# What portion of the massively obese population lives in the US?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-portion-of-the-massively-obese-population-lives-in-the-us/372643
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [September 14, 2006, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-portion-of-the-massively-obese-population-lives-in-the-us/372643 "2006-09-14T04:24:50Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)
#### Post date: [September 14, 2006, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-portion-of-the-massively-obese-population-lives-in-the-us/372643/1 "2006-09-14T04:24:50Z")
There have been several programs on TV about the massively obese. What I’m curious to know is what percentage of individuals that are ~400+ lbs live in the US. I have a hunch that a very, very large majority are from the United States given the figures I hear for overweight and obese populations in various nations.
---
### Author:  [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)
#### Post date: [September 14, 2006, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-portion-of-the-massively-obese-population-lives-in-the-us/372643/2 "2006-09-14T14:01:20Z")
I don’t have an answer to your question at hand, but [this](http://www.who.int/ncd_surveillance/infobase/web/InfoBasePolicyMaker/CountryProfiles/QCStart.aspx) website from the World Health Organization has a ton of information on national obesity statistics.
---
### Author:  [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)
#### Post date: [September 14, 2006, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-portion-of-the-massively-obese-population-lives-in-the-us/372643/3 "2006-09-14T14:10:41Z")
The entire developed world is getting fatter. Person for person, IIRC, the Germans are the fattest people in the world on average.
As to where the “super obese” are located I’d WAG the US is the most likely place as (relative) food costs are lower here than elsewhere, and at a certain point it becomes an issue of just how much food you can buy with available resources. If food was twice as expensive relative to available income many super heavy people simply wouldn’t be able to afford the level of consumption they can enjoy in the US.
---
### Author:  [@constanze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constanze)
#### Post date: [September 14, 2006, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-portion-of-the-massively-obese-population-lives-in-the-us/372643/4 "2006-09-14T14:22:58Z")
> [@](#):
>
> As to where the “super obese” are located I’d WAG the US is the most likely place as (relative) food costs are lower here than elsewhere, and at a certain point it becomes an issue of just how much food you can buy with available resources.
That surprises me. I’ve always heard that studies show (at least for Germany) that the poorer the people are, the less healthy they eat - they buy at cheap supermarkets, lots of convenience and pre-pared food, not enough veggies, … all the usual kind of "Don’t"s, while the middle class can afford to shop at reform shops and organic stores. (Of course, education plays a role, there, too, as well as available time - many poor people are single working mothers, for example, who simply don’t have time to shop for good stuff, or cook for hours.)
---
### Author:  [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)
#### Post date: [September 14, 2006, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-portion-of-the-massively-obese-population-lives-in-the-us/372643/5 "2006-09-14T14:51:29Z")
> [@constanze](#):
>
> That surprises me. I’ve always heard that studies show (at least for Germany) that the poorer the people are, the less healthy they eat - they buy at cheap supermarkets, lots of convenience and prepared food, not enough veggies, … all the usual kind of "Don’t"s, while the middle class can afford to shop at reform shops and organic stores. (Of course, education plays a role, there, too, as well as available time - many poor people are single working mothers, for example, who simply don’t have time to shop for good stuff, or cook for hours.)
The “super obese” usually aren’t increbibly poor. They usually have some kind of middle class job until their increasing weight (usually via an accident or [weight related health issue) disables them](http://homepage.mac.com/metamorpheus/iblog/B79864367/C2073064384/E115511923/Media/Fat.jpg). To get much beyond 500 lbs -600 lbs you’re going to need someone (usually family or spouse) assisting you with obtaining food, and cleaning you up. Unless you can find a compliant “helper/feeder” I’m not sure what the limits are. Possibly those imposed by simple mobility issues.
It’s not unheard of for super obese women to have[fetish “feeder” companions](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feederism), these are men who are growing them like prize pumpkins and meticulously chart their ever [increasing weight and dimensions.](http://xd1.xanga.com/5f9b473148c3146960051/b31651442.jpg)
---
### Author:  [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)
#### Post date: [September 14, 2006, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-portion-of-the-massively-obese-population-lives-in-the-us/372643/6 "2006-09-14T14:55:20Z")
I recently saw this on a pie chart. It is a very substantial slice.
---
### Author:  [@diggleblop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggleblop)
#### Post date: [September 14, 2006, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-portion-of-the-massively-obese-population-lives-in-the-us/372643/7 "2006-09-14T14:55:32Z")
This was funny as shit:
> [@](#):
>
> these are men who are growing them like prize pumpkins
I have heard that 65% of the majority live in America.
---
### Author:  [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)
#### Post date: [September 14, 2006, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-portion-of-the-massively-obese-population-lives-in-the-us/372643/8 "2006-09-14T15:28:32Z")
> [@diggleblop](#):
>
> This was funny as shit:
It’s not meant to be funny, it’s actually what they do.
