Is obesity a societal problem, or what?

C

Cool_Healed

Well-known member
Yeah, mostly. Here's why I think that.

Society and people in it, they impact each other. Folks are part of society, sure, but society also shapes who we are as people.

More high-sugar, high-calorie junk food in stores means it'll be EVERYWHERE. Constant political stuff online and on TV, it affects opinions. Same deal with weight.

It's not really an individual's fault if they're heavy, since society influences so much. Our beliefs, values, even our hormones are affected by society.

So, the whole "Just eat less and you'll slim down!" thing is a load of BS.

We get heavier because society pushes addictive food, but losing that weight? Our bodies suck at it. Staying heavy for a while throws off hormones, which is where the GLP-1 meds come in. It's tough to shed pounds naturally, especially after being heavy for years. If you're just a little overweight, maybe you can lose naturally.

Too much pressure to feel bad about something that's not totally our fault. Being heavy isn't a choice, it's usually due to how society's set up. Once you've been heavy a long time, willpower alone might not cut it. Social media only shows the rare success stories, not reality.

One thing to keep in mind: If you're on GLP-1s, try to stay on them for a bit AFTER you've hit your goal weight to avoid bouncing back. Weight regain is a real issue, and research backs it up. Staying on the meds might help your body adjust to the new weight. Talk to your doc, create a plan. Maybe go off the meds for a few months, but have a backup plan to go back on them if the weight creeps back. A plan is better than no plan!

Thanks for listening.
 
I think it kinda proves the opposite? More of a medical or biological thing. Not made worse by society in general, sure, but healthcare isn't easy either.
 
No way. It means it can be treated like a health problem, but we still have to be responsible for our own health. Acting like food addiction isn't a real thing is just as bad as saying being heavy is a choice. It's way more complex than that, and simplifying it like that doesn't help anyone.

At least there's a treatment now, no matter what causes it.
 
Actually, it shows the opposite! Obesity is often because of your genes in an environment where food isn't rare (which is a positive thing). Other people, with different genes, don't get overweight, even though they deal with the same stuff in their surroundings.
 
True, in a way. We're surrounded by too much stuff all the time, and now we have a fix for one of the bad results of that. I guess that's a good thing.
 
Absolutely! I've got a lot to say about this too. It's infuriating when you realize what's happening. The connections between poverty and obesity, or trauma (especially childhood trauma) and obesity... And then the US doesn't want us to afford healthcare or groceries or therapy—it's just too much.
 
Look up ‘obesogenic environment’—you're right. Food companies have been sneaking extra sugar into everything for years, even stuff that should be good for you, like cereal and yogurt. Portion sizes have gotten huge. Just compare plate sizes from after WW2 to now. And junk food bags are like shopping bags now. Even fruit has been changed to be super sweet, like strawberries.

You've been let down by huge food companies and capitalism. Anyone who says otherwise is wrong. It takes a lot of strength to deal with the food environment today, like quitting smoking, and no one tells you how bad it is. We even encourage kids to associate love with food through 'treats,' which leads to tons of childhood obesity around the world.
 
I'm not sure I totally agree, but there's definitely some truth in there. When people had to spend all day just finding food to survive, I bet there weren't many obese people.

But also, there's cultural stuff too. My grandma showed love to us by feeding us because she didn't have much growing up. I got toast with cream, cinnamon, and sugar every morning. Cookies were always around. Dinners always had a 'save room for dessert' rule. That wasn't outsiders or TV, it was family. There weren't any fruits or veggies unless they were in a pie.

But we never ate out, didn't watch much TV, etc.

I think once being heavy became okay, or a 'disease' or a valid lifestyle choice, and there wasn't as much stigma, that's when things got worse.
 
Your view seems too fixed and doesn't account for the ability to choose that everyone has. I know eating healthy can be more costly than eating high-fat foods, but it's still your decision what to eat. You say having these foods around makes it easier to choose them, but people are free to make their own choices.
 
Saw an article in the WSJ about weight loss meds and athletes. Seems like some are using them for performance now. Crazy!
 
Yeah, I agree with Quinn. It sux that healthcare and good food is so damn expensive. Makes it harder for people to get healthy. It's like they WANT us to be sick.
 
Think you mean week three of 1mg weekly. I'm on week two at that dose and same thing—appetite just vanished. I can go easy all day eating minimal but food still tastes good when I focus on it. I keep berries, nuts, cherry tomatoes, jerky around for easy snacking and protein drinks help a ton.
 
Congrats on your win—you look great. When I stopped meds I went back to old diet tricks: sugar-free gelatin with milk instead of water for texture, watermelon before meals, tons of veggies for volume. Low cal snacks like cured pork and ham for flavor.
 
not sure your gender or weight, but if you're a healthy skinny fat guy in his thirties, get full bloodwork including testosterone. I was low t in my thirties and couldn't build muscle even running marathons. once I started trt it clicked. if bloodwork's good, gym plus cardio and strength work. basics. if you still need help, this med or other peptides can help reset metabolism.
 
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