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(BusinessWeek) Unlikely We're every bit as active as we were 30 years ago - what's making us fat is corn subsidies, but that's not nearly as much fun as slagging the calf-tattooed behemoth in line in front of you at Wal-Mart   (businessweek.com) divider line 45
More: Unlikely  

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coco ebert [TotalFark] 2008-08-22 07:04:34 AM  
Maybe we just weren't very active 30 years ago either.

But the part about the corn stuffs is true.

 
GaryPDX [TotalFark] 2008-08-22 07:16:05 AM  
I saw a kid at the mall yesterday about 10 years old, I guess. The poor kid could barely walk she was so fat. I mean borderline immobile. The mother was exactly the same.

img1.fark.net

 
CheddarPants [TotalFark] 2008-08-22 07:59:06 AM  
GaryPDX: I saw a kid at the mall yesterday about 10 years old, I guess. The poor kid could barely walk she was so fat. I mean borderline immobile. The mother was exactly the same.

The apple didn't fall far from the tree. But I bet it left a big-ass crater.

 
Gulper Eel [TotalFark] 2008-08-22 08:43:41 AM  
coco ebert: But the part about the corn stuffs is true.

And our presidential candidates and devoted Congress will get right on that, I'm sure - although eliminating the subsidies wouldn't be as much fun as spending boatloads of money on more studies and a brand-new Robert C. Byrd Center for Agri-Nutritional Study and Analysis.

 
Chariset [TotalFark] 2008-08-22 10:37:01 AM  
I like how the article says "Fat people aren't lazy and irresponsible" and then says the availability of cheap corn sweeteners has led to an increase in food portions, so people eat more.

Overeating to the point of obesity = irresponsible!

 
Ishmel [TotalFark] 2008-08-22 10:47:56 AM  
+1 subby. Nice find.

Anyone interested in this topic should read "the omnivores delmna" if they haven't already. It changed the way I look at food.

 
dletter [TotalFark] 2008-08-22 11:15:03 AM  
HFCS is the devil.

People like to hawk all sorts of silly crap on TV to lose weight (pills, abdominizers, etc), but, doing simple stuff like knocking out as much HFCS out of your diet as you can, taking the stairs instead of elevators/escalators for 1-2 level floor changes, etc, will do more than people think, without having to add an hour at the gym or hard core dieting to your life.

 
RocketRod [TotalFark] 2008-08-22 11:37:21 AM  
coco ebert: Maybe we just weren't very active 30 years ago either.

Naw... back in the 70s we actually went outside to play 'cause there weren't 100s of TV channels or the Internet to distract us from the big blue room... hell, we even had to get on our bikes to ride to the arcade to play video games.

dletter: HFCS is the devil.

No... his name is Archer Daniels Midland.

 
Freakpower [TotalFark] 2008-08-22 11:50:55 AM  
I like to push them down and watch their little fatty arms and legs squirm as they do the Icky Shuffle trying to get up.

It takes a good running start though...

 
m0llusk [TotalFark] 2008-08-22 11:59:35 AM  
Everyone, bend over for big corn!

 
balthan [TotalFark] 2008-08-22 12:17:29 PM  
There wasn't a McDonald's and Starbucks on every street corner 30 years ago.

 
Gulper Eel [TotalFark] 2008-08-22 01:07:25 PM  
balthan: There wasn't a McDonald's and Starbucks on every street corner 30 years ago.

No, there were greasy-spoon diners and bars. Thank goodness the sort of things those places serve aren't fattening.

Oh, wait...

 
CastorTroy [TotalFark] 2008-08-22 01:56:56 PM  
So, is this why all midwestern chicks have cankles?

 
Crocodile 2008-08-22 01:58:09 PM  
I hate to bite the hand that literally feeds me, but big Corn is way out of control.

/My Grandpa and Uncle farm corn
//It still doesn't make that industry right

 
Funk Brothers 2008-08-22 01:59:40 PM  
As a thin guy whose weight is just right for his size, I'm glad they're using corn for ethanol instead of junk food. The obese people will get their heads out of the corn ass and find out that their favorite junk food cost more than before. This will make them to shed some pounds, but may also cause obese riots in the cities.

Obesity, poor, and abortion are the trifecta that is destorying our country. We need to get rid of all three of them.

 
proteus_b 2008-08-22 01:59:53 PM  
did you realize that you can buy beer almost anywhere? it's as if i have to drink a few dozen a day. they should really ban beer, because otherwise i'll drink it all up. same thing with trans fats and corn syrup. there's no way that we're responsible enough to handle our own choices regarding food or drink... or anything for that matter.

/yes, corn subsidies are useless... i think not even michael pollan would want to "ban" any kind of food... but perhaps to encourage some healthier growing and eating habits wouldn't be too bad.

 
T-Servo 2008-08-22 02:00:23 PM  
No, I don't suppose portion size and rates of eating out for meals have anything to do with it.

