I disagree with this article on obesity..Whats your opinion?

SPEEDY MCCREADY

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCQQFjAA&url=http://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/7/71/408464/dont-ignore-real-story-people-get-obese&ei=MXz8VMSEOoSRyQTjpoEQ&usg=AFQjCNFmjBUVd3atlXQgAMTZiRdcUj0sOg

I truly don't believe this theory. Maybe I am wrong. You cant tell me that it is cheaper to eat at McDonalds or eat frozen pizzas, than it is to purchase chicken breasts and vegetables. I am not believing a word of it. One can truly feed a family of 4 and not have to be filthy rich to do it. Im sorry, but I believe people are just too damned lazy to go home and prepare a nice healthy meal. People CHOOSE to purchase the crap food, and throw it in a microwave. It is their choice. Oatmeal, toast, and eggs are not that expensive either. Its not expensive to make homemade soups. One can truly have 3 well balanced meals, even if they are on the lowest of budgets. I purchased a 7lb turkey breast yesterday, it cost $12, I had a wonderful dinner, I now have lunch for the entire week, and if I wanted I could also make a nice large pot of Turkey soup. I purchased 5lbs of chicken breasts yesterday, at $1.49 a lb. I can make 5 different meals with that. Rice isn't expensive, noodles are not expensive, chicken broth is not expensive, and either are the vegetables.

hedonist

They choose these highly processed, carbohydrate-rich items because these are the cheapest, most readily available foods around.

This speaks to not investing the bit of time and effort to go the other (and oftentimes, the other overall less-expensive) route...so yeah, I'd agree with you, Speedy.

God knows we take the easy (though not necessarily unhealthy) path, when it comes to ordering in and the like. But the crap/fast food? I eat that maybe four times a year when I want to indulge a craving.

Moderation!

I remember (*edit - as a kid) our family going to McDonald's maybe once a month, dinner for four around a buck! But I also remember my mom cooking healthy, hearty meals most every night. With leftovers.

SPEEDY MCCREADY

hedonist said:

They choose these highly processed, carbohydrate-rich items because these are the cheapest, most readily available foods around.

This speaks to not investing the bit of time and effort to go the other (and oftentimes, the other overall less-expensive) route...so yeah, I'd agree with you, Speedy.

God knows we take the easy (though not necessarily unhealthy) path, when it comes to ordering in and the like. But the crap/fast food? I eat that maybe four times a year when I want to indulge a craving.

Moderation!

I remember our family going to McDonald's maybe once a month, dinner for four around a buck! But I also remember my mom cooking healthy, hearty meals most every night. With leftovers.

A fast meal or whatever it is called at McDonalds is $7, right? And its garbage food. Everyone knows its garbage food. Yet people make the CHOICE to eat there. Not because of PRICE, but convenience. In my eyes the healthier food is cheaper. Fresh veggies, lettuce, chicken breast, rice, oatmeal, etc. I don't believe its a matter of money. Its convenience and laziness.

Im with you. Mom always had healthy meals for us, with plenty of leftovers. Eating junk food, as a child, was a treat. As an adult, I, like a lot of people, choose to eat the junk food for convenience. Its my own damn fault that I am now 50 years old and out of shape. But I couldn't imagine allowing my children, if I had children, to eat the junk food and processed food. No way in hell. I think I would take the little extra time and make sure my children were getting well balanced meals.

brianlux

I only agree with the part of the article that says you won't change people by shaming them. People respond better by example. But I totally agree, Speedy, there is no way I could be convinced that it's cheaper to eat at McDonalds. We don't make a lot of money but we eat super healthy and enjoy what we eat. It doesn't take a lot of money to eat well- it just takes a little time (and we're busy people so it's not like we sit around and cook all day) too prepare something healthy. And that time is made up in the long run by spending less time seeing a doctor and living longer. I also agree with what you say about this being a matter of choice. Also, that short article mentions "TV" four times. TV hammers the idea of fast food into people's brains. But that's no excuse. There's little or no excuse for not taking personal responsibility for one's choices.

dignin

http://frac.org/initiatives/hunger-and-obesity/why-are-low-income-and-food-insecure-people-vulnerable-to-obesity/

