What if no one were fat?

[Bouncer]

Imagine a lean and healthy America: The savings on medical, fuel, food and other costs would be enough to give every U.S. household more than $4,000.

By Shirley Skeel

In the United States today, 66% of adults are overweight. Almost 33% of adults are obese, and 4.7% are morbidly obese, or more than 100 pounds overweight. But . . .

What if nobody in America were fat?

We'd save billions of dollars in gas. Airlines would double their profits. A dearth of diabetes and other diseases would save billions of dollars more -- and put thousands of doctors on the street. McDonald's would sell not Big Macs but little steamed chicken snacks -- or watch its profits melt away. Productivity would rise, potentially creating tens of thousands more jobs or higher wages all around.

Full Article: What if no one were fat? - MSN Money

[FitnessBrat]

Hypothetical - but interesting, nonetheless...

[Bouncer]

Hypothetical

really? i thought the "what if" in the title implied that it was actually happening. :breakit:

[Scrumhalf]

The unfortunate thing is that many countries are close to this ideal. The obesity rates in Japan and Korea are in the single digits if I remember right and those in France, Norway, Switzerland, the Netherlands, etc. are right around 10%.

As long as we are slaves to the automobile this won't change. Unfortunately, our suburb-centric cities are designed for the automobile. If our local governments make a concerted effort to make walking and bicycling more accessible and safe with dedicated walking and biking paths, maybe this will get better.

[Bouncer]

If our local governments make a concerted effort to make walking and bicycling more accessible and safe with dedicated walking and biking paths, maybe this will get better.

that would cost more money then the world has. and while you are making the transition the economy would be in the shitter because of less traffic for businesses etc..

[Scrumhalf]

Other countries especially in Europe seem to have done a pretty good job of this..... it requires commitment and yes, $s.

[Bouncer]

Other countries especially in Europe seem to have done a pretty good job of this..... it requires commitment and yes, $s.

those countries were never setup for the automobile like we are. the transition would be FAR harder.

[Shibby]

It is very frustrating that you can't really find side walks anymore and if you do they stop after a couple blocks.

[Scrumhalf]

I think more people need to get involved in local government. I have had very good experience with influencing the city government in making more pedestrian and bike-friendly streets. Now Copenhagen it ain't, but the Portland metro area is not too bad.

[Bouncer]

I think more people need to get involved in local government. I have had very good experience with influencing the city government in making more pedestrian and bike-friendly streets. Now Copenhagen it ain't, but the Portland metro area is not too bad.

i have been to the Pacific Northwest, for the most part it is some of the cleanest and newest areas in america.

have you ever been around my way bro? ever been to Newark NJ? turning areas like you live in to be more bike friendly is one thing. but areas that are strictly concrete jungles, i just dont see it happening.

not arguing with ya, hell i agree, but it is easier said then done.

[FitnessBrat]

really? i thought the "what if" in the title implied that it was actually happening. :breakit:

I didn't mean the "idea" itself - I just meant the actual statistics, etc...

[The_Grinder]

I wonder if having no fat people would really help things though. I see a big overpopulation problem with that. People live longer. Not as many ugly people so more people are getting laid, which means more babies. We need a certain amount of fat people to not get laid and die a bit sooner.

[Bouncer]

I wonder if having no fat people would really help things though. I see a big overpopulation problem with that. People live longer. Not as many ugly people so more people are getting laid, which means more babies. We need a certain amount of fat people to not get laid and die a bit sooner.

agreed with your point. take away fat people and many buisness suffer, many jobs lost etc..

[Shibby]

I wonder if having no fat people would really help things though. I see a big overpopulation problem with that. People live longer. Not as many ugly people so more people are getting laid, which means more babies. We need a certain amount of fat people to not get laid and die a bit sooner.

Well the ugly people would still be ugly and even though the people aren't so fat they are about to die, their would still be a "fat" group. If there wasn't any extremely fat people then the "average" person would then be seen as the fat person.

[Scrumhalf]

I wonder if having no fat people would really help things though. I see a big overpopulation problem with that. People live longer. Not as many ugly people so more people are getting laid, which means more babies. We need a certain amount of fat people to not get laid and die a bit sooner.

Good grief! I hope you were being facetious. Japan has one of the fittest populations in the world based on obesity and one of the lowest birth rates.