Do we have an obesity problem?

Hammer89

That certainly seems to be the case alright, looking at the figures, and the people more importantly, but is it simplistic to say we have an obesity problem?

I ask because this is a major problem and there has to be a root cause.

Is it the foods? I wouldn't have said so, because unhealthy foods are no more accessible in this country than they are in many, many other countries whose people are not getting fatter by the year. In fact, unhealthy foods are no more accessible now than they were 10 or 15 years ago, are they?

Right, so it's the people? Well, yes and no. Nowadays we consciously choose to consume certain foods, which is no harm, but there has to be a reason why we're consuming it far more often. It's not laziness. You could go the gym every single day but if you don't alter your eating habits then you will become obese. There's a nutritional reason behind this problem; not one which involves a lack of exercise, which is quite a common view I think.

What's the real reason then? I think we're quite a stressed-out bunch of people, and if we're regularly stressed then we might've become quite an unhappy bunch of people. A lot of heroin addicts were unhappy prior to picking up a needle, but the every-day man or woman can't turn to heroin, or alcohol albeit to a much lesser extent, so we sooth some very dark, uncomfortable emotions through unhealthy foods. When it works - and it absolutely does - then we keep doing it, and we inadvertently lay the foundations for our children to pick up the very same habits through sheer apathy toward wholesome, nutritious foods.

Why are we stressed then? No idea. Maybe the economy. Maybe a lot of us have become engulfed in a general gloom which is hard to explain. I don't know, but I do think our obesity problem is more reflective of something else going on. Obesity is the result of something. It's the result of over eating, of course, but over eating is a result of something far deeper and darker than laziness or greed.

I should note that this is an unsubstantiated theory, but I did have a weight problem once upon a time and it's really, really, really sad to see a lot of others now fighting the same issues.

Letree

you fat bastard you fat bastard you ate all the pies.

gifted

I just love food..














Just gained 2lbs thinking about food ffs

Hammer89

gifted wrote: »

I just love food..

Just gained 2lbs thinking about food ffs

Me too. Food is great, but if we're abusing it, like quite a lot of people in Ireland are, then it becomes a problem.

Nonoperational

There's huge availability of high calorie cheap food available now compared to 15 years ago. In the morning you can get cooked breakfasts in almost all petrol stations, lunch 1000 calorie hot chicken rolls for €4, take aways, better canteens at work, more disposable income to spend on food etc. It's just easy to consume lots of calories and if you are anyway lazy then you'll put on weight.

Amanda.ie

Im slim but i know a few people who aren't.

Hammer89

Nonoperational wrote: »

There's huge availability of high calorie cheap food available now compared to 15 years ago. In the morning you can get cooked breakfasts in almost all petrol stations, lunch 1000 calorie hot chicken rolls for €4, take aways, better canteens at work, more disposable income to spend on food etc. It's just easy to consume lots of calories and if you are anyway lazy then you'll put on weight.

But I don't think it's any easier now than it was 15 years ago and that's the point. If somebody wanted to stuff their face in the year 2001 then they could have done so very, very easily mate.

I also think it's very simplistic, and false, to label them as lazy. You can be the laziest person in Ireland but if you're not over eating then you won't be obese, rendering their physical activity as completely meaningless.

But listen, I'm not trying to win a Nobel prize here like. I just think we're nowhere near understand the problem, and surely if we don't understand something then we're utterly powerless when it comes to defeating it.

Richard Hillman

No. We have a problem with health fascism and people trying to invade our liberty in our own homes by instructing is on what we "need" to eat.

tomwaterford

Hammer89 wrote: »

But I don't think it's any easier now than it was 15 years ago and that's the point. If somebody wanted to stuff their face in the year 2001 then they could have done so very, very easily mate.

I also think it's very simplistic, and false, to label them as lazy. You can be the laziest person in Ireland but if you're not over eating then you won't be obese, rendering their physical activity as completely meaningless.

But listen, I'm not trying to win a Nobel prize here like. I just think we're nowhere near understand the problem, and surely if we don't understand something then we're utterly powerless when it comes to defeating it.

But it's alot easier to over eat nowadays virus 15 years ago
.



Takeaways,deliveries anD delivery food is ALOT more available
Even the amount and selection of buns and biscuits, scone cookies (allspice suger laden)etc available on laSt 2-3 years is massive




It's not rocket science give people cheap tasty and sweet food easily available and they'll consume more.....


With in many cases little regard to the health/do they need to eat it

beks101

I think we have an obesity threads on AH problem.