Why Low-Income and Food Insecure People are Vulnerable to Overweight and Obesity

Key Factors


Limited resources
Lack of access to healthy, affordable foods
Fewer opportunities for physical activity
Cycles of food deprivation and overeating
High levels of stress
Greater exposure to marketing of obesity-promoting products
Limited access to health care

Due to the additional risk factors associated with poverty, food insecure and low-income people are especially vulnerable to obesity (see the section on the Relationship Between Hunger and Overweight or Obesity and the section on the Relationship Between Poverty and Overweight or Obesity). More specifically, obesity among food insecure people – as well as among low-income people – occurs in part because they are subject to the same influences as other Americans (e.g., more sedentary lifestyles, increased portion sizes), but also because they face unique challenges in adopting healthful behaviors, as described below. (For more information on the influences all Americans face, see the section on Factors Contributing to Overweight and Obesity.)

Limited resources and lack of access to healthy, affordable foods.

Low-income neighborhoods frequently lack full-service grocery stores and farmers’ markets where residents can buy a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products (Beaulac et al., 2009; Larson et al., 2009). Instead, residents – especially those without reliable transportation – may be limited to shopping at small neighborhood convenience and corner stores, where fresh produce and low-fat items are limited, if available at all. One of the most comprehensive reviews of U.S. studies examining neighborhood disparities in food access found that neighborhood residents with better access to supermarkets and limited access to convenience stores tend to have healthier diets and reduced risk for obesity (Larson et al., 2009).
When available, healthy food is often more expensive, whereas refined grains, added sugars, and fats are generally inexpensive and readily available in low-income communities (Drewnowski, 2010; Drewnowski et al., 2007; Drewnowski & Specter, 2004; Monsivais & Drewnowski, 2007; Monsivais & Drewnowski, 2009). Households with limited resources to buy enough food often try to stretch their food budgets by purchasing cheap, energy-dense foods that are filling – that is, they try to maximize their calories per dollar in order to stave off hunger (Basiotis & Lino, 2002; DiSantis et al., 2013; Drewnowski & Specter, 2004; Drewnowski, 2009). While less expensive, energy-dense foods typically have lower nutritional quality and, because of overconsumption of calories, have been linked to obesity (Hartline-Grafton et al., 2009; Howarth et al., 2006; Kant & Graubard, 2005).
When available, healthy food – especially fresh produce – is often of poorer quality in lower income neighborhoods, which diminishes the appeal of these items to buyers (Andreyeva et al., 2008; Zenk et al., 2006).
Low-income communities have greater availability of fast food restaurants, especially near schools (Fleischhacker et al., 2011; Larson et al., 2009; Simon et al., 2008). These restaurants serve many energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods at relatively low prices. Fast food consumption is associated with a diet high in calories and low in nutrients, and frequent consumption may lead to weight gain (Bowman & Vinyard, 2004; Pereira et al., 2005).
Fewer opportunities for physical activity.

Lower income neighborhoods have fewer physical activity resources than higher income neighborhoods, including fewer parks, green spaces, bike paths, and recreational facilities, making it difficult to lead a physically active lifestyle (Estabrooks et al., 2003; Moore et al., 2008; Powell et al., 2004). Research shows that limited access to such resources is a risk factor for obesity (Gordon-Larsen et al., 2006; Sallis & Glanz, 2009; Singh et al., 2010b).
When available, physical activity resources may not be attractive places to play or be physically active because poor neighborhoods often have fewer natural features (e.g., trees), more visible signs of trash and disrepair, and more noise (Neckerman et al., 2009).
Crime, traffic, and unsafe playground equipment are common barriers to physical activity in low-income communities (Duke et al., 2003; Gordon-Larsen et al., 2004; Neckerman et al., 2009; Suecoff et al., 1999). Because of these and other safety concerns, children and adults alike are more likely to stay indoors and engage in sedentary activities, such as watching television or playing video games. Not surprisingly, those living in unsafe neighborhoods are at greater risk for obesity (Duncan et al., 2009; Lumeng et al., 2006; Singh et al., 2010b).
Low-income children are less likely to participate in organized sports (Duke et al., 2003). This is consistent with reports by low-income parents that expense and transportation problems are barriers to their children’s participation in physical activities (Duke et al., 2003).
Students in low-income schools spend less time being active during physical education classes and are less likely to have recess, both of which are of great concern given the already limited opportunities for physical activity in their communities (Barros et al., 2009; UCLA Center to Eliminate Health Disparities, 2009).
Cycles of food deprivation and overeating.

dignin

Continued.....


