The Fatpocalypse

Every time I go swimming, I am taken back by the number of fatbodies in the pool. Not just middle aged adults like myself, young kids are grossly overweight. It isn't just the occasional chunk, a majority of the population is overweight. More deadly than smoking, it is a trend that needs to reverse.

An article listed ten things that contribute to obesity. They are: Genetics, Junk Foods, Food Addiction, Aggressive Marketing, Insulin, Certain Medications, Leptin Resistence, Food Availability, Sugar,  Misinformation.

1) Genetics are a red herring, people have similar genetics that they always have. Maybe we can stop having children with the fatties, and that will improve over the centuries, but that does not explain the rapid change in the above chart.

2) Junk food is a huge issue. Every time I drive by McDonalds, I see a line of cars, and people waiting there to poison themselves. I will occasionally eat there, like if I am on vacation, no more than monthly though. Also, stay away from junk food at the grocery store. Convenience is nice, but if you need a quick snack, get an apple or something decent. Much of the junk food like TV dinners and such come from a lack of mothers in the home. Cooking goes on the back burner with demands from work. Single parents are a big culprit. There is a single mom in my church and both of her kids are rolly-polly. Several times, I seen them with chips, store bought desserts, and other junk food. The mom is destroying their lives before they understand what is going on.

3) Food addiction goes along with junk food. Get the crap out of your house that you can just snack on without cooking. Like with smoking, remove the tempting foods. And when you cook, cook only enough for your family to enjoy.

4) Aggressive marketing is another red herring. TV ads, or restaurant billboards have always been there, deal with it. One scripture I committed to memory is 1 Corinthians 10:13.

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

God does not allow us to be tempted above that which we are able to bear. We have our freedom of choice in all things. Otherwise, sinful behavior would not be sinful, it would be forced. Man up, and put down the triple bacon and mushroom cheeseburger.

5) Insulin, is IMO like water vapor is to global warming. Yes, it causes 80% of the greenhouse effect, but it is there because of heat. Don't allow yourself to get in a position where you need to metabolize all that sugar, and your body won't need to produce that insulin. Lay off the sweets, and stay a healthy weight in the first place.

6) Medications such as antidepressants, injectable insulin, anti-psychotics need to be minimized. Don't get yourself into a position where you need these things. Maintain your physical and mental health, and you hopefully will never need these.

7) Leptin resistance, like Genetics is something the entire human race has dealt with, and so shall you. It is just a hormone in your body.

8) Food availability...see 4.

9) Reduce the amount of sugar you use. When cooking, use half or less of what the recipe calls for. Your taste buds will adjust to less sugar. Mine did when my wife started cooking for me, and yours will too. Stay away from the junk food, sugar cereals, and especially, soda. 

10) Misinformation....one big one is the idea that exercise alone will keep you from getting fat. Sure, exercise, but control yourself at the dinner plate. There are no magical diets, it is willpower.

A few more reasons of my own...........

11) Two working parents....bring more junkfood in the house, kids plop down in front of the TV when parents are gone. Tired parents plop down in front of the TV when they are home.

12) Single mothers....see 11.

13) Helicoptering parents and government....... Dammit, let your kids go outside, climb trees, break stuff, and roam around in gangs. Do it yourself, and go play outside.

14) TV and related gadgets.... If you let them watch, they will. Limit the time they waste.

15) Lack of fat shaming...... It doesn't help the existing fatties, but let it serve as a warning to those who are thinking about getting fat. Too many do it to rebel, but eventually reality catches up, and they regret it.

16) Lack of physical labor.....If you drive to the post office when it is three blocks away, stop it and walk. Wash your dishes by hand. Modern conveniences make life easier, but at a detriment. Maybe you could go to the gym to substitute that physical labor, but do it consistently.  

17) Feminism, fat acceptance, and the like........There was this girl we used to have as a babysitter back when she was 16 or 17. Back then, she was fairly cute, and I thought she would be a nice catch for any high school kid. At 21, she went through some personal drama, then got purple hair and became fat. Now she can't get a date. Don't do this, because once you go fat, you can hardly go back. Rebels who get fat are not attractive.