_chosen Why does it have to be organized sports for kids? What's wrong with heading out for a bike ride? Last summer my guys and I did lots of "Ice cream" rides. We'd drive part way, then ride to a little town for ice cream. Round trip it was 32miles. It was the perfect way to spend the afternoon. Yes, there was a snack involved. But that's part of having fun. That's how I started with my oldest son. Now, we do longer bike tours (2-day 210mile tour in the spring) and he's racing duathlons. These shorter rides got him started. And there is healthy eating. I have fresh fruit available at all times. I leave it on the counter rather than hidden in the fridge. They think nothing of snacking on an apple. But, then again, there isn't much junk food to be found. This afternoon I was canning tomatoes. The kids kept coming by and snacking on cherry tomatoes! I agree with you, we need to instill a sense of adventure and willingness to personally commit to our own fitness. Too much reliance on organized sports (which are good things) can lead to inactivity in later life if one doesn't think outside the programmed mindset. I saw a segment on a TV program on Jack LaLanne's last birthday (he's almost 94). He said that if you use your imagination and are motivated then you can think of ways to exercise even if you spend most of your day at a desk - you have to proactively look for ways to exercise.

HisLamb26 -> RE: All Americans overweight in 40 years? (8/12/2008 9:25:26 AM)
hi 3capp- I agree common sense is not very common. [8D] quote: getting out" may be harder than it sounds, depending on where someone lives. When we move, I will happily be walking 1/2 mile one way to get to the little shopping center nearby our new house. I can do that because there are sidewalks and only one major road to cross. With a double stroller and a 5 yo who's a good walker, that will be manageable. However, where we are now, it is unsafe to just walk around, and certainly not safe to have a predictable walking/jogging route. Then there's the fact that there are no sidewalks in the entire development, and no shoulder to the road. The nearest shopping center, even though we are in a semi-urban area, is 20-30 minutes walking distance away with several very busy roads to cross. Because of the safety issues, that distance is simply not do-able, and certainly not with small children. My boys have literally worn a "crop circle" in our teeny backyard because when we are down to one car, that is simply the only way they can expend energy. This is difficult for us as a family, and we have the knowledge and dedication needed to make an effort at healthy living. Our neighbors are mostly products of shattered families, raising a new generation in still more shattered and chaotic families. The subculture contains certain bits of "wisdom" about childrearing (such as: fat=healthy and food=love) that contribute to the problem, and I think a lot of people are simply too tired (because of struggling to survive, and living unhealthy lifestyles) to even think about grocery shopping and cooking from scratch at the end of the day I agree that some urban areas aren't condusive to walking due to layout and safety issues....BUT....It's been my experience observing neighbors over the years that even in suburban areas where walking/play opportunities exist a plenty-folks are too lazy to take advantage of them! (BTW-Glad to hear you will be moving your family to a safer area!! Congrats!!) I've seen multiple overweight neighbors driving their similiarly overweight kids to the library-less than 1/2 a mile away from our neighborhood with sidewalks a plenty from point A to point B. Please-you can't tell me they ALL have some secret health problems that would prevent them from getting off their behinds and using their 2 legs! I'm not buying it! [:D] There is a very large couple across the street from us-with a 3yr old and a 1yr old, and I have never ONCE seen them out walking with their kids. Mom is home full time, they seem to have funds as they drive pretty nice cars, have house cleaners, and groceries delivered....If they have secret health problems-it didn't prevent Mom from working full time until baby number 2....Dad also works....How to explain similiar scenarios across suburbia day after day after day?

HisLamb26 -> RE: All Americans overweight in 40 years? (8/12/2008 9:29:30 AM)
Hey Jimbo, Last time I read something on Jack LaLanne-he was still swimming and lifting weights EVERY DAY! I remember him when I was a little kid-doing chair exercises on Public Television-trying to get Americans off their behinds even then! (am I dating myself?)....LOL [&:]

Miss Giggles -> RE: All Americans overweight in 40 years? (8/12/2008 9:38:57 AM)
No , I know about Jack La Lanne. He's amazing and he's still very active. It is true that some people do not take advantage of opportunities when they have them. On site company gyms are never 100% utilized or reimbursed weight watchers meetings, etc. We do the driving everywhere thing here too.. drives me nuts. Go to the mall , move your car so you don't have to walk, drive across the street to get a pizza.. on and on. I especially love the driving to get your mail and taking out the garbage. These people don't have mansions or farms. LOL

JimboFletch -> RE: All Americans overweight in 40 years? (8/12/2008 9:48:43 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Miss Giggles No , I know about Jack La Lanne. He's amazing and he's still very active. It is true that some one take advantage of opportunities when they have them. On site company gyms are never 100% utilized or reimbursed weight watchers meetings, etc. My church has a Fitnesss Center with full basketball and handball courts, weight room (with treadmills, elipticals, etc.), and a walking track above the gym. I walk a mile on the track every day at lunch (takes only 15 minutes). There are only a few of us that use the gym during that time. It's also common to see people try the track for a day or two, then never return. It happens even more just after the first of the year. Some people want the results but just can't seem to commit to do what it takes to get them. When it's warm weather, I prefer to walk an additional 4 - 4.5 miles after work on a cross-country track at a local city park. But when it's stormy, I can still fall back on the walking track at church.

stellaluna -> RE: All Americans overweight in 40 years? (8/12/2008 10:12:11 AM)
I personally think most weight issues boil down to simple laziness. I've complained about this elsewhere, maybe here, but I'm going to say it again. I live about three blocks from a convenience store. Friends who live near me, within the same three-block radius of the store, will get in their cars and drive there to get a soda--more than once a day. It's bad enough that they're drinking 64 or 96 ounces of soda in a day, but they can't even walk a hundred yards to get it? And they look at me like I'm crazy when I suggest it! I also agree about a lot of things revolving around food. I work on a college campus and every event has some sort of "refreshments." I've heard it said many times around here that no on will come unless you feed them and that seems to be true.