Those who are eating less or skipping meals to stretch food budgets may overeat when food does become available, resulting in chronic ups and downs in food intake that can contribute to weight gain (Bruening et al., 2012; Dammann & Smith, 2010; Ma et al., 2003; Olson et al., 2007; Smith & Richards, 2008). Cycles of food restriction or deprivation also can lead to an unhealthy preoccupation with food and metabolic changes that promote fat storage – all the worse when in combination with overeating (Alaimo et al., 2001; Dietz, 1995; Finney Rutten et al., 2010; Polivy, 1996). Unfortunately, overconsumption is even easier given the availability of cheap, energy-dense foods in low-income communities (Drewnowski, 2009; Drewnowski & Specter, 2004).
The “feast or famine” situation is especially a problem for low-income parents, particularly mothers, who often restrict their food intake and sacrifice their own nutrition in order to protect their children from hunger (Basiotis & Lino, 2002; Dammann & Smith, 2009; Dietz, 1995; Edin et al., 2013; McIntyre et al., 2003). Such a coping mechanism puts them at risk for obesity – and research shows that parental obesity, especially maternal obesity, is in turn a strong predictor of childhood obesity (Davis et al., 2008; Janjua et al., 2012; Whitaker, 2004).
High levels of stress.

Low-income families, including children, may face high levels of stress due to the financial and emotional pressures of food insecurity, low-wage work, lack of access to health care, inadequate and long-distance transportation, poor housing, neighborhood violence, and other factors. Research has linked stress to obesity in youth and adults, including (for adults) stress from job-related demands and difficulty paying bills (Block et al., 2009; Gundersen et al., 2011; Lohman et al., 2009; Moore & Cunningham, 2012). Stress may lead to weight gain through stress-induced hormonal and metabolic changes as well as unhealthful eating behaviors (Adam & Epel, 2007; Torres & Nowson, 2007). Stress, particularly chronic stress, also may trigger anxiety and depression, which are both associated with child and adult obesity (Anderson et al., 2007; Simon et al., 2006).
Greater exposure to marketing of obesity-promoting products.

Low-income youth and adults are exposed to disproportionately more marketing and advertising for obesity-promoting products that encourage the consumption of unhealthful foods and discourage physical activity (e.g., fast food, sugary beverages, television shows, video games) (Institute of Medicine, 2013; Kumanyika & Grier, 2006; Lewis et al., 2005; Yancey et al., 2009). Such advertising has a particularly strong influence on the preferences, diets, and purchases of children, who are the targets of many marketing efforts (Institute of Medicine, 2006; Institute of Medicine, 2013).
Limited access to health care.

Many low-income people lack access to basic health care, or if health care is available, it is lower quality. This results in lack of diagnosis and treatment of emerging chronic health problems like obesity.

dignin

Labelling these people as lazy is misinformed.

rgambs

Half agree and half don't. There are folks out there working 60-70 hrs a week that don't have time to cook for their kids and still have trouble meeting ends. There are also folks who are lazy as hell and can't be bothered.
There are some areas where there isn't a fresh fruit or vegetable to be found for miles upon miles, and Reese's Cups are much cheaper per calorie than freah fruit. Then again, there are millions of people who are just straight up addicted to bad foods, sugar in particular. Did you know that in experiments where they expose mice to sugar and cocaine, the mice overwhelmingly choose the sugar?

Maybe this is splitting hairs, but none of the foods you mentioned as being cheap are particularly healthy. Fresh produce IS expensive, it doesn't last long, and can be hard to find. The same goes for healthily raised and prepared meats. $1.49/lb chicken is raised on antibiotics and hormones, it is somewhere over 75% likely to have E. Coli. on it, and is injected with a solution of salts and chemicals that keep it "fresh" in the fridge for several days longer than the chicken in my back yard.
Just food for thought