[Filling the Void: A Guide to the Fattening Process
By Kevin B.](http://dimensionsmagazine.com/dimtext/stories/fillingthevoid.html)
> [@](#):
>
> I am writing this guide for all the newly self-discovered feeders who are wanting realistic tips on fattening their women, but are tired of finding strictly weight gain fantasies on the internet. Although ideas such as tying down a woman and force feeding her until she is supersized may be pleasing to some men, they are not satisfying because they are pure imagination. These concepts may be harmful to the woman as well. There has to be elements to the fattening process which are true, safe, and equally pleasurable. Some men would like to have some realistic advice on how to grow their partners. I am therefore presenting my thoughts as to selecting a feedee and fattening her up in hopes of answering some questions.
> [@](#):
>
> Once the feeder has made his choice of a female–and if she is a willing participant–, the fattening process begins. First, the feeder and the feedee must agree on a certain weight for her to reach. Such an agreement will prevent the feeder from “overfeeding” the female causing her to experience health problems–a brief review of the feedee’s medical history is suggested to avoid making a health-related mistake. Personally, I like my women to weigh somewhere in the vicinity of two hundred pounds. But, if her physician says that she can weigh more, then the feeder and the feedee may exceed this limit. Tastes vary.
>
> Second, after a weight agreement is reached the feeder should weigh his feedee and take her measurements. Measurements are taken in the three usual areas: the woman’s bust, belly, and waist. In addition to these areas I would like to introduce two more parts of the body to measure: the upper arm and the thigh–regions of the woman that are delightful to see grow. It is recommended that the feedee be weighed and measured once a week. She should not be discouraged by the lack of daily gain.
>
> Finally, the actual feeding can take place. There are several ways that a feeder can feed his feedee. The following feeding techniques are suggested as means to fattening the woman
---
### Author:  [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)
#### Post date: [September 14, 2006, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-portion-of-the-massively-obese-population-lives-in-the-us/372643/9 "2006-09-14T17:25:07Z")
> [@constanze](#):
>
> the poorer the people are, the less healthy they eat - they buy at cheap supermarkets, lots of convenience and pre-pared food, not enough veggies, … all the usual kind of "Don’t"s, while the middle class can afford to shop at reform shops and organic stores.
Well, that’s one theory. Another theory is that there’s a cause that is common to being fat and being poor. Such as laziness.
---
### Author:  [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)
#### Post date: [September 14, 2006, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-portion-of-the-massively-obese-population-lives-in-the-us/372643/10 "2006-09-14T17:31:44Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#):
>
> Well, that’s one theory. Another theory is that there’s a cause that is common to being fat and being poor. Such as laziness.
Well… there are plenty of well off fat people in the US as well. If there are less than there used to be it’s mainly because it’s no longer good form to be overweight, but there’s still a substantial cohort of tubby Americans in the upper and middle classes. I think the poorer=fatter relationship, to the extent that exists in the US, is less a result of indolence. and more a result of ignorance, poor eating habits, and an underclass culture that is “comfort food” centric.
---
### Author:  [@Wakinyan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wakinyan)
#### Post date: [September 14, 2006, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-portion-of-the-massively-obese-population-lives-in-the-us/372643/11 "2006-09-14T17:48:42Z")
I believe that one reason that poorer people in a higher degree are overweight than middle class people, is that they are more often in a more depressed state, and has less time, energy and money to put into the daily dinner. Hence pizza, etc.
We know that a lot of people get a feeling of well being from sugar and fat, and as cigarettes it serves the purpose of “self medication”.
Not the only explanation, but I believe it is valid in many cases. Also, it’s my own idea AFAIK, so I kinda grown attached to it.
---
### Author:  [@Wakinyan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wakinyan)
#### Post date: [September 14, 2006, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-portion-of-the-massively-obese-population-lives-in-the-us/372643/12 "2006-09-14T17:50:52Z")
… and now I realize my post had very little to to with the subject at hand. Sorry for the hijack.
---
### Author:  [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)
#### Post date: [September 14, 2006, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-portion-of-the-massively-obese-population-lives-in-the-us/372643/13 "2006-09-14T18:42:09Z")
> [@astro](#):
>
> The entire developed world is getting fatter. Person for person, IIRC, the Germans are the fattest people in the world on average.
>
> As to where the “super obese” are located I’d WAG the US is the most likely place as (relative) food costs are lower here than elsewhere, and at a certain point it becomes an issue of just how much food you can buy with available resources. If food was twice as expensive relative to available income many super heavy people simply wouldn’t be able to afford the level of consumption they can enjoy in the US.
Your recollection seemt to be a bit off - according to the WHO database that **flurb** posted the link to
mean BMI for over-15s, 2005
males:
US - 28.4
Germany - 26.7
Nauru - 35.8
females
US - 28.8
Germany - 26.0
Nauru - 36.5
(I chose Nauru because according to the same database it seems to be the fattest country - 83.2 % of over-15 males and 78.8 % of females have a BMI over 30. BTW all five countries with the highest incidence of obesity are small Pacific Islands nations - hardly the most prosperous countries on Earth.)
