when Americans started driving everywhere, they got fat

Tony666
Tony666 Posts: 274
edited May 2010 in The bottom bracket
"When I grew up in the 1960s, 50 percent of kids walked or rode their bikes to school. Now it's 5 percent. The obesity rate was 14 percent. Today it's 50."

In other words, when Americans started driving everywhere, they got fat.

http://www.lacrossetribune.com/news/local/article_8e3ae0e0-356e-11df-9506-001cc4c03286.html
http://sotyred.wordpress.com/

Comments

  • downfader
    downfader Posts: 3,686
    Saw similar figures for Australia - now said to be the fattest nation in the world.
  • cee
    cee Posts: 4,553
    downfader wrote:
    Saw similar figures for Australia - now said to be the fattest nation in the world.

    really? i guess i assumed that the US was, but you know how competitive those antipodes are! :D
    Whenever I see an adult on a bicycle, I believe in the future of the human race.

    H.G. Wells.
  • Westerberg
    Westerberg Posts: 652
    downfader wrote:
    Saw similar figures for Australia - now said to be the fattest nation in the world.
    eh? evidence for this please?! I'm happy to eat humble pie, but I'd be amazed if a nation renowned for their sporting prowess and outdoor focused lifestyle are the fattest on earth.
  • Westerberg
    Westerberg Posts: 652
    humble pie is in the oven:

    http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_a ... 171160.ece
  • downfader
    downfader Posts: 3,686
    Westerberg wrote:
    downfader wrote:
    Saw similar figures for Australia - now said to be the fattest nation in the world.
    eh? evidence for this please?! I'm happy to eat humble pie, but I'd be amazed if a nation renowned for their sporting prowess and outdoor focused lifestyle are the fattest on earth.

    http://www.theage.com.au/news/health/au ... 27371.html

    All I can find are news sites, but I'm sure theres some more official lines. It was confirmed in 2008 and hasnt slipped since, sadly.
  • Pokerface
    Pokerface Posts: 7,960
    From what I've seen of the youth of the UK, it won't be long until we take the title.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    Pokerface wrote:
    From what I've seen of the youth of the UK, it won't be long until we take the title.

    vegas%20fat.jpg

    Stop hating youth.

    I know more fat middle aged people than people my age.
    _
  • Ands
    Ands Posts: 1,437
    Westerberg wrote:
    downfader wrote:
    Saw similar figures for Australia - now said to be the fattest nation in the world.
    eh? evidence for this please?! I'm happy to eat humble pie, but I'd be amazed if a nation renowned for their sporting prowess and outdoor focused lifestyle are the fattest on earth.
    Having lived there, I can vouch for what the other poster said.

    Their sporting prowess is largely down to the fact that they have government bodies dedicated to sport (the Australian Institute for Sport (AIS), for example, and state counterparts), who invest in the sports at grass roots level and nurture their athletes and give them support and funding – not because all Australians are super-fit and they have the pick of the crop. (Not detracting from the fact that children have facilities and incentives to participate at an early age, but the lifestyle in general in Australia I found very similar to the UK – same levels of laziness and car-dependency).

    Australians are very much into their sport but a lot of it is from the comfort of their own home. As for outdoor lifestyle - definitely - but that doesn't mean that they spend their time improving their aerobic capacity - it also means BBQs, fishing by the river with a VB in one hand, etc etc.

