Dirt013

ok...i know i'm getting old when i think: "You're in High School, you are NOT a big boy or girl!"

lol...yeah...what genetics? BS. Such a liberal way of thinking. Obese people are obese because losing weight is hard. Even if you have genetic predisposition to obesity, you have no one but yourself to blame for your weight problem. One of my closest friends in High School was obese, and not by our contemporary charts and measurements that makes pretty much EVERYONE in the States have a weight problem. He became a vegan because his body could not break down red meats and some dairy products; instead it stored them as fat. Now, do you think this kid who grew up eating red meat wanted to become a freakin vegan? Hell no, but he made the tough choice, and instead of getting his stomach stapled, he exercised and changed his diet dramatically. Man…does everyone need an out when their life isn’t what they want it to be? It’s the Government, it’s my genetic make up, it's Racism, it’s HIM!!! *points finger at Leejo.*

Dirt013

TheFeniX

Wow, and that baseless acusation ignoring the rest of my post doesn't make you sound narrow-minded, how? Which is funny because even though you have no idea what you're talking about, exactly how is "liberal thinking" a bad idea on certain issues? I mean, unless your actually arrogant anough to believe around half of the country is just damn stupid, I would hope you rethink your point.

That makes abolstuely no sense. It's akin to saying "crack-heads do crack because quitting crack is hard." What's your point?

So, throwing scientific research out the window, you make a blanket statement about obesity basically saying "it's just your fault." So much for objectivity. I guess since some people have a predisposition to cardiac problems, it's their own damn fault they die of heart attacks.

You would think someone would have an idea about eating disorders or that even people actually at their mean weight who eat crap all day are just as likely to have high blood pressure and cholesterol levels as those who are classified as obese. And maybe that person would also realize that a developing person might not have the willpower and maturity to make the right choice when it comes to food. Or maybe even the nature of the junk food they eat is designed to produce the same addicting effect as nicotine and other drugs. Caffiene and sugar are addicting, and are almost always the top two ingredients of "junk food."

Maybe if you're over the age of 18 you're responsible for your weight, but the point of my post (which was ignored for reasons that befuddle me) was that you can't hold kids accountable for it. Hence, why a high school would make the decision for them.

But hey, labeling people as though the world were black and white then going off on an anecdote sounds like a great debating tactic. Or you could, you know, do some research. Hell, even watching "Super-Size me" would be a start.

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Santa

They definatly have limited the amount of exercise and PE classes. My school only requires one year of PE, and its usually pretty easy and not the least bit strenuous. They do however, of course, have sports teams and such as well as weights classes. More kids should either take PE more often, or get on one of the sports teams. Im in a weights class and am on the soccer team, and that keeps me fit and skinny, and its a shame more kids dont do some of these things as well. Id just like to have the conveniance of junk food now and then at lunch, if i so happen to be in the mood for it then.

The arguments of what makes people fat, weather it be portions, genetics, cholesterol, carbs, etc is probably up for debate among nutritionists themselfs. Thats why you see so many different diets, and hardly any of them working for people. It seems kinda senseless to debate that and claim you understand the human body more then the next guy unless you are a nutritionist.

Dirt013

I AM NOT concerned about the rest of your post. I am concerned about the fact that you believe that there are conditions in which a person has NO control over that makes them obese.

Now that is a baseless attack. I guess my post contains NO valid points whatsoever. I suppose I should just bow down before you and your mighty intellect now.

My point is that the choice to lose weight is HARD. It is easier to give into your base cravings for salty and fatty foods, not exercise and blame genetics. Yes, I realize that some people may have slower metabolisms or are predisposed to store fat at a greater rate than others….but in the end it is a CHOICE.

How am I throwing “scientific research out the window”? And just WHOSE fault is it? Let’s blame God. No wait, you probably don’t believe in God, which is fine by me…..I know, lets blame evolution.

It was ignored because my only interest in your post was your espousal of the victims’ mentality. It’s always someone else’s fault.

The rest I largely agree with actually.

Dirt013

TheFeniX

There are conditions that some people have no control over that determines their physical make-up. I never said all, in fact my comment was made that you can't say "That guy is fat because he hammers down big-macs everyday." It does not apply to all people.

Whereas your post may have contained a valid point (or two), the way in which you worded and presented them destroyed any validity they had.

And teenagers are not mature enough to make that choice. Isn't that why we restrict the rights of people under the age of 18? Why am I repeating myself?

Bam, you just killed your arguement by an appeal to the the absurd and an ad hominem (which this one is a flat-out lie). Presentation is everything. And your assumptions about me, which have nothing to do the arguement, are red herrings.

I never said it was always someone else's fault. And the fact that you read it that way is your problem, not mine.

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Diceman

I'll boost Fenix a little bit here by providing an anecdote;

A friend of mine has been overweight for as long as I've known him (20+ years, and I'm not yet 30). However, he's more active than most of my other friends, he bikes across town 2-3 times a day (albeit, it's a small town), and makes 20km round trips, just for something to do. He's a salad and sandwich kind-of-guy. He doesn't even like beer and a number of other high-calorie treats. He is also an apprentice chef, and knows more about food than most of us put together likely. I can only assume he makes intelligent choices about food when I'm not around as well.

All that said, he is still very overweight. Incidentally, his mum was very overweight as well, while his dad is a very tall, lean individual. His brother is also a very tall, lean individual. Lastly, he is a resourceful individual who I don't think could possibly be described as carrying a "victim's mentality."

We've all seen the people who have the high metabolisms, who can eat what they like, when they like and never seem to gain an ounce. Why is it so hard to accept that some people exist at the other end of that metabolism spectrum, where they live a healthy lifestyle (read: lots of activity and measurably good food choices) and still have a weight problem?

Everything regarding my friend's story, seems to me, to point to genetics. Why is that answer scoffed at so loudly? Why do some refuse to acknowledge that there could be any explanation except the individual in question can't control themselves around fatty foods?

Disclaimer: please bear in mind that the above story, while true, is purely anecdotal. It is not intended to provide a solution, merely a caution against overly simple solutions.

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JME.Fidelity

My high school has soda machines and snack\candy machines on the entire school day except during enrichment hour.

At lunch they serve the greasiest, fattiest, most disgusting foods you could probably ever imagine. I usually just buy a soft pretzel and hold out until after school.

The things they claim are chicken patties are more like breadded lard dripping with grease. :P

And suprisingly we dont have a lot of obese kids in our school.