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I have a theory that being overweight is mostly caused by lack of walking. Everyone seems to get heavier as they get older, and most people seem to be slim when

by Tycho 12y ago

I have a theory that being overweight is mostly caused by lack of walking. Everyone seems to get heavier as they get older, and most people seem to be slim when they're students. Regardless of how 'healthy' their lifestyle is (ie. if they eat junk food, or go jogging). So basically my theory is that when you're a student, you're probably walking a long way to get to university each day, and then when you're there you spend a lot of time walking about campus. When you leave university and get a job, you get into a car and drive to work, and then sit at your desk most of the day. And then retreat to the family home for the evening, rather than walking about town to meet your friends. Most people are aware of their sedentariness, and put effort into diets and exercise regimes (which they never dreamt of when they were younger), but without the daily walking it's an uphill struggle. So gradually over the years they put on the pounds, until virtually all of them have lost that slim figure.

tim333 12y ago
While I think your theory is quite likely an oversimplification I found it interesting looking for fat people while trekking in Nepal through villages with no roads where the only way of getting around was hilly trails. Basically there were no fat people amongst the locals and fat trekkers lost weight at a healthy clip, myself included. This in spite the restaurants including things like fried rice which go against most healthy eating menus. It would be an interesting experiment to build homes for the clinically obese that were in a valley with only walking access up the hill to the nearest eatery. I'd wage money that weight loss would ensue even if the eatery was a McDonalds.
deleted 12y ago
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munificent 12y ago
I think your theory is an oversimplification, but I agree totally that walking is an under-appreciated component of health. Anecdote: several years ago, my brother and his wife were in their thirties and starting to get a bit soft around the middle like everyone does when they exit their twenties. Like most Americans, they lived in a pedestrian-unfriendly city and drove everywhere. They moved to Vancouver and sold their car. Suddenly, they were walking everywhere. I went to visit them and they both looked markedly better: slimmer and healthier. They eventually moved back to the States and they went right back to the shape they were in before. I think walking is one of the easiest and most pleasurable things we can change to improve our health. Aside from the time cost, there's little downside to it.
- Tycho 12y ago
  Plus since walking is so pleasant, and is usually not 'deliberate' exercise (you're just trying to get somewhere), nobody feels the need to 'reward' themselves with extra food at the end of it.

by Tycho 12y ago

tim333 12y ago

While I think your theory is quite likely an oversimplification I found it interesting looking for fat people while trekking in Nepal through villages with no roads where the only way of getting around was hilly trails. Basically there were no fat people amongst the locals and fat trekkers lost weight at a healthy clip, myself included. This in spite the restaurants including things like fried rice which go against most healthy eating menus. It would be an interesting experiment to build homes for the clinically obese that were in a valley with only walking access up the hill to the nearest eatery. I'd wage money that weight loss would ensue even if the eatery was a McDonalds.

deleted 12y ago

[deleted]

munificent 12y ago

I think your theory is an oversimplification, but I agree totally that walking is an under-appreciated component of health. Anecdote: several years ago, my brother and his wife were in their thirties and starting to get a bit soft around the middle like everyone does when they exit their twenties. Like most Americans, they lived in a pedestrian-unfriendly city and drove everywhere. They moved to Vancouver and sold their car. Suddenly, they were walking everywhere. I went to visit them and they both looked markedly better: slimmer and healthier. They eventually moved back to the States and they went right back to the shape they were in before. I think walking is one of the easiest and most pleasurable things we can change to improve our health. Aside from the time cost, there's little downside to it.

Tycho 12y ago
Plus since walking is so pleasant, and is usually not 'deliberate' exercise (you're just trying to get somewhere), nobody feels the need to 'reward' themselves with extra food at the end of it.