Obesity, A Southern tradition.

[Redbug]

I suppose for a state worker, the insurance has to offered. Even if the employee has a condition where an otherwise normal insurance company would refuse to to insure him. These insurance companies are motivated by profit. I can see where they could change the rates for an existing condition, thus keeping the rest of the group's rates lower for being healthier. But, that should be for a diagnosed condition, only. I think the state is between a rock and hard place because the insurance companies could simply stop being the carrier for the state employees if the costs get too high. The state probably does not have much negociation power. I am a Federal worker and have seen my insurance benefits erode with the premiums going up. We no longer have any real dental anymore...it has to be purchased separately. And I feel some procedures insurance should not have to cover if it's not a health issue...such as having a baby. I'm beginning to ramble I know, but I think the bottom line is...people need to try to stay healthy on their own and not expect society, (or insurance), to cover the costs of denial or ignorance. Good point Toy about education and exercise programs.

 

[dmccarty]

My friend at work does not seem to have the urge to eat often. He can't eat much at one time either. He can eat a couple golf ball sized portions at one time. If he overeats its not comfortable. I have heard people talking about him and saying how good he looks since he has lost the weight. The question is how long will he keep the weight off? I would think he is not going to gain much weight back but even if he did he would be much better off since he has lost so much.

I can sorta understand insurance costing more for overweight people since they are more likely as a group to use more coverage. On the other hand you quickly get to who sets the rules on "overweight" which gets you to our wonderful BMI discussion.

Another friend at work, much younger, goes out dancing with a group of friends once or twice a week. I think they are doing shag/swing dancing which I find interesting since they are all in their 20's. They burn some calories dancing.

Later,
Dan

 

[rox]

Just thinking about the past when things were fried, it was done in Crisco, (lard). Seems with these newer oils, no transfats, etc., fried foods would be better on your body than before and the weight would not be as easy to put on. But...I guess we answered the question earlier...people are not getting the exercise as the earlier generations did.

Is Crisco really lard? I didn't think it was lard. Edit- Never mind I read further down in the thread and see that it isn't lard but vegetable fat.

 

[rox]

It is amazing to me when I go back to the states to see the difference between body size/mass between the French and Americans. The French are so much thinner, I mean a lot thinner. They have a 35 hour work week, 5 weeks vacation minimum, and 12 paid holidays. Peopel here are really into physical fittness and their appearance and they wok a lot less than Americans and have the time to invest in themselves and they do. You hardly ever see over weight kids over here. Hardly ever. Trust me they have plenty of time to excercize and go for long walks. It is much harder for Americans, I know I lived that life.

I can confirm that as you age your metabolism changes. I was thin, thin, thin, thin up until age 40. Even by French standards I was very thin. But every year after age 40 I gained every year, at first very very slowly. When I turned 50 and moved to the farm I turned back the clock a bit, but 4 years later I am back to being 25lbs heavier than I really would like. I'm fighting it though! I have not thrown in the towel and I am very cognizent that I need to stay active or it will only get worse. Usually I can count on loosing weight during the harvest and we just completed 3 weeks of physical work so that helped. My only downfall really is chips & Doritos. I snack at night while reading TBN or watching US cable tv. Not a lot but more than I should. I knwo if I would jsut quit that I could drop 10lbs in a month.

So it really does get back to what Eddie & N80 says, it is all about what you put into the mouth, it is self control. It is jsut easier when you are younger to take it off, honestly when you get into 50 it is harder. It can be done but it seems like you have to go a lot longer to see the results.

 

[scott_vt]

I can confirm that as you age your metabolism changes. I was thin, thin, thin, thin up until age 40. Even by French standards I was very thin. But every year after age 40 I gained every year, at first very very slowly. When I turned 50 and moved to the farm I turned back the clock a bit, but 4 years later I am back to being 25lbs heavier than I really would like. I'm fighting it though! I have not thrown in the towel and I am very cognizent that I need to stay active or it will only get worse. Usually I can count on loosing weight during the harvest and we just completed 3 weeks of physical work so that helped. My only downfall really is chips & Doritos. I snack at night while reading TBN or watching US cable tv. Not a lot but more than I should. I knwo if I would jsut quit that I could drop 10lbs in a month.

Good Evenin Rox,
Well I give you a lot of credit for admitting all of that !!! Most women wont make that type of confession !

I agree, snacking while on the computer or TV, equals very bad !

 

[N80]

Rox, you are right, metabolism does change as you age. Seems to be worse with women.

(By the way Rox, check in the Rural Living forum, I've got some questions for you concerning olive oil).

As for the gastric bypass surgery it is not really a quick fix. It takes a major commitment to lifestyle change since the amount you can eat at one time is so small. Good programs will include significant psychological counseling and screening prior to the procedure as well as extensive nutritional counseling. I've had a good many patients have the procedure and as far as I know all of them have lost significant weight and have improved their blood pressure, blood sugar and lipids. Some of them are still 'fat' but far less so than before. One receptionist in our office had the procedure and she is now thin and has been so now for 4-5 years.

But, the procedure can be defeated. Eating too often. Eating high calorie foods. Etc. But, I know of a number of patients who had the procedure long before I knew them who simply slowly but surely expanded that stomach pouch by slowly but surely over eating all the time. They are now obese again and can eat as much as they want at a sitting.