ARE AMERICANS getting fatter? Health studies say the nation is packing on pounds relentlessly, from chubby children to rotund retirees.
Some days, it seems as though the only people who are not putting on weight are the starving models who supposedly represent the national ideal of beauty.
Not only are people eating more than they used to, but so much more of what they eat is basically empty — but certainly tasty — calories. In the real national diet — not the ever-changing nutrition pyramids proposed by health officials — the main food groups are hamburgers, french fries and soda pop. And the portions of all three have grown. Fries have been supersized, hamburgers have evolved a second and now a third deck and soft drinks have grown from the 6.5-ounce bottle of Coke to the 44-ounce Super Big Gulp.
The added calories in premium ice creams do not even bear thinking about.
Even foods that once posed no caloric threat at all have become part of the problem. A few years ago, coffee was firmly calorie-free. Today, some designer-coffee concoctions have as many calories as a full meal.
The problem is not just calories, but convenience. The temptations are everywhere and, for the most part, affordable.
Willpower takes time. It requires decisions based on rational thought. In the supermarket, grabbing a pint of Ben & Jerry’s or a four-pack of mocha frappuccino requires no thought at all.
What can Americans do? Well, for a start, eat less and eat better. Exercise helps, too. But for generations raised in indulgence, being sensible sounds like a prison sentence.
But now it is possible for everyone to look slimmer — at least secondhand. The Washington Post reports that HP is selling a digital camera that comes with a “slimming mode.” Push the button and the camera will trim down whatever (or whoever) is in the middle of the picture and stretch out the background at the sides. The photographer can even choose among three levels of slimming.
True, the pictures change nothing in the real world. People will still waddle about like plump ducks.
But in their pictures on the Internet — on Facebook and MySpace — Americans can look absolutely marvelous.
Patrick S. Kelley
Editorial Page Editor
VerySpatial (anonymous) says...
Its sad when new growth of a city (Emporia) is measured by the number of new or improved fast food establishments (Popeyes) or pizza joints (Pizza Hut). By the way just how many Subways does Emporia need? SuperSize Me and Fast Food Nation are both excellent movies/ books and I recommend them both. Come on America get out and walk. Lets be real, I would be satisfied if people would bypass the drive-thru and at least get out of your cars and go inside.
October 18, 2007 at 10:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
traceygraham (Tracey Graham) says...
While I can't speak for others, I do know that I weigh about 20-25 pounds more now than I did when I moved here in 1999. Of course I'd never even heard of bierox before moving here. And never had I tasted fried chicken half as good as you can get in Olpe. And then there's Braums! Could this have something to do with it?
;)
October 20, 2007 at 2:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Why is it that the people in big cities like New York are also overweight? Yes, they have cabs and subways, but they walk much farther everyday than we do. Yet you still see overweight people in the crowds milling about the city. You know what I think it is? Hormones used in meat production. I have several friends who are vegetarians, and they are very slim. The meat eaters I know, and I'm including myself, are not slim. It's got to be the meat. Just thinking.
October 21, 2007 at 10:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MelissaE (anonymous) says...
Don't forget the milk.
A majority of people (kids especially) who drink milk are drinking hormone-filled milk.
I swear that's why 11 y.o.'s no longer look 11--they look 16.
Plus, everyone is all about convenience.....why cook a meal when McD's will throw your meal to you while you sit in the drive thru?
My family rarely eats out (or gets take out or whatever) because it's just not healthy. Since we work full-time, I've developed a meal-planning system and all meals are eaten at home--cooked from scratch (with the exception of lunches, to which we take our lunch using leftovers).
Oh--and a crockpot is a lifesaver for working parents. :)
M
October 21, 2007 at 12:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
That's right, milk! Touche on the crockpot lifesaver.
October 21, 2007 at 7:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MelissaE (anonymous) says...
Tre--I agree with you to an extent.
Children (very young children) do not overeat by choice--it's a learned behavior ("Clean your plate!").
And, most children don't get much control over the dinner table, kwim? Actually, now that I think about it, I would say that *most* children aren't even made to eat at the table anymore.....they sit in front of the TV, instead.
M
October 22, 2007 at 12:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )