America's 5 fattest (and getting fatter) states

[rocks 494]

Yeah... less earnings, less healthy dietary choices. Under the current food distribution system.

indeed. people don't have the choice of healthy food, they mostly can't afford it. southern food is cheap and generally bad for you. i could fancy some grits right about now

actually I'd say teh made from scratch southern food is not as bad as the boxed premade stuff.. yea they use fat backs on the green beans, but is not as bad as boxed reconstituted mashed taters or something

It costs a couple of dollars to make a vat of vegetable soup. Healthy food is affordable but some people prefer to eat fat, sugar and salt loaded foods, pre-packaged ####### and anything that comes of the cesspits that are McDonalds, Burger King, and Arby's. If you are obese because you eat too much or just eat ####### then its entirely your fault. They are certainly more health conscious here in VA, but I've been to WV a few times, and some of the people are just huge, in motorized wheelchairs, and stuffing their faces in Applebees. At what point do these people look in the mirror and think "ooh I am a little heavy - maybe some fiber and a piece of fruit would be a good idea".

first off, a lot of poor fat families here work hard to survive, maybe more than one job, so spending all day at home cooking is not an option. secondly, try buying fresh fruit or veg here. walmart has the worst selection i've ever seen, and most of the items are perished. its quite disgusting.

oh please, you don't need to spend all day at home cooking to make a few healthy meals. Most of mine take 15 minutes. Secondly, if Walmart are stocking the worst selection of fruit and vegetables ever seen, why isn't anyone complaining? People can also grow their own fruits and vegetables, or use the tinned variety. "poor fat families" as you state, are clearly eating too much if they are fat !! Why can't they use that food money to make better choices in the store?

complaining at walmart does what? that's like complaining at tesco and expecting them to care, it doesn't happen. best they will do is exchange it for another perished item. a lot of their fresh produce is perished, many times i have bought items that i have discovered to be inedible when i get home and i know i'm not the only one.

you can grow banana trees here and many people do but the soil is poor and i'm not sure much else would grow in the heat and humidty, at least not with constant attention and water. i'm looking forward to experimenting with that when i finally move here.

fast food is so much cheaper than going to winn dixie or rouses or any of the "better" supermarkets that actually sell fresh produce, so that is what people do to feed their children.

[HAL 9000 96]

Yeah... less earnings, less healthy dietary choices. Under the current food distribution system.

indeed. people don't have the choice of healthy food, they mostly can't afford it. southern food is cheap and generally bad for you. i could fancy some grits right about now

actually I'd say teh made from scratch southern food is not as bad as the boxed premade stuff.. yea they use fat backs on the green beans, but is not as bad as boxed reconstituted mashed taters or something

It costs a couple of dollars to make a vat of vegetable soup. Healthy food is affordable but some people prefer to eat fat, sugar and salt loaded foods, pre-packaged ####### and anything that comes of the cesspits that are McDonalds, Burger King, and Arby's. If you are obese because you eat too much or just eat ####### then its entirely your fault. They are certainly more health conscious here in VA, but I've been to WV a few times, and some of the people are just huge, in motorized wheelchairs, and stuffing their faces in Applebees. At what point do these people look in the mirror and think "ooh I am a little heavy - maybe some fiber and a piece of fruit would be a good idea".

first off, a lot of poor fat families here work hard to survive, maybe more than one job, so spending all day at home cooking is not an option. secondly, try buying fresh fruit or veg here. walmart has the worst selection i've ever seen, and most of the items are perished. its quite disgusting.

oh please, you don't need to spend all day at home cooking to make a few healthy meals. Most of mine take 15 minutes. Secondly, if Walmart are stocking the worst selection of fruit and vegetables ever seen, why isn't anyone complaining? People can also grow their own fruits and vegetables, or use the tinned variety. "poor fat families" as you state, are clearly eating too much if they are fat !! Why can't they use that food money to make better choices in the store?

Well you are right about timeliness to cook healthy most of the time. But when volition favors the cheap and easy, you get less complaints. When it favors health, you will. Unfortunately we are not yet there as a society.

[SpiritAlight 1]

The five fattest states and their obesity rates are:

Mississippi (31.7 percent)

that doesn't surprise me at all. since being here i've definitely seen the fattest people ever. the amount of heffalumps wearing moo moo's riding around on those mobility carts because they are too fat to walk is quite frankly scary.

