Log in

View Full Version : Obesity in America



Pages : 1 [2]

doc-catfish
07-27-2007, 04:20 PM
Sorry, I'ma have to call BS on not being able to afford good food. Veggies and fruits can be had, canned in light syrup or frozen. Okay, one might not be able to afford organic or even fresh produce. But there is a decision-making process that goes on when you choose between one sugary cereal and oatmeal that's the same damn price. You choose white bread over wheat and sugary treats over healthy foods.
This is indeed true...when the shopper has access to veggies and fruits.

However, a lot of inner city and rural area poor people have little to no access to a full line supermarket where those goods can be purchased. They have to buy their food from the one corner store which is available which usually doesn't stock produce, or even canned vegetables.

http://www.preventioninstitute.org/CHI_supermarkets.html

G-Real
07-27-2007, 04:41 PM
Doc, while that is true, that doesn't count for 1/2 the population of the country....

Rozz, or anyone else that has lost weight, i know its wrong, but, when I do see obese people I get "angry" and feel bad for them at the same time. that they are obese and don't do anything about it, granted it may be medical, but, I see too many poeple for all of them to be a medical issue.

Does anyone else here, who has lost weight, get "emotional" when the see obese pepoe.......

rozz
07-27-2007, 05:49 PM
Does anyone else here, who has lost weight, get "emotional" when the see obese pepoe.......

Yeah. I simultaneously want to kick their asses and comfort them.

Mastridonicus
07-27-2007, 10:31 PM
All this great input, yet Lindsay Lohan is still our biggest story.

rozz
07-28-2007, 09:34 AM
All this great input, yet Lindsay Lohan is still our biggest story.

Yes, but we could have the biggest thread ever if only she'd get horrendously fat. Hrmm.

G-Real
07-28-2007, 09:37 AM
^^^^ well I'm sure there is a good chance, as she'll trade one addiction for another ;D

Paris
07-29-2007, 06:50 PM
Sorry, I'ma have to call BS on not being able to afford good food. Veggies and fruits can be had, canned in light syrup or frozen. Okay, one might not be able to afford organic or even fresh produce. But there is a decision-making process that goes on when you choose between one sugary cereal and oatmeal that's the same damn price. You choose white bread over wheat and sugary treats over healthy foods.

I read about a study done a few years back where they took the average welfare/EBT/foodstamp allowance and found that, if one were to make careful decisions, healthy food is the same, if not lower, in cost than crappy food. I'll see if I can dig it up.

I understand what you are saying, but... of the ten poorest states in the US seven are colored red on the chart:
10. Tennessee
9. Oklahoma
8. Alabama
7. New Mexico
6. Kentucky
5. Louisiana
4. Montana
3. Arkansas
2. Mississippi
1. West Virginia

Montana is the only one that is in the 15-19% obese category. Having lived there, I understand why there are less obese people there. Although the jobs are low paying, they are physically demanding jobs in agriculture, mining and tourism (such as sport guiding or forest service). You don't hear about people working in call centers in Montana:). Conversely, you don't see many fat miners or cattlemen.

If you look at the richest states, none of them are marked red on the cnn obesity chart:

1. New Hampshire
2. New Jersey
3. Maryland
4. Connecticut
5. Minnesota
6. Alaska
7. Virginia
8. Hawaii-no info avail.
9. Massachusetts
10. Colorado


Texas ranks 17th from the bottom in income. Michigan ranks 21st richest, but, it also sports the highest unemployment rate in the US at 7.3% (in 2004) and a rapidly growing homeless problem as well.

This chart argues that low income is indeed a factor in obesity rates across America.

Here is where I got the info for median state by state income for 2004. (http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/income/income04/statemhi.html)

Rockette
07-29-2007, 06:57 PM
I hate to get too technical, but these stats go by body mass index. If you get someone who is really short or really tall, it throws off their BMI like no other. It really isn't a reliable way to measure "fitness" anyways. Granted it can be used as a general guideline, and it is a definite fact that Americans are getting fatter and fatter.

Sucks to think that even in the "average" state, 1 out of every 5 people (about) is overweight.

G-Real
07-29-2007, 07:31 PM
I have the feeling that allot of kids int he future will be playing X-box/PS Sports games (ie Football, basketball, etc), yet, never have even attempted to play before in real-life.