"Why Americans are Fat"

[msj]

I saw this statistical graphic today about "why Americans are fat."

A few things that surprised me:

Not that the average American consumes 3,767 calories per day but that the average Chinese consumes 2,954.

Americans only spend $110 billion per year on fast food. For some reason I though it would be higher.

But I guess that is still like $350 per person and how much fast food do toddlers or seniors eat, right?

67% of Americans are overweight. Ok, that doesn't surprise me as I've heard that number before.

Now, before the usual suspect come on here to complain about Canada's battle of the bulge and demand that asterisks be appended to this post I have to say that when/if I find the time I will find some relevant Canadian stats.

For now this Canadian has to get his butt out the door for a nice 10k run and then do an hour and a half of yoga later on.

[waldo]

http://www.eaves.ca/wp-content/uploads/2008/Obese%20Map%20of%20NA%202.png - based on Stats Can figures and an extension of this articles graphic:

If Canadian provinces were ranked along side US States, they would rank 1st (BC), 2nd (QC), 3rd (ON), 4th (AB) and tied for 5th (MB) (YK) as the least obese provinces/states. Colorado would be the first American state placing 7th, with the provinces of NS in 8th and SK in 9th. PEI and NB would appear 15th and 16th and NFLD would appear 19th. NWT and NU would close out in 30th and 31st position.

Actually even some of the grimmer looking patches of Canada's map have a silver lining. The Arctic Territories, specifically Nunavut (NU) and the North-West Territories (NWT), appear obese and thus unhealthy. However, Statistics Canada notes that obesity criterion for Inuit populations should be more relaxed since a high BMI does not appear to have the same health risk for Inuit as for non-Inuit.

[GostHacked]

It's got a lot to do with what we eat. I can't even pronounce half the stuff that is in much processed and prepared foods. People are not getting the right nutrients. Much of these ingredients trick the body in many ways. Some additives repress the 'feeling full' so you tend to overeat.

Glucose-fructose is a sugar replacement, but your body processes the gluc-fruct in different ways than regular sugar. For what it's worth, glucose fructose is still better for you than aspartame.

When the body gets the right nutrients, it does not feel starved all the time, and you actually end up eating less.

Overeating, not eating the right foods, sedentary lifestyles, tv/vid game playing, lack of exercise. But the main thing .. the MAIN thing is the types of foods that are eaten.

[bush_cheney2004]

Thank you for this thread, as Americans are facing an obesity epidemic and the impact on our health care costs is very significant. I also understand and acknowledge that monitoring the body mass index of Americans is very important to Canadians for all of the obvious reasons. Let the record show that I will continue to shovel the driveway of my very obese Canadian neighbor, even as the mapleleaf flies from her porch. This is a personal experience and observation not meant to generalize about all Canadians. LOL!

[Guest American Woman]

...I also understand and acknowledge that monitoring the body mass index of Americans is very important to Canadians for all of the obvious reasons. Let the record show that I will continue to shovel the driveway of my very obese Canadian neighbor, even as the mapleleaf flies from her porch. This is a personal experience and observation not meant to generalize about all Canadians. LOL!

From my personal experience and observation, it's Canada's higher ratio of recent immigrants that saves its *ahem* ass from having higher obesity statistics. Based on my personal experience and personal observation, the vast majority of the Canadians who were born in Canada that I've encountered in my life, my job, my extensive wordly travels, etc. etc. "are fat."

Side note:

Americans only spend $110 billion per year on fast food. For some reason I though it would be higher.

This is something you've actually thought about???

'Nuff said.

[Topaz]

Let's be fair, the US has more people so of course there's more over weight people. Since 9/11, people going on anti-depression medication is up and they will put weight on you plus a number of other drugs. A person could have a low thyroid, be under stress and may other things. BUT, after watching the Fodd Network Drive-ins,diners and dives, people just eat too much FAT, SUGARs and Carbs and the portions, wow! There is also one other item and its the manufacturers of all these foods and many are NOT healthy to eat everyday, especially the one with the sugars. Lets face it in North America is a very stressful time and people are turning to food, drugs, smoking, drinking!

