Obesity map of the United States

[Amby 490]

it's sad that the foods that are healthy are the ones a lot of people can't afford

That's not really true, but it's a good excuse if someone needs one. They're not fat because they're poor, they're fat because they're uneducated and don't know anything about nutrition.

I don't think that every single person that is fat is fat only because they're undereducated. I think a large majority of people are BUT you have to factor in the people who actually have a disease or some sort of illness that keeps them from moving.

[Jenn! 918]

it's sad that the foods that are healthy are the ones a lot of people can't afford

That's a myth.

They are not always easy though, and that is the problem.

Yes, I agree.

When you compare processed, prepackaged unhealthy foods to prepared healthy foods, yes I could see a price difference. But if you're buying fresh produce etc., cooking healthy at home is just as inexpensive as cooking unhealthy. It's the convenience factor.

Yeah preparing healthy food isn't much different from preparing unhealthy food. Oil, fatty meats, and other things that tend to add calories at home don't cost that much or much less than their healthy counterparts. But you have to pay more for stuff that comes prepackaged. But I still think produce is really expensive. If you're eating fruits and vegetables you're spending money.

I guess it depends on which fruits and vegetables you're buying. I would love to eat fresh berries, but they're so expensive, they're not in our budget. But bananas and apples are.

For example. I think education is so important. Public school cafeteria menus are not a good start.

[Alex+R 0]

I heard that they think about 10% of Americans have binge eating disorder now. That number sounds high to me, but it's probably a factor. You can have all the education in the world but if you have that, you're not going to stay skinny.

[Amby 490]

it's sad that the foods that are healthy are the ones a lot of people can't afford

That's a myth.

They are not always easy though, and that is the problem.

Yes, I agree.

When you compare processed, prepackaged unhealthy foods to prepared healthy foods, yes I could see a price difference. But if you're buying fresh produce etc., cooking healthy at home is just as inexpensive as cooking unhealthy. It's the convenience factor.

Yeah preparing healthy food isn't much different from preparing unhealthy food. Oil, fatty meats, and other things that tend to add calories at home don't cost that much or much less than their healthy counterparts. But you have to pay more for stuff that comes prepackaged. But I still think produce is really expensive. If you're eating fruits and vegetables you're spending money.

I agree with the produce! That's why I think if you have room that everyone should have a garden even if it's just a small one. The quality is sooooo much better!

[AnewKINDofFEELIN 0]

it's sad that the foods that are healthy are the ones a lot of people can't afford

That's a myth.

They are not always easy though, and that is the problem.

Yes, I agree.

When you compare processed, prepackaged unhealthy foods to prepared healthy foods, yes I could see a price difference. But if you're buying fresh produce etc., cooking healthy at home is just as inexpensive as cooking unhealthy. It's the convenience factor.

Yeah preparing healthy food isn't much different from preparing unhealthy food. Oil, fatty meats, and other things that tend to add calories at home don't cost that much or much less than their healthy counterparts. But you have to pay more for stuff that comes prepackaged. But I still think produce is really expensive. If you're eating fruits and vegetables you're spending money.

Honestly, I think coca cola and the likes may be one of the largest contributors. That said, the coke served in mexico is much better, as they make it with sugar rather than high fructose corn syrup.

Also, fruit cups seem healthy, but they're usually filled with carb-bomb syrups.

[garya505 2]

it's sad that the foods that are healthy are the ones a lot of people can't afford

That's not really true, but it's a good excuse if someone needs one. They're not fat because they're poor, they're fat because they're uneducated and don't know anything about nutrition.

I don't think that every single person that is fat is fat only because they're undereducated. I think a large majority of people are BUT you have to factor in the people who actually have a disease or some sort of illness that keeps them from moving.

Ya, most of them DO have a disease that keep them from moving, they're stuck to the sofa with the TV remote in one hand and a bag of chips in the other!

[*JG* 2]

Missouri didn't change all that much throughout the years.

If today is any indicator, if they had a moron map, it would be so dark red it would look black around the city of Missouri!

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

It is all about the convenience. People are just too lazy to prepare a decent meal. Fast food employees practically standing on the street selling you a $5.00 "Hot & Ready" pizza. Hmmm, fork over the Abe Lincoln or spend an hour in the kitchen. Toss the pizza box when we're done or spend a half hour cleaning up and doing dishes.

it's sad that the foods that are healthy are the ones a lot of people can't afford

That's a myth.

They are not always easy though, and that is the problem.

I think that convenience is a factor for a lot of people too. I think that if you have room everyone should have a garden and grow a small amount of their own food too. It's fun and tastes so much better.

[AnewKINDofFEELIN 0]

Missouri didn't change all that much throughout the years.

If today is any indicator, if they had a moron map, it would be so dark red it would look black around the city of Missouri!

Sorry, I had to call you out.

[Jenn! 918]

It is all about the convenience. People are just too lazy to prepare a decent meal. Fast food employees practically standing on the street selling you a $5.00 "Hot & Ready" pizza. Hmmm, fork over the Abe Lincoln or spend an hour in the kitchen. Toss the pizza box when we're done or spend a half hour cleaning up and doing dishes.

it's sad that the foods that are healthy are the ones a lot of people can't afford

That's a myth.

