Why does America have an obesity problem?

Champion

6503

NOVA - Ironic for an Endurance Athlete

Subject: RE: Why does America have an obesity problem?

Gimme!

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Champion

18680

Lost in the Luminiferous Aether

Subject: RE: Why does America have an obesity problem?

pga_mike - 2010-07-13 9:27 PM Gimme!

I'll race ya for it.....

I might have to kneecap you first so I win though.

Master

1436

Wilmington

Subject: RE: Why does America have an obesity problem?

Its a cost to benefit ratio. American`s even someone on minimum wage only has to work 1hr to get a combo meal at MckyD`s so on a 8hr work day he can eat breakfast,lunch and dinner and buy many 2 liters soda drink instead of a $6 water bottel. In other countries some have to work harder and some countries just do not like takeout Thats my view.

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Elite

4547

Subject: RE: Why does America have an obesity problem?

I should have been a cardiac surgeon.

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Expert

701

Boise

Subject: RE: Why does America have an obesity problem?

That's going to keep me gainfully employed for the next oh 30ish years.

Master

1795

Boynton Beach, FL

Subject: RE: Why does America have an obesity problem?

Love the couple eating on the left...

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Elite

4547

Subject: RE: Why does America have an obesity problem?

cardenas1 - 2010-07-13 10:23 PM Love the couple eating on the left...

I'm lovin' the nurse and her paddles.

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Pro

4292

Evanston,

Subject: RE: Why does America have an obesity problem?

Livestrong191 - 2010-07-13 9:51 PM Its a cost to benefit ratio. American`s even someone on minimum wage only has to work 1hr to get a combo meal at MckyD`s so on a 8hr work day he can eat breakfast,lunch and dinner and buy many 2 liters soda drink instead of a $6 water bottel. In other countries some have to work harder and some countries just do not like takeout Thats my view.

It's how people DO eat on very little $, not how most HAVE to.

Pound of dry lentils or beans: less than 2 bucks.
One bell pepper: 99 cents
Cup of brown rice: 20 cents
One onion, plus garlic, or maybe a bunch parsley or cilantro: about another dollar

For a person with a heat source, a knife, a pan and salt & oil in the pantry, that's maybe 3 meals for 5 bucks right there. Starting with $7.25, plenty left over to get some greens, or else the big container of blueberries on sale at our local supermarket chain this week for $1.99.

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Elite

4547

Subject: RE: Why does America have an obesity problem?

CitySky - 2010-07-13 10:53 PM

Livestrong191 - 2010-07-13 9:51 PM Its a cost to benefit ratio. American`s even someone on minimum wage only has to work 1hr to get a combo meal at MckyD`s so on a 8hr work day he can eat breakfast,lunch and dinner and buy many 2 liters soda drink instead of a $6 water bottel. In other countries some have to work harder and some countries just do not like takeout Thats my view.

It's how people DO eat on very little $, not how most HAVE to.

Pound of dry lentils or beans: less than 2 bucks.
One bell pepper: 99 cents
Cup of brown rice: 20 cents
One onion, plus garlic, or maybe a bunch parsley or cilantro: about another dollar

For a person with a heat source, a knife, a pan and salt & oil in the pantry, that's maybe 3 meals for 5 bucks right there. Starting with $7.25, plenty left over to get some greens, or else the big container of blueberries on sale at our local supermarket chain this week for $1.99.

Great post and very true citysky.
If only food stamps programs were run properly (dispensing dried beans, veggies, staples, etc.).
To see people on food stamps buying junk food at the grocery store makes me sick.

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Pro

4292

Evanston,

Subject: RE: Why does America have an obesity problem?

But ChineseDemocracy, if we did that, our good friends in the corn & sugar industries would be sure to object.

Speaking of our friends, the Farm Bill is up for re-appropriation in 2012.

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Champion

5522

Frisco, TX

Subject: RE: Why does America have an obesity problem?

ChineseDemocracy - 2010-07-13 10:03 PM

CitySky - 2010-07-13 10:53 PM

Livestrong191 - 2010-07-13 9:51 PM Its a cost to benefit ratio. American`s even someone on minimum wage only has to work 1hr to get a combo meal at MckyD`s so on a 8hr work day he can eat breakfast,lunch and dinner and buy many 2 liters soda drink instead of a $6 water bottel. In other countries some have to work harder and some countries just do not like takeout Thats my view.

It's how people DO eat on very little $, not how most HAVE to.

Pound of dry lentils or beans: less than 2 bucks.
One bell pepper: 99 cents
Cup of brown rice: 20 cents
One onion, plus garlic, or maybe a bunch parsley or cilantro: about another dollar

For a person with a heat source, a knife, a pan and salt & oil in the pantry, that's maybe 3 meals for 5 bucks right there. Starting with $7.25, plenty left over to get some greens, or else the big container of blueberries on sale at our local supermarket chain this week for $1.99.

Great post and very true citysky.
If only food stamps programs were run properly (dispensing dried beans, veggies, staples, etc.).
To see people on food stamps buying junk food at the grocery store makes me sick.

Too True! The government used to run the commodities program. Instead of paying farmers not to farm, they paid for the excess and then dispensed it to the needy... I remember my grandparents and some of my aunts getting big blocks of cheese, flour, milk, rice, etc...

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Sensei

Sin City

Subject: RE: Why does America have an obesity problem?

It could be me, BUT, when scanning the roadside crowd during the TdF coverage, I'm not sure