NoShow -> RE: All Americans overweight in 40 years? (8/12/2008 10:43:15 AM)
So we should enjoy the American's participation and victories in the Olympics now, because we'll become less and less competitive over the next ten (onced we become a nation of 100% overweight adults). And I guess most pro sports in this country will also disappear too; can't imagine any enjoyment in watching a bunch of overweight adults, trying to be the NBA or pro tennis. We'll probably establish world dominance in Sumo, though.

10SNE1? -> RE: All Americans overweight in 40 years? (8/12/2008 11:52:10 AM)
I do agree that "ALL" American will never be overweight. There will always be people enjoy being physically active, people who make an effort etc. However, as the population as a whole gets heavier and heavier, many people have an ahem inflated [;)] notion of what a normal, healthy body size actually is. A while back there was a discussion in the Women's Only folder regarding " what is your ideal weight". Several ladies listed their height and the weight at which they felt they looked "good". It was common for ladies to say "I'm, 5'6" and I just don't look good at less than 150 pounds." Sorry, but that is just crazy. At 5'6" and 150 lbs you are overweight. In fact, a 5'6" women has to weight less than 118lbs to fall into the "underweight" BMI range. Now, not every woman of that height needs to get down to 120 pounds to be healthy and look nice. But we are ,by nature, a comparative people. As the "average" weight creeps up, we tend to look around and say.." Hey I'm not doing so bad!".

JimboFletch -> RE: All Americans overweight in 40 years? (8/12/2008 11:54:58 AM)
I came across an interesting article today: Half of overweight adults may be heart-healthy!

3cappuccinosmom -> RE: All Americans overweight in 40 years? (8/12/2008 2:19:12 PM)
quote: I agree that some urban areas aren't condusive to walking due to layout and safety issues....BUT....It's been my experience observing neighbors over the years that even in suburban areas where walking/play opportunities exist a plenty-folks are too lazy to take advantage of them! (BTW-Glad to hear you will be moving your family to a safer area!! Congrats!!) Thanks. And you are right. I think much of it is laziness. My family was always looked at as a little odd because we walked a lot in our town. People thought it was nuts to walk down the hill (3/4 mile) and back up again to pick up my younger siblings from school, or to get a "treat" from the gas station. When Asrat was born, I regularly walked about two miles a day, picking up things we needed from the Dollar Store or pharmacy downtown. The thing was, 90% of the streets had sidewalks, it was a small town and people were very considerate of walkers, and there were no high-traffic roads to cross. To this day my sister and my dad regularly make a 2 mile round-trip to go to morning mass--at least 4 times a week, often more. quote: Sorry, but that is just crazy. At 5'6" and 150 lbs you are overweight. In fact, a 5'6" women has to weight less than 118lbs to fall into the "underweight" BMI range. Now, not every woman of that height needs to get down to 120 pounds to be healthy and look nice. But we are ,by nature, a comparative people. As the "average" weight creeps up, we tend to look around and say.." Hey I'm not doing so bad!". Some of it is culture and perception though. If I could get down to 170, I would be happy the rest of my life. At that weight I was healthy, if sturdy, and had absolutely no health problems or hinderances. When I was sick and went below that, my husband was very upset because to him 170-180 on me looked like a healthy, well-fed woman, and anything below that indicated that I was either sick or starving. Three kids later he and I both know that I need to lose a large amount of weight for my health but neither of us can imagine me at 125, which would be the "ideal" weight for me according to the charts. I really don't think the numbers matter as much as general health and high levels of activity. Unless I get extremely sick or anorexic, I will never reach the "ideal" on the charts. But if my body wants to be 170 or even 190 while I am eating healthy and highly active, then I don't care one whit whether anyone else thinks I'm fat and ugly. [;)]

his_chosen -> RE: All Americans overweight in 40 years? (8/12/2008 4:46:07 PM)
When my guys were little I didn't drive. We walked everywhere. Library, grocery store, school. At first, the kids were in the stroller. Eventually, the older ones would ahve to walk. They got used to it. Afterall, Mom walked, so what's the big deal? Then we moved. I can run some pretty good distances here, but it's difficult to walk to the grocery store or library. Oh, when we got snowed in, I walked to the grocery store. And the kids can ride their bikes to the library. It just isn't as easy. I don't pay attention to charts. Muscle weighs more than fat, so according to charts, I'd probably be "too heavy". I did do a body composition. I learned that at 5'5" and 125lbs, I was at the top of the acceptable limit for body fat. I was shocked! But, in the middle of my racing/training season, I am not going to do anything about it.

Liveloved -> RE: All Americans overweight in 40 years? (8/12/2008 4:46:37 PM)
Great discussion and I do agree with most of what has been said. Common sense is no longer common. People are lazy. And soda/pop is a HUGE part of our being a HUGE people. High fructose corn syrup is lethal and our medical industry is flourishing because of it. Not everyone is meant to be slim. Some people were meant to be rounder than others. Normal is relative and we need to be grace givers in the weight department as well. But the habits we adopt do affect our bodies and that's where we can make some changes. How can the church/the body of Christ be involved in the solution to this problem? Do we in the church offer classes in healthful eating? Teach people how to cook good food? Help people make informed choices when grocery shopping, etc? Part of the problem is that we all live separate/apart lives now. In the NT days there was much more community. Do any of you have ideas/thoughts that we can implement in the places and among the people we fellowship with?

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