In a recent issue of Rolling Stone magazine (4/6, page 51), a comment was made about an American Idol contestant, saying "It's comforting to have an Idol contestant who represents the majority of Americans: fat and religious."\n\nGranted, I only read RS because a former roomate never changed his address and his issues show up here, but I wonder if this is a fair characterization of Americans.\n\nIf you feel comfortable doing so, can you post your nationality, faith, and BMI (Body Mass Index), which is a fair representation of an individual's weight?\n\nHere is a link to a BMI calculator:\n\nhttp://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/adult_BMI/english_bmi_calculator/bmi_calculator.htm\n\nFor the record, I am American, atheist, and have a BMI of 23.\n\nCan the faithful and faithless come forward and prove this statement wrong (or right?)
126258
you dont need bmi's to answer this question:\n\nJust go to any local church and look at who fills the seats. Are all religious people fat? \n\nAre all religious people skinny?\n\nI have been in a few churches in my day; All I have witnessed was a mixture of different BMI's \n\nI think that the statement was stereotypical in nature.\n\nthank you,
513798
I agree with Beam above, with it being a guideline and not gospel.  One factor that it needs to be balanced against is lifestyle.  If an athlete with large muscle mass, your BMI will be inflated, which is not to say they are obese.  Conversely, if a person naturally small-boned and slim and fit, their BMI will appear low, which is not to say they are anorexic.  I think % of body fat needs to be taken into consideration, as well as other factors.
548085
Am I going senile or did someone just rewrite the constitution and the slogan "In God we trust". The U.S. ( and Canada) are recognized as being primarily christian countries. That means the majority of the population is christian. The constitutions allow that everyone may practice their own religion within the country. that means EVERYONE - including the store owners. The customer has the freedom to shop elsewhere. I have been a business owner and if I were still in retail in a Mall I think I would be very tempted to put out a signpost each day right by the door or painted on the window stating "We celebrate Christmas here!" If customers are offended by it, they don't have to come in. Sheesh, things are getting weirder and weirder! I know loads of Jewish storekeepers who have a Menorah in their window and wear a Star of David around their neck. I shop there. We greet each other warmly. We respect each other. They have things I want to buy and they want to sell. That's it. By your store owners playing Christmas music, they make it clear that they recognize that, for the majority of their customers, it is the Christmas season and they wish to get us in the buying mood. They are not bashing people over the head and saying "Convert, convert!" If a Muslim or Jew or atheist comes in to buy something, the only important thing should be that it is priced right, is good value, and they get the correct change. How much nicer the world would be if a person like that extremist would come in, smile and say "I don't celebrate Christmas but this is such as nice season for you." . You would have treated her even better than usual and might have even opened a dialogue about HER traditions. That's what makes a peaceful co-existence and understanding - not shrieking and threatening. Keep on keeping your cool, you're obviously much more mature and your boss should appreciate your patience!
327437
You could try Weight Watchers.  I have the same problem you do and I, too got a rude response from mr.green619.  Don't listen to people like him.  He is probably some loner who works out obsessively by himself and spends his time online announcing how fit he is and putting down others.  He advocates running, which most physical therapists don't recommend at all because it is so hard on joints.  This guy will be 40 something laying in a hospital bed after joint replacement with no visitors because he is such an arrogant, uncompassionate person.  His biceps are probably vastly bigger than his brain.  His self esteem is way lower than yours, I can tell you that, because you and I are willing to post honest questions about ourselves without shame and he has not asked one question about himself, he's too scared.  Instead, he boosts his microscopic self esteem by putting down others who suffer from one of the most common diseases in America.  GO GET A REAL LIFE MR GREEN619.