    It certainly is true, they are an overweight nation. (And as for cycling there....yes, you’d think that with all their champion world-class cyclists they would be tolerant of cyclists, but I have to say (and I know many others agree) aggression from drivers towards cyclists I found a lot higher than the UK.)
    Cannondale Six Carbon
  • downfader
    downfader Posts: 3,686
    I think Britain has its problems. Its not confined to a younger or older generation imo. Just looking around the estates and streets here I can see a lot of unhealthy people, I know drugs and drink plays a lot around here too, and theres a fast food place every half a mile, prolly even less. I'm not talking traditional curry houses either, I mean KFCs and BigMacs.
  • Ands
    Ands Posts: 1,437
    downfader wrote:
    I think Britain has its problems. Its not confined to a younger or older generation imo. Just looking around the estates and streets here I can see a lot of unhealthy people, I know drugs and drink plays a lot around here too, and theres a fast food place every half a mile, prolly even less. I'm not talking traditional curry houses either, I mean KFCs and BigMacs.
    My original response, which I deleted before I posted, mentioned the huge numbers of fast food joints in Oz - just drive down any urban highway and there is a fast food outlet every couple of blocks - usually 2 or 3 together - MCds, KFC, Red Rooster, Subway etc. I found Australia very americanised in that respect, together with its car culture (every other bloke seems to wear a Holden or Ford jacket/t-shirt).
    Cannondale Six Carbon
  • Stone Glider
    Stone Glider Posts: 1,227
    Another weight/obesity story using the famous BMI. Sadly a conflation of two terms makes a story out of a non-story; They use the term Obesity but use the measurement for the Overweight (BMI 25, Overweight: BMI 30, Clinicly Obese) Two different populations with different health profiles, lump them together to achieve a scary story.

    Frankly Australians have a similar life-style to USA, affluent countries with urban populations that enjoy food and drink in abundance. The age-range quoted are unlikely to be too active in their sporting tastes, golf, sailing, fishing, bowls, are very popular but not too strenuous. The social side includes lots of food and alcohol. Not a new story (2005/1998) masquerading as a news story.
    The older I get the faster I was
  • Pokerface
    Pokerface Posts: 7,960
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    vegas%20fat.jpg


    That looks like hidden camera footage from my bathroom. :shock:
  • downfader
    downfader Posts: 3,686
    Stone Glider wrote:
    Another weight/obesity story using the famous BMI. Sadly a conflation of two terms makes a story out of a non-story; They use the term Obesity but use the measurement for the Overweight (BMI 25, Overweight: BMI 30, Clinicly Obese) Two different populations with different health profiles, lump them together to achieve a scary story.

    Frankly Australians have a similar life-style to USA, affluent countries with urban populations that enjoy food and drink in abundance. The age-range quoted are unlikely to be too active in their sporting tastes, golf, sailing, fishing, bowls, are very popular but not too strenuous. The social side includes lots of food and alcohol. Not a new story (2005/1998) masquerading as a news story.

    I have to be honest - I dont trust the BMI as a solitary tool of guaging health. It needs to be used with an understanding of diet, exercise levels and other lifestyle factors (drink and fags). According to the BMI tool on the NHS website I'm obese - even my doctor said its a load of old tosh on its own. :lol:
  • cee
    cee Posts: 4,553
    downfader wrote:

    I have to be honest - I dont trust the BMI as a solitary tool of guaging health. It needs to be used with an understanding of diet, exercise levels and other lifestyle factors (drink and fags). According to the BMI tool on the NHS website I'm obese - even my doctor said its a load of old tosh on its own. :lol:

    yip..i am on the cusp of overweight and obese on the bmi....but my body fat percentage comes out at about 12%.
    Whenever I see an adult on a bicycle, I believe in the future of the human race.

    H.G. Wells.
  • verylonglegs
    verylonglegs Posts: 4,023
    The thread title reminds me of a story my Dad once told me about a work colleague of his who was on holiday in the US and decided to go for a stroll one day. He was approached by a couple of very aggressive policeman who wanted to know what he was up to and didn't believe his story of 'I just fancied a walk' because the whole concept was quite alien to them and it took some convincing for him to be able to go on his way!
  • Stone Glider
    Stone Glider Posts: 1,227
    I agree about BMI being unhelpful. As I understand it the Index was designed as a means of guaging population health numbered in millions, not for individuals' to monitor their own health. As you say most health professionals have no wish to rely on it as a sole determinator but if you have a book to sell or a product to push.......
    The older I get the faster I was
  • attica
    attica Posts: 2,362
    A doctor friend of mine firmly believes that introducing better public transport would reduce the nations obesity problem.

    Imagine the increase in activity for someone who has to walk 1/4 of a mile down the road to the bus stop rather than out onto their drive to get in the car.