Leezestarr313

People want convenience, yes. People like to eat what they like too, and I think if you eat crap when you are preggo your child is used to these flavours and likes the crap too. Processed food contains too much sugar, too much salt, too much unhealthy fats. When you eat it on a regular basis, your taste buds adapt to that, so you don't like the taste of "natural" or homemade food. Or so at least I think. You might need a period of adaptation where your taste buds cleanse themselves, so you are able to enjoy less salty, less sugary and less greasy food again. I was a little shocked, but fascinated at the same time when I went to America for the first time and saw how many people are not just obese, but big to a degree that I was not used to from Germany. Of course we have obese people in Germany too, but there are not as many as extremely big over there. Of course, a lazy life style where you hardly ever have to walk anywhere plays into that too, but it has to be something with the food as well. Hormones in the meat make people grow in areas that are normally not as big even when you are a "good eater". Young girls get their periods at increasingly earlier ages because of that too. That is some scary shit!
For once, I am kind of happy to have grown up in Eastern Germany where we did not have a lot of convenience food available. Everybody had their own garden (we even had gardening classes at school) and ate pretty much healthy. This is how I was raised and that determines what I like. I am a sucker for fresh veggies and dark bread. I get stomach ache when I eat convenience food or even food at certain restaurants here. Somehow what is in there causes diarrhea. Weird, huh. So I cook at home almost every day. I did not do it to that extend back in Germany. Here, I make my own bread, marmalades, pickles, cakes and cookies. With an amount of sugar and salt and fat that enables me to taste and enjoy every single ingredient rather than being overwhelmed by a load of sugar that makes me dizzy after the first bite. And we are not rich. I have a budget that I plan with. Homemade bread needs simple ingredients that are not expensive. I try to make my meal plans with seasonal vegetables. I cook with kale, greens, rutabaga, that kind of stuff. It's cheap and delicious! Of course we get the occasional crap food too, when the urge is there, but moderation, yes, is the key.
A lot of people do not even seem to be aware of how much you can make yourself at home and how easy it is. Some are almost scared to try certain recipes. Recipes that do not involve garlic salt, spice mixes with whatever in there, readymade vinaigrettes, sauces or canned soup as ingredients.
I could not believe how hard it was to find pickled cucumbers that did not contain High Fructose Corn Syrup. We eventually found them at the Polish market. And that bread tastes like cake and chocolate like plastic. It is insane what they put into food over here. Don't trust the big food factories. Enjoy what the gardens and farms have to offer! Fresh herbs are an amazing addition to any meal. Grow your own food, research where to get stuff that is made locally. Your guts will thank you and you will have less problems losing weight or maintaining a normal weight

SPEEDY MCCREADY

dignin said:

Labelling these people as lazy is misinformed.

Im sorry, but I still say you can feed a family of 4, healthy meals, for less money than junk food. Ive read what you posted, and I disagree on a few points. Maybe I am wrong calling people lazy. Lower income people have less parks, and recreational facilities? Sorry, but walking is free. Walking is a great exercise. I live in a big city, I travel all throughout this city for work. There are grocery stores at every other corner. I find it hard to believe that anywhere in this city, people cant find a store, close to home, that sells healthier food than potato chips, soda pop, and cheeseburgers. But yeah, that article makes some good points. But I have to say, I don't agree with them all.

Leezestarr313

Sorry for the long, fuzzy post. It is a passionate topic to me lol And yes, I agree with everything you said, Speedy.

SPEEDY MCCREADY

Leezestarr313 said:

Sorry for the long, fuzzy post. It is a passionate topic to me lol And yes, I agree with everything you said, Speedy.

I thought of you when I was reading this article. I truly did. Because coming from Germany you have to be APPALLED at the obesity in America. Plus I know how much you love your garden and your fresh veggies. I know how much you love to do the home cooking.

One can eat healthy in America, at a low budget. But one has to put in an honest effort.

QuarterToTen

"We nag Americans constantly to eat better, but we have to improve the readily available affordable choices if that’s what we want them to do."

I grocery shop every week, sometimes twice a week. All I SEE are healthy choices, the vast majority of the food I spend my hard earned money on are healthy and budget friendly. They are plentiful and readily available, come on! Do I spend more than if I bought Banquet meals and Oreos? Sure I do, sometimes. I agree that it is not right in any way that the Doritos are cheaper than the organic carrots.

However, it's my choice to buy the food that I do. I don't blame anyone but myself for the occasional bag of $4 Lay's potato chips versus the $1.59 for an entire 10 pound bag of potatoes. Convenience foods cost more and have things in them I can't even pronounce, let alone want to consume. I don't rely on nor blame anyone else for MY food choices, that's a ridiculous argument.

