Why We Become Obese

[Forsythia]

This is a quote from Peat's article "Sugar issues": Glucose and sucrose for diabetes.

The average person consumed 603 calories per day more in 2007 than in 1970.

That's a lot of calories! No wonder so many people are obese. What is a wonder is why there is so much confusion about why there is an "obesity epidemic". Overeating has become the norm, flipflopping with undereating (dieting). And the result is the average person in North America is overweight or obese, has a screwed up metabolism and is heading towards "metabolic syndrome" and ill health.

And yet so many "experts" say it's because of sugar. Funny how they forget the average person is eating hundreds of calories more than 40 years ago. Any funny how statistically we are eating LESS sugar than 40 years ago.

Here is the full quote:

Many people are claiming that fructose consumption has increased greatly in the last 30 or 40 years, and that this is responsible for the epidemic of obesity and diabetes. According to the USDA Economic Research Service, the 2007 calorie consumption as flour and cereal products increased 3% from 1970, while added sugar calories decreased 1%. Calories from meats, eggs, and nuts decreased 4%, from dairy foods decreased 3%, and calories from added fats increased 7%. The percentage of calories from fruits and vegetables stayed the same. The average person consumed 603 calories per day more in 2007 than in 1970. If changes in the national diet are responsible for the increase of obesity, diabetes, and the diseases associated with them, then it would seem that the increased consumption of fat and starch is responsible, and that would be consistent with the known effects of starches and polyunsaturated fats.

 

[tankasnowgod]

Well, you would expect that a dramatic increase in calories along with a sedentary lifestyle would be necessary components for making someone obese. But the question still remains..... why did this happen? Why didn't appetite regulate this? Why not build muscle? Or increase metabolism?

The Free The Animal blog had a pretty good summary of a few key things that happened along with this-

Iron Fortification, Disease, and Obesity: An Update with Data Refinements

Basic points is that, prior to 1980, it was easier to lose weight and in the early 20th century and before, sedentary people (like writers, for example) often lost their appetite and became excessively thin. Iron fortification started in the 40s, increased in the 80s, and iron has basically been on an uptrend. Seed oils (especially from Soy) and PUFA in general has been on the rise. They also list the B vitamins in fortification, which they claim stimulate appetite.

Basically, looking at it, you would expect that extra free iron to stimulate endotoxin and serotonin, and increase disease. The excess PUFA you would expect to lead to extra fat, especially a softer sort of flab, and also reduce metabolism. The B vitamins might stimulate appetite, overriding normal signals and encouraging overeating. Couple that with Tech (and the entertainment industry) making making people more sedentary in general, and you would expect an obesity and disease epidemic. Lo and behold, that's what we have.

 

[lollipop]

Well, you would expect that a dramatic increase in calories along with a sedentary lifestyle would be necessary components for making someone obese. But the question still remains..... why did this happen? Why didn't appetite regulate this? Why not build muscle? Or increase metabolism?

The Free The Animal blog had a pretty good summary of a few key things that happened along with this-

Iron Fortification, Disease, and Obesity: An Update with Data Refinements

Basic points is that, prior to 1980, it was easier to lose weight and in the early 20th century and before, sedentary people (like writers, for example) often lost their appetite and became excessively thin. Iron fortification started in the 40s, increased in the 80s, and iron has basically been on an uptrend. Seed oils (especially from Soy) and PUFA in general has been on the rise. They also list the B vitamins in fortification, which they claim stimulate appetite.

Basically, looking at it, you would expect that extra free iron to stimulate endotoxin and serotonin, and increase disease. The excess PUFA you would expect to lead to extra fat, especially a softer sort of flab, and also reduce metabolism. The B vitamins might stimulate appetite, overriding normal signals and encouraging overeating. Couple that with Tech (and the entertainment industry) making making people more sedentary in general, and you would expect an obesity and disease epidemic. Lo and behold, that's what we have.

+1

 

[danielbb]

I saw him mention somewhere that the ideal prescription for gaining weight, and in a hurry, was PUFA plus starch. I have no doubts he is correct about that based on my own experience. If you think about it, the Standard American Diet (SAD) is mainly centered around PUFA plus starch.... French fries... pizza.... subs/sandwiches... chips... bread (almost all - if not all bread in the store contains some type of PUFA)... processed food of every variety... etc... etc... etc... We are the richest country on earth and even the poor people are fat.

The processed food manufacturers use sugar to make their products enticing and most everyone blames things on sugar. Sugar is a healing substance - I have no doubts. Combine it with the garbage they combine it with and then blame the sugar - go figure. So... then they get the bright idea to replace sugar with artificial sweeteners and proclaim the food safe.

 

[Atman]

-Degradation of our food
-Sedentary und mentally dull lifestyle
-Depressing, sick culture of decline

 

[Count. DJF]

I agree with atman. Especially in regards to cultural decline.

Sadly a ***t metabolism, also means a ***t culture really, on a steep and rapidly downward decline.