What responsibilty does corporate America Have with Obesity?

Rant

[robjna]

As a long standing freeper, I know we preach self responsibility, but how much responsibility must be placed with corporate America in our vast obesity problem. I am only addressing this now as I try to remove myself from the obesity column. I am not considered a fat person , but in my forties and watching my gut balloon, I finally decided to put a stop to it. My research found that all the promise diets all came down to one thing-less calories. So I went about trying the weight watchers program as it seemed the most logical system. I did it online as I did not need the support group lectures that come with weekly weigh-ins and it made it my own personal battle.

I am on my way to my weight loss, but what I have discovered is that it is practically impossible to lose weight or maintain unless all the cooking is done at home. I must pack lunches that are healthy, and cook meals that are within reason to keep the weight loss going. It is almost impossible to find fast food that will keep me on pace and even going out to dinner requires careful planning to stay on track.

This is where my question comes in. I know it is easier to get profits by having fries go with the burger versus a fruit cup, and frying it up will get more orders than a broiled chicken sandwich, but by preying on our desires to please our pallette versus our bodies, America has created an obese society.Many of our children are clueless to what a balanced meal with vegetables and fruit is realy like. our restaurants think the bigger the serving , the better the food and the better chance of a return customer. This really is a case of profit over customer.

Agian , from the top, it is our choice to stuff ourselves or make Mcdonalds a daily requirement, but it is frustrating and sad to watch how many Americans are over weight and even sadder to see a generation of kids going the same route because they know not better. We need to have alternatives in our fast paced enviroment to the fast food companies. We need less portions at our restaurants and we need less research on how we can sell more sweets by adding flavor enchancers to lure in the consumer. OK , enough ranting , fire away freepers.

[joesnuffy]

I frequent small family restaraunts whose prices are not far from Mickey D's and eat chefs salads and Ry Crisps...glass of OJ and Im good to go...

[Mo1]

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[Bikers4Bush]

Unless they're physically stuffing their food in your face none.

[Delbert]

Corporate America: All Your Guts Are Belong To Us!!

[El Sordo]

Damn them for not selling what nobody wants to buy?

[liberallarry]

I'm quite a bit older than you - and have never had a weight problem because I've been an athlete all my life and have always had a healthy diet. But I am utterly repelled and appalled by the gross obesity I see all around me.

I'd like to see it treated the way I'd like to see drug addiction (including alcohol and tobacco) treated. Universal education about their dangers and no public monies to provide health care for people who become ill as a result of their addictions.

Harsh, but I see no other way to deal with it in a free society.

[Pete]

What responsibilty does corporate America Have with Obesity?

None.

and even sadder to see a generation of kids going the same route because they know not better.

Their parents should know better. The problem with making Corporate America or the Government the parents of these children is that we all end up under the boot - not just those who "need" it. Part of freedom is the freedom to fail...or be fat.

[Delbert]

Diets are good, but they are not very successful without exercise. Join a gym and start working out. Put down the remote and take a long brisk walk. Drink lots of water and eat your fruits and veggies....no magic pills ..takes hard work.

[KsSunflower]

I believe we speak with our pocket books. Almost EVERY restaurant has healthy alternatives. Even McD's has salads, yogurts, grilled chicken sandwiches, bagels for breakfast and even kid's meals are a workable alternative on the Weight Watchers plans. Look, like it or not, they give us what we want and we're willing to pay for it with our money and our health. They have heard that there is a segment of our society who wants healthy alternatives and have answered. Unfortunately, the greater segment is still willing to pay for super, giant, biggie...sizes also.

[NC Conservative]

You do what you think is the only way. Pack your lunch etc. If you get tired of doing that do the Subway thing like I did. Lost 20 pounds. Feel great.

[dfwgator]

The government is more responsibe with their phoney-baloney food pyramid. Dense-energy carbohydrates are responsible for obesity, not fat. Processed foods and high sugar snacks are the culprits.

[Sloth]

I guarantee I'm fatter than you, but I can place no legitimate blame on anyone but my parents and myself.

It is certainly true that pre-packaged foods / fast food / etc. are not conducive to weight loss. So what? Nobody is forced to eat these things. Complaining about it is akin to whining about the quality of cable television.

Btw, I disagree about everything coming down to calories... blood chemistry is usually more important.

[Onelifetogive]

This really is a case of profit over customer.

Can you imagine a board of directors would actually run their company to make a profit? Scandalous! A board of directors that didn't put profits ahead of (what goes here - micromanaging the lives of their customers) should be fired.

[robjna]

hard work is right , i have lost 22 of my goal of forty, i do take bike rides and walks.

[Delbert]

well said. Anytime you see a diet product that says Lose Weight without exercise. It's a scam or an outright lie. One way to know theres a problem on the way...
Wow my pants are getting kind of tight at a waist size of 32...I better go out and buy me some 34's.....BZZZT wrong answer....People go out and by bigger and bigger clothes instead of realizing they are approaching maximum density. Put down the ho ho's and root beer and start working out.

[Lil'freeper]

RE the oversized portions. As a less than thirty-something, I have been known to order from the "Over 55" menu. A simple explanation that you're interested in the smaller portions is all that is necessary- I've never been hassled about it.

[ko_kyi]

Sorry about your problem, but Corporate America has no responsibility. It is all on you.

I didn't post this to disagree, but to tell you what has helped me. In July I weighed 166, (I am 5' 5")had cholesterol of 244. I stopped eating anything with sugar and I gave up bread, potatos, noodles, and rice. I eat only veggies, fruits, meats, and cheeses in whatever quantities I feel like. (The whole Atkins thing seemed a little extreme for me.) I also started running regularly. At first I could only walk/run in 10 minute increments, but I gradually increased my runs and now I run 3 miles 4-5 times/week. Anyways, I now weigh 150 and cholesterol is 205. My doctor says to keep at it and I might be able to avoid going on cholesterol medication.

On the downside, I mostly have to prepare my own lunches. If I had to get McDonalds I would get a double quarter pounder with everything, and throw out the bread.

Hope things improve for you. You might try this low sugar approach.

[Delbert]

22 pounds??? Man thats damn near a Backstreet Boy!! Thats great. Keep up the good work, are you drinking plenty of water? I found that when I increased my daily water intake that my weight was more easy to manage. I drink about 6 to 8 of those 16 oz Ozarka's a day.

[robjna]

I know i set myself up for ridcule here by suggesting someone else take control of our lives, maybe i should've said that we , as Americans , should take control of a terrible situation. All i know is that it is sad to see such a large segment of our population literally going to pot.