Feeding children this crap is harming them in more ways than are measureable. Most importantly, as parents, it is our job to teach them to take a chicken and a bag of potatoes and make something, several things, taste delicious and feed their bodies properly.

That is the biggest horror of all in this debate. The kids don't know any better and will live lives of obesity, diabetes and misery as a result. It breaks my heart.

mickeyrat

I had occasion to be at a grocery store in another part of town with a poorer clientele. It was amazing to me how small the fresh fruit and vegetable section was in comparison to the store(s) I normally shop at.perhaps 1/5 of the size of the meijer I shop at? I'll assume the processed meat cases were bigger than the fresh cases too.

SPEEDY MCCREADY

mickeyrat said:

I had occasion to be at a grocery store in another part of town with a poorer clientele. It was amazing to me how small the fresh fruit and vegetable section was in comparison to the store(s) I normally shop at.perhaps 1/5 of the size of the meijer I shop at? I'll assume the processed meat cases were bigger than the fresh cases too.

In Chicago, in the poorer neighborhoods, I see produce stores everywhere. I truly do. There is a mom and pop fruit stand on every other corner. But yeah, there is also the store selling booze, smokes, soda, chips, and lottery tickets.

rr165892

I'm with Speedy on this.With a little effort and some time a family making the right choices can eat healthy and still save $ over all.Even if Fresh fruits and veggies are not available good frozen alternatives exist.And like he said Oatmeal,Brown Rice,Sweet potatoes &Lean meats are available almost everywhere are can be very budget friendly.Society is lazy and wants things easy and fast.They don't work out and eat like shit.
Healthy living takes effort but can be achieved on any budget.Its all about making the right choices.I agree that you can walk to the market for some fresh healthy food or you can drive to a fast crap food joint.Its a personal decision and choice.But good eats and exercise are within reach for everyone.

SPEEDY MCCREADY

QuarterToTen said:

"We nag Americans constantly to eat better, but we have to improve the readily available affordable choices if that’s what we want them to do."

I grocery shop every week, sometimes twice a week. All I SEE are healthy choices, the vast majority of the food I spend my hard earned money on are healthy and budget friendly. They are plentiful and readily available, come on! Do I spend more than if I bought Banquet meals and Oreos? Sure I do, sometimes. I agree that it is not right in any way that the Doritos are cheaper than the organic carrots.

However, it's my choice to buy the food that I do. I don't blame anyone but myself for the occasional bag of $4 Lay's potato chips versus the $1.59 for an entire 10 pound bag of potatoes. Convenience foods cost more and have things in them I can't even pronounce, let alone want to consume. I don't rely on nor blame anyone else for MY food choices, that's a ridiculous argument.

Feeding children this crap is harming them in more ways than are measureable. Most importantly, as parents, it is our job to teach them to take a chicken and a bag of potatoes and make something, several things, taste delicious and feed their bodies properly.

That is the biggest horror of all in this debate. The kids don't know any better and will live lives of obesity, diabetes and misery as a result. It breaks my heart.

Parents not taking the time to feed their children healthy foods, parents being too damned lazy, because it is easier to throw the frozen pizza in the oven, should be ashamed of themselves.

mickeyrat

removing Home Economics as a required type class in school doesn't help either.

QuarterToTen

SPEEDY MCCREADY said:

QuarterToTen said:

"We nag Americans constantly to eat better, but we have to improve the readily available affordable choices if that’s what we want them to do."

I grocery shop every week, sometimes twice a week. All I SEE are healthy choices, the vast majority of the food I spend my hard earned money on are healthy and budget friendly. They are plentiful and readily available, come on! Do I spend more than if I bought Banquet meals and Oreos? Sure I do, sometimes. I agree that it is not right in any way that the Doritos are cheaper than the organic carrots.

However, it's my choice to buy the food that I do. I don't blame anyone but myself for the occasional bag of $4 Lay's potato chips versus the $1.59 for an entire 10 pound bag of potatoes. Convenience foods cost more and have things in them I can't even pronounce, let alone want to consume. I don't rely on nor blame anyone else for MY food choices, that's a ridiculous argument.

Feeding children this crap is harming them in more ways than are measureable. Most importantly, as parents, it is our job to teach them to take a chicken and a bag of potatoes and make something, several things, taste delicious and feed their bodies properly.