Fr_Dougal

Richard Hillman wrote: »

No. We have a problem with health fascism and people trying to invade our liberty in our own homes by instructing is on what we "need" to eat.

It's a major issue and it's putting strain on the health sector. I don't think giving people a steer on how to eat healthy is an invasion of liberties.

How much liberty would you have if you had to have a foot amputated because of Type 2 diabetes?

learn_more

Richard Hillman wrote: »

No. We have a problem with health fascism and people trying to invade our liberty in our own homes by instructing is on what we "need" to eat.

Actually, they are not telling you what to eat. They are telling you what not to eat.

Nonoperational

Hammer89 wrote: »

But I don't think it's any easier now than it was 15 years ago and that's the point. If somebody wanted to stuff their face in the year 2001 then they could have done so very, very easily mate.

I also think it's very simplistic, and false, to label them as lazy. You can be the laziest person in Ireland but if you're not over eating then you won't be obese, rendering their physical activity as completely meaningless.

But listen, I'm not trying to win a Nobel prize here like. I just think we're nowhere near understand the problem, and surely if we don't understand something then we're utterly powerless when it comes to defeating it.

Seriously? There was no food in petrol stations 15 - 20 years ago. No fresh bread rolls in anywhere but a bakery. You couldn't log onto an app and have any variety of food delivered in 15 minutes.

Lazy doesn't just extend to physical activity. If you couldn't be bothered cooking a healthy meal for dinner and order a take away then you are lazy.

What is your thesis on the obesity epidemic?

Barry Badrinath

All I know is, I'll never fit into my Hula Hoop if I stop eating.

It keeps falling off when I put it around me.

More burgers please.

Hammer89

tomwaterford wrote: »

It's not rocket science give people cheap tasty and sweet food easily available and they'll consume more.....

And yet other countries have the exact same tools in which to over eat and they don't in comparison to us, so that might suggest there's something else going on in our culture, in our society, which makes us more willing to abuse these foods.

PucaMama

Why does it make difference to you what size other people are?

I have a combination of conditions. Hypothyroidism, insulin resistance, pcos. I also am tired and in pain almost every day. Partly because of my weight. You might think I'm lazy for not walking everywhere but I ask if you were in pain from just doing your job and normal housework would you have much motivation to do more? I have another condition that causes me pain by itself, it would even if I was a perfect weight, but that seems forgotten when I need help or understanding.

MistyCheese

I can't speak for anyone else but, I don't.

tomwaterford

Hammer89 wrote: »

And yet other countries have the exact same tools in which to over eat and they don't in comparison to us, so that might suggest there's something else going on in our culture, in our society, which makes us more willing to abuse these foods.

I had reason to be in London few weeks back visiting relatives.....I know it wasn't city centre etc


But in no shop/petrol station did I see a deli ....or a massive display of donuts/cookies etc beside the tea machine

Hammer89

Nonoperational wrote: »

Seriously? There was no food in petrol stations 15 - 20 years ago. No fresh bread rolls in anywhere but a bakery. You couldn't log onto an app and have any variety of food delivered in 15 minutes.

Lazy doesn't just extend to physical activity. If you couldn't be bothered cooking a healthy meal for dinner and order a take away then you are lazy.

What is your thesis on the obesity epidemic?

Mate, let's be honest, Texaco didn't only sell petrol and diesel in 2001. There's been an infinite amount of highly palatable foods sold in garages for a long, long time. Forget about a roll. It's not an epidemic about chicken fillet rolls - it's an epidemic about obesity and we didn't get this way from strictly eating demi baguettes.

Regarding my thesis, you know it. I think we've turned to food in an effort to escape, and once you start then it's very difficult to stop.

Zenify

Hammer89 wrote: »

You could go the gym every single day but if you don't alter your eating habits then you will become obese.

If you work out hard enough you can eat what you want. in the height of my training I really struggled to eat enough. I used to sit on the sofa eating blocks of cheese.

the main problem to obesity IMO is exercise. Taking an elevator up a level rather than walking a flight of stairs, sitting watching TV rather than going out for a evening stroll. driving 3 mintues to the shops. what is wrong with people? exercise is fun and enjoyable. it releases the same endorphins as eating. people seem to avoid it at all costs.

magentis

Ffs.

Here I am with my 8 pack of beer beside me,tandoori mixed grill on the way and I see this thread.

Thanks op.

