Don't Give Up and Get Fat

I went to a child's birthday party recently; a friend of my kids. We live in a rural area, but a generally affluent rural area. This party was also rural, but perhaps a bit less affluent (a solid step or two above trailer park). I should caveat what I'm about to say by saying this family seems like they have great kids whom they love, and they seem like great people as a whole. It was a warm and welcoming environment. All of the kids there had a blast, including my own. But the moment I stepped out of our car my first thought was:

Wow, there are a lot of really fat people here.

Unfortunately, that's probably not true. What's likely true is that it is representative of the area, or perhaps the nation as a whole – it is a normal amount of fat people. Which is scary.

That makes me wonder something. There are some over-weight people in my neighborhood, for sure, but such people are absolutely the exception. My neighborhood is generally retirees (old people). Affluent old people. Affluent old people who are not obese. What I was wondering is if the obesity epidemic negatively impacts longevity to the degree that such people aren't in my neighborhood in a representative proportion because they die young? I don't have any data for that; just an intuition.

So, like this guy, I live in a bubble. I step outside the bubble and it is impossible to not notice some things.

Do what it takes to not give up and get fat.