Originally Posted by
Herzlos
There's definitely an obesity problem in the West, but to think that even part of the problem is because bikes are too comfortable is bonkers. Comfortable bikes are actually part of the solution, because it encourages people to move more. It makes them work slightly harder for distance covered, but the important metric is moving time. 100w for 30 minutes is exactly the same workout at 8mph on a fat bike or 28mph on a super aero racing bike.
The real problems are related to lifestyle, usually compounded/forced by poverty. Working sedentary jobs, spending hours sitting in a car/bus/couch, eating junk food and so on.
We also don't really have a good handle on how much of weight is determined by genetics and lecturing people about what they should or shouldn't do or eat has been a completely non-productive strategy.