[waldo]

From my personal experience and observation...

at this stage the salient reference appears to be based upon study, analysis, graphics and related statistics... from both the U.S. CDC and the Canadian Stats Can... and based upon obesity stats your personal experience may or may not carry more weight!

[eyeball]

Let's be fair, the US has more people so of course there's more over weight people.

So many you could probably measure the wobble the extra mass has caused in our planet's rotation.

[Guest American Woman]

at this stage the salient reference appears to be based upon study, analysis, graphics and related statistics... from both the U.S. CDC and the Canadian Stats Can... and based upon obesity stats your personal experience may or may not carry more weight!

I'm' just sayin' .... in my personal experience and observation, Canada's recent immigrants aren't fat, which helps balance out the native born fat. What do your stats show in that regard? What? It's not included in the study? That's why my personal observation and experience is so helpful and informative. Keep your immigration stats high, and from my personal experience and observation, y'all might be able to keep your bragging rights to a slightly lower obesity rate than the United States. Yay Canada!

Edited January 2, 2012 by American Woman

[GostHacked]

So many you could probably measure the wobble the extra mass has caused in our planet's rotation.

So that's why I fell off my chair just now. Could have been because I was laughing, not sure.

For what it's worth, I am also about 20-30lbs overweight.

Edited January 2, 2012 by GostHacked

[msj]

I'm' just sayin' .... in my personal experience and observation, Canada's recent immigrants aren't fat, which helps balance out the native born fat. What do your stats show in that regard? What? It's not included in the study? That's why my personal observation and experience is so helpful and informative. Keep your immigration stats high, and from my personal experience and observation, y'all might be able to keep your bragging rights to a slightly lower obesity rate than the United States. Yay Canada!

And yet BC_2004 and, I believe, you, have gone on (and on and on) in other threads about all those people immigrating to the US rather than Canada. And in such huge numbers.

So, now you're saying that you have "personal experience and observation" with Canada's recent immigrants?

Are you comparing this to your "personal experience and observation" with the US' recent immigrants?

How sharp is your anecdata?

[msj]

From my personal experience and observation, it's Canada's higher ratio of recent immigrants that saves its *ahem* ass from having higher obesity statistics. Based on my personal experience and personal observation, the vast majority of the Canadians who were born in Canada that I've encountered in my life, my job, my extensive wordly travels, etc. etc. "are fat."

Yeah! More anecdata to counter statistical data! Yeah!

Oh, and I guess those Canadians who aren't born in Canada really are just "Canadians."

Side note:

This is something you've actually thought about???

'Nuff said.

I'm an accountant. You'd be surprised what we think about.

[msj]

at this stage the salient reference appears to be based upon study, analysis, graphics and related statistics... from both the U.S. CDC and the Canadian Stats Can... and based upon obesity stats your personal experience may or may not carry more weight!

Oh, that's very punny.

[waldo]

I'm' just sayin' .... in my personal experience and observation, Canada's recent immigrants aren't fat, which helps balance out the native born fat. What do your stats show in that regard? What? It's not included in the study? That's why my personal observation and experience is so helpful and informative. Keep your immigration stats high, and from my personal experience and observation, y'all might be able to keep your bragging rights to a slightly lower obesity rate than the United States. Yay Canada!

not sure why you would favour personal experience over study, analysis and related graphics/statistics... yes, the referenced Can Stats are 2006 dated. In the wake of your apparent weakened obesity country-level self-esteem, feel free to use your personal anecdote.

as for Canada versus U.S., it's all relative and rather telling, particularly when viewed against all other OECD countries:

Soaring obesity rates make the US the fattest country in the OECD. Overweight and obesity rates have increased steadily since the 1980s in both men and women. Three out of four people are projected by the OECD to be overweight or obese within 10 years.

and really, c'mon... your image of the bloated beer-belly was clearly nothing more than another American taking liberty with a Canadian flag. As for reality, perhaps you will also take exception to this graphic, hey?

[msj]

Thank you for this thread, as Americans are facing an obesity epidemic and the impact on our health care costs is very significant. I also understand and acknowledge that monitoring the body mass index of Americans is very important to Canadians for all of the obvious reasons. Let the record show that I will continue to shovel the driveway of my very obese Canadian neighbor, even as the mapleleaf flies from her porch. This is a personal experience and observation not meant to generalize about all Canadians. LOL!