That is the biggest horror of all in this debate. The kids don't know any better and will live lives of obesity, diabetes and misery as a result. It breaks my heart.

Parents not taking the time to feed their children healthy foods, parents being to damned lazy, because it is easier to throw the frozen pizza in the oven, should be ashamed of
themselves.

Parents not taking the time to educate their children as to the benefits that nature provides, virtually every vitamin and mineral that the body could ever need to function properly and efficently, is absolutely appalling. A 4' 6" nine year old that weighs 125 pounds? According to the charts I just looked at, she is close to FIFTY pounds overweight. And more importantly, not healthy by any standards and is doing irreparable damage to her body.

She doesn't do the grocery shopping.

rgambs

Kishman's IGA: Bell Peppers $1.69 ea
Donuts $0.69 ea

Yowza!

SPEEDY MCCREADY

rgambs said:

Kishman's IGA: Bell Peppers $1.69 ea
Donuts $0.69 ea

Yowza!

Yeah but we can argue that all day.

42oz of Quaker Oats Oatmeal. Enough for 30 servings. 150 calories a serving.
$3.98

Breakfast for 4, for 7 days. If that's not enough you can add a banana and some berries.

HughFreakingDillon

SPEEDY MCCREADY said:

dignin said:

Labelling these people as lazy is misinformed.

Im sorry, but I still say you can feed a family of 4, healthy meals, for less money than junk food. Ive read what you posted, and I disagree on a few points. Maybe I am wrong calling people lazy. Lower income people have less parks, and recreational facilities? Sorry, but walking is free. Walking is a great exercise. I live in a big city, I travel all throughout this city for work. There are grocery stores at every other corner. I find it hard to believe that anywhere in this city, people cant find a store, close to home, that sells healthier food than potato chips, soda pop, and cheeseburgers. But yeah, that article makes some good points. But I have to say, I don't agree with them all.

A big conversation in winnipeg right now is that in our poorest area, dowtown, there are ZERO grocery stores that stock fresh foods of any kind. The local government is trying to bring people downtown to live and shop instead of urban sprawl issues, but no one is going to buy a $300,000 condo and not be able to get groceries.

But its also a conversation as to why; some blame it on the demand. There USED to be grocery stores downtown, but they all died out for lack of business.

And walking around dowtown is pretty widely considered unsafe, whether that perception is correct or not is not the issue. But it is true that the poor poeople that live there have nearly no access to healthy food. If they did, would they use it? Who knows.

HughFreakingDillon

There is this perception that it actually is cheaper to eat at mcdonalds than it is to eat at home. Jim gaffigan did a wonderful bit on this on one of his comedy specials, as he is a huge lover of mcdonalds. He sawa sign that read "double cheeseburger $1". His next line was "well, i dont want to lose money by not having one!" Or something to that effect.

But honestly, on the rare occasion that we take our young daughters to mcdonalds, it runs us about $25 (I realize fast food prices arent as cheap in canada, but you get my drift). No fucking way it costs us that much for one family meal at home. Not even a fraction of that.

Last-12-Exit

Why are the healthiest foods the most expensive? The prices of raw fruits and vegetables are out of control. "They" want us fat and "they" want our arteries clogged. Why? Because "they" want us to spend money in doctors offices and hospitals. "They" want us to buy government insurance. Living and eating healthy reduces profit margains for pharmaceutical companies. We can't have that now can we.

brianlux

SPEEDY MCCREADY said:

rgambs said:

Kishman's IGA: Bell Peppers $1.69 ea
Donuts $0.69 ea

Yowza!

Yeah but we can argue that all day.

42oz of Quaker Oats Oatmeal. Enough for 30 servings. 150 calories a serving.
$3.98

Breakfast for 4, for 7 days. If that's not enough you can add a banana and some berries.

Sounds good Speedy!

The other thing is, more and cities and towns have Farmer's Markets where you can pick up some good eats for a very reasonable price.

dignin said:

Labelling these people as lazy is misinformed.

Maybe a better what to put it is that these folks are not educated on the issue (bring back Home Economics as Mickey suggested).

Leezestarr313 said:

Sorry for the long, fuzzy post. It is a passionate topic to me lol And yes, I agree with everything you said, Speedy.

