Do we have an obesity problem?

tomwaterford · 21-09-2016 11:20PM

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 · 21-09-2016 11:22PM

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 · 21-09-2016 11:23PM

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 · 21-09-2016 11:25PM

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 · 21-09-2016 11:25PM

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 · 21-09-2016 11:27PM

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 · 21-09-2016 11:28PM

PucaMama wrote: »

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

Whatabout whataboutery?

Amanda.ie · 21-09-2016 11:28PM

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 · 21-09-2016 11:28PM

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 · 21-09-2016 11:28PM

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

21-09-2016 11:29PM

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 · 21-09-2016 11:31PM

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 · 21-09-2016 11:32PM

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 · 21-09-2016 11:35PM

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

Go figure

Ok my figure is gone now

Amanda.ie · 21-09-2016 11:35PM

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 · 21-09-2016 11:39PM

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 · 21-09-2016 11:42PM

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 · 21-09-2016 11:42PM

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 · 21-09-2016 11:42PM

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 · 21-09-2016 11:42PM

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.

gormdubhgorm · 21-09-2016 11:44PM

Society does not allow you to call it an obesity problem. Fat chance!

The PC brigade prefer to dance around it and discuss the causes and side issues.

Leading people to do little but talk about it rather then actually eat healthier and exercise. Some of those may be affected by the side issues no doubt, but the rest have the chance to jump on the bandwagon.

You will be told "it is not as simple as that".

But I have noticed that around Dublin in particular the more deprived areas you will see a lot of fat adults and fat children.

What excuse do people have for fat children? It saddening to be honest.

Anyone who is obese these days must either be:

1) Uneducated on healthy eating and exercise (god knows how as any fool knows even from watching tv. You avoid too much processed foods and sugar, use smaller portion sizes, get regular meals, avoid snacking and get regular exercise)

2) Lazy with great excuses

3) Is either depressed, weak willed, or has some kind of mental issue, or far worse has jumped on the "I am depressed bandwagon" when they are not.

Anything else is just repetition and going around in circles.

RobertKK · 21-09-2016 11:48PM

Sam Kade wrote: »

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

I won't say I remember him, but my parents told us about what happened, the worst thing is his brothers who he lived with did nothing to reduce their weight and it did cost them.

Hammer89 · 21-09-2016 11:52PM

katemarch wrote: »

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.

But there's a difference between eating food and gorging on it - and we're binging on it now. What's natural about that? Absolutely nothing, and it's indicative of a wider problem - pun intended - in my opinion. Is that problem increased accessbility? It's a problem, but it's not the problem in my opinion. I think the big issue is why we're over eating and I also think it's simplistic to blame the type of foods which we could consume in moderation in the recent past.

There is something else at play. More people are using dopamine-releasing foods on a regular basis as a way in which to sooth uncomfortable feelings or emotions which may have come about through stress, trauma, depression, boredom or other factors. Is it inconceivable that all four are a bit more common in 2016 than they were in 2001? We were a happier country 15 years ago I would suggest, and if we're happier then I would also suggest there is less sadness and emptiness to address.

John_Rambo · 21-09-2016 11:54PM

Bad planning.

Overweight people getting planning permission to build an overweight house miles away from the local school, restaurant, library, post office, Garda station, local sports club etc...

They do their best, they drive over-weight children in over-weight cars to wherever they need to go to.. including over-weight outlet retail stores with fast food joints instead of normal-weight people cycling or walking with their normal-weight, healthy children to normal-weight schools in villages towns and cities buying from fish mongers, butchers, greengrocers and bakers to cook healthy food at home (cause that's what idiots do

)

Then, these heavily subsidised overweight people that live and operate outside the villages, towns and cities are amazed when the Garda stations, pubs, Post offices, libraries and facilities die out along with their towns and villages and their left there frothing at the mouth wondering why they've been left out!

They get on to their local TD and want more, they find someone to beat, normally single mothers, refugees etc...

ThinkProgress · 22-09-2016 12:05AM

gormdubhgorm wrote: »

Society does not allow you to call it an obesity problem. Fat chance!

The PC brigade prefer to dance around it and discuss the causes and side issues.

Leading people to do little but talk about it rather then actually eat healthier and exercise. Some of those may be affected by the side issues no doubt, but the rest have the chance to jump on the bandwagon.

You will be told "it is not as simple as that".

Yeah, I hear that exact sh!t parroted out all the time...

It's just delay tactics from people who are highly resistant to change!