RobertKK

http://www.safefood.eu/News/2012/New-study-reveals-the-annual-cost-of-overweight-an.aspx

Findings from new safefood funded research¹ into the cost of overweight and obesity on the island of Ireland has estimated the annual cost to be €1.64 billion euros (€1.13billion Republic of Ireland; €510 million Northern Ireland). The study, conducted by University College Cork (UCC) found that in the Republic of Ireland, 35% of total costs (€398 million) represented direct healthcare costs i.e. hospital in-patient; out-patient; GP and drug costs. However, two thirds (65%) of the economic costs were indirect costs in reduced or lost productivity and absenteeism and amounted to €728 million. - See more at: http://www.safefood.eu/News/2012/New-study-reveals-the-annual-cost-of-overweight-an.aspx#sthash.r2HZjvoU.dpuf
In 2012, obesity cost the country €1.13 billion.
35% due to direct medical costs, and 65% due to lost productivity.

The main directs costs were related to the following:
Cardiac diseases 44%
Type 2 diabetes 9%
Colorectal cancer 12%
Stroke 6%
Breast cancer 2%
Kidney cancer 3%
Oesophageal cancer 2%
Gallbladder cancer 3%

Lower back pain the main reason for being absent from work.

These are reasons to care why other people have weight issues, no one who is a decent person wants to see someone putting themselves at increased risk for disease and pain.
The cost of obesity affects everyone, it costs the health system, but ultimately it does cost lives.

Zenify

PucaMama wrote: »

Why does it make difference to you what size other people are?

When our society has a problem we should try to work together to fix it. it's much easier to fix these problems when we all work together.

Day Lewin

The reason people get fat is because they eat too much.
Then we must ask why? Why do they eat too much?
Because it's there, that's why.

You see, I was born in the 1950's. Everyone put sugar in their tea, ate white bread and jam, had butter on their spuds and dessert after their dinner. Were they fat? They bl00dy were not.
Why?
Well, there wasn't any spare food: it was after the war. There was enough of good plain food available but no money to spare for extras, like snacks between meals. Fizzy lemonade was strictly a "treat" for birthdays, Sunday visiting, or outings. A family might spend a third of their income on food: most did not own a car so they walked or cycled or went to the bus stop. Lawnmowers were "push" mowers, human-powered. Children played outdoors all day.

Nowadays you have snacks and convenience foods available everywhere: carefully designed to be appetising and moreish.
Traveling to work or school means sitting in a car, bus or train. Lawnmowers propel themselves.
Children play sitting down, with computers or phones. Everyone can afford alcohol regularly.

See what I mean? Its natural to want to eat food: not so natural to be surrounded by an excess of it. And actually dangerous to be so inactive.

Well, them's my views.

afatbollix

Its a load of bollix if you ask me.

PucaMama

Zenify wrote: »

PucaMama wrote: »

Why does it make difference to you what size other people are?

When our society has a problem we should try to work together to fix it. it's much easier to fix these problems when we all work together.

But no one ever explains why what people weigh is such a problem? Doesn't make a difference to my life what other people eat so it shouldn't make a difference to you

Zenify

PucaMama wrote: »

But no one ever explains why what people weigh is such a problem? Doesn't make a difference to my life what other people eat so it shouldn't make a difference to you

Obesity is directly linked to many diseases including diabities, cardiovascular disease and cancers to name but a few.... more and more of our children are becoming obese and we need to stop these for the benefit of our future generations. also we as role models should try and set examples for them to follow.

Amanda.ie

PucaMama wrote: »

But no one ever explains why what people weigh is such a problem? Doesn't make a difference to my life what other people eat so it shouldn't make a difference to you

It makes a difference to our health service, overweight people tend to have more health problems requiring more medical care.

Annasopra

Nonoperational wrote: »

There's huge availability of high calorie cheap food available now compared to 15 years ago. In the morning you can get cooked breakfasts in almost all petrol stations, lunch 1000 calorie hot chicken rolls for €4, take aways, better canteens at work, more disposable income to spend on food etc. It's just easy to consume lots of calories and if you are anyway lazy then you'll put on weight.

And huge amounts of food with way too much added sugar.

Annasopra

afatbollix wrote: »

Its a load of bollix if you ask me.

We didnt and you're wrong.

Annasopra

OP some interesting reading on the causes here

https://www.google.ie/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/media/housesoftheoireachtas/libraryresearch/spotlights/spotObesity071111_150658.pdf&ved=0ahUKEwiKxJafvqHPAhVJGsAKHQv9AIkQFggcMAE&usg=AFQjCNGEtjhWaLpkJWC1OM5nrC9Grah7dw&sig2=mn8YaYMDq1G7-OHinCQbdg

tomwaterford

PucaMama wrote: »

But no one ever explains why what people weigh is such a problem? Doesn't make a difference to my life what other people eat so it shouldn't make a difference to you

Much the same as smoking....it deosnt really

RobertKK

PucaMama wrote: »

But no one ever explains why what people weigh is such a problem? Doesn't make a difference to my life what other people eat so it shouldn't make a difference to you

It costs the country a lot of money, and what is worse it costs a lot of people with bad health.
Years ago I had neighbours who were obese, I was around three years old - one collapsed onto the ground and died from diabetes, his brother was found to also have diabetes and had to inject himself every day for the rest of his life and it caused him other health problems before he died, the other brother eventually got liver cancer and died.
They were all obese.