Yeah, because your anecdata fits so seamlessly into the statistical data that has been presented by myself and Waldo.

Edited January 2, 2012 by msj

[eyeball]

So that's why I fell off my chair just now. Could have been because I was laughing, not sure.

For what it's worth, I am also about 20-30lbs overweight.

Ah, that explains the tremor I just felt.

[Guest American Woman]

not sure why you would favour personal experience over study, analysis and related graphics/statistics... yes, the referenced Can Stats are 2006 dated. In the wake of your apparent weakened obesity country-level self-esteem, feel free to use your personal anecdote.

I do feel free to use it - which is why I did. I've already explained, but I'm happy to repeat myself for your benefit, that your studies didn't have any info on recent citizens vs. Canadian born citizens, which is why my personal experience and observation is so important and informative.

and really, c'mon... your image of the bloated beer-belly was clearly nothing more than another American taking liberty with a Canadian flag.

Actually, no, it's not. But keep telling yourself that.

[GostHacked]

Ah, that explains the tremor I just felt.

Touche !!!!

[msj]

Ok I am trying to add a poll based on the responses so far.

Edited January 2, 2012 by msj

[waldo]

I do feel free to use it - which is why I did. I've already explained, but I'm happy to repeat myself for your benefit, that your studies didn't have any info on recent citizens vs. Canadian born citizens, which is why my personal experience and observation is so important and informative

no... you seem to be quite confused. The Stats Can statistics are, in fact, based on representative population samplings.

[Guest American Woman]

no... you seem to be quite confused. The Stats Can statistics are, in fact, based on representative population samplings.

Methinks you are the one who is confused. The fact that the stats are "based on representative population samplings" would actually help confirm what I'm saying.

[eyeball]

Yes, and I was born in the US of A!

No, and I was born in the US of A!

Yes, but before I immigrated to the US of A!

Yes,but after I immigrated to the US of A!

No, and I have immigrated to the US of A!

Yes, and I was born in Canada!

No, and I was born in Canada!

Yes, but before I immigrated to Canada!

Yes, but after I immigrated to Canada!

No, and I have emigrated to Canada!

You forgot;

Yes, I needed the ballast to counter the pull of gravity emanating from the US of A!

[waldo]

Methinks you are the one who is confused. The fact that the stats are "based on representative population samplings" would actually help confirm what I'm saying.

youthinks? Although you've been most inconsistent in fluttering about between your earlier reference to "immigrants" versus your now latter reference to "recent citizens", I am somewhat intrigued on the basis behind your suggestion that a Stats Can representative population sampling would... or wouldn't... include "immigrants", or your now latest favoured "new citizens", versus "Canadian born citizens".

I'm also equally intrigued that you're not calling into question the U.S. CDC results... or does your personal experience also offset the CDC population sampling methodology?

[msj]

I'm also equally intrigued that you're not calling into question the U.S. CDC results... or does your personal experience also offset the CDC population sampling methodology?

By virtue of being an American!! this automatically offsets the CDC population sampling methodology.

[Guest American Woman]

Yeah, because your anecdata fits so seamlessly into the statistical data that has been presented by myself and Waldo.

You mean "statistical data" like that map Waldo posted a link to? I noticed he left out the text that goes with it, so I'll include some excerpts here:

Canada uses age-standardized data when measuring obesity rates, while the US doesn't (it's mentioned on the statistics Canada page) So, I don't think it's very statistically sound to compare the two sets of data like this.

But it's still a very nice map.

And

Unfortunately, the Canadian prevalence data used here are derived from self-reported surveys of height and weight, an approach that we know leads to an underestimation of true prevalence.

If we were to calculate % obese based on physically measured heights and weights (see StatCan's Health Reports, Vol 17(3), 2006), then:

- BC would remain dark green;

- Quebec and Ontario would become that light fleshy colour;

- NS and AB, light orange;

- PEI, dark orange; and

- other provinces and territories, brown.

But it is still a very nice map.

And just a little fun fact - the most obese country in the world is Australia. Fatter than Americans! Sorry to have ruined it for y'all, but .... that's the way it is.