Why are Americans so fat?

Subject: RE: Why are Americans so fat?
From: ceitagh
Date: 30 May 00 - 10:53 PM

McGrath has a point. Around where I live, poor people tend towards obesity. Many of my friends have also noted that they've gained weight their first year on their own. Poor nutrition is a big reason why people get, well, big. Between fast food when money is available, and huge amount of pasta when it isn't, people with limited budgets find that the cheapest, filling, food is hardly a balanced meal. Add to that the phenomena that fat feels filling, and most of us north americans are used to a nice, full feeling after eating, and you get a lot of bad nutritional habits.

As for world hunger...i doubt that my eating less beef (yum!) and more rice will really make a difference anywhere. If enough of us did it...meat prices inside the country would drop, huge amounts of money would go into a new beef advertising campaign, and rice imports would go up. none of which would make much of a difference anywhere to anyone but the top 5% of the population. oh, and the beef farmers would suffer.

Pax,
Ceit

Subject: RE: Why are Americans so fat?
From: GUEST,flattop
Date: 30 May 00 - 10:33 PM

Fionn wrote 'Grain goes seven times farther if it is eaten as grain rather than as beef.'

Frances Moore Lappe has some information on this in her book, Diet for a Small Planet. The figures are from 1979. The average ratio of grain fed to cattle per pound of meat produced from cattle was 7 to 1. However, the figures was for all cattle including range cattle. Feedlot cattle consumed 16 pounds of grain and soy for every pound of meat produced. Feedlot beef takes about 25 times the amount energy and 3 to 15 times the amount of water that it takes to produce the same amount of vegetable protein. More and more Canadian and U.S. cattle are raised in feedlots.

A good portion of each 16 pounds of grain and soy that feedlot cattle eat which doesn't turn up as beef is excreted as manure. We recently had 6 people from a small Ontario town die (and many more severely ill) from e-coli in the drinking water that probably came from cattle manure. From rumblings and half admissions of government people, it sounds like another 40 or more Southern Ontario towns have had similar contamination in their drinking water in recent years but not to the point that so many people got sick.

Subject: RE: Why are Americans so fat?
From: Frank McGrath
Date: 30 May 00 - 10:19 PM

The fat Americans are needed to balance out the growing Chinese population. Otherwise the Earth would wobble out of control and fall into the Sun.

That's why Bill Clinton has been pushing through the Chinese trade agreement. He needs the Chinese to get hooked on video games and surfing the web so they will stop having sex. Otherwise Americans will need to get even fatter. And, let's be honest here, how much fatter can Americans get?

Frank (also known as Frank)

Subject: RE: Why are Americans so fat?
From: Cap't Bob
Date: 30 May 00 - 10:06 PM

Lets say we kill off all the cows so we can support seven times as many humans on the earth. Guess that would be around 45 billion folks on the old planet earth. Think of how many trees we would have to cut down just to supply these folks with guitars. Another thing seven people would most likely produce as much methane as one cow.

Cap't Bob (also known as ballast bob)

Subject: RE: Why are Americans so fat?
From: GUEST,A***** by any other name
Date: 30 May 00 - 09:54 PM

I don't know

Subject: RE: Why are Americans so fat?
From: catspaw49
Date: 30 May 00 - 09:42 PM

Sure thing 'Hops........hops, yeah that's appropriate........What's your brew......I like that Lingenflingenwhatever stuff (I can never get the name right, but I recognize the label!!) from Milwaukee...I mean this is an "American" thread and all.......I just can't get Bud down though. I think their freshness secret is that they add soap to the brew.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Why are Americans so fat?
From: keltcgrasshoppper
Date: 30 May 00 - 09:28 PM

McGrath... that is the first place I go every day... As for the FAT bit.. Hey spaw...how about some chips and a few beers to go with that burger... KGH

Subject: RE: Why are Americans so fat?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 30 May 00 - 09:22 PM

Looking at American programmes on TV what seems to come across is that the poor Americans are fat, and the rich Americans are thin. Anytime you see a really fat American, you can guarantee he or she will be having a hard time getting by.