88389
Up until the 50's, there was no such thing as a size 0. Marilyn Monroe was a modern size 10 and is still considered to be one of the most beautiful women of all times. During the French Revolution, the ideal standard of beauty was considered to be a size 20.I think that as the standard of beauty changes, so do women's self image.Meeting someone elses standards has never been a priority for me.Me personally, i feel it depends on the individuals body type. I'm of average height, but i have a large bone structure (Damn my German heritage!)and put on muscle very easily.At 170 pounds, I'm a size 10, believe it or not.I can also bench 150 and leg press over 300 lbs. I was once very sick and lost 20 pounds (chicken pox) and i looked unhealthly, even though by weight standards i was considered "normal".I think the "perfect size" is the weight at which one feels and looks their best and completely dependant on the individual.I'm at what i call my fighting weight, and my doctor assures me i'm in good shape.So as society is concerned, I know I'll never be the toothpick ideal, but that still doesn't stop 3 of my last ex-bf's from trying to get back together with me!
495785
There is not enough information to give an accurate answer.\n\nFirst of all, "look" is subjective.  You're asking for a figure that's determined by the person who's looking.  Who is looking?  If it's you who is looking, then only you can answer the question.  If a fat person is looking, the number could be very high.  If I were looking, the number would be much lower, because I hate fat people.\n\nIf you're asking for a consensus of American or scientific opinion, then we can go with Body Mass Index.  At 5'9", a weight of 170 pounds would put you just over 25 BMI (meaning slightly overweight).  However, BMI is itself a subjective standard.  There is a lot of talk now of increasing the BMI required for a person to be classified overweight, because so many people currently ARE overweight.  Furthermore, it is unreliable because it makes no distinction between muscle and fat.\n\nIf you gain 50 pounds of muscle, nobody is going to think you look overweight or chubby.  However, you could gain just fifteen pounds of fat--making you technically NOT overweight--and, to someone like me, you would look chubby.\n\nYou see what I mean?  It's totally subjective.\n\nYou can't get an answer in pounds and consider it accurate.  You can only get many different opinions.  Opinions of what "looks" means, of what "slightly" means, and of what "overweight/chubby" means.\n\nHowever, if you want the most scientific answer you can obtain, and if you want one person's subjective opinion, I have provided both.\n\nScience:  170\nMe:  150 (if all the gained weight is in fat)
57424
kristy, \nI would first like to say that yes i am a Christian, that has found her resting place after a long journey.\nsecondly, youre one of my favorite people on this site. (I even wrote about you in one of my questions recently.) I find your answers and thoughts to be very intellectually sound. i see you as a complex and dynamic personality.  unlike so many absolute angry nuts on this sight. claiming to be a Christian isnt the final sale for me, and i just cringe when people try to represent with/by anger, finger pointing, stereotyping and judging.  Like Heathen calling? whats up with that? \nI have learned in my short time on this site, that is truly filled with those just dancing to the beat of their own drum, i enjoy the diversity, and have learned quite a bit. Trust me ide love nothing more than to share this love i feel, and what works for me, but its just not always appropriate, or respectful and when being defensive further opens your heart up to negativity about others, why would you take that stand, not caring if your hurting, offending or disrespecting others is truly evil.\n\nSmashingdon, i just have the urge to say that in my snootiest brittish accent, Smashingdon darling, i think you could honestly have a point.\n\nand biogeek..im a fan., just know theres a pregnant lady out there some where that thinks your the the coolest geek ever. (ide love to play cupid for you and Kristy, shes cute huh?) wink wink.\n\nand thanks for not letting me be the last answer. :-)
52945
Heck no....\n\nDon't buy into the stereotype that you have to be as thin as a sheet of paper,  If you're relatively healthy and happy don't worry about it.  If people judge you over a couple of pounds one way or the other you shouldn't really care about their opinion anyway.\n\nWhen you look down and you can't see your feet, you may be overweight.\n\nWhen you have to butter up your sides to fit through doors you may be overweight.
426132
I guess everyone is entitled to an opinion.  I thought she looked great. I can't imagine that Jenny Craig company would allow their spokesperson to blatently lie, its' bad business for them.  On the flip side i think it was a tacky display, but if she's proud of herself then what the heck.  I do agree with you though, she definatly couldn't have been 220 ,  i'd guess closer to 270, was her starting point.  She looks great, but like a 200 pound healthy, fit woman, not someone in their 140's.
