The unhealthiest city in America

[Rusty Shackleford]

Two things I can't say about this story: 1) That it surprises me, 2) That it makes me proud of my hometown

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081116/ap_on_he_me/med_unhealthiest_city

 

[DanOregon]

People don't understand that obesity and poor nutrition aren't so much health problems, but problems rooted in a poor economy. Which is why the "hungriest" states are frequently also the fattest.

There is something wrong when it costs more to eat healthy than it does to eat poorly.

 

[harbinger]

Fast food has become a staple, with many residents convinced they can't afford to buy healthier foods, said Keri Kennedy, manager of the state health department's Office of Healthy Lifestyles.

Kennedy said she had just seen a commercial that presented "The KFC $10 Challenge." The fried-chicken chain placed a family in a grocery store and challenged them to put together a dinner for $10 or less that was comparable to KFC's seven-piece, $9.99 value meal.

"This is what we're up against," said Kennedy, noting it's an extremely persuasive ad for a low-income family that is accustomed to fried foods. "I don't know what you do to counter that."

If the commercial was required to include a listing of the calorie count of that value meal, it might not be as effective. But...but...but... that would go against the tenets of conservative Republican pro business government, which West Virginia fervently supports as evidenced by the most recent presidential election. Who cares if people are having heart attacks in their 30s.

 

[mike311gd]

Fast food has become a staple, with many residents convinced they can't afford to buy healthier foods, said Keri Kennedy, manager of the state health department's Office of Healthy Lifestyles.

Kennedy said she had just seen a commercial that presented "The KFC $10 Challenge." The fried-chicken chain placed a family in a grocery store and challenged them to put together a dinner for $10 or less that was comparable to KFC's seven-piece, $9.99 value meal.

"This is what we're up against," said Kennedy, noting it's an extremely persuasive ad for a low-income family that is accustomed to fried foods. "I don't know what you do to counter that."

If the commercial was required to include a listing of the calorie count of that value meal, it might not be as effective. But...but...but... that would go against the tenets of conservative Republican pro business government, which West Virginia fervently supports as evidenced by the most recent presidential election. Who cares if people are having heart attacks in their 30s.

Most people aren't retarded, though, and they know a KFC meal isn't exactly healthy -- hence the fried chicken and the grease that covers the box and fingertips. I don't think showing nutrition facts on a commercial is going to deter most from going after the food; if I want it, and I can afford it, it's going to be in my house soon.

 

[harbinger]

Fast food has become a staple, with many residents convinced they can't afford to buy healthier foods, said Keri Kennedy, manager of the state health department's Office of Healthy Lifestyles.

Kennedy said she had just seen a commercial that presented "The KFC $10 Challenge." The fried-chicken chain placed a family in a grocery store and challenged them to put together a dinner for $10 or less that was comparable to KFC's seven-piece, $9.99 value meal.

"This is what we're up against," said Kennedy, noting it's an extremely persuasive ad for a low-income family that is accustomed to fried foods. "I don't know what you do to counter that."

If the commercial was required to include a listing of the calorie count of that value meal, it might not be as effective. But...but...but... that would go against the tenets of conservative Republican pro business government, which West Virginia fervently supports as evidenced by the most recent presidential election. Who cares if people are having heart attacks in their 30s.

Most people aren't retarded, though, and they know a KFC meal isn't exactly healthy -- hence the fried chicken and the grease that covers the box and fingertips. I don't think showing nutrition facts on a commercial is going to deter most from going after the food; if I want it, and I can afford it, it's going to be in my house soon.

I respectfully disagree. The article indicates part of the problem is a lack of knowledge. Some people don't know the importance of exercise, for example.

People might know value meals aren't healthy. But if they truly knew how unhealthy they were, I think it would help. It wouldn't change everything, but it would help.

 

[The Big Ragu]

People don't understand that obesity and poor nutrition aren't so much health problems, but problems rooted in a poor economy. Which is why the "hungriest" states are frequently also the fattest.

There is something wrong when it costs more to eat healthy than it does to eat poorly.

Correlation doesn't necessarily imply causation. It could be that poverty causes obesity somehow, as you suggested. Using that reasoning, though, it could also be that obesity causes poverty.

Or it could be something more likely; that there are other factors involved: for example, that people who are less educated are more likely to be poor and more likely to be obese.

 

[slappy4428]

Office of Healthy Lifestyles?

 

[Paper Dragon]

People don't understand that obesity and poor nutrition aren't so much health problems, but problems rooted in a poor economy. Which is why the "hungriest" states are frequently also the fattest.

There is something wrong when it costs more to eat healthy than it does to eat poorly.

Correlation doesn't necessarily imply causation. It could be that poverty causes obesity somehow, as you suggested. Using that reasoning, though, it could also be that obesity causes poverty.

Or it could be something more likely; that there are other factors involved: for example, that people who are less educated are more likely to be poor and more likely to be obese.

Wow, it took you fewer words than usual to muddy the issue.

 

[JayFarrar]

Not really.
To say one thing causes the other, implies that it is true both ways.
So that would mean being poor makes you fat, so being fat makes you poor.
I don't think most people would agree with that.

I've written about this before and when you have to stretch every dollar you can, unhealthy food provides more at a cheaper cost. The guy from the Delta Regional Authority gave a great example to me. You're feeding a family of five. You go grocery shopping and after you buy the essentials, you only have a few bucks left. Do you spend that money on fruit, a healthy snack, or do you spend that money on Little Debbies, a local brand snack cake?
The fruit will be a few bananas, or a half dozen apples for about four bucks. For the same amount of money you could get four boxes of eight, 10 or 12 cakes that are indvidually wrapped and won't spoil on the shelf.
So it isn't a suprise that people pick the unhealthy snacks.
Add in a lack of exercise, smoking, a few drinks and you got the perfect cocktail for a health disaster.