"Don't tackle the problem, find the underlying cause!" :rolleyes:

Well, actually you can very successfully tackle the problem of having too much excess fat. And the so-called "causes" of said problem magically disappear during that weight loss process! (The harder the journey, the better in that respect)

If you want to lose weight, there is no hiding place from the hard work, dedication and consistency. It's one of life's truly equatable deals... You get what you invest. You get exactly what you deserve!

Hammer89 · 22-09-2016 12:06AM

gormdubhgorm wrote: »

Society does not allow you to call it an obesity problem. Fat chance!

The PC brigade prefer to dance around it and discuss the causes and side issues.

Leading people to do little but talk about it rather then actually eat healthier and exercise. Some of those may be affected by the side issues no doubt, but the rest have the chance to jump on the bandwagon.

You will be told "it is not as simple as that".

But I have noticed that around Dublin in particular the more deprived areas you will see a lot of fat adults and fat children.

What excuse do people have for fat children? It saddening to be honest.

Anyone who is obese these days must either be:

1) Uneducated on healthy eating and exercise (god knows how as any fool knows even from watching tv. You avoid too much processed foods and sugar, use smaller portion sizes, get regular meals, avoid snacking and get regular exercise)

2) Lazy with great excuses

3) Is either depressed, weak willed, or has some kind of mental issue, or far worse has jumped on the "I am depressed bandwagon" when they are not.

Anything else is just repetition and going around in circles.

This could literally pass as satire, but you're being fully serious I suspect.

I'm not judging but as I said before, there's an astounding lack of understanding in regards to over eating, and this is part of the problem because a lot of them don't know they're addicted to food. This is the part someone uses the word 'mollycoddling' I think.

As you say, they think they're "weak-willed" when actually they're no more weak than an addict of any substance. All they did wrong once upon a time was attempt to quell unhappy feelings by eating, and now they can't stop because it worked, and it works every single time. That's what certain foods do to certain people and that's why it's so hard for a lot of people to turn their back on food.

I mean, it's a serious, serious issue, and yet we're supposed to believe people have suddenly become lazier, weaker human beings in the space of what, a decade or so? C'mon lads.

andekwarhola · 22-09-2016 12:08AM

magentis wrote: »

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.

Put 7 of the tins in the fridge or they'll taste sh1t.

Annasopra · 22-09-2016 12:08AM

Also fast food places deliberately target poorer areas to locate in.

In poorer areas then adults feed their children more fast food because it's cheap and convenient and they are often overworked on maybe two jobs.

Hammer89 · 22-09-2016 12:11AM

ThinkProgress wrote: »

Well, actually you can very successfully tackle the problem of having too much excess fat. And the so-called "causes" of said problem magically disappear during that weight loss process! (The harder the journey, the better in that respect)

Why do you think quite a lot of people who lose a big amount of weight end up gaining it back? It's because they still feel sh*t about themselves and such negative feelings are addressed with food! So no, the cause of their obesity does not magically disappear and that's because obesity is the result of something else. Alcoholics don't have alcohol problems and heroin addicts don't have heroin problems. They're deeply unhappy human beings to begin with and they're the substances by which they deal with their emotions. It's not about the substance and the very same principle applies to any addiction.

ThinkProgress · 22-09-2016 12:20AM

Hammer89 wrote: »

This could literally pass as satire, but you're being fully serious I suspect.

I'm not judging but as I said before, there's an astounding lack of understanding in regards to over eating, and this is part of the problem because a lot of them don't know they're addicted to food. This is the part someone uses the word 'mollycoddling' I think.

As you say, they think they're "weak-willed" when actually they're no more weak than an addict of any substance. All they did wrong once upon a time was attempt to quell unhappy feelings by eating, and now they can't stop because it worked, and it works every single time. That's what certain foods do to certain people and that's why it's so hard for a lot of people to turn their back on food.

I mean, it's a serious, serious issue, and yet we're supposed to believe people have suddenly become lazier, weaker human beings in the space of what, a decade or so? C'mon lads.

Bull... sorry, it just is! No offence... It's all excuses!

Life was physically harder in the past. Much harder...

People didn't have the ability to sit on their a$$ and consume their own weight in Doritos or ben and jerry's.... and simultaneously feel sorry for themselves to boot.

We now live in a society that has completely lost touch with our ancient ancestors, who had to work hard for every scrap of food they got. It was a privilege to eat, not a right for them.

Even the poorest in this country, can easily get fat. In the not too distant past, the only fat people were aristocrats... because their lives were easy and they didn't have to work hard to get food.

Do we have an obesity problem?

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