190961
There's factors such as height/age that affect it. I personally do not believe that the basic formulas they use for that and for body mass index are up to date. I'm 6'1" and when I was in the army at 18 they said I should weigh around 180 lbs. At 180lbs. I looked sickly because of how skinny I was. My comfortable weight is at about 200 lbs.
106280
I'm male and 46,  My weight is within healthly limits so my weight isn't the problem.  It's that I'm not in shape.  There is a huge problem with body image in the US.  If one is healthy and in shape.  Weight shouldn't matter.  It's come to the point where eating disorders are hitting younger and younger girls and just recently it's been reported that boys are now having the same body image problems.  Good topic!
586698
That's fine.  I'm 26 years old.  I'm 5'5' and I'm only 100 lbs.  I've been the same since the age of 17.  People say I'm too skinny and say I should gain wieight, but I'm healthy.  THEY ARE JEALOUS.  I have a normal appetite.  I don't like soda, fries or junk food and I love walking and biking and other sports.  99% of the time, if someone tells you crap like that, THEY ARE JEALOUS.  When my mom comments, I know it's out of concern.  If you have an eating dissorder, tell someone you are comforable talking to and get help.  But if you are healthy, you should not care about what other people say.  If they call you skin and bones, don't be offended.  Just be glad you're not fat.  Don't be offensive or rude.  Fat people have a lot harder of a time than we do... but it's true we all get crap for something... being skinny, being fat, being black, being american, being different than the person talking shit.  Don't be offended or offensive.  You'll be fine.
500441
Maybe because most Americans are so Fat now that they see everyone around them as normal. How funny! In America we have different categories of being classified as fat, kind of like how the Eskimos have different names for snow. Weird huh?\n\nYou have your:\n\noverweight/chubby/big boned person\n\nFat/Obese\n\nExtreme Obese\n\nMorbidly Obese (300 lbs and up)\n\nThis is so crazy!
386867
hmm, thats interesting. when i tihnk of americans i begin to think of a few types of people:\n\n- firstly i tihnk of an American business women going around New York.\n- Also of a large person eating an equally big hot dog in a food court.\n- I think of an exercise addict and a clean-freak who has to have everything perfect in their house.\n- Then of a kind of 30-yr-old guy who makes videos and stuff and it generally really nice.\n- Then I think of George Bush and hope that no one else in America is that annoying.\n\nI know my answer sounds really wierd but those are a few "typical" Americans that i picture in my head.\nHope this helps and what do you think a "typical" British person is like?
379521
Summarizing each paragraph as a simple sentence:\n\nPeople in America are fatter today than they have ever been.\n\nPundits keep trying to tie this phenomenom to a ressurgence in historical interest in the reign of King Henry VIII, who was VERY fat, but just wanted to live life to the fullest.\n\nThe author doesn't believe in the Plantagenet/obesity connection.\n\nNeither should you.
388931
Neddie...have you checked the ratings you're getting for these Q's lately?  Your followers have deserted you and been replaced by a pretty rowdy bunch here!\n\nIf your positions represent the majority of Americans, why isn't that reflected in this forum?  By the way, do you agree with the platforms of the (mostly conservative) Democratic saviors who just got elected?  \n\nA simple yes or no doesn't work, does it.  Why?...it's because life, politics and even Yahoo Answers is complicated.  Don't be afraid of nuance.  It sure beats trying to to fit every odd-shaped peg into one size hole.\n\nI'm getting worried about you.  Maybe you need a little vacation, or perhaps some Yoga and deep breathing execises.  Relax...it's just politics!
450062
yes please.  I am struggling with my weight.  Will you pray that God will help me to be strong and resist temptation?  I know this sounds trivial, but it is very important to me.  I have struggled with this all my life.