 
LargeCanine 2008-08-22 02:02:44 PM  
m0llusk: Everyone, bend over for big corn!

You owe me a new keyboard.

 
KeatingFive 2008-08-22 02:05:32 PM  
?? Thirty years ago, I ran 3 miles before school, had weight lifting AND regular PE, and soccer or whatever after school. And I rode my bike all over town.

I don't excercise nearly that much anymore.

 
Magorn 2008-08-22 02:05:44 PM  
I think one day we'll realize that the "obesity Epidemic" is due to the replacement of sugar with High Fructose Corn Sweetner in damn near everything we eat and drink.

I know the amount of sugar/carbs in your diet has a massive influence on weight (I persoanlly lost 100 lbs in 6 month going low carb, after 3 years of lowfat+daily gym workout failed to change my weight by more than 5lbs) and a Lot of studies are showing that what Sugar does, high fructose cornsweetners do in spades, as far as weight gain goes.


The problem is, ADM is far too powerful to let that kind of research get anywhere any time soon.

 
Freakpower [TotalFark] 2008-08-22 02:05:53 PM  
Funk Brothers: As a thin guy whose weight is just right for his size, I'm glad they're using corn for ethanol instead of junk food. The obese people will get their heads out of the corn ass and find out that their favorite junk food cost more than before. This will make them to shed some pounds, but may also cause obese riots in the cities.

Obesity, poor, and abortion are the trifecta that is destorying our country. We need to get rid of all three of them.


So we kill the obese and the poor, but we make the idiots keep the babies that will eventually end up being obese and poor?

That's some good logic right there.

 
Persepolis 2008-08-22 02:06:18 PM  
Funk Brothers: The obese people will get their heads out of the corn ass and find out that their favorite junk food cost more than before. This will make them to shed some pounds, but may also cause obese riots in the cities.

Just like raising taxes on tobacco makes smokers more likely to quit... oh wait.

/The price is now 7 bucks a pack!? That's ridiculok, i'll pay. *light, puff* ahhhhh.

 
Tr0mBoNe [TotalFark] 2008-08-22 02:08:58 PM  
Your candy bars and cans of soda are half the price as in Canada. Even with the exchange rate. Stop selling cheap food.

 
MCStymie 2008-08-22 02:09:51 PM  
Persepolis: Funk Brothers: The obese people will get their heads out of the corn ass and find out that their favorite junk food cost more than before. This will make them to shed some pounds, but may also cause obese riots in the cities.

Just like raising taxes on tobacco makes smokers more likely to quit... oh wait.

/The price is now 7 bucks a pack!? That's ridiculok, i'll pay. *light, puff* ahhhhh.


Yeah, pretty much. Still not smoking (and haven't been for a couple of weeks now), but I am about willing to pay $7.00 for a pack of cigs.

 
jonnyh 2008-08-22 02:09:53 PM  
CheddarPants: The apple didn't fall far from the tree. But I bet it left a big-ass crater.

That's a seriously funny comment, +1 to Cheddar.

 
Funk Brothers 2008-08-22 02:10:50 PM  
Persepolis: /The price is now 7 bucks a pack!? That's ridiculok, i'll pay. *light, puff* ahhhhh.

The person you used as a metaphor for me is probably on welfare. Think about the money you could save every month for not smoking.

 
Tr0mBoNe [TotalFark] 2008-08-22 02:11:36 PM  
MCStymie: Yeah, pretty much. Still not smoking (and haven't been for a couple of weeks now), but I am about willing to pay $7.00 for a pack of cigs.

I would kill for a $7 pack of smokes.

/$11.75 for 25 of a 'premium' brand

 
BMulligan 2008-08-22 02:14:16 PM  
Ishmel: Anyone interested in this topic should read "the omnivores delmna" if they haven't already. It changed the way I look at food.

Exactly what I came here to say. It ought to be required reading.

ecx.images-amazon.com

 
PumpkinCake 2008-08-22 02:16:22 PM  
We've actually been cutting high fructose corn syrup out of our house diet for the past year, and (this is just anecdotal observation) my kids' behavior has really mellowed out. We get sugar free jelly, organic peanut butter, organic ketchup (which is the only one I can find with no hfcs), and bagels that are hfcs-free. The bread still has it, so I'm working on that. It's really hard to find food without it, and a lot of times I don't realize it (like the bread). I also look for yogurt without it. It's more work, but it really makes a difference in the long run, we think.

/isn't a nutrition nazi...I just don't like eating junk. Plus I have Celiac, so I'm already looking at labels for hidden gluten, which is also in darn near everything.

 
skookum 2008-08-22 02:17:21 PM  
Yawn..

Another thinly disguised left-leaning attack on the free market.

 
socodog 2008-08-22 02:17:22 PM  
"History" channel had a special on a few days ago about 'Corn - Modern Marvel'. They had a "scientist" on at the very end to address the problem of HFCS. He spent about 15 seconds blathering about how all calories are the same and it's not fair to blame corn for America's obesity epidemic.