That is why I care when I see other people with weight problems.

PucaMama

Amanda.ie wrote: »

PucaMama wrote: »

But no one ever explains why what people weigh is such a problem? Doesn't make a difference to my life what other people eat so it shouldn't make a difference to you

It makes a difference to our health service, overweight people tend to have more health problems requiring more medical care.

What about drinkers, smokers, people who do dangerous stuff as hobbies?

At least you don't feign concern over my health. Prefer people to admit it's concern over money spent on healthcare

PucaMama

RobertKK wrote: »

PucaMama wrote: »

But no one ever explains why what people weigh is such a problem? Doesn't make a difference to my life what other people eat so it shouldn't make a difference to you

It costs the country a lot of money, and what is worse it costs a lot of people with bad health.
Years ago I had neighbours who were obese, I was around three years old - one collapsed onto the ground and died from diabetes, his brother was found to also have diabetes and had to inject himself every day for the rest of his life and it caused him other health problems before he died, the other brother eventually got liver cancer and died.
They were all obese.

That is why I care when I see other people with weight problems.

The only thing people are really concerned with is what you mention first, the money.

Annasopra

PucaMama wrote: »

But no one ever explains why what people weigh is such a problem? Doesn't make a difference to my life what other people eat so it shouldn't make a difference to you

The cost to the taxpayer of providing healthcare
The costs to people who are obese of having poor physical and mental health

Annasopra

PucaMama wrote: »

The only thing people are really concerned with is what you mention first, the money.

How exactle do you determine that? Have you asked every Irish person?

Annasopra

PucaMama wrote: »

What about drinkers, smokers, people who do dangerous stuff as hobbies?

Whatabout whataboutery?

Amanda.ie

PucaMama wrote: »

What about drinkers, smokers, people who do dangerous stuff as hobbies?

At least you don't feign concern over my health. Prefer people to admit it's concern over money spent on healthcare

Smokers and drinkers ok but alcoholics not casual drinkers. Smokers can have health problems but not all smokers. Dangerous stuff as hobbies? this is stretching it a little, crossing the road is dangerous.

Obesity is a rising problem in Ireland whether we like it or not. It's down to parents and healthy eating and educating their children.

ThinkProgress

I think subconsciously many people see a futility in our existence.

Death looms over us all from the moment we're conceived.

This perhaps leads to a reckless attitude, and a willingness to press the self destruct button whenever possible. Then you wake up the next day and realize you still have to live day-to-day in this body you have been purposefully and gleefully abusing...

And for a while you consider the idea of not destroying the machine. But then... "oh look, cake!"

PucaMama

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

PucaMama wrote: »

The only thing people are really concerned with is what you mention first, the money.

How exactle do you determine that? Have you asked every Irish person?

Look at ur last reply to me, and other peoples replys what do they mention first money

Lia_lia

I blame the weather. If the weather was nicer we'd eat more salads and be more likely to stay slim as we'd be showing off more skin.

Sam Kade

RobertKK wrote: »

It costs the country a lot of money, and what is worse it costs a lot of people with bad health.
Years ago I had neighbours who were obese, I was around three years old - one collapsed onto the ground and died from diabetes, his brother was found to also have diabetes and had to inject himself every day for the rest of his life and it caused him other health problems before he died, the other brother eventually got liver cancer and died.
They were all obese.

That is why I care when I see other people with weight problems.

That's a sad story and what a great memory you have of when you were 3, never mind knowing what obese was.

grogi

Hammer89 wrote: »

But I don't think it's any easier now than it was 15 years ago and that's the point. If somebody wanted to stuff their face in the year 2001 then they could have done so very, very easily mate.

I also think it's very simplistic, and false, to label them as lazy. You can be the laziest person in Ireland but if you're not over eating then you won't be obese, rendering their physical activity as completely meaningless.

But listen, I'm not trying to win a Nobel prize here like. I just think we're nowhere near understand the problem, and surely if we don't understand something then we're utterly powerless when it comes to defeating it.

If somebody wanted, it wasn't a problem to eat unhealthy. But today it is a problem NOT to eat unhealthy...

