Why are there no overweight or obese people in Star Trek?

[Captain Rob]

I got it. The medical department monitors the crew's weight and fitness. If they detect that a crewmember is getting too fat, they use the transporter to beam out the fat while the crewmember is sleeping. If they're not fit enough the med department can electronically stimulate the crewmember's muscles at the same time.

 

[Frontier]

I think I'll try and actually answer the posters original question of topic.

I'd imagine the reason we see so *few* people whom are overweight is, frankly, science.

We have seen "fat" people in Trek, though they are rare. We've certainly seen such as people age. Shatner in Generations. Chief O'Brien in DS9. Even Avery Brooks and Jonathan Frakes looked a little more rotund at different times. Scotty, of course, is likely the only real example of an "obese" primary actor/character.

I'd imagine that by the 24th century, there would be much easier means of keeping fit than there are today. Food would likely be less unhealthy. So we would have to work-out less to lose any extra. Certainly, in TNG, they all but outright said that replicators where programmed only for items of nutritional value, which had to have been code.

Lots of admirals and ambassadors and such have been on the rounder side.

Obesity isn't healthy. But combatting it isn't easy in our present times. Within say 100+ years, I'd imagine that a combination of things will change that. We may identify and be able to turn off obesity genes, we may be able to make healthier food which would in turn require less phsyical action to 'burn off' and so on.

We've never quite had a time of relative over-abundance like we do right now in human history. So of course we where bound to over-do it.

That said, there have always been fat folk and always will be. There where fat people in the dark ages. Granted, they tended to be rich, but... you get my point.

I think the real point here is that, right now, we're over-indulgent. We don't know how to stop, or we can't be bothered too, and so... we're here. You know? Hopefully it'll change. I know I could stand to lose a bit!

 

[Mr Silver]

While I say this is an interesting topic, I still stand by my earlier post, I don't like people thinking being overweight is a major problem and thus overweight people are "undersirable" in society, I do agree that obesity is an issue, but again its the individuals choice if they choose to be obese

I don't have children, however if I do one day, I will make sure that they have a balanced nutritional diet and that they get plenty of exercise, despite the obvious level of "Entertainment Technology" that we will see in the future. Parents are responsible for making sure their children are in good health, it reflects badly on a parent if their child is overweight and unhealthy, sure its not just the parents fault, children can be very stubborn, particulary if they find it hard to make friends and find solace with things like Video Games, etc. However, Parents in the initial stages are responsible for ensuring their children's wellbeing and if the parents are unhealthy themselves, they should know better, than to make the mistakes they made with themselves on their children

 

[Nardpuncher]

You make a good point Captain M.

I was born in 1973, and even though I'm now 255lbs at 6' (pics in profile, you can judge how overweight I look or whatnot) I wasn't fat growing up.

I just wanted to say that I was average size and all growing up and that it does seem that there are more chubbier people and that it seems to be starting earlier.
It's not like in the 80s I was exercising a lot or eating incredibly healthy, but for example you could only watch Saturday morning cartoons to about 11:30 then they started playing golf on TV or "Sewing with Nancy" so you just go out and play tag or ride bikes.
When you got a Coke there was only a can and bottles were 750ml and that was considered the kind you put in the fridge for the family to use. Sure I loved Coke but you would feel silly buying 2 cans...but now most personal bottles are 600ml, which is about two cans.
So what I'm saying is is that the minor difference of maybe 20 minutes or so of activity and a little bit fewer calories over the formative years helped many of us that are older now not get that fat until we reached 30 at least... and I can't blame kids today too much for getting fatter earlier. I can't imagine how cool some of the modern video games are!

 

[The_Baroness]

I see no reason why the transporter can be used for cosmetic reasons remove fat, and move around bits and bobs to make people look 'better'.

Like sparkly techno-magic liposuction.

 

[MikeS]

but again its the individuals choice if they choose to be obese

It is a shame that I cannot "choose" to cease paying income tax. It riles me that I pay taxes to fund some lard-arse's "life-choice". I see it all the time in my job, people that look down on you for working whilst they go into town on their "mobility scooters" to spend their "disability benefits". Wasting NHS resources whilst someone else cannot get a life-saving drug because of a quango's decision. Obesity is not a disability - eat less and excercise more.

