Obese Americans now outnumber overweight Americans

[scombrid]

I was thinking about the weight issue recently.

Many people can be heard lamenting that their kids just don't play outside, that their kids are forever distracted with their 'devices'. But how many of those parents spend the lion's share of their recreational time sitting in front of a TV or sitting at the bar watching the game?

We seem to be a society of spectators with a handful of participants.

I've got friends my age that now have kids in the 10-18 age range. Those kids have been out on the beach with mom and dad surfing, paddling, playing since toddler or before. They are fit and now play outside on their own while their greying parents continue to play like kids. I paddled double surfski in a race with a 16 year old kid from the US lifeguard team recently. Some of those kids are top athletes in school too. One girls set the school record at 800m this year and is now on her way to run for UF. She happens to be a top paddleboard racer. She played outside with mom and dad.

That's our little surfer/paddler/beach people subculture. The kids play outside.

So my thinking is that the parents complaining about their kids always sitting on their duffs playing video games need to look in the mirror.

 

[Togo]

I regard BMI as nearly useless, in part because it produces some very strange results at either end of the spectrum.

According to the BMI chart I'd need to lose a 3rd of my body weight to reach the upper end of 'normal' weight. Sure, I could lose a few pounds, but I'm not that fat. I suspect the problem is that most people as tall as I am are quite skinny, whereas I'm more carrot shaped.

So I just ignore BMI entirely, and go by waistline.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

I regard BMI as nearly useless, in part because it produces some very strange results at either end of the spectrum.

According to the BMI chart I'd need to lose a 3rd of my body weight to reach the upper end of 'normal' weight. Sure, I could lose a few pounds, but I'm not that fat. I suspect the problem is that most people as tall as I am are quite skinny, whereas I'm more carrot shaped.

So I just ignore BMI entirely, and go by waistline.

BMI is a screening value, not something that is gospel.

 

[Togo]

I regard BMI as nearly useless, in part because it produces some very strange results at either end of the spectrum.

According to the BMI chart I'd need to lose a 3rd of my body weight to reach the upper end of 'normal' weight. Sure, I could lose a few pounds, but I'm not that fat. I suspect the problem is that most people as tall as I am are quite skinny, whereas I'm more carrot shaped.

So I just ignore BMI entirely, and go by waistline.

BMI is a screening value, not something that is gospel.

Sure, but that's not how it is used in practice. Even by doctors. Very disappointing.

 

[scombrid]

Sure, but that's not how it is used in practice. Even by doctors. Very disappointing.

My primary doctor worries mostly with blood pressure, bodyfat %, and chest/waist ratio.

It is disappointing if doctors in general use BMI on an individual basis.

BMI is useful mainly as a gross tool for generalizing across large groups.

 

[Bronzeage]

Only the one time. Too many wolves.

Must be the poutine causing the obesity there then.

There is some kind of paradox to gaining weight by eating poutine. The thought of it makes me loose weight.

 

[ronburgundy]

BTW, it is worth noting that claims about increased obesity rates over-estimate cultural changes in eating or exercise habits.

This is because there is no one culture, but sub-cutlures, and these are tied to ethnic groups. Blacks and Hispanics have 42% BMI while whites have 32%. That's a big difference (pun intended). Blacks and Hispanics have increased from 14% of the US population in 1960 to 29% today. That means part of the increase in obesity rates over time reflects the changing ethnic demographics of the US. Also, does BMI reflect actual problematic obesity to the same degree for these populations, who may have different typical body types?

Hey, look at that! I turned obesity into a race issue. I'm going to go have a fattening beer to celebrate.

 

[TV and credit cards]

What fraction of high BMI people are that way because of muscle mass?

I'd say that it is pretty low. Most people I see look pretty soft.

I used to measure hundreds of people in the navy and this used to put many black males at a disadvantage. Short and muscular will get you a high BMI. It didn't matter though if the individual failed the BMI, as long as he passed the physical readiness (run, sit-ups, push-ups) portion, he was good to go. Sadly, alot of short muscular guys don't run so well either.

I was thinking about the weight issue recently.

Many people can be heard lamenting that their kids just don't play outside, that their kids are forever distracted with their 'devices'. But how many of those parents spend the lion's share of their recreational time sitting in front of a TV or sitting at the bar watching the game?

We seem to be a society of spectators with a handful of participants.

I noticed this in San Diego. For as densely packed as it was, there were very few kids out playing. Conversely, that is not the case where I am at now in Ohio. Gotta give it up to my white conservative neighbors. They are pushing the kids out of the house. Probably so they don't interrupt O'Reilly.