Of course this is probably a digression, since I imagine it costs more to keep the rich ones thin than it does to keep the poor ones fat.

And as I always do, when this kind of discussion crops up, I invite peple to visit thehungersite, and stick it on their email signatures and browsers. (And that is an American site.)

Subject: RE: Why are Americans so fat?
From: Frank McGrath
Date: 30 May 00 - 09:17 PM

Americans fat? Why?
Simple really. A couple of million starving Paddies (Irish people) legged it over there 150 years ago. They started eating and they haven't stopped since.
The usual story, blame the Micks and you won't be wrong often.

Frank

Subject: RE: Why are Americans so fat?
From: harpgirl
Date: 30 May 00 - 09:15 PM

...doesn't the research support the idea that starvation is mostly related to trade issues such as incineration of grains to control prices? But does that mean that wars in oil rich countries are the natural result of the need to balance the population of the earth in ways we don't yet measure?...a question with a complex answer, John Evans. Even flapping butterfly wings affect the answer...harpgirl

Subject: RE: Why are Americans so fat?
From: Kelly
Date: 30 May 00 - 09:07 PM

Actually.. yes, America produces a ton of grain and beef and other food products. But people aren't starving because we Americans eat too much. They are starving because of supply and demand and wacky government and trade laws. Did you know that we dump hundreds of thousands of pounds of grain into incinerators every year just to keep the prices high?

*my two cents*

Subject: RE: Why are Americans so fat?
From: harpgirl
Date: 30 May 00 - 09:06 PM

...I'm sure the answer to this question is very complex. I would like to see a double blind placebo controlled study...a good regression analysis or some other well designed study to give us good answers to this question. Technologically saturated work makes us sedentary...longevity gives us a lengthier period of physical prosperity (old people are rarely fat)...dependence on meat as a protein has all kinds of negative implications for the whole world as well as Americans, as Fionn points out...better medicines and health care probably contribute in some way...what about the mental health system? A very interesting and thought-provoking question...and certainly a great folkie cause...songs anyone?????? harpgirl

Subject: RE: Why are Americans so fat?
From: kendall
Date: 30 May 00 - 08:55 PM

the cost of living has'nt affected its popularity

Subject: RE: Why are Americans so fat?
From: GUEST
Date: 30 May 00 - 08:34 PM

Fatheads

Drink, infidelity, obesity. World's a tough place isn't it?

Subject: RE: Why are Americans so fat?
From: catspaw49
Date: 30 May 00 - 08:21 PM

Aw geeziz, you just made me lose it all over the screen Guy!!!! What a riot......."There's a hole in Daddy's face where all the goodies go........."

LMAOWROTF

Spaw

Subject: RE: Why are Americans so fat?
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 30 May 00 - 08:18 PM

Ah Guilt the gift that keeps on giving!!! I learned that saying from a engineer turned waitress at my local dinner..There is something about all night diners and musicians that leads to tons of great stories... Why are old musician's so - - - , well because we are still loving thoughs late night breakfasts on the road.. You could take away all the beef in the world for me but Bacon & eggs<><>> I just put on an exstra 25 lb's last year dealing with a child in the Hospitol.. That hospitol gravy did me in. Sorry I'l try to leave some for the rest.. I think we could write a song perody of the old John Prine soung <><><> I got the tytle, anyone else want to write it ?????<><>< "There's a hole in dady's face where all the money goes." Good will to all, GUY<><><><><>< PS I bought an exercize bike and stair walker at the local church TAG SALE now I got to try using the them.. Wish me luck !!!