If one "chooses" to live that way then one can support oneself.

I consider myself quite left and liberal (small "l"). Sometimes though, a line has to be drawn.

 

[T'Bonz]

Because actresses and actors are more apt to be anorexic than overweight.

*

It starts in childhood, especially if there is a genetic tendency towards obesity (as there is on my maternal side.) Don't give the kids too much junk and rarely, if ever, give them soda pop.

We don't let kids outside much anymore, due to the crazies, and that is a bad thing. When I was growing up, kids were outside all day in the summer. If you stayed indoors, Mom (who was still home) put you to work.

I see too many fat toddlers and children. Unless there is a medical issue, no way should a child be fat. It's just asking for trouble. But when parents stuff fast food and junk food down them.

 

[The Grim Ghost]

I don't know about obese, but there were plenty of Trek characters who were overweight to varying degrees.

Scotty was overweight for all of the TOS movies excapt TMP.

Kirk in the last couple of movies.

Riker at the end of TNG and in the movies.

The white engineer with the beard from TNG season 1.

Sisko is carrying a few extra for the last few seasons of DS9.

Cyrano Jones.

I could keep going.

Now if you want to ask why there aren't as many overweight people in the Trek future as opposed to now..

Seems obvious, people are more responsible, future tech providing healthier food, etc..

 

[Greg Cox]

The Pakleds beg to differ.

"Dieting is hard. We do not understand . . . . "

 

[MikeS]

The Pakleds beg to differ.

"Dieting is hard. We do not understand . . . . "

"Food makes us go"

 

[Paradon]

Being obese is really not anybody's fault. You can't just blame it on fast food and society because it ultimately it boils down to making up your own mine and making the right choice. Being fat and obese is not weird or being retarded like how the media portrays fat and obese people. Not everybody likes the same the type of people an hair color. A lot of people love chubby and fat people, too. Have you ever wonder why some of the most cutest or handsomest guys married some people that a lot of people consider ugly? [laugh] (People that keeps insinuating that fast food businesses are evil are the ones who think fat and obese people should be burned alive.) lol And because people keep thinking it's not their fault and that they can't do anything about it, they lack the will power to take charge. Because putting the idea into people's head that they can't take charge of their lives, because people are too weak to handle problems, really mess people up. Instead of dealing with the problem, they blame on society, their up bringing, or how they were treated when they were children making the matter worse when they could have just as easily come to term with it (accept it) and ignore the problem and move on with their lives. These type of people tends to dewell on the past. Eventually, you have to accept that's the way things are, let go and move on if you want to be happy. Buddhists weren't kidding when they say life is full of suffering. People need to understand that bad things do happen to everybody and you can't always get what you want and have it your own way.

And, besides...don't you people tell me you didn't enjoy going the fast food restaurants. You know it's wrong (well, you think it's wrong) but you still go their anyway. [chuckle] Please! Stop trying to be a saint. [chuckle] Chill out! Everybody do silly and stupid stuff all the time. Don't take yourself too seriously. It's not like you're killing someone. lol

 

[sikkbones]

dumb question, if weve elminated fat in the future have we also eliminated smoking with all cultures?

 

[Paradon]

Probably not! [laugh] They have to find another emotional outlet to deal with all the strict diet they're probably on.... They probably drink a lot more, too.... That's whey there are movies, fast food, etc.... It's like if you keep making a big deal about something, like it's the most sadistic and morally questionable, more and more people will do it because they think it's bad. That's how people are....and some are a lot worse than most people...marked my words. Say it in a way that in the most convoluted way as possible when you are trying to tell people not to do it and more people will do it than ever before. [laugh]

They don't tell you, but everybody is ashamed of it...so they tend to smoke when nobody is looking.

