America's Fattest City of 2010 is.............

[Peach fuzz]

I agree. I don't want to be punished for eating junk. I don't have problems with people eating junk either, as long as they do an extra set of pushups and jog one more lap and so forth... works for me

[Bunty]

lol, Doing pushups or jogging is punishment to many people. It's a struggle for me to do 15 or 20 non cheating pushups..

[SkyWestOKC]

Get in shape then, go the gym. At my peak I could do 120 non cheating pushups and no breaks in between. I have since not had time, but I try to do about the same amount a day, just spread over when I have a few minutes between sometimes.

[Bunty]

I"ll try to. At least one doesn't require going to a gym to get up over 100 push ups, which is one of the best exercises for upper body strength and calorie burning.

[ljbab728]

I do feel sorry for those that have some sort of medical condition that makes them big, but for those that are fat because they eat like crap and dont work out ... I feel no sympathy for them and quite frankly they bother me. When I see fat people out in public eating like crap it really bothers me. The other day I stopped off in the Sonic in Bricktown to get a drink and there was a family in there with 3 kids and the entire family was fat. So what do they order?? Well they all got large ice cream things with cookies or some sort of candy blended in and an order of cheddar bites. It really made me angry because they are not even giving their kids a choice in the matter. The kids are fat and their parents are shoving ice cream and fried food down their mouths as an afternoon snack. I just really do not understand people. Maybe some of them live in a house with not mirrors

This is one area I totally agree on. When adults push their poor diet, fast food living off on the children who don't know any better that is a tragedy. As for the adults, they know what they're doing or should and as long as they aren't causing my health insurance rates to go up they can eat and live however they want as far as I'm concerned.

[ljbab728]

Maybe I do seem harsh and rather childish to some on this topic. I'm not going to change my stance though. I'm not cutting lazy people who make everyday choices to be fat slack. And that would include my father. This is different than grade schoolers making fun of billy, the kid with moles everywhere or whatever. Those kids grow up and feel remorse for that later on usually. This is about people who have no respect for themselves, their city, state, or nations image, and I ends up costing us with anything from tourism to medical bills in the end.

No one is asking you to cut any slack to people who are overweight because of choices they make. Obviously this is very personal to you because of your father and that's OK. Just don't make cute remarks about any overweight person you see because of it. Keep in mind that there may be factors involved that you don't know about.

[Larry OKC]

Actually, no. There is no recommended daily instake of saturated fat.

You need monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (think nuts, omega-3s, avocado, etc) but there is no need for saturated fat of any kind.

Not according to the Nutrition Facts label. The one I am looking at right now shows

Saturated Fat = 0.5g (3% of the RDA)

[OU Adonis]

I have very little compassion for people that are fat. While I don't disagree some people have better genetics than others when it comes to maintaining weight that doesn't give you a pass on being fat.

If you suck at math, do you just give up and take an F? Do you cry about all the people who can get A's with little effort?

No... You work your butt off to get that C so you can go to college and get a degree.

[Larry OKC]

Don't confuse being "fat" with being unhealthy. There are many people that go to the other extreme and are skinny but unhealthy in there own way. If you are morbidly obese, probably little chance that you are healthy and at the other end of the spectrum if you are anorexic, the same applies. You can be under weight, normal or over weight and still be healthy.

[OU Adonis]

I think its a culture thing too. (I mentioned this in another thread) I lost a bit of weight and got down to 177 and my friends thought I was too skinny. My current weight is back up to around 183.

I am a little over 6'1. I am considered overweight at 190 and obese at 230.

[DirtLaw]

I think its a culture thing too. (I mentioned this in another thread) I lost a bit of weight and got down to 177 and my friends thought I was too skinny. My current weight is back up to around 183.

I am a little over 6'1. I am considered overweight at 190 and obese at 230.

Yea, that is the truth. Our culture's perception of what is healthy has become skewed. Healthy and average now are considered "skinny" where a few extra pounds is now considered normal. Just walk around the mall or any other public place and it is almost strange to see someone that looks fit.

