When I look at people around me, I am amazed at how fat our society has become. What is happening here?

I am a 31 year old man and I work out and stay in shape. I am not obsessive about exercise but I do it regularly know proper technique because I was a Phy Ed minor. I went to the doctor and the nurse weighed me. She said that I was at the target weight for my height. And she looked surprised and said that was rare because most people are either weight or grossly overweight. The funny part is that she said that and SHE was grossly overweight. I can't eat alot at all because I have terrible acid reflux (GERD). And I am almost thankful for this condition when I look at people around me. Why are Americans so fat? Why isn't there more emphasis on physical education in American schools?

* either OVERweight or grossly overweight

Good question that deserves an answer. Society has gotten too focused on electronics and convenience so physical activities have gone the way side. I do believe it is a matter of personal perception as to what is fat and what is not. Being a physical minor, you should also know that muscle weighs more than fat and weight is only but a number, like age. I think the drawback from physical activities at school lies with the liability issue. Back in the day, bumps and bruises were to be expected and sometimes broken bones. In todays sue happy society, no wonder we have a nation of emerging couch potatoes and electronics wiz's for that is all they are allowed to do. I for one broke my ankle attempting a flip from mini-tramp in gym while in high school. I was packed off to the doc, got treatment and returned to school the next day. No one even breathed a word of litigation or any thing like that. It is a sad state of affairs the society that has emerged and perhaps in the next 30-40 years it shall change again.

Simple answer. THEY ARE THE LAZIEST RACE IN THE WORLD. Most americans sit infront of the TV for 6 hours a day and get no exercise. Everyone always talks about diet and eating. But your are always leaving out the most important thing. ACTIVITY. If you move,run,swim, instead of lying on your fat *** you wont be so fat.

People are lazy. They eat in the office instead of moving their fat bodies. Churches too, they eat in Sunday School and after. Christians are the biggest slobs. They buy riding lawnmowers when a walk behind would save gas and their weight.

fast food. it's easy. its cheap and it's convinient.

too much tv. not enough excersise.

and sodas. people drink more soda than they do water.
unfortunately these habbits are taught to us as children.
McDonald's Happy Meals ring a bell?

Its because of the development of video games and microwave dinners. Kids anymore just want to eat junk food, plop themselves right down in front of the tube and play games. No one goes outside to play anymore. Commercials play up the fact that fast food is "healthy" but no matter how you look at it, fat is fat. Another problem is the soda machines and vending machines placed in the schools. Kids have a choice to eat cafeteria food, which by the way is regulated by the USDA, or chips and sodas. Most choose the latter.

because,crime is big now and other situations like publictransportation sucks too,so noone wants to go out

"We" are fat because of fast food. We stay busy in our lives with both parents working we don't have time to cook anymore. Fast food restaurants are quick and easy. Also when you eat out the portions are overwhelming so that people think it is a normal portion.

convienience is key in america, fast food, video games, not enough PE in school is pushed... but our overall children and teens are at a high for depression. Depression is a huge cause of weight gain. Think about it, most kids now don't have parents that give them positive attention, they have the lack of love and confidence, so they turn to food, because it gives them comfort. The problem with obesity isn't just someone getting fat, think about it, do you actually think over weight people want to be this way? No, there is a deeper issue and we need more people who are in the position to help people like this. Give them confidence, give them a compliment. Because one compliment can give someone with low self esteem a reason to try to live healtier and better....

You know the truth is very simple the average family can not afford to eat healthy! Which is cheaper a nice restaurant or Macdonalds? Which is cheaper at Macdonalds the salads or the burger and fries? Go shopping which is cheaper fruit juice or kool- ade and sugar? Fresh fruit or chips and candy? Lean meat or not lean? It is very expensive to raise a family and the average middle class family spends the majority of their wages on hosing and childcare so something has too give and thats nutrition! All the exercise in the world dosn't help if you are consuming more calories then you can expend. Not to mention the cost of kids sports or gyms. Want people to be healthier? Lower the cost of healthy food like fresh fruit and vegetables. Make sports and gyms more affordable for average people and exspecially people that don't live in cities.

because we have such easy access to food (especially fast foo), more so than any other country in the world. we have the most prdoucts that do things for us or require little or not activity at all. to put it in simple terms. americans are spoiled. and it's true. we've grown accustomed to such a lifestyle where everything is or has to be conveniant. hopefully, something will bring us out of our lazy lifestyle and make us realize we need to get up and worry more about our health than how fast and easy we can get our food because we would rather have it now than later.

me, i just flat out don't want to be fat. it's unappealing and gross to me. so i stay in shape and eat right

most of the time :)