What in the hell are you doing there?

it's where the love of my life is from

i like it here, but i won't lie, the obese people scare me

You've seen Wall-E right?

Hee, hee....actually it's not funny haha, it's funny oh shizen!

[SpiritAlight 1]

Winn Disgusting I called it while living in South Florida.

But then again, it was that or Albertsons, and they weren't exactly cheap.

What do you do in those cases?

Well... you eat healthier and spend less on ####### you don't really need.

hehe, winn dixie is the best option here. they at least sell berries and fresh fruit cups. walmart has apples, bananas and melons and not a whole lot else. the bread section is larger than the fruit section.

we try and eat healthy but it is really is expensive when you have to resort to winn dixie. i feel bad for the families who can't afford to shop there.

*eats butter grits with pepper* mmmm, and only 140 calories!

Note this- I had a big salad for lunch today. $2.40

*Guinness in a pint: 110 calories *

guinness is good for you too, sort of

"The old advertising slogan "Guinness is Good for You" may be true after all, according to researchers.

A pint of the black stuff a day may work as well as an aspirin to prevent heart clots that raise the risk of heart attacks. "

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3266819.stm

This is GREAT news!

Mmmmm Guinnesssssss....I may just pop one tonight.

Have had them around since St. Paddy's Day!

Edited October 16, 2008 by SpiritAlight

[rocks 494]

The five fattest states and their obesity rates are:

Mississippi (31.7 percent)

that doesn't surprise me at all. since being here i've definitely seen the fattest people ever. the amount of heffalumps wearing moo moo's riding around on those mobility carts because they are too fat to walk is quite frankly scary.

What in the hell are you doing there?

it's where the love of my life is from

i like it here, but i won't lie, the obese people scare me

You've seen Wall-E right?

Hee, hee....actually it's not funny haha, it's funny oh shizen!

nope? what's that?

[SpiritAlight 1]

Yeah... less earnings, less healthy dietary choices. Under the current food distribution system.

indeed. people don't have the choice of healthy food, they mostly can't afford it. southern food is cheap and generally bad for you. i could fancy some grits right about now

actually I'd say teh made from scratch southern food is not as bad as the boxed premade stuff.. yea they use fat backs on the green beans, but is not as bad as boxed reconstituted mashed taters or something

It costs a couple of dollars to make a vat of vegetable soup. Healthy food is affordable but some people prefer to eat fat, sugar and salt loaded foods, pre-packaged ####### and anything that comes of the cesspits that are McDonalds, Burger King, and Arby's. If you are obese because you eat too much or just eat ####### then its entirely your fault. They are certainly more health conscious here in VA, but I've been to WV a few times, and some of the people are just huge, in motorized wheelchairs, and stuffing their faces in Applebees. At what point do these people look in the mirror and think "ooh I am a little heavy - maybe some fiber and a piece of fruit would be a good idea".

first off, a lot of poor fat families here work hard to survive, maybe more than one job, so spending all day at home cooking is not an option. secondly, try buying fresh fruit or veg here. walmart has the worst selection i've ever seen, and most of the items are perished. its quite disgusting.

oh please, you don't need to spend all day at home cooking to make a few healthy meals. Most of mine take 15 minutes. Secondly, if Walmart are stocking the worst selection of fruit and vegetables ever seen, why isn't anyone complaining? People can also grow their own fruits and vegetables, or use the tinned variety. "poor fat families" as you state, are clearly eating too much if they are fat !! Why can't they use that food money to make better choices in the store?

Well you are right about timeliness to cook healthy most of the time. But when volition favors the cheap and easy, you get less complaints. When it favors health, you will. Unfortunately we are not yet there as a society.

Much truth here.

As for a different point of view consider the metaphysics of being huge (obese):

it is protective layer if one is not feeling safe in the world.

The "cure" is far deeper than exercising.

It is a mental/emotional situation.

Eating comfort foods of fat and sugar is what is getting people by in the short term when so much news is "bad", i.e. the economy, the environment, etc. etc..

The big picture though is so life threatening and people do not want to know what is up ahead.

A prime example would be smoking.

Who in their right mind would smoke knowing full well the dangers of it?

Laziness is not a good excuse.

One can cook a vat of something healthy and freeze it for a month or 6.

It is not only cheaper in price, it is cheaper in hospitalization.

Face it, no one tiny skeleton was made to carry so much weight.