[Platemaker]

OU Adonis... I thought you were delusional for a second when you said 190 for 6'1" was overweight so I Googled 'ideal weight.' YIKES!!! I'm apparently a lardass. I'm 6'3" and 200-205 lbs. I thought I was at the right weight but according to just about every site I found I'm pushing the limit... how depressing!

[OU Adonis]

I have struggled a bit with weight in the past. I have weighed as much as 220 when I was younger and it was because of the 2 liter of pop and fast food I ate every day.

Something I have found is that culturally we accept guys that carry more weight, but women should carry more weight than we think is acceptable.

And I am the first one to admit that I find attractive women who would probably be considered unhealthy on the weight range (being under weight).

I have made small changes in my life and they made a big difference.

No or small calorie drinks. (I occasionally have a gatoraide)
Small snacks throughout the day and less "Big meals".
Fun activities - I picked up volleyball
Parking farther back when I go shopping.

Oh and that last thing really bugs me about some people. I will see a car drive around the wal-mart parking lot for 5 minutes trying to get 20 feet closer instead of just getting out and walking that short extra distance.

[OU Adonis]

OU Adonis... I thought you were delusional for a second when you said 190 for 6'1" was overweight so I Googled 'ideal weight.' YIKES!!! I'm apparently a lardass. I'm 6'3" and 200-205 lbs. I thought I was at the right weight but according to just about every site I found I'm pushing the limit... how depressing!

Well those are just guides, because they are based on body fat. You may have a lot more muscle than the common guy so your body fat is still low compared to your weight.

Me, I am a fairly typical guy, I can only wish I was buff. Hah

[Peach fuzz]

No one is asking you to cut any slack to people who are overweight because of choices they make. Obviously this is very personal to you because of your father and that's OK. Just don't make cute remarks about any overweight person you see because of it. Keep in mind that there may be factors involved that you don't know about.

Ok you're starting to put me to sleep with this victim crap. You act like I go around all day making rude remarks to people if they're overweight. I feel like I walked into a peta conference with a polar bear coat on... Blah blah blah lose some wight people, but don't get your feelings hurt while doing so or I'll never hear the end of it

[Casey]

Not according to the Nutrition Facts label. The one I am looking at right now shows

Saturated Fat = 0.5g (3% of the RDA)

RDA is the maximum limit of something you should consume. There is no REQUIREMENT for saturated fat in our diets, but the American Health Organization puts an upper limit on consumption, which translates to a % of RDA.

The American Heart Association recommends that no more than 1% of a person's fat intake come from trans/saturated fat.

Whereas the AHA recommends that a young woman eat approx 50 - 70g unsaturated fat/day.

So the RDA value for saturated fat you're seeing is the TOP limit [i.e. you shouldn't eat any, but don't eat more than this!], not the desirable limit like it is with protein/healthy fats/carbs/vitamins, etc.

[Platemaker]

Great point, Casey.

[Larry OKC]

RDA is the maximum limit of something you should consume. There is no REQUIREMENT for saturated fat in our diets, but the American Health Organization puts an upper limit on consumption, which translates to a % of RDA.

The American Heart Association recommends that no more than 1% of a person's fat intake come from trans/saturated fat.

Whereas the AHA recommends that a young woman eat approx 50 - 70g unsaturated fat/day.

So the RDA value for saturated fat you're seeing is the TOP limit [i.e. you shouldn't eat any, but don't eat more than this!], not the desirable limit like it is with protein/healthy fats/carbs/vitamins, etc.

I see what you are saying but RDA = Recommended Daily Allowance (think it is based on a 2,000 calorie diet, based on other factors an individual may need more or less. Didn't mean to imply that fat is a REQUIREMENT any more than sugars, calories etc). Just responding to his point that there is "no need for saturated fat of any kind". Now if he had said there is no need for trans fats, he would have been correct according to what I have been reading lately. When trans fats are listed I don't think you will ever see a RDA amount next to it, because there is no such thing. There is no "safe" amount, they are all bad. But obviously less of them is better than more, but if possible should be avoided completely.

