I think both are big contributing factors but lack of exercise is going to be the one I pick as the biggest contributor.

this may be even more of a problem for children today with all the 'instant' and addictive? entertainment provided by computer games, etc
thanks, Nikki

ALL of the above...plus a lack of understanding of what happens when you eat what you do.

Yes, some diatetic counseling might help for the ones who want to be fit.
Thanks Russ

Of the two, I would have to pick over eating/poor food choices. We North Americans consume WAY more junk food than Europeans, (I grew up there), and our portion sizes are also much larger. I'm fairly certain that obesity rates for Europe are significantly smaller as well. They also walk a lot more, as the price of gas is very high, so that helps too.

thanks ddb,
good points and from your own observations.
about the larger portions though, North Americans seem to be taller than most other peoples and need? larger portions. And still we manage to overdo it!

Well, Northern Europeans (Germans, Dutch, Scandinavians, etc.) are also generally quite tall, but still the portions are smaller :-)
(I'm short for my weight- LOL!)

well, I tried.

Biggest contributor is availability of food. IT'S EVERYWHERE!

and you don't even have to prepare it yourself so there's no delay!
thanks, CA

Hi Yobabe ____lack of exercise and over-eating from what I have seen. (fast food everywhere-only getting faster to get)
But there is certain health issues along with mental problems in young kids these days that can be a hugh factor.

lack of exercise is my first choice

that's my son's first choice, too. we ARE becoming more sedentary.
thanks Tara

Worst is poor food choices. Lack of exercise.

thanks. fast food just makes it too easy to eat the wrong things and eat too much of it as well.
Thanks Lou

Too much processed food. If you eat natural foods like years ago you didn't have obesity and worked to burn off. calories.

annnnd you pretty much had to make it yourself. If you're too tired you just go to bed hungry.

It's everything.  People eat cheap food - and it's cheap because of unhealthy ingredients.  HFCS is a leading contributor to obesity.  People have become more lethargic because of technological advances.  For instance - I work at Domino's Pizza.  We are coming out with a new "Breadbowl Pasta" which will air nationally on television next week.  This is basically the pasta we have now except with a "bowl" of bread around it.  This bread bowl has ~850 calories in it.  That's just the bread - the pastas have anywhere from ~500-700 calories in them.  These are CHEAP - $5.99.  For $6 you are getting 67% or more of your daily caloric intake from one tiny pasta.  Since this is delivered people will eat it sitting down in front of the television more than likely.  So.. as I said before it is everything... lethargy, laziness, cheapness, and of course tastyness.  We put butter and breadstick shake on the bowl to make it taste better. ;)

oh! you are evil!!!!!
I see what you are saying.
thanks

I wish someone would do a study about obesity and the aftermath of 9/11. It has changed our perceptions of the world, and I think most people overeat because of stress and anxiety, I know I do.

Thanks Peg,
that reminds me: people say obese people are nice because they HAVE to be nice to have friends. BUT I believe they are genuinely nice and cannot retaliate or return hate or insults. Soooo all the pain from the nastiness of other people is eating away at them, and they eat to stifle that pain.
So, could I make it as a TV counselor/psychologist/relationship-guru all rolled into one? (heeheeheeheehee, I bet it would pay good!)

I would def. say a combo. of both...i feel sometimes that they place unhealthy restaurants in neighborhoods knowing that MANY will go the cheap route, instead of spending more money on a meal that is healthy... which can be based on a particular neighborhood socioeconomic status. The same for exercise..there are gyms in many neighborhoods but then people may not have the finances to purchase a beneficial plan to go to the gym..and if they cant afford going to the gym the other option is to exercise around the neighborhood such as jogging, running or bicycling...this can also be a problem based on a person feeling safe or not in their neighborhood..and i guess the best thing is to exercise at home..which is what I do occasionally. Then sometimes i feel that I am not safe in my own house.

But despite of that as you can see..i am healthy as ever. I am 5'10, i weight 143lbs. and i am well proportioned, and toned.

If i did choose one i would say exercise...b/c you can eat a small-moderate amount of food..but if you at least exercised regularly one would not become obese....b/c its not what you eat sometimes its how much you consume.

thanks, and you certainly do look nice!

I think both.

and also if a person tries to lose weight by not eating anything, his/her brain will think that there is a famine, so it wont burn the fat or the carbs for emergency energy so instead of losing weight, ther person will actually gain weight over a period of time. this is because the energy required for concentration, moving around the house etc. is also not spent
Therefore its very important to eat properly and excersise properly to remain healthy

please excuse my improper grammar

improper grammer is excusable as long as the words said or written make sense. Yours does
thanks