 

[Paradon]

Let's look at it this way. It's like you ate a whole pie (nobody is forcing you) when nobody was looking and then felt guilty about it; then you got pissed off at everybody because you ate the whole freaking pie and afraid it's making you fat. And so you yell at everybody. [laugh] Humans have a tendency to overeat.... That's perfectly normal. It's a special adaption that helps our ancestors to survive in the harsh environment. Most animals will not overeat; they will stop when they're full and not hungry anymore.

 

[C.E. Evans]

There's no junk food in the 24th-Century. After Taco Bell won the Fast Food Wars[highlight]*[/highlight] a few centuries earlier, it was pretty much all over...

so is demolition man canon for TOS or abramsverse?

It's canon for every universe.

There's no junk food in the 24th-Century. After Taco Bell won the Fast Food Wars[highlight]*[/highlight] a few centuries earlier, it was pretty much all over...

It was the Franchise Wars, actually.

Not all that important, actually. As long as you know Taco Bell was the last one standing, you get the idea...

You just don't see that many obese people in Starfleet

If you've seen as many fan films as I, you wouldn't say that.

Which is why I didn't include fan films or fans wearing Starfleet costumes at Star Trek conventions.

 

[The Wormhole]

dumb question, if weve elminated fat in the future have we also eliminated smoking with all cultures?

There's a No Smoking sign on the bridge of the Enterprise in TWOK. I'd say people are likely still smoking if you have to tell them not to.

 

[Magellan]

Obesity has been cured. I'm not putting obese people down, but the vast majority, if given the choice, would choose to be non-obese. By the 24th century I'm certain they will have plenty of appetite suppressing drugs and plenty of chances for exercise. People get fat for a variety of reasons, some genetic(although I doubt this has caused much of the INCREASE in modern obesity as food has been plentiful for a while now), but also environmental. Stressful sedentary lives lead to obesity. Nobody is getting to run around outside and play, and getting GOOD tasting healthy food is hard. You pretty much have to cook it yourself.

And more importantly, do we see obese people in any shows really? Only occasionally and often as comic relief. People discriminate against the obese horribly. I really think people who get on their high horse and condemn supporting the obese are very unfair. Obese people aren't just partying and guzzling food. Obese people are at a disadvantage in so many ways socially. They are less likely to graduate college, and less likely to be hired(as compared to a normal BMI). I think overwiaght people already feel enough pain connected to their body image. Not all of course, some accept it, but others are terribly hurt by the things other people say.

Also Im sure that baldness is cured by the 24th century also(heck we have rogaine now). Picard obviously *likes* his bald head just like millions of men who shave their heads.

 

[MikeS]

and getting GOOD tasting healthy food is hard. You pretty much have to cook it yourself.

That has to be one of the funniest sentences I've read on any forum ever!

 

[sikkbones]

i wonder if there is still alcoholism in the 24th?

 

[Mr Silver]

It is a shame that I cannot "choose" to cease paying income tax. I see it all the time in my job, people that look down on you for working whilst they go into town on their "mobility scooters" to spend their "disability benefits". Wasting NHS resources whilst someone else cannot get a life-saving drug because of a quango's decision. Obesity is not a disability - eat less and excercise more.

Whilst I agree with what your saying, Not a great amount of Overweight or Obese are actually disabled, I live in the same Country as you, I know how messed up some things are, but I still say its the individuals choice, the real thing you should look at is how they are losing out, sure there might be a few who are living off the state, but are they happy? Who the heck is going to be happy zooming around on a Mobility Scooter, being unable to move properly or work...

You say you consider yourself "Leftist"? Yet what you've said is pretty "Right-Wing", as someone else who also considers themselves "Left-Wing", I think about all the aspects, i'm not encouraging it, but i'm not going off on a tangent about how...

It riles me that I pay taxes to fund some lard-arse's "life-choice"

Seriously, this is classic "Tabloid" nonsense (The Sun, White Van Men, The whole corrupted "Working Class" identity "This ain't what I pay my taxes for, grrr!"), your entitled to your opinion, but we all pay tax, if you were disabled or injured you'd be entitled to the very benefits that you are paying for yourself... People tend to ignore that fact when the bitch about how Disabled people are living off their Taxes