Yes, it is true that if people don't over-eat in the first place, they won't get fat. But unfortunately in American society, unhealthy foods in huge portions are the norm. It's just the way it is. Those with genetic traits which increase their overall accumulation of body fat, however, (as well as those of us without said genetic traits) are very likely to be fed fast food at an early age by busy parents who need a quick "meal" for their children (who probably also beg for it due to the multimillion dollar ad campaign by fast food industries to sell fast food to children). I see it every single day. This is more than likely (in my opinion) where the problem begins.
Those with these "fat genes" accumulate excess fat from their poor diets as children, fat that will be much harder to lose when they reach an age when they have the sense to learn to control what they eat, and realize the importance of a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may be on a strictly vegan diet and exercising regularly, but the weight can (as I've witnessed, as stated in my previous reply) still pile on.
Why does the United States have such a higher rate of obesity compared to other nations? I believe it due (at least in part) to a mixture of unhealthy childhood diets caused by huge amounts of fast food advertizements aimed at children, which then beg their busy parents for the "food", who then buy it looking for a cheap and fast way to feed their children, and the presence of the "fat genes" in many of these individuals. Those who are obese and do not have these "fat genes" are most likely just lazy and careless, and (much more unlikely) uninformed about the adverse effects (affects? I never knew the difference
) of their sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diet.edit on 5-1-2012 by Drewshbag because: Parentheses interefered
with my smiley