 

[jgmacg]

Without regard to snack cakes, all anyone has to do to understand the relationship between poverty and obesity in America is check the nutrition panel on a box of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. A staple of the no-budget diet it often sells at 3 for $1 in Wal-Mart. Much less expensive per serving than any fruit or vegetable, even factoring in the milk and margarine. Huge carb load in every forkful, and a small mountain of sodium.

 

[The Big Ragu]

Without regard to snack cakes, all anyone has to do to understand the relationship between poverty and obesity in America is check the nutrition panel on a box of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. A staple of the no-budget diet it often sells at 3 for $1 in Wal-Mart. Much less expensive per serving than any fruit or vegetable, even factoring in the milk and margarine. Huge carb load in every forkful, and a small mountain of sodium.

There is definitely a correlation between the two, as has been pointed out by study after study. What I was saying above is that poverty and obesity don't exist in a vacuum, so you have to consider a lot of other factors that often go hand in hand with the two when trying to figure out what causes what. Correlation does not imply causation.

Sorry I confuse you, Paper Dragon.

 

[mike311gd]

"Don't, uh, worry, voters. We'll, uh, get that title back faster than you can, er, say, 'Jelly doughnut.'"

 

[Evil ... Thy name is Orville Redenbacher!!]

Two things I can't say about this story: 1) That it surprises me, 2) That it makes me proud of my hometown

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081116/ap_on_he_me/med_unhealthiest_city

The story might also mention how Felinton lost much of his extra frame by walking to work everyday.
FWIW: W.Va used to be - if not still is - the fattest area on the planet.
Wooooo!
We're No. 1!

 

[Johnny Dangerously]

Not really.
To say one thing causes the other, implies that it is true both ways.
So that would mean being poor makes you fat, so being fat makes you poor.
I don't think most people would agree with that.

I'm a little confused by this part, probably because I'm tired. Without limiting it to this topic, I'll just say I'm not familiar with the concept that because one thing causes another thing, the second thing also causes the first.

A can cause B without B causing A, in other words.

That may be what you're saying. I'm pretty sure that's what you're saying. Right? And again, I'm not talking about this topic specifically. I'm talking about logic and the universe in general.

 

[ArnoldBabar]

Fast food has become a staple, with many residents convinced they can't afford to buy healthier foods, said Keri Kennedy, manager of the state health department's Office of Healthy Lifestyles.

Kennedy said she had just seen a commercial that presented "The KFC $10 Challenge." The fried-chicken chain placed a family in a grocery store and challenged them to put together a dinner for $10 or less that was comparable to KFC's seven-piece, $9.99 value meal.

"This is what we're up against," said Kennedy, noting it's an extremely persuasive ad for a low-income family that is accustomed to fried foods. "I don't know what you do to counter that."

If the commercial was required to include a listing of the calorie count of that value meal, it might not be as effective. But...but...but... that would go against the tenets of ...

... a free society?

 

[JayFarrar]

Not really.
To say one thing causes the other, implies that it is true both ways.
So that would mean being poor makes you fat, so being fat makes you poor.
I don't think most people would agree with that.

I'm a little confused by this part, probably because I'm tired. Without limiting it to this topic, I'll just say I'm not familiar with the concept that because one thing causes another thing, the second thing also causes the first.

A can cause B without B causing A, in other words.

That may be what you're saying. I'm pretty sure that's what you're saying. Right? And again, I'm not talking about this topic specifically. I'm talking about logic and the universe in general.

A can cause B, but B does not always cause A.
That help?

 

[Freelance Hack]

Two things I can't say about this story: 1) That it surprises me, 2) That it makes me proud of my hometown

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081116/ap_on_he_me/med_unhealthiest_city

The lady in the picture: was she an exercise physiologist or a tailor?

 

[Frank_Ridgeway]

Without regard to snack cakes, all anyone has to do to understand the relationship between poverty and obesity in America is check the nutrition panel on a box of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. A staple of the no-budget diet it often sells at 3 for $1 in Wal-Mart. Much less expensive per serving than any fruit or vegetable, even factoring in the milk and margarine. Huge carb load in every forkful, and a small mountain of sodium.

How is macaroni and cheese not a vegetable? It's made from flour, which is made from a wheat plant, thus it is clearly a vegetable. And a mighty tasty one, I should add. I consider ketchup a vegetable as well, in fact it is a core component of my daily nutritional intake. And when macaroni and cheese is served with some ketchup, it is quite a well-balanced meal, lacking only some meat, such as bacon.

 

[jgmacg]

Without regard to snack cakes, all anyone has to do to understand the relationship between poverty and obesity in America is check the nutrition panel on a box of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. A staple of the no-budget diet it often sells at 3 for $1 in Wal-Mart. Much less expensive per serving than any fruit or vegetable, even factoring in the milk and margarine. Huge carb load in every forkful, and a small mountain of sodium.

How is macaroni and cheese not a vegetable? It's made from flour, which is made from a wheat plant, thus it is clearly a vegetable. And a mighty tasty one, I should add. I consider ketchup a vegetable as well, in fact it is a core component of my daily nutritional intake. And when macaroni and cheese is served with some ketchup, it is quite a well-balanced meal, lacking only some meat, such as bacon.

Well, son, from here on out put up your Kraft Mac and Cheese with a dollop of lard instead of oleo, and volia, you got the meat course built right in.

 

[Frank_Ridgeway]

I respectfully disagree. The article indicates part of the problem is a lack of knowledge. Some people don't know the importance of exercise, for example.

The fat ****s know they have to buy bigger sweatpants every three months.