Thursday, September 11, 2008

Hey Fatty!

Many kids suffer from being called fatty, by their friends in school, because their body weight makes them a point of distressing mockery. But, now, the word fatty must aptly describe a nation.

According to Rachna Chhachhi, in Outlook Business Magazine, September 20, 2008 issue, over 60% of America suffers from Obelix syndrome, being grossly overweight. Americans spent about $6 billion on fast food in 1970; they spent more than $10 billion in 2001. Studies show that they are now spending more on fast food than on new cars, computer software or even higher education. Fast food sales are higher than videos, books, movies, magazines and recorded music sales combined.

An average American consumes 3,747 kilocalories, whereas the recommended allowance is 2,000 – 2,500 for sedentary to moderate – activity people. A third of the calorie intake is from junk food. And that’s not all; the serving sizes have gone up too. A typical hamburger in 1957 weighed 1 ounce (28 gms) and contained 210 calories. A typical hamburger today weighs 6 ounces (170 gms) and contains 618 carolies. There are even steakhouse restaurants that offer a free meal if you can eat their 96 ounce (2.7 kg) steak in a certain amount of time sic!

When the writer, who heads business development in a financial services company, ordered for a quick bite at a restaurant in Releigh, North Carolina, a plate of salad arrived which could have fed the entire neighbourhood in India. However, the lady sitting at the table next to hers was a typical example of an American mother, grossly overweight, sitting with a thin daughter, who was being tutored in the art of matching her mother in size. A family size pizza dripping with cheese had been ordered but as the little girl could not finish her pizza, it was packed and taken home to be force-fed to her.

Really, the average American, like his or her serving size, is expending.

The author of the piece laments – “For the life of me, I cannot understand how a country that has progressed so much, so fast cannot see the health bomb it’s sitting on…..its brings to mind something from Chetan Bhagat’s book, One Night @ The Call Centre, apparently, call-centre trainees are taught that the brain and IQ of an average 35-year old American equals that of a 10-year old Indian kid!” She insists that we read the book if we do not trust her. She goes on to say, and I join in with her, there, that the surest proof of the dismal IQ level, reflects on who they chose as third 43rd President, who was then re-elected again to prove the point beyond doubt.

So, despite food prices rising 4.8% in 2007, the average American family of four still spent 13% of its disposable income on food. A 2003 study conducted by the University of Tennessee showed that a child’s eating habit is strongly influenced by the mother. Another survey found that of the top 24 disliked foods in America, 17 were vegetables.

So today at long last, American mothers are being exhorted to work harder at eating more fruits and vegetables into the family diet, while cutting down on sodas. Duh!

Joke: George Bush and his wife were at a restaurant. When the waiter came to take the order, Mrs Bush placed an order for an exotic protein and fat rich meal topped with a succulent creamy dessert.

“And what about the vegetable, M’am?” The waiter enquired.

“Ah,” said Mrs Bush, looking at Bushy, “He will have the same!”




Reference: Outlook Business Magazine, September 20, 2008 issue

4 comments:

Kanchana Natarajan said...

this obesity is fast spreading in metropolitan cities, what about our delhi kids! but such a relief when i see himachalee people, who are forever climbing the hills and walking up and down, they are healthy, thin and fresh looking,
anyway where is the place in delhi to walk, it is so difficult to negotiate traffic!
good informative page, but we cannot just sit pretty thinking that it is an american problem, we better wake up, the mums in india feel pleased to see their fat kids, they say "bade healthy hai bacche! so sweet!"

Julia Dutta said...

The Mums in Delhi are Punjus and their brains are like the average American too - aged 10 years old! Hence, dear Kanchana, we must leave them to the hogs!! Like their American counterpart!!!!
Julia

Kanchana Natarajan said...

Why are you targetting the Punjabis, i think almost all mothers feel that their child is the most sweet kid in the world, there is a saying in Tamil "for the crow its baby is as beautiful as gold" and why not? THis is the basic moha that we human and animals have, atleast animals forget thei kids soon but humans stick to them for ever and ever,so not just Punajbis but all madrasis and all bangali mothers too do indulge their kids with unwanted calories dear Julia.

Julia Dutta said...

Kanchana I am sorry if you think I am targetting Punjus! You are right! To me they are spread out like cheese on a gigantic bread....holes in their brains and fat filled!
Julia