Eat More? Get More Fat?

I must report an even more startling finding, fresh from the cutting edge of science: bigger portions mean bigger people.

Yep, what was a mere super-size supposition has been documented by researchers at UNC. Never have I been prouder of my alma mater. Next up, does jumping in water get you wet?

Seriously, there are only so many variables in explaining how folks get fatter, and eating more has to be part of the equation. Not clear on why this had to be a topic of research other than it is a hot-button issue.

Here's a potential white-hot issue I'd love to see someone tackle: Did the entry of women into the workforce cause America to get fat? Have we failed to find replacements for the traditional housewife's roles of dietician and short-order cook? Have we simply forgotten how to eat and cook?

Beats me, my microwave burrito is done.

Comments

[Jim]

While it may be obvious that eating more will help make you fatter, it is far less obvious to me that restaurant portion sizes are to blame. In my own personal experience, I often just can't eat all the food they bring to the table. The end result is that restaurants with large portions usually end up feeding me twice, because I get a second meal out of the leftovers. My wife is the same way, she won't force herself to clean the plate just because it's there.

Getting more food for the same money is still a net social gain, even if some people choose to abuse it by conditioning themselves to eat more of it than they need.

[Glen]

I'm 63. All my life I've heard "we are too fat, we don't exercise enough", and so forth. Also all my life I've heard that longevity keeps increasing. I don't understand.

[Quaker120]

Strike One

[Brad S]

Jeff - you touched on one of the pieces of the solution to the "obesity epidemic" that is sweeping America these days. Better nutrition, which comes easily from a stay-at-home mom (or dad) who knows what she/he is doing. The other piece of the solution is more exercise, something which also comes much easier when there is a stay-at-home mom (or dad) who cares enough to take the kiddies to the park or the playground for an hour or so each afternoon.

Today's kids are being raised in double income homes so that they can afford to eat fast food every night and buy lots and lots of video games and DVD movies for the kids. As a result, kids are eating fast food every night and playing lots and lots of video games and watching lots and lots of DVDs instead of getting out and exercising their bodies.

The "obesity epidemic" should really come as a surprise to no one.

[Todd F]

You said it, Brad.

I got laid off 4 months ago, and one of the back-handed benefits has been losing 20 pounds. Now that I eat almost all my meals at home, prepared by myself, I know I'm not getting all that sugar/fat/whatever-else that's in all restaraunt food (fast or not). My waistline proves it.

Now if only I could get a job and get fat again.

[Brad S]

Todd - good luck. I'm sure you'll find something out there. And when you do, I hope you also succeed in keeping those pounds off. That is not an insignificant accomplishment - it has long-term health benefits that you can enjoy for years to come.

[Mona]

Agreed on the fat-inducing problem of there not being a stay-at-home parent. I'm currently taking a lenghty sabbatical from lawyering to help my adult, single-parent son raise my little gransdons. I shop, plan meals, and cook them. Yeah, the little darlings get M&Ms sometimes, but I also take the time to peel oranges and dole out grapes. I count fat grams and cook with an eye to keeping calories under control. And, both boys know that almost every day, grandma "essersizes"

That said, I can see why lower-income people have weight problems. The "bag your own" stores very seldom carry low-fat, healthful food, but rather all kinds of fried meats and fat-laden snack crap. Of course, such businesses presumably are catering to the purchasing desires of their clientel, so it must also be the case that many Americans, even those who often eat at home, prefer a fattening diet.

Surely the health Nazis are thinking there oughta be a law?

[fyodor]

Read Atkins's book and you'll see that he admits that if you continue to eat a lot you won't lose any weight. The point of his diet, whether it's true or not (and I think it likely is) is that fat & protein fill you up more per calorie than do carbs. When I tried to cut back on my meat, I couldn't do it, I still felt hungry and it drove me nuts. When I cut back on my carbs, it was a pain in the ass, but I didn't go hungry and I lost weight.

[Brad S]

Mona - kudos for the way you are handling your grandkids. Your son-in-law is lucky to have you. I would never advocate a "law" to enforce healthy eating, as a Libertarian it would be against my nature. What I do advocate is Americans realizing the health benefits of a sound diet and regular exercise. To me, that is the first step to solving our rising health care costs.

[Martin]

Of course the researchers got it the currently correct way: blame someone/something else.
Not bigger portions make bigger people, people aeting more make people bigger.

[Henrietta]

I am Henrietta, I am still thin but i really want turn thick not too fat, normal fat, how will i get normal fat? tell me about it. I am 22 yrs old.

Henrietta

[Lizzy]

I am thin and I want to get fat how do I go about it and what do I eat to get fat?

Florence.

[Lizzy]

Should I be eating much meat to get fat, for I really want to get fat.

Thank You.
Lizy