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Today's Poll: Why is there an obesity epidemic in America?

By Howard B. Owens
Howard B. Owens

Some of them are contradictory -- for example, the choice of either a diet heavy in protein (meats) or carbs.

Of course, one choice -- there is no epidemic, which cancels out all of the other suggestions.

Great piece from Gary Taubes in Newsweek: http://www.thedailybeast.com//content/newsweek/2012/05/06/why-the-campa…

Taubes piece makes it clear, what is so far the most popular response in this poll is also the factually wrong answer.

May 7, 2012, 9:20am Permalink
bud prevost

In my opinion, people ate way too much processed/prepared foods, and not nearly enough whole foods (fruits, veggies, lean meat). The amount of sugar and salt consumed today vs. 50 years ago is mind-boggling.
Also, we have become a very sedentary society. Much of our time is spent sitting around, and not moving.
I have rules I follow: if there are stairs and an elevator, take the stairs. If I need to mail something at the post office, I walk there. If the lawn needs mowing, push mower vs. riding mower.

May 7, 2012, 9:43am Permalink
Wendy Morse

Totally agree with the article. Sugar, and processed foods are a huge problem. But the problem I see is it's cheaper to eat poorly. Healthy foods are expensive especially when feeding a large family. But if you buy the more healthy choices and stop buying the junk it can even out some. This is what I have started to practice the last couple of months and have found my grocery bills to stay pretty much the same when I was buying lots of processed & sugary foods.

May 7, 2012, 10:14am Permalink
Gerard Waite

people don't get enough exercise, too many restaurants that serve bigger than serving size portions ,fast food that has to many calories. and people eat way too much. not to mention the people that drink alcohol (empty calories ). and soda pop,( a lot of sugar )

May 7, 2012, 10:58am Permalink
tom hunt

The problem is too many foods are made from highly processed frutose ie; corn. I saw a program on TV recently that describe the modern large corporate farms of the Mid West. Everything is based upon low cost, high yield corn. They showed a picture of some of the common house hold foods and products engineered and produced from corn, unbelieveable. The jury is still out whether all this modified frutose is good for the human diet.

May 7, 2012, 9:27pm Permalink
Daniel Jones

Bud's right, the problem is moderation and being sedentary. I recently lost 40 pounds, it really came down to cutting out most of the refined carbs, eating more vegetables and healthier meats and then doing basic exercise, even if it's just walking extra when I'm working and some pushups/situps at home. i also have been taking dietary supplements, such as enzymes, probiotics and vitamins, those have helped too.

May 7, 2012, 9:53pm Permalink
RICHARD L. HALE

I notice that the majority of the answers, has the word "people" in it.

"We" need to be more responsible.

It's not the fault of fast food.

It's not the fault of a company that processes the food.

It's not the fault of the economy.

"We" need to be more responsible.......

One final thought...if diets worked, why are there so many of them?

May 7, 2012, 10:41pm Permalink
Peter O'Brien

I don't think its a problem,

Those not smart enough to eat right have health problems and eventually die off. This is just darwinism trying to make a comeback.

May 8, 2012, 6:54am Permalink

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