When friends get back to the U.S. from visiting Bali for a month they are always initially shocked to see the hugeness of the general public.

It is a situation that needs more love poured on it ....not crash diets, and harmful exercising.

[SpiritAlight 1]

Never buy your fresh fruit and veggies at places like Walmarts.

You may as well eat canned, for the amount of nutritional value at junky places like that.

Hit your local farmers' markets and/or produce store.

No excuses!

[Marilyn. 340]

Yeah... less earnings, less healthy dietary choices. Under the current food distribution system.

indeed. people don't have the choice of healthy food, they mostly can't afford it. southern food is cheap and generally bad for you. i could fancy some grits right about now

actually I'd say teh made from scratch southern food is not as bad as the boxed premade stuff.. yea they use fat backs on the green beans, but is not as bad as boxed reconstituted mashed taters or something

It costs a couple of dollars to make a vat of vegetable soup. Healthy food is affordable but some people prefer to eat fat, sugar and salt loaded foods, pre-packaged ####### and anything that comes of the cesspits that are McDonalds, Burger King, and Arby's. If you are obese because you eat too much or just eat ####### then its entirely your fault. They are certainly more health conscious here in VA, but I've been to WV a few times, and some of the people are just huge, in motorized wheelchairs, and stuffing their faces in Applebees. At what point do these people look in the mirror and think "ooh I am a little heavy - maybe some fiber and a piece of fruit would be a good idea".

first off, a lot of poor fat families here work hard to survive, maybe more than one job, so spending all day at home cooking is not an option. secondly, try buying fresh fruit or veg here. walmart has the worst selection i've ever seen, and most of the items are perished. its quite disgusting.

oh please, you don't need to spend all day at home cooking to make a few healthy meals. Most of mine take 15 minutes. Secondly, if Walmart are stocking the worst selection of fruit and vegetables ever seen, why isn't anyone complaining? People can also grow their own fruits and vegetables, or use the tinned variety. "poor fat families" as you state, are clearly eating too much if they are fat !! Why can't they use that food money to make better choices in the store?

Well you are right about timeliness to cook healthy most of the time. But when volition favors the cheap and easy, you get less complaints. When it favors health, you will. Unfortunately we are not yet there as a society.

Much truth here.

As for a different point of view consider the metaphysics of being huge (obese):

it is protective layer if one is not feeling safe in the world.

The "cure" is far deeper than exercising.

It is a mental/emotional situation.

Eating comfort foods of fat and sugar is what is getting people by in the short term when so much news is "bad", i.e. the economy, the environment, etc. etc..

The big picture though is so life threatening and people do not want to know what is up ahead.

A prime example would be smoking.

Who in their right mind would smoke knowing full well the dangers of it?

Laziness is not a good excuse.

One can cook a vat of something healthy and freeze it for a month or 6.

It is not only cheaper in price, it is cheaper in hospitalization.

Face it, no one tiny skeleton was made to carry so much weight.

When friends get back to the U.S. from visiting Bali for a month they are always initially shocked to see the hugeness of the general public.

It is a situation that needs more love poured on it ....not crash diets, and harmful exercising.

I have always wondering why some doctors and nurses smoke

Never buy your fresh fruit and veggies at places like Walmarts.

You may as well eat canned, for the amount of nutritional value at junky places like that.

Hit your local farmers' markets and/or produce store.

No excuses!

how is fresh fruit from Walmart different from fresh fruit you would buy at Albertsons or something...???

[Amby 490]

$100/hr and I come make you whatever food you want

[HAL 9000 96]

Never buy your fresh fruit and veggies at places like Walmarts.

You may as well eat canned, for the amount of nutritional value at junky places like that.

Hit your local farmers' markets and/or produce store.

No excuses!

There is some truth there. I am not afraid of most GMO crops, but I prefer the taste of most non-GMO/organic, go-bad in a couple of days produce anyway. Ironic thing is that I know where to get such 'hippy' food cheaper than at the Sam Walton's of the world.

[ginger1981 0]

Funny they are focused on the southern states. Too much fried foods?

Obesity is a world-wide trend now. Not limited to just the USA anymore.

Very true...the UK is just as bad as the US, especially up north and in Scotland.

