in Health, Society 411 Words

The More Things Change

Thank God above the weekend has arrived and the cleansing of an overstuffed brain can begin……

It is the political season and the word on every politicians lips is….CHANGE.

And that got me to thinking about how I have changed over the decades of political involvement……..and then I thought about the American society and its changes…..and that was the one that I decided was the more interesting for a weekend post…….

Sit down and think about American society and the changes it has gone through in…..say….the last 50 years……..and nowhere has the changes been more pronounced than in our weight……..

– Picture the average American couple in the 1960s. Now picture the average American couple today. Something more than questionable fashion should stand out, according to new data from the CDC, which finds the average weight of a US woman is now 166.2 pounds—about the same weight as the average man in the 1960s—up from about 140 pounds during that time, reports the Washington Post. That’s an increase of 18.5%. Men, who weighed 166.3 pounds in the 1960s, now tip the scales at an average of 195.5 pounds, for a 17.6% gain. Is it as bad as it seems? Essentially, yes, though the typical height of men and women has grown by an inch, which at least accounts for something. But the main reasons for our growing bellies are no surprise: Americans are eating more food, but less health food, and are exercising less.

The data shows 35% of Americans over 20 are considered obese, while 69% of adults are either overweight or obese, reports CBS Atlanta. As for children, one in five between 12 and 19 and 18% between 6 and 11 are obese. A 2012 study found Americans were the third-heaviest people on the planet behind residents of Tonga and Micronesia. The average American was 33 pounds heavier than a Frenchman, 40 pounds heavier than a citizen of Japan, and 70 pounds heavier than a person in Bangladesh, adds the Post. Dying to get back to that 1960s frame? It’s actually more important to watch what you eat rather than exercise constantly, though exercising and eating healthy together is obviously beneficial. The New York Times notes that 30 minutes of jogging achieves the same calorie reduction as cutting back on two 16-ounce sodas. (Click to read why we weigh less on Fridays.)

The biggest changes have been in body image………Americans are now tying their self-worth to their body image…..sorry but to me that is just sad…….

Did I miss anything?

5 thoughts on “The More Things Change”

  1. You neglected to mention that, between the 60’s & now, average muscle tone (especially for men) has shrunk. What’s left of manual labour is being automated. Cubicle work has taken over. Today, the only thing most people exercise is their thumbs, as they endlessly gossip, self promote, and shop without ever leaving the couch. (Piece of advice: Never thumb wrestle anyone under 30.)

    Apart from the “one inch taller part”, that weight gain is almost entirely fat. Since muscle weighs more than fat, the loss of muscle actually masks the weight gain. With that it mind, it’s entirely possible that MORE than 100% of the weight gain is fat. Either way, the stats are actually somewhat worse than they look…which is already horrific.

    Most of that weight gain -like so many of our problems- starts in the 80’s and then picks up steam. This is a link to a wonderful graphic that demonstrates it.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity_in_the_United_States#/media/File:Obesity_state_level_estimates_1985-2010.gif

    Reply

      1. I don’t want to overstate this part, because there are exceptions. But in that animated graphic, you’ll also notice a Rich-Poor & Red-Blue State effect. The leading edge Fat States also tend to be poorer and Redder (thus safe to assume they’re also Stupid States).

        I can hear the chants of “Food Freedom!!! “ through the mouth-muffler of one of these disgusting, super-unhealthy….but cheap & heavily marketed products!
        http://www.naturalnews.com/050136_Pizza_Hut_hot_dogs_cancer.html

        As we all know, it’s far easier to market things that are bad for you (food, right wing politics) to The Stupids. And even if they’re not stupid, The Poors have limited options. As we also know, prolonged use of bad food makes for bad thinking. Thus, the downward spiral continues.

        I’m also very concerned because Canadians have also been getting fatter and stupider. As proof, we keep re-electing Stephen Herpes Harper and his damned Conservative Party that has, under his leadership, introduced Republican policies & tactics to Canada. Worse yet, it’s catching on.

        So, imagine my “joy” last year when I heard the news that Canuckistan is now being invaded by 2 banner carriers of “Southern Cuisine”. One is that bunch of homophobic, chicken-chokers at Chick Fil -Eh? Great!!! Just what we need, a place that encourages redneck “thinking”.

        Then there’s Popeye’s, where even the menu is deep fried. Ironically, Popeye’s has NO spinach on its menu, not even deep fried spinach. Fan-fucking-tastic!!! Eating like we’re from Louisiana (Fat State Superstar) is EXACTLY what our over-stressed Medicare system (and the bankrupt governments who pay for it) need right now!!!

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