Point to remember with any Nutritional Facts info, it is Per Serving (so have to multiply things out by amount consumed. Manufacturers are allowed to round items down, so a "0" (zero) doesn't necessarily mean there isn't any of that particular item in it. Here the multiplier doesn't work because 100 times Zero is still zero. But if the actual amount is .49 times 100, then you may have a problem

[ljbab728]

Ok you're starting to put me to sleep with this victim crap. You act like I go around all day making rude remarks to people if they're overweight. I feel like I walked into a peta conference with a polar bear coat on... Blah blah blah lose some wight people, but don't get your feelings hurt while doing so or I'll never hear the end of it

If you want to go to sleep, be my guest. It's just that your harsh comments here make it sound like you do exactly what you say you don't do.

[ljbab728]

Oh and that last thing really bugs me about some people. I will see a car drive around the wal-mart parking lot for 5 minutes trying to get 20 feet closer instead of just getting out and walking that short extra distance.

I won't argue that many people do exactly that and it is ridiculous but don't assume that everyone doing that is the same. Most of the time when I go to Walmart I'm taking my 86 year old mother who has problems walking long distances and I'm looking for a close handicap space. Just try finding one of those empty at Walmart. Many times I have to just drop her off in front and go find a parking space anywhere I can.

[progressiveboy]

Sorry, but this is total bull****. Not over simplifying things at all. Just go out one night. It is amazing to sit and watch as overweight people feed their faces like they haven't eaten in weeks. Just to go home and take a nap in front of the tv.
I guess they all need surgery huh?

Strongly agree Bostonfan! People continue to "justify" and make excuses on being overweight. It shows that they have developed a "mindset". Granted, their are some cases where overweight people may have issues with thyroid problems, metabolism issues, etc.......however there are medications for these afflictions.

[Bunty]

Me, I am a fairly typical guy, I can only wish I was buff. Hah

Then why don't you bring it with P90X?

[ljbab728]

Strongly agree Bostonfan! People continue to "justify" and make excuses on being overweight. It shows that they have developed a "mindset". Granted, their are some cases where overweight people may have issues with thyroid problems, metabolism issues, etc.......however there are medications for these afflictions.

Pills may help with some issues but are certainly not a cure-all. The company I work for has assisted many people around the country in making travel arrangements to go to Brazil for weight-loss surgery. Brazil is known world-wide as a leader for this and is much less expensive than the US. However, none of these people would have gone to any such expense or hastle if they could have taken a pill for it.

[lcd1712]

Pills may help with some issues but are certainly not a cure-all. The company I work for has assisted many people around the country in making travel arrangements to go to Brazil for weight-loss surgery. Brazil is known world-wide as a leader for this and is much less expensive than the US. However, none of these people would have gone to any such expense or hastle if they could have taken a pill for it.

Surgery is to remove the fat, not to fix an underlying problem. I believe progressiveboy was talking about pills to help these medical issues.

[Pete]

Not being fat is not the same as being fit.

Some people -- especially when they are younger -- can eat all kinds of junk and not be overweight. But that almost always catches up with you as you approach 40, if not before. And many studies have shown that bad eating habits as a young person are very hard to break as you age.

And, eating salty, fatty foods does damage to your cardiovascular system even if you aren't overweight.

People that say "I eat all kinds of crap and am still slim" are like smokers that claim they've been smoking 2 packs a day for years without any health concerns. But of course, those things eventually come home to roost.


The abundance of fast food and huge portion family restaurants are the biggest change on the American landscape since obesity rates started to climb steadily.

And when you consider that OKC has way more than it's share of fast food places AND happens to have a high obesity rate, there is obviously a correlation.


Another analogy is the tax on beer and alcohol. I drink very little but have to pay taxes on those items anyway. Of course, since I don't drink much the cost to me isn't that great.

If you aren't eating much junk food then you would pay little tax; if you are, then perhaps you should be.