No worries Leeze, fuzzy and passionate are good!

SPEEDY MCCREADY

paulonious said:

SPEEDY MCCREADY said:

dignin said:

Labelling these people as lazy is misinformed.

Im sorry, but I still say you can feed a family of 4, healthy meals, for less money than junk food. Ive read what you posted, and I disagree on a few points. Maybe I am wrong calling people lazy. Lower income people have less parks, and recreational facilities? Sorry, but walking is free. Walking is a great exercise. I live in a big city, I travel all throughout this city for work. There are grocery stores at every other corner. I find it hard to believe that anywhere in this city, people cant find a store, close to home, that sells healthier food than potato chips, soda pop, and cheeseburgers. But yeah, that article makes some good points. But I have to say, I don't agree with them all.

A big conversation in winnipeg right now is that in our poorest area, dowtown, there are ZERO grocery stores that stock fresh foods of any kind. The local government is trying to bring people downtown to live and shop instead of urban sprawl issues, but no one is going to buy a $300,000 condo and not be able to get groceries.

But its also a conversation as to why; some blame it on the demand. There USED to be grocery stores downtown, but they all died out for lack of business.

And walking around dowtown is pretty widely considered unsafe, whether that perception is correct or not is not the issue. But it is true that the poor poeople that live there have nearly no access to healthy food. If they did, would they use it? Who knows.

I shop at a grocery store 2 miles from the house. You have both middle class and lower income people shopping there. There are a great deal of people who shop using their "Link Card", used to be food stamps, but now its a government issued credit card. I see PLENTY of people, whose carts are overflowing with nothing but junk food, paying for their groceries with their "link card." The produce is available, the lean meats are available, they make the choice to fill their cart with frozen pizzas and potato chips.

dignin

I feel like that link that I posted is being ignored here. It references well researched data, not beliefs.

This fits right in with the War On Science thread.

You can believe these people are lazy.....but the evidence says otherwise.

HughFreakingDillon

dignin said:

I feel like that link that I posted is being ignored here. It references well researched data, not beliefs.

This fits right in with the War On Science thread.

You can believe these people are lazy.....but the evidence says otherwise.

I think depression can be a big factor here as well (kinda falls in with thecstress data you provided). People eat and drink in unhealthy ways as a source of comfort when depressed. And over time this becomes the lifestyle, and a cycle. But also poor education. The poorest segment of my population is often seen feeding their young children from bottles, so as young as 1 or 2, and in those bottles is not milk: its orange crush! If these people truly knew how detrimental this is to their childs health, i have a hard time believing that they would be just passively disregarding of it. But also, a litre of orange crush is actually cheaper than a litre of milk, and it doesnt spoil.

Last-12-Exit

dignin said:

I feel like that link that I posted is being ignored here. It references well researched data, not beliefs.

This fits right in with the War On Science thread.

You can believe these people are lazy.....but the evidence says otherwise.

I'm not calling them lazy, but it looks like another opportunity for someone to blame their poor eating habits on something or someone else. At some point, personal accountability has to be factored in.

HughFreakingDillon

Last-12-Exit said:

dignin said:

I feel like that link that I posted is being ignored here. It references well researched data, not beliefs.

This fits right in with the War On Science thread.

You can believe these people are lazy.....but the evidence says otherwise.

I'm not calling them lazy, but it looks like another opportunity for someone to blame their poor eating habits on something or someone else. At some point, personal accountability has to be factored in.

To a degree, but in the same way your parents taught you how to make healthy choices and now do that yourself, these people are also following what they were taught.

Last-12-Exit

paulonious said:

Last-12-Exit said:

dignin said:

I feel like that link that I posted is being ignored here. It references well researched data, not beliefs.

This fits right in with the War On Science thread.

You can believe these people are lazy.....but the evidence says otherwise.

I'm not calling them lazy, but it looks like another opportunity for someone to blame their poor eating habits on something or someone else. At some point, personal accountability has to be factored in.

To a degree, but in the same way your parents taught you how to make healthy choices and now do that yourself, these people are also following what they were taught.

Yea, but there comes a point in everyone's life where you question what you were taught growing up. Wheather it's politics, religion, ethics, and even eating habits. It come down to choice.

I'd be a hypocritical Christian today if I didn't question what I was taught growing up.