Subject: RE: Why are Americans so fat?
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 30 May 00 - 08:14 PM

Ah Guilt the gift that keeps on giving!!! I learned that saying from a engineer turned waitress at my local dinner..There is something about all night diners and musicians that leads to tons of great stories... Why are old musician's so - - - , well because we are still loving thoughs late night breakfasts on the road.. You could take away all the beef in the world for me but Bacon & eggs<><>> I just put on an exstra 25 lb's last year dealing with a child in the Hospitol.. That hospitol gravy did me in. Sorry I'l try to leave some for the rest.. I think we could write a song perody of the old John Prine soun <><><> I got the tytle<><>< " There's a hole in dady's face were

Subject: RE: Why are Americans so fat?
From: catspaw49
Date: 30 May 00 - 07:42 PM

Like I said Aine.....we got a few people starving right around here. Pickle onion, tomato, lettuce and cheese on that burger Aine?

John, I know there are starving folks and that WE are a gluttonous nation, but assuage your guilt and do what you feel best wherever..........But remember that this country produces more and is often in a position to trade for more yet. What drives the production here is that gluttony and the accompaning economy. If we consume less are the producers going to give away the excess or sell more for no profit? My guess is that they won't produce it.

I used to get the line from my parents that I could never figure out.....so I don't use it on my kids.........

"You eat that! There are starving people all over the world who would be happy to have it!!!" .......... Even the dumbest kid in the world eventually responds, "I'm sorry Mom.....Where shall I send my turnips? Do you have an envelope that won't leak?" My Mom's response to this was.... FWWAAPPP!!!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Why are Americans so fat?
From: Áine
Date: 30 May 00 - 07:20 PM

Hey Spaw -- You can mail that burger down here . . . and if any of ya think I don't have a right to possess and consume it in my own home -- well, ya can pry it from my cold dead fingers, dang ya!

And John, I don't mean to belittle your own personal guilt or anything (well, not too much), but don't push it on me, please. I have enough of my own to carry without adopting any of yours. If you are that concerned about world hunger, I suggest you find an organization to which you can volunteer your time to help with whatever world problems about which you feel guilty.

And before you trip out into the wide world there, why don't you take a good look around your own town and see if there are any hungry children that need your attention?

-- Áine

Subject: RE: Why are Americans so fat?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 30 May 00 - 07:18 PM

Whooee! The fur's gonna fly here!

Remember the collective guilt about George Harrison's stabbing? (actually only one person felt it)

Actually your point is probably quite well taken, but your header is what will get folks P.O'd. ...and with good reason. Bet it was meant to..right?

Rick

Subject: RE: Why are Americans so fat?
From:
Date: 30 May 00 - 07:11 PM

Any topic, repeat any topic no matter how irrelevant, can be brought back to folk focus: antidote to fat folks: Little Jimmy Dickins's song "Take an old cold 'tater 'n wait." -- any requests for full lyrics?

Subject: RE: Why are Americans so fat?
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 30 May 00 - 07:08 PM

Especially please eat less meat. And this goes for the whole of the well-fed world, not just USA. Grain goes seven times farther if it is eaten as grain rather than as beef. And cattle are the second-biggest contributor to the greenhouse-effect after aviation fuel. Yes, they blow out about 70 million tons of methane a year I believe, which must be quite a lot of farts.

Which reminds me... Q.Why did God make farts smell? A.For the benefit of the deaf. Yes, the old ones are the best...

Subject: RE: Why are Americans so fat?
From: GUEST,John Evans
Date: 30 May 00 - 07:07 PM

My point is that us US citizens consume far more of the worlds resources than we have a right to.

I for one feel damn guilty

John

Subject: RE: Why are Americans so fat?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 30 May 00 - 07:06 PM

To hell with his point, I want my dinner!

Canadians are fat too!

Rick

Subject: RE: Why are Americans so fat?
From: catspaw49
Date: 30 May 00 - 06:59 PM

yeah.....

Well we got more than a couple folks starving around this joint too. Shall I mail a burger somewhere?

What's your point John?

Spaw

Subject: Why are Americans so fat?
From: GUEST,John Evans
Date: 30 May 00 - 06:55 PM

I guess that most people here are aware that there is more than enough food produced to feed everyone in the world.

I recently heard the statistic that if everyone ate as much as the average American, we'd need 5 earths to feed them.

Cousins, please eat less

John