    Personally I am appauled by the Sport Relief "run a mile" challenge. The mere fact that so many people find running a mile daunting enough to need sponsorship is indicative of the state of our nation. We need a lifestyle transplant.
    "Impressive break"

    "Thanks...

    ...I can taste blood"
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    Attica wrote:
    A doctor friend of mine firmly believes that introducing better public transport would reduce the nations obesity problem.

    Imagine the increase in activity for someone who has to walk 1/4 of a mile down the road to the bus stop rather than out onto their drive to get in the car.

    Personally I am appauled by the Sport Relief "run a mile" challenge. The mere fact that so many people find running a mile daunting enough to need sponsorship is indicative of the state of our nation. We need a lifestyle transplant.

    With cycling the only exercise I do, my lower calf usually decides to cramp up within 500m.

    Then again, that doesn't make me think that running a mile is an achievement worth mentioning to anyone. Unless it was under 4 minutes.
    _
  • blueheeler
    blueheeler Posts: 61
    yep! all the previous posters are correct..Australia is now the fattest nation on the planet.I live in a regional city of QLD, was in the local large shopping centre last week. I was appalled ...just about every person sitting there stuffing their faces with big macs etc was FAT. the thing that worries me though is the number of obese young women.And you get to see a lot of fat too....skimpy shorts strapless tops.
    But rest assured the Australian Gov is pouring millions into elite sport so we can be in the top 10 at London in 2012. Must preserve the image I suppose....the reality is quite different.
  • downfader
    downfader Posts: 3,686
    Attica wrote:
    A doctor friend of mine firmly believes that introducing better public transport would reduce the nations obesity problem.

    Imagine the increase in activity for someone who has to walk 1/4 of a mile down the road to the bus stop rather than out onto their drive to get in the car.

    Personally I am appauled by the Sport Relief "run a mile" challenge. The mere fact that so many people find running a mile daunting enough to need sponsorship is indicative of the state of our nation. We need a lifestyle transplant.

    Sport releif made me laugh several times. Christine Bleakley cant swim and decided to ski across the channel, Jimmy Carr doesnt train for his bike ride (bearing in mind that I've heard of lads doing LEJOG on their own in 5 days)... The only man who still shines through was Eddie Izzard. Legend.

    I digress.. Public transport would be brilliant for toughening up all the soft heads I see. I often take the bus, I like it even though it aint cheap. My routes involve having to take 3 different busses during the day (so cycling is MUCH easier all around), but even that means walking some distance to or from stops.

    Mind you, my job keeps me relatively fit. ...and during the summer who needs to pay for a sauna - just work in catering!:)
  • bexley5200
    bexley5200 Posts: 692
    too many mcdonalds
    going downhill slowly
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    The problem in the US and I expect increasingly in Aus is that car dependency has created areas with a complete lack or sidewalks / pavements - particularly in new build areas - there isn't even the option to walk. I was in New Jersey once and took the subway to the station nearest my hotel - there were no taxis and being a predominantly black 'hood decided walking would be quicker - I could see the hotel in the distance. Got to the main road and whilst there were junctions, there was simply no way to cross the road without climbing over metre-high concrete barriers. I was very relieved to reach the hotel.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,253
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    Pokerface wrote:
    From what I've seen of the youth of the UK, it won't be long until we take the title.

    vegas%20fat.jpg

    Stop hating youth.

    I know more fat middle aged people than people my age.

    Let's be fair to Johnny here, he's lost a huge amount of weight in the last couple of years

    porkersvegas_243254s.jpg
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • downfader
    downfader Posts: 3,686
    RichN95 wrote:
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    Pokerface wrote:
    From what I've seen of the youth of the UK, it won't be long until we take the title.

    vegas%20fat.jpg

    Stop hating youth.

    I know more fat middle aged people than people my age.

    Let's be fair to Johnny here, he's lost a huge amount of weight in the last couple of years

    porkersvegas_243254s.jpg

    I remember Vegas when he was starting out. He did a diet show to get advice.. I suspect to get on the telly rather than actually lose the weight. :lol:

    He is a legend though, he's lost something like 5 stone in the past 2-3 years. I think he gave up the drink for a while.

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