Not all calories are created equal. There is more to a food's effect on your body than how many calories it contains.

Don't eat the white man's crack cocaine. Avoid corn.

 
Gangway Fathead 2008-08-22 02:53:15 PM  
Ishmel: +1 subby. Nice find.

Anyone interested in this topic should read "the omnivores delmna" if they haven't already. It changed the way I look at food.


Came here to post this. The first seventy pages will change the way you look at corn forever.

It's actually kinda creepy! It's almost as if the corn knows what it's doing!!!

 
Gangway Fathead 2008-08-22 02:56:16 PM  
Gangway Fathead: Ishmel: +1 subby. Nice find.

Anyone interested in this topic should read "the omnivores delmna" if they haven't already. It changed the way I look at food.

Came here to post this. The first seventy pages will change the way you look at corn food, farming, government, diet, the economy forever.



FTFmyself.

 
Magorn 2008-08-22 03:08:08 PM  
seminole87: Magorn: I think one day we'll realize that the "obesity Epidemic" is due to the replacement of sugar with High Fructose Corn Sweetner in damn near everything we eat and drink.

I know the amount of sugar/carbs in your diet has a massive influence on weight (I persoanlly lost 100 lbs in 6 month going low carb, after 3 years of lowfat+daily gym workout failed to change my weight by more than 5lbs) and a Lot of studies are showing that what Sugar does, high fructose cornsweetners do in spades, as far as weight gain goes.


The problem is, ADM is far too powerful to let that kind of research get anywhere any time soon.

The low carb thing works really well even though people will bash you for giving it a try.


I'm living proof. It took wieght off, lowered my BP improved my LDL/HDl ratios, increased my endurance (mostly by opening my airways etc) and stabilized my blood sugar. Moreover, all thos effects are pefrectly predicted by what modern endocrinology knows about micro hormones called "eicosaniods".

And despite my ability to give long, reasoned, scientific defenses of the low carb system the most common response here on fark and elsewhere is "year, whetrever. Go believe that eating bacon can make you skinny fool. the only way you'll ever lose wight is by putting down that donut and going to the gym"

*sigh*

 
dave1y 2008-08-22 03:14:24 PM  
Slagging? They have Wal-Marts in Christchurch?

 
ollin 2008-08-22 03:16:14 PM  
I always thought that with the rise of fat people its removing the old social stigma for being large, and making more people "ok" with their size.

Sit on your ass, eat delicious foods all you want and it's just fine, cause everyone else is fat too!

/former fatty

 
Hollis the Utile [recently expired TotalFark] 2008-08-22 03:32:31 PM  
I came for the making fun of fatties pics and was thoroughly disappointed.

 
Persepolis 2008-08-22 03:56:48 PM  
Funk Brothers: Think about the money you could save every month for not smoking.

I think about it all the time, usually while smoking.

/I'm very pensive when I smoke like that.

 
EwokHunter 2008-08-22 04:18:25 PM  
My nephew's house as well as the whole neighborhood was just bought out in Decatur, IL to ADM, so I'm getting a kick out of these replies.

Seriously, they are expanding their research facilities.

 
pivazena 2008-08-22 04:36:05 PM  
skookum: Yawn..

Another thinly disguised left-leaning attack on the free market.


it's not free market if the government props it up with subsidies

/you probably knew that, but it's worth saying anyway

 
SiON42X [TotalFark] 2008-08-22 04:39:31 PM  
I've always said it...those damn Injuns got the last laugh.

 
Marisyana 2008-08-22 04:39:49 PM  
BMulligan: Ishmel: Anyone interested in this topic should read "the omnivores delmna" if they haven't already. It changed the way I look at food.

Exactly what I came here to say. It ought to be required reading.


That and "Good Calories, Bad Calories" by Gary Taubes. More scientific but still readable.

 
Ardilla 2008-08-22 05:07:13 PM  
m0llusk: Everyone, bend over for big corn!

Dane?

/Obscure?
//Give me the butter!

 
RockyMtnMan 2008-08-22 06:36:29 PM  
Chariset:
I like how the article says "Fat people aren't lazy and irresponsible" and then says the availability of cheap corn sweeteners has led to an increase in food portions, so people eat more.

Overeating to the point of obesity = irresponsible!


IMHO, shortsightedness and human nature are to fault. Anyone in the United States is usually less then a few miles from a large staple of food. I think it is human nature that says to consume, consume, consume. And with it all right in peoples' faces they just keep eating.

Although, I don't doubt that a good portion are lazy and irresponsible.

Btw, I saw a group of fat people at the park today. They get their own clubs now? wtf!

 
lolmadillo 2008-08-23 12:55:46 AM  
i don't have a clue what the headline is about

but i'm a behemoth with two calf tattoos who loves walmart

so...you know...the replies have some kick

 
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