we are getting fatter and less healthy

According to a chart in USA TODAY Americans are getting fatter every year!

Way back in 1960-1962, 45% of adults aged 20-74 were overweight.

1999-2000 found 64.5% of the same age group overweight!

What do you attribute this to?

One thing I believe is more people dine out these days and the choices aren't always healthy... and the PORTIONS are HUGE!

For those of us who like to clear our plates, we probably eat twice as much compared to what we would have eaten at home for the same meal.

Any thoughts?

My parents are in their 80's -- and healthier now than I'll ever be -- they never had McDonald's growing up -- Pepsi is Not their generation -- meat, potatoes and a veggie is a daily meal in the evening -- and water was free.

We've become a country of fast food junkies -- even in our school cafeteria's -- go into a school cafeteria and see how the kids have to shovel the food in just to get through in time -- they have to get so many kids into the cafeteria and in such a short period of time that the kids only have about 5 min to actually get the food down -- that causes a great deal of them to just skip it all together.

It doesn't surprise me at all that we've become a fat society.

Has anyone read anything about fatty food and junk food becoming the new tobacco? Some states are trying to raise the tax on fatty foods and some people have sued places like McDonald's for making them fat. While the suits were unsuccessful, the same thing was true with the first law suits brought against tobacco companies.

I think the tax idea is a pretty good one. Fats and sweets are kind of like a drug. My husband, who was recently diagnosed with diabetes, often says he feels like a recovering drug addict when it comes to cutting off the sweets and high-carb foods. If we have higher sales tax for a bottle of wine and a carton of cigarettes, why not for the box of twinkies?

maybe that will work

I think the reason we are all fatter is because there is sugar in everything, literally. It's in ketchup for crying out loud! Studies show that when given a choice, infants prefer sugared water to plain water, and so do we, as adults. Humans are rigged to go for the sweet taste. The food companies take full advantage of this fact. The next time you're in the grocery store, look at various labels- you will see sugar in everything, just everything. That's why I think we're all fatter!
Kelly

I have worked with children of all ages for a number of years. I can't believe what children eat for lunch. Most of the time the sandwhich is not touched while they eat the junk food packed along with it. I hardly ever see them eating fruit or veggies. Soda is usually the beverage of choice. When I take the kids hiking they all complain they are tired and can't do the mile hike. Too much TV and computer games. Whatever happened to playing outside? A good diet and exercise is so important. We need to teach this to our kids by example.

I couldn't agree with you more. We need to teach our children healthy eating habits and push them out the door into the fresh air.

Through the years I've walked a lot through our neighborhood at different times of the day,and there are only two locations where I can say there are typically children outside playing. Where are all these little children? I can walk for blocks and not see any.

The one location where the kids are out playing any season, or time of day is so refreshing. Coming through the neighhborhood this summer in my car, I had to stop and buy a cold drink from them.

They had their little table set up and for ten cents I got a little cup of juice with the choice of a free Twizzler or cookie. I couldn't help but give them a dollar. They were thrilled.

I believe it is a combination of everything you have all mentioned..the fast food, the huge portions, the addiction to sweets and carbs, and the sedentary lifestyle. Kids and adults are glued to tvs and videogames and computers now instead of playing sports, working outside, and other healthful pursuits. People that smoke are even more handicapped, as the smoking takes away their full capacity to take in pure air, draining them of the energy to do their work or sports. We have become a pleasure oriented society. IF it feels good or tastes good, do it. We are killing ourselves with kindness.
I'll get off my soapbox now. I'm just as guilty as the next person. I'm sitting at my computer instead of getting my housework done.