Yeah... less earnings, less healthy dietary choices. Under the current food distribution system.

indeed. people don't have the choice of healthy food, they mostly can't afford it. southern food is cheap and generally bad for you. i could fancy some grits right about now

actually I'd say teh made from scratch southern food is not as bad as the boxed premade stuff.. yea they use fat backs on the green beans, but is not as bad as boxed reconstituted mashed taters or something

It costs a couple of dollars to make a vat of vegetable soup. Healthy food is affordable but some people prefer to eat fat, sugar and salt loaded foods, pre-packaged ####### and anything that comes of the cesspits that are McDonalds, Burger King, and Arby's. If you are obese because you eat too much or just eat ####### then its entirely your fault. They are certainly more health conscious here in VA, but I've been to WV a few times, and some of the people are just huge, in motorized wheelchairs, and stuffing their faces in Applebees. At what point do these people look in the mirror and think "ooh I am a little heavy - maybe some fiber and a piece of fruit would be a good idea".

oh please, you don't need to spend all day at home cooking to make a few healthy meals. Most of mine take 15 minutes. Secondly, if Walmart are stocking the worst selection of fruit and vegetables ever seen, why isn't anyone complaining? People can also grow their own fruits and vegetables, or use the tinned variety. "poor fat families" as you state, are clearly eating too much if they are fat !! Why can't they use that food money to make better choices in the store?

Britty, I understand where you're coming from and I agree it can be cheaper and easy if you try, but I'm not sure you quite understand the whole issue. It's easier said than done.

I think a lot of it has to do with education and people not understanding their options. And if they are busy in the first place, who is going to have time to have their own veggie garden (which from personal experience I know it can take a lot of time, effort and expertise). I think it's also part of the instant gratification culture. There are a lot of things than just someone being fat and lazy and poor.

Have you read Fast Food Nation yet? I highly reccomend this...I think it gives a lot of insight into America's issue with obesity that I can't really put into one paragraph.

[britty 1]

Yeah... less earnings, less healthy dietary choices. Under the current food distribution system.

indeed. people don't have the choice of healthy food, they mostly can't afford it. southern food is cheap and generally bad for you. i could fancy some grits right about now

actually I'd say teh made from scratch southern food is not as bad as the boxed premade stuff.. yea they use fat backs on the green beans, but is not as bad as boxed reconstituted mashed taters or something

It costs a couple of dollars to make a vat of vegetable soup. Healthy food is affordable but some people prefer to eat fat, sugar and salt loaded foods, pre-packaged ####### and anything that comes of the cesspits that are McDonalds, Burger King, and Arby's. If you are obese because you eat too much or just eat ####### then its entirely your fault. They are certainly more health conscious here in VA, but I've been to WV a few times, and some of the people are just huge, in motorized wheelchairs, and stuffing their faces in Applebees. At what point do these people look in the mirror and think "ooh I am a little heavy - maybe some fiber and a piece of fruit would be a good idea".

first off, a lot of poor fat families here work hard to survive, maybe more than one job, so spending all day at home cooking is not an option. secondly, try buying fresh fruit or veg here. walmart has the worst selection i've ever seen, and most of the items are perished. its quite disgusting.

oh please, you don't need to spend all day at home cooking to make a few healthy meals. Most of mine take 15 minutes. Secondly, if Walmart are stocking the worst selection of fruit and vegetables ever seen, why isn't anyone complaining? People can also grow their own fruits and vegetables, or use the tinned variety. "poor fat families" as you state, are clearly eating too much if they are fat !! Why can't they use that food money to make better choices in the store?

complaining at walmart does what? that's like complaining at tesco and expecting them to care, it doesn't happen. best they will do is exchange it for another perished item. a lot of their fresh produce is perished, many times i have bought items that i have discovered to be inedible when i get home and i know i'm not the only one.

you can grow banana trees here and many people do but the soil is poor and i'm not sure much else would grow in the heat and humidty, at least not with constant attention and water. i'm looking forward to experimenting with that when i finally move here.

fast food is so much cheaper than going to winn dixie or rouses or any of the "better" supermarkets that actually sell fresh produce, so that is what people do to feed their children.

yes but even the fast food joints now offer salad options, fruit instead of fries, milk, juice, etc etc. Why can't these be purchased instead of a big mac meal? Sometimes there are days when I don't drink my 8 glasses of water or get my "5" servings, but at least I try. How are these people affording to feed families on junk food every day though? If the average family has four members, and you are getting dinner at a fast food joint 7 nights a week, thats got to be around $20 a night ! That's $140 a week which will buy adequate groceries for that family, frozen veg and all

[rocks 494]

Much truth here.