You have to have a PhD from chemistry to read the label and filter the stuff that's crap. You see labels "No added sugar" - but hey, nobody said "No fructose syrop, right?!" This goes on and on - some food is just morally questionable (palm oil), majority is simply unhealthy...

The quality of affordable food is appalling, while availability of crap food is very good. Combine with lack of knowledge - and you have recipe for disaster...

worded

My tummy never rumbles but it's rumbling like Fcuk reading this

Go figure

Ok my figure is gone now

Amanda.ie

grogi wrote: »

If somebody wanted, it wasn't a problem to eat unhealthy. But today it is a problem NOT to eat unhealthy...

You have to have a PhD from chemistry to read the label and filter the stuff that's crap. You see labels "No added sugar" - but hey, nobody said "No fructose syrop, right?!"

The quality of affordable food is appalling, while availability of crap food is very good. Combine with lack of knowledge - and you have recipe for disaster...

It's not just about that, exercise is important for everyone. If you eat 3000 calories everyday you have to exercise to burn it off. It's common sense really, sit on the couch and eat and you will get fat.
We all have bad days but make up for it the next few days. One take away in the week is ok if you are sensible.

ThinkProgress

grogi wrote: »

If somebody wanted, it wasn't a problem to eat unhealthy. But today it is a problem NOT to eat unhealthy...

You have to have a PhD from chemistry to read the label and filter the stuff that's crap. You see labels "No added sugar" - but hey, nobody said "No fructose syrop, right?!" This goes on and on - some food is just morally questionable (palm oil), majority is simply unhealthy...

The quality of affordable food is appalling, while availability of crap food is very good. Combine with lack of knowledge - and you have recipe for disaster...

But the main problem, is that unhealthy food tastes f*cking amazing!!

That's the biggest factor by far!

TallGlass

Yes we do. I am one of them, and my BMI puts me moderately obese. Why? Portion size, entirely my own doing, 8/10 pints, takeaways and then extras with the take aways or just generally eating more than needed. In fact I generally think if I cut alcohol out I would drop alot of weight. Would I consider myself an alcoholic, I don't think so. Should I drink less? Most defiantly.

Gradually I am trying to change, cutting back on things, like getting a small sausage roll over a large. But it's hard, when you go into a shop, and fruit that is ready to eat is 2/3 euro for 100/200g. Yet that same 2/3 could get you far more grams for stuff with bigger portions loaded with carbohydrates.

I was getting away with it, but not anymore I changed from a physical job to a desk job, now the daily calorie intake is going into surplus, which is turning into extra KGs on the scales. The job changed my diet got worse, but I am working on it with small changes.

You might also argue that some people are the opposite of me and in denial about there diets, lifestyle, health. Which feds into the problem.

I gave up smoking and that was easier than eating properly. It's too easy to by crap, it tastes good and looks good.

But yes, most defiantly there is a problem with moderate obesity, which is festering itself into full on obesity. Cause I can see it. Question is what do we do? Sugar tax, won't work. I think easier to read nutritional information for people would be a start, and force them to use the Red, Green, Amber, force them to show the details for that particular portion size, less of the scientific words, mono/poly saturates, replace it with words more friendly, good/bad saturates, if the good goes over a certain level which are bad then warn the user, that this much intake could be bad for you.

Sure for example, it's a lot of Googling to find the nutritional information for a can of Guinness or Bulmers, Bulmers light advertise 30% less cals than Bulmers, I could be wrong but it doesn't state on either what the cal content is. But yet, I have been told when I can drink, where I can drink, what the minimum price should be but not what is exactly in my drink? Why! It seems our over lords, seem to think tax and levies are solutions to ever problem created.

tomwaterford

Amanda.ie wrote: »

It's not just about that, exercise is important for everyone. If you eat 3000 calories everyday you have to exercise to burn it off. It's common sense really, sit on the couch and eat and you will get fat.
We all have bad days but make up for it the next few days. One take away in the week is ok if you are sensible.

I remember reading.....one take away a week over a year to 18 months without enough extra exercise etc to compendate equates to 1 and 1/2 stone of weight gain

Mr. FoggPatches

Leave fat people alone. What harm are they doing to me? None.
Also, can we get a card, like a donor card, where we can make candles out of them when they, sadly, shed their mortal coil?

RobertKK

PucaMama wrote: »

The only thing people are really concerned with is what you mention first, the money.

I wouldn't agree, yes it costs everyone, but if it is your friend, a neighbour or relation who have a weight problem, then it is one's own problem if they care about these people given the increased health risks.