Readers weigh in on obesity epidemic

Several Paste BN readers share their views on why people in this country have packed on pounds over the past 30 years:

Carolyn Thurmond, 46, Advance, N.C.: "Our society associates food with everything — every event and every celebration. A celebration is not really a celebration without food, in most people's minds. Feeding kids at every gathering adds to this problem. Every time they play or have a party, it becomes, 'Where's the snack?' or 'When is snack time?' We've trained them to expect it and depend on it, and we have lost the focus of the event itself. Yes, a sign of the times. And a sign of why we are an overweight country."

Ken Chuney, 43, Stamford, Conn.: "The variety of food choices today, including both healthy and unhealthy options, and the number of places where they are sold is a substantial change compared to when I was growing up. I believe parents today, and when I was growing up, want their children to eat healthy; however, given the amount of unhealthy foods kids are exposed to, it's much more difficult today."

Lee Claypoole, 48, Lexington, Ky.: "The hectic pace our families keep and the eat-on-the-run mentality continues to impact any attempt for a healthy lifestyle. Proper diet and exercise are still the answer to our nation's obesity problem."