They are not always easy though, and that is the problem.

I think that convenience is a factor for a lot of people too. I think that if you have room everyone should have a garden and grow a small amount of their own food too. It's fun and tastes so much better.

A rise in obesity is most definitely related to women working outside of the home (of course among other things).

[Alex+R 0]

it's sad that the foods that are healthy are the ones a lot of people can't afford

That's not really true, but it's a good excuse if someone needs one. They're not fat because they're poor, they're fat because they're uneducated and don't know anything about nutrition.

I don't think that every single person that is fat is fat only because they're undereducated. I think a large majority of people are BUT you have to factor in the people who actually have a disease or some sort of illness that keeps them from moving.

Ya, most of them DO have a disease that keep them from moving, they're stuck to the sofa with the TV remote in one hand and a bag of chips in the other!

LOL Gary, I didn't know you were bringing your judgy hat to this thread. But I guess if someone who died gets judged as amoral by you on the same day they die, fat people aren't going to get off the hook either.

Just keep in mind when talking about this in a public forum that the people in it may be representative of the chart: about a quarter to a third are obese.

Just saying.

[Amby 490]

it's sad that the foods that are healthy are the ones a lot of people can't afford

That's not really true, but it's a good excuse if someone needs one. They're not fat because they're poor, they're fat because they're uneducated and don't know anything about nutrition.

I don't think that every single person that is fat is fat only because they're undereducated. I think a large majority of people are BUT you have to factor in the people who actually have a disease or some sort of illness that keeps them from moving.

Ya, most of them DO have a disease that keep them from moving, they're stuck to the sofa with the TV remote in one hand and a bag of chips in the other!

That's not always the case though! I will relay this story once again...I have a male friend who was extremely healthy and active and then one day out of the blue he just started gaining tons of weight for no reason. The doctors went through so many things they thought he had crohns, cushings...he went on all sorts of cleansing diets with juicing veggies and lots of meds and such and still kept gaining weight. He got massive! Finally after a few years and tons of tests they told him he had lyme disease. He had been bit by a tick when he was younger and it was dormant for years. As soon as they started to treat him for the lyme disease the weight just started falling off. He is now back to being healthy and active and has lost all of the weight. This is a very extreme example but it just shows that not everyone is fat just because they're a lazy azz.

[caybee 21]

it's sad that the foods that are healthy are the ones a lot of people can't afford

That's a myth.

They are not always easy though, and that is the problem.

Yes, I agree.

When you compare processed, prepackaged unhealthy foods to prepared healthy foods, yes I could see a price difference. But if you're buying fresh produce etc., cooking healthy at home is just as inexpensive as cooking unhealthy. It's the convenience factor.

Yeah preparing healthy food isn't much different from preparing unhealthy food. Oil, fatty meats, and other things that tend to add calories at home don't cost that much or much less than their healthy counterparts. But you have to pay more for stuff that comes prepackaged. But I still think produce is really expensive. If you're eating fruits and vegetables you're spending money.

I guess it depends on which fruits and vegetables you're buying. I would love to eat fresh berries, but they're so expensive, they're not in our budget. But bananas and apples are.

For example. I think education is so important. Public school cafeteria menus are not a good start.

And now a lot of public schools rely on the income they get from long-term contracts with vending machine companies who sell soft drinks and junk food in the schools. How can parents even help their kids watch what they eat if they're tempted with that stuff at lunchtime? They're caught in a blood sugar cycle before they're even out of middle school. No wonder Type 2 diabetes is striking younger and younger. That's not the only reason, but it sure doesn't help.

[no name 1]

it's sad that the foods that are healthy are the ones a lot of people can't afford

That's a myth.

They are not always easy though, and that is the problem.

Yes, I agree.

When you compare processed, prepackaged unhealthy foods to prepared healthy foods, yes I could see a price difference. But if you're buying fresh produce etc., cooking healthy at home is just as inexpensive as cooking unhealthy. It's the convenience factor.

Yeah preparing healthy food isn't much different from preparing unhealthy food. Oil, fatty meats, and other things that tend to add calories at home don't cost that much or much less than their healthy counterparts. But you have to pay more for stuff that comes prepackaged. But I still think produce is really expensive. If you're eating fruits and vegetables you're spending money.

I guess it depends on which fruits and vegetables you're buying. I would love to eat fresh berries, but they're so expensive, they're not in our budget. But bananas and apples are.

For example. I think education is so important. Public school cafeteria menus are not a good start.

I bought 6 clementines for $1.75 at the farmers market Sunday. Pears are about .50 each too. Bananas are like .25 each, if that. Yoplait yogurts are around 10/$5.

Doritos aren't free you know!

Edited February 12, 2008 by devilette

[Alex+R 0]

Yes, let me add, emotional problems are far more common than laziness as a cause of obesity.

There's obviously some other x factor at work here though. Cuz food isn't the new crystal meth or something...