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However, in all these threads where the issue of weight discrimination comes up in one form or another, why is it almost always women who are taking up the lance for the overweight people? Where are the fat men posting here, not just in this thread but in the various others? They are rather conspicuous by their absence. Perhaps more men know not to become fat militants because they realize it is largely their own fault? Perhaps they are more embarrassed about it than the women so they don't post about it? I do not claim to have the answer, I'm just saying I find the whole gender/fat issue interesting.
I'm not saying this is the reason by the OP but generally, and regardless of the subject I think when people ask a question like that it's sometimes about themselves and to bring attention to themselves isn't it?
"I don't know why everyone doesn't wear lipstick anymore"... Subtext they still do
So SOMETIMES if a woman says I don't know why so many women are fat - they may be saying look at me, I manage not to be fat.
You can't take this conversation and put in on a forum board though - its all about context. Even a thin woman may be saying that sympathetically. She may not struggle with weight but have friends that do.
The OP's comment was about fitness and muscles. Different question I guess. More about personal preference but I would wonder if the OP is a weight lifter and taken some heat for it. That said I don't think gender culture has ever valued fitness in women. Slim with boobs yes, not lazy yes, fitness not so much. I do think that has changed in some regional areas where outdoor activity is important. Same sort of thing about men and weight. Culture wise its never been as important that men not develop a potbelly or put on some weight so they tend to be easier on themselves about it. Men in general don't seem to judge each other the same way that women do. Its more like men have this weird pecking order or ranking and they are all competing within it. Totally different thing, and often I wonder what its all based on.
Hey, there is always going to be someone out there that isn't into what you are and denigrates it with the question (why would anyone play golf) or has a different opinion. Let it ride or have a discussion with the individual.
I think, too, that men and women gain weight differently, and carry weight differently, so more women are sympathetic to other women who've maybe had children or or going through menopause or whose life and work circumstances don't allow them to be as fit as they'd like. Many men don't realize how much harder it is for women to lose ten pounds, when they just dropped it "just like that" by giving up pizza and beer for a week. Many women still do the lion's share of the housework and caregiving to their families, and they either can't or won't or feel guilty about finding the time to fit in workouts (and their kids and spouses aren't helping, either.) Another reason is that many women don't grow up playing sports the way that men typically have, so that sort of activity isn't automatic.
Last edited by fleetiebelle; 10-07-2011 at 09:28 AM..
exactly ! thats why I started this thread !! Why are women conforming to a culture that doesn't value a high level of fitness ?
It does not biologically make sense. Muscles keep women healthy, looking younger, looking aesthetic and feeling good.
Why are women NOT valuing that ? Why does culture NOT value that ?
Good questions. If you go back and try to read between the lines there is a glimmering of an answer. There was the time and energy issue, too busy with career or home life etc. There is the, "I don't want to look like that" attitude. Or the "I don't have the energy" mindset. And in the young and healthy there is a large sense of denial, "I'll never look like that. I'll always be like this."
Of course, both sexes exhibit these attitudes. You can always argue about percentages though.
If you go back and read through the posts, looking for answers in their "tone" and attitude, you can find some answers. Even in the angrier posts, if you can take it impersonally, and ask why this person is so angry, there is something to be learned.
Something I haven't seen mentioned here. I have seen it more than once. Is men deliberately outcompeting their mates in an activity. The example I have in mind was backpacking the Grand Canyon. The husband was setting too hard a pace, pushing his wife to keep up with him, when she couldn't. That was her first and last backpacking trip. I don't think it had to be that way.
While that is certainly true, the % of fat people in a fitness oriented state like Colorado is noticably less than any other state I have ever lived in. There is also a far higher % of active people in Colorado than any other state I have lived in.
Well, I have never been there and probably never will. But thanks for your input.
The study is rating who has a higher percentage of overweight people by state. California has nearly 10x the population as Alabama. Therefore, they could have 9x the total number of overweight citizens and still have a lowever percentage of overweight folks, per capita.
I'm certain the study is legit.
This still doesn't make sense. OF course the state with the most people will always be the most obese/having a high percentage. There sample size is already small. Maybe california should rank #2 instead of Alabama.
This still doesn't make sense. OF course the state with the most people will always be the most obese/having a high percentage. There sample size is already small. Maybe california should rank #2 instead of Alabama.
California pop. 36,961,664 obese 24.0 % total obese people 8,870,799
Alabama pop. 4,708,708 obese 32.2 % total obese people 1,516,204
The population numbers maybe off by a few years. The California number is from 2009(?). California had almost 6 times as many obese people as Alabama yet still has a lower percentage.
I don't trust that study. If that's true California or one of the more populous states could well over have more fat people than Mississippi. I haven't found a more accurate study to date.
I've been to most other southern states, california, and the northeast pennsylvania new jersey ny etc. Trust me fat people are everywhere, a lot of fat people in new jersey. We have our fried chicken and pies and they have their greasy pizzas and pastas.
You also think people over 60 are close to dying and don't have much life left.
In statistics - a 1% sample of a large number can be more than enough for reasonably accurate projections. The Southeast always scores poorly on obesity data. Obesity generally correlates with lower socio-economic status and Alabama, Lousiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas usually win those contests.
exactly ! thats why I started this thread !! Why are women conforming to a culture that doesn't value a high level of fitness ?
It does not biologically make sense. Muscles keep women healthy, looking younger, looking aesthetic and feeling good.
Why are women NOT valuing that ? Why does culture NOT value that ?
Well, i DO think that fitness, health, and 'muscle' are valued more in women nowadays. A fit shape is looked upon more favorably than in the past, at least. Many more women lift weights - even if it's for toning and fitness - than years ago.
Yes, society STILL pushes thinness (models - look at the word itself) - so girls learn to think that at a young age, being thin is what means the most. Especially if you want to get a boy! It's nice to see more young girls involved in sports, which equals more fitness; I just wish even MORE would choose that. When i look back thru the years, we really have not come that far with young girls not thinking the most important thing in life is finding a boy.
As for women - society pushes THIN, while the foods mainly advertised are highly processed, fast foods for the families - becuz everyone is so rushed to get meals on the table. Ads are for junk junk junk - yet women are supposed to be thin and/or fit. That's why we have to make our own choices, and not follow any of it!
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