Wisconsin, Overweight and Obese? (Eagle, Eagle River: school, live in, food)

[fxsts]

One of the many things retired people do, is people watch. I've spent many hours in downtown Eagle River, watching people, mainly tourists. Is it me, or am I wrong in confirming that Wisconsin residents have put on the pork.
When I was in school, overweight and obese was limited to maybe two or three kids out of my enitre grade school. Now, it appears if your thin, your only two or three of the student population.
I have come to believe, that our younger generations are now seeing the serious side effects of all the processed chemicals and hormones in our food supply. Milk producing hormones, beef cattle growth hormones, antibiotics, commercial fertilizers and who knows what else resides in our food chain.
We have a food industry, based upon convienence, speed and profits. I don't think they really care about the consequences of what they produce. To me, its becoming obvious.....what do you think?

[mad420]

Originally Posted by fxsts

One of the many things retired people do, is people watch. I've spent many hours in downtown Eagle River, watching people, mainly tourists. Is it me, or am I wrong in confirming that Wisconsin residents have put on the pork.
When I was in school, overweight and obese was limited to maybe two or three kids out of my enitre grade school. Now, it appears if your thin, your only two or three of the student population.
I have come to believe, that our younger generations are now seeing the serious side effects of all the processed chemicals and hormones in our food supply. Milk producing hormones, beef cattle growth hormones, antibiotics, commercial fertilizers and who knows what else resides in our food chain.
We have a food industry, based upon convienence, speed and profits. I don't think they really care about the consequences of what they produce. To me, its becoming obvious.....what do you think?

Yep, but I still see plenty of in shape and genetically bound to be thin types too.

[suecen]

fxsts: I think you have some valid points. I'm seeing more and more kids I know being overweight like never before. Yes - in grade school years ago if you had a couple that was it. Also, I believe the computer is part of the problem - when I grew up, after school you changed your clothes and out the door you went. We were SO physical - swimming every day in the summer, playing tag, two square, etc. etc.; a lot of kids are glued to all the electronic devices - they're addicting! Also, many jobs require you to sit behind a computer so if you don't exercise/work out after work the pounds can add up. Just my thoughts on the matter!!

[sdeweese]

Yep, you guys are all right. There's so little left to the imagination any more people become easily bored and stuff their grills instead of going outside and exploring the old fashioned way-on foot or by bike. And these work out freaks...they're just as bad. These people don't work out to have fun, they do it to be seen and shape their bodies like a plastic surgeon or cosmologist would do to you..and, and, and...sorry, I got carried away. BTW, it's not just WI, it's everywhere.

[yo vanilla]

I'm not sure how old you are, so when you say "back when I was in school" I assume you are in your 40's, and that would be exactly right. In the last 40 years the food industry has changed drastically for the worse, and the average person has no clue how different food is today than what it used to be. We live in a world where franchise "restaraunts" refuse to publish nutrition data (because they know you'd flip out) or where Baskin Robbins thinks it's a good idea to sell a 2700 calorie "milk" shake that has, get this, over 70 ingrediants on the label, or where McDonald's salads have 50 grams of fat and enough chemicals to make baby jesus cry.

So it isn't a WI thing, it's an American thing. And WI is actually not one of the worst offenders. Texas is though; they consistently rank multiple cities in the top 10 fattest cities surveys. (They've got 5 of the top 10 here: Mens Fitness - Fittest & Fattest Cities in America )

[JoshB]

Originally Posted by fxsts

One of the many things retired people do, is people watch. I've spent many hours in downtown Eagle River, watching people, mainly tourists. Is it me, or am I wrong in confirming that Wisconsin residents have put on the pork.
When I was in school, overweight and obese was limited to maybe two or three kids out of my enitre grade school. Now, it appears if your thin, your only two or three of the student population.
I have come to believe, that our younger generations are now seeing the serious side effects of all the processed chemicals and hormones in our food supply. Milk producing hormones, beef cattle growth hormones, antibiotics, commercial fertilizers and who knows what else resides in our food chain.
We have a food industry, based upon convienence, speed and profits. I don't think they really care about the consequences of what they produce. To me, its becoming obvious.....what do you think?

Wisconsin does have its share of obese people. I hate to burst any Anti-Wisconsin folks bubble, but Wisconsin is the 15th healthiest state in country... We're not even the most obese... I don't think we even made it on the top 10, I could be wrong... I see more obesity in states like Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee etc. I wouldn't say it's "Just" Wisconsin. There are alot of fit people here since our temps don't make for us to be in that great of danger.

[mad420]

Originally Posted by JoshB

Wisconsin does have its share of obese people. I hate to burst any Anti-Wisconsin folks bubble, but Wisconsin is the 15th healthiest state in country... We're not even the most obese... I don't think we even made it on the top 10, I could be wrong... I see more obesity in states like Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee etc. I wouldn't say it's "Just" Wisconsin. There are alot of fit people here since our temps don't make for us to be in that great of danger.

Yeah but we sure seem to be the butt of our fair share of jokes insinuating we're in the top 10.

[sdeweese]

Hey! Shouldn't we be out running around instead of poking away at our keyboards!?

[JoshB]

Originally Posted by sdeweese

Hey! Shouldn't we be out running around instead of poking away at our keyboards!?

Nope, Not me I have a strenous/physical demanding job that I work 40 hours a week... That's how I stay fit. I was out and about yesterday so I'm enjoying a nice restful Sunday inside.

[karfar]

You know why everyone's so fat? Because of this, what we're doing right now, sitting on the computer. That & video games, no one goes outside anymore.