As for a different point of view consider the metaphysics of being huge (obese):

it is protective layer if one is not feeling safe in the world.

The "cure" is far deeper than exercising.

It is a mental/emotional situation.

Eating comfort foods of fat and sugar is what is getting people by in the short term when so much news is "bad", i.e. the economy, the environment, etc. etc..

The big picture though is so life threatening and people do not want to know what is up ahead.

A prime example would be smoking.

Who in their right mind would smoke knowing full well the dangers of it?

Laziness is not a good excuse.

One can cook a vat of something healthy and freeze it for a month or 6.

It is not only cheaper in price, it is cheaper in hospitalization.

Face it, no one tiny skeleton was made to carry so much weight.

When friends get back to the U.S. from visiting Bali for a month they are always initially shocked to see the hugeness of the general public.

It is a situation that needs more love poured on it ....not crash diets, and harmful exercising.

i agree laziness isn't an excuse but what about when it relates to availability and cost as i have kept on saying?

i think there needs to be more education from fast food places, i suppose by regulation, to inform their diners of what it is exactly that they are eating and how bad it is for them.

when i am in walmart i don't see people looking at the back of packets to see how many calories is in something other than me. in the uk they recently put all the information on the front too so that shoppers are fully aware of what they are picking up, including salt and fat and such. the number of calories per serving is also displayed on the front. this is all in addition to the nutrition facts on the back.

eg;

or

[SpiritAlight 1]

Much truth here.

As for a different point of view consider the metaphysics of being huge (obese):

it is protective layer if one is not feeling safe in the world.

The "cure" is far deeper than exercising.

It is a mental/emotional situation.

Eating comfort foods of fat and sugar is what is getting people by in the short term when so much news is "bad", i.e. the economy, the environment, etc. etc..

The big picture though is so life threatening and people do not want to know what is up ahead.

A prime example would be smoking.

Who in their right mind would smoke knowing full well the dangers of it?

Laziness is not a good excuse.

One can cook a vat of something healthy and freeze it for a month or 6.

It is not only cheaper in price, it is cheaper in hospitalization.

Face it, no one tiny skeleton was made to carry so much weight.

When friends get back to the U.S. from visiting Bali for a month they are always initially shocked to see the hugeness of the general public.

It is a situation that needs more love poured on it ....not crash diets, and harmful exercising.

i agree laziness isn't an excuse but what about when it relates to availability and cost as i have kept on saying?

i think there needs to be more education from fast food places, i suppose by regulation, to inform their diners of what it is exactly that they are eating and how bad it is for them.

when i am in walmart i don't see people looking at the back of packets to see how many calories is in something other than me. in the uk they recently put all the information on the front too so that shoppers are fully aware of what they are picking up, including salt and fat and such. the number of calories per serving is also displayed on the front. this is all in addition to the nutrition facts on the back.

eg;

or

Yes and no.

I agree and all of this drives me nuts.

Why should the government interfere and hold people's hands.

I mean by legislating food companies to label so clearly, is good and yet, it is not their responsibility.

If someone does not realize that canned peaches are not the same as eating real peaches and that real peaches from Walmarts or Target or something like that are not the same as buying them from a fruit stand/farmer's market/produce store, then the H with 'em.

Laziness is stupidity.

Harsh, huh?

Ahem.

What big box stores care about are profits to the detriment of you/me/all the consumer.

They have fruit picked green for the long delivery, and so there is less nutritive value, and the GMO/GFOs to worry about not to mention pesticides unless you are eating organic. What country is it coming from? How was it delivered? What environmental costs? Etc etc.

It is hard to be a conscious consumer.

We have much work to do.

However, excuse my getting on my pedestal about all this, but when I choose to eat a bacon cheese burger, I know what I am ingesting.

Ans so when i crave one I either make it myself and get the best ingredients or go to a restaurant that is not the fast food type.

Hal 9000 you made me laugh with your "hippie food" comment.

When the language changes everything changes.

Observe.

Edited October 16, 2008 by SpiritAlight

[Marilyn. 340]

i do realize that eating canned peaches is different then eating real peaches.. but eating fresh fruit from Walmart or Target is better then eating canned fruit or not eating any fruit ...