---
### Author:  [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)
#### Post date: [September 14, 2006, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-portion-of-the-massively-obese-population-lives-in-the-us/372643/14 "2006-09-14T19:01:25Z")
> [@constanze](#):
>
> That surprises me. I’ve always heard that studies show (at least for Germany) that the poorer the people are, the less healthy they eat - they buy at cheap supermarkets, lots of convenience and pre-pared food, not enough veggies, … all the usual kind of "Don’t"s, while the middle class can afford to shop at reform shops and organic stores. (Of course, education plays a role, there, too, as well as available time - many poor people are single working mothers, for example, who simply don’t have time to shop for good stuff, or cook for hours.)
Sorry for the hijack – What on earth is a “reform shop”? Is that where school-age delinquents go shopping? Or maybe they sell kosher food, but not\* too \* kosher?
---
### Author:  [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)
#### Post date: [September 14, 2006, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-portion-of-the-massively-obese-population-lives-in-the-us/372643/15 "2006-09-14T19:07:29Z")
> [@astro](#):
>
> It’s not unheard of for super obese women to have[fetish “feeder” companions](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feederism), these are men who are growing them like prize pumpkins and meticulously chart their ever [increasing weight and dimensions.](http://xd1.xanga.com/5f9b473148c3146960051/b31651442.jpg)
I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. For the middle photo in the bottom link (no pun intended), I forever hate you.
[smeagol] We hates it forever!!! [/smeagol] :mad:
---
### Author:  [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)
#### Post date: [September 14, 2006, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-portion-of-the-massively-obese-population-lives-in-the-us/372643/16 "2006-09-14T19:35:04Z")
Well, in spite of the slight hijack regarding feeders, it does remind me of something-
I can’t help but feel that much of this- people who are grossly obese, feeder culture, etc is some offshoot of modern prosperity- humans have gone from struggling to survive from a _lack_ of food to struggling to survive from an _overabundance_ of food.
I was also discussing with a friend how someone who could perpetuate the problem of being 400-800 lbs by bringing the obese individual food seemed to me like a person who enabled a spouse’s drug/alcohol habit. Why do they do it? Are they afraid the obese person will leave them if they don’t feed them? If they’re bedridden, where do they go?
If someone is utterly dependent on someone else, that other person has 100% control over the situation. It strikes me as incredibly selfish for them to make the problem worse. It kind of reminds me of when my dad broke his leg and was crippled for several months. He broke his leg because he tripped stepping outside to smoke, so I felt that smoking was related to the accident, and that it would be a good reason to QUIT. When I visited him a little bit later, I was surprised to see him smoking a cigarette, something I knew he couldn’t acquire himself. I asked my stepmom in private why he was smoking, and she fully admitted she gave him cigarettes, because she felt bad for him. This made me feel angry. I would have thought the best way to help him quit would be to deprive him of cigarettes, and my stepmom could have done that, but she didn’t.
---
### Author:  [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)
#### Post date: [September 14, 2006, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-portion-of-the-massively-obese-population-lives-in-the-us/372643/17 "2006-09-14T19:41:43Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#):
>
> Sorry for the hijack – What on earth is a “reform shop”? Is that where school-age delinquents go shopping? Or maybe they sell kosher food, but not\* too \* kosher?
A _Reformhaus_ is a health food shop following a tradition begun in 1900 (rather than those newfangled ‘green’ health food shops)
---
### Author:  [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)
#### Post date: [September 14, 2006, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-portion-of-the-massively-obese-population-lives-in-the-us/372643/18 "2006-09-14T19:47:44Z")
I think the clue as to why obesity is spreading, is given by the South Pacific islanders. There must be something about processed food (high sugar/fat/starch )? I laso believe that eating fast food and drinking sugary soft drinks is the big cause. I noticed that kids will drink a 20-ounce bottle of soda, sometimes several times a day-the sugar content of these drinks is beyond belief. Add this to a diet of fast food, and you have a recipe for obesity.
---
### Author:  [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)
#### Post date: [September 14, 2006, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-portion-of-the-massively-obese-population-lives-in-the-us/372643/19 "2006-09-14T20:03:17Z")
> [@astro](#):
>
> It’s not unheard of for super obese women to have[fetish “feeder” companions](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feederism), these are men who are growing them like prize pumpkins and meticulously chart their ever [increasing weight and dimensions.](http://xd1.xanga.com/5f9b473148c3146960051/b31651442.jpg)
It is astounding, the things you can find on Wikipedia.
---
### Author:  [@constanze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constanze)
#### Post date: [September 14, 2006, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-portion-of-the-massively-obese-population-lives-in-the-us/372643/20 "2006-09-14T22:33:46Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#):
>
> Sorry for the hijack – What on earth is a “reform shop”? Is that where school-age delinquents go shopping? Or maybe they sell kosher food, but not\* too \* kosher?
It’s not related to delinquents or kosherness, but to the life reform movement at the beginning of the 20th. century in Germany and Austria, that wanted to live healthier. In order to help this, shops were founded all over Germany. [I only found a German Wikipedia article about it](http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reformhaus) They sell Health food, but not automatically organic food, but they are older then the organic movement and can be found in areas where no organic shops have opened yet. They have vegetarian stuff (I like their liverwurst) and vitamin, mineral supplements.
[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-portion-of-the-massively-obese-population-lives-in-the-us/372643.md?page=2)