Interesting weight/height statistics

[lainiefig]

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/aprilholladay/2006-12-04-size-age_x.htm

[font face="comic sans ms" font color=purple]***Lainie***
My fitness blog: http://web.mac.com/lainiefig/iWeb/Site/Exercise/Exercise.html http://bestsmileys.com/exercising/7.gif

 

[MSJ]

Wow--that's kind of depressing. I doubt that ten pound weight gain is muscle. If those trends continue.....Well, it's just scary to think about.

Maggie

 

[endorphin_junkie]

Very interesting Lainie! My weight is close to average for Canadian women but I'm 5"s taller than the average at 5'8" so that's good new for me. The statistics are no secret but it doesn't seem to change anything which is so bewildering to me. I guess the adage 'when you know better, you do better' doesn't apply here. Sad when you think about the quality of life that folks are missing.

Take Care
Laurie

 

[pebblesus]

America is FAT!
With any sort of natural food being outrageously expensive, you also have a major influx of lazy Americans that RAISE their children to HATE veggies! ..Have you ever seen "Honey We're Killing the Kids"?? Perfect example of parents that have brainwahed their kids into hating real food! Sure some kids don't like things (my grandmother still can't get me to touch celery no matter what she tries to hide it in lol), but I have seen kids ick away from things after seeing one of their parents doing it.
People have this warped idea that if they put down the fork for a change that their "depriving themselves", and they refuse to do that in the sname of a diet plan.. for goddess sake-- deprive yourself! There are poeple out ther like me that dream of having health insurance some day and may never have it because of a gluttonous America (sp?)
Women are CERTAINLY not supossed to have a lower fat mass than men (like in UK). They're usually ok to have higher fat or cholesterol than men while in their reproductive years, but after menopause they loose oozles of estrogen and get more testosterone and then are at the higher risks of heart attacks so, like men, have to lower the fat ratios.
Sorry if i sound angry, these are things I take very personally and have very strong opinions on.
I love that this site has many informed people TRYING.
I can honestly say that besides my boyfriend and an ex personal trainer I work with I don't think I know anyone that understands why I eat what I do and look the way I look-- and it disgusts me.
Im sorry if I dont want to spend my retirement money on medicaions to keep me alive from all my weight related health issues.
Ok enough venting.. sorry

 

[kathryn]

Average American woman 60+ pounds at just under 5'4"? Yikes!

As to why things don't change, one reason is if someone is 160 pounds and 5'4", she will look around her and see that she's not out of the norm.

I'm sure that in some places, like Colorado and California, the average weight is lower, while in others (some southern and mid-western states) it's higher.

 

[tneah]

I know Amercia is overweight, but why is it that I constantly see more and more women who appear to be the opposite-underweight?? Especially in CA. I was jean shopping and they have sizes that sell out that look like an 11 year old would wearx( I left feeling (I am a size 4 or 6) like a total cow!

 

[Fitmommyof2]

Wow that is really sad. I wonder what it's going to take for people to wake up?

 

[RunDiggity]

Is the jean problem because people who are SKINNY or HEALTHY weight are more likely to be out shopping more, so those sizes sell out quicker??

I just know that when I was a size bigger ( one size is all ) i shopped so much less than I do now . . .I am a size 4/6 now too and that size is pretty common but the 6 is always sold out in the longer length I would say in this area of the country - 4/6/8 is a common size and size 2s are abundant....

 

[goldenrun358]

JMO here, but America is a country of extremes that for the most part does not know the meaning of the word moderation. We have the fattest of fat and the skinniest and skinny. And neither are healthy. Some are so consumed by trying to look like an "ideal" while others are so fed up with not being able look like the ideal, that both go to wicked extremes all to the detriment of their health and bodies. You cannot measure health by size. I know people who are extremely healthy, eat in moderation, and are not in the single digit pants size. I also know people who wear a zero, have no body fat, but also know muscle, a weak immune system, and are addicted to drugs (caffeine, tobacco, etc) that are not my picture of health.

The challenge: moderate yourself, accept you for your best, not your neighbors, work to your fullest potential, and stop the comparisons. Health comes in many shapes and sizes and what works for one will not work for others. America as a country needs to stop perpetuating this "mold" that all must fit into. It's not healthy.

Sorry, I too feel strongly about this. But, I'll step down off my soapbox now! Either way, something must be done. For the sake of our children!

 

[jacmar]

I am new here-I hope you do not mind my input.
Your point is a great one-especially about this being for our children.
I have a 10 year old daughter you has friend who are already "dieting" to fit into a certain size.
Health has got to be what is emphasized-not the size you wear or the weight you are.

 

[AEHaight]

Interesting stats...I appear to be just about average (about 15# overweight @ present). On the bright side, that's 40# less than I used to be and I'm on my way down!

As for eating healthy - I sure try to be sure that my kids eat well @ home. Both like most veggies & fruits, lean meat, and the occasional whole grain item (we're working on that). Now if we can just stick w/ that program thru middle school & HS...