I've been through a few airports lately and sat in a few coach seats. I'm prepared to comment on the obesity of my fellow Americans.
Writing on a computer in a coach seat
it is easy to comment on the negatives of obesity but that is not my
purpose. First I call your attention to the fact that anti-fat
attitudes have exaggerated the health problem of being overweight ...
chubby. There are no adverse mortality or morbidity consequences to
a weight over the magic 25 BMI, as long as you are below 30 BMI.
Being a Puritan society there is one benefit of overweight and obesity that is important but is ignored or rarely discussed. Overweight people, and definitely obese people, are less sexually appealing and definitely have diminished sex drives. The consequence is a more subdued, mellow, stable and less rebellious society. People can work harder, spend more time with their kids (if they have them) avoid the distractions of appealing neighbors and co-workers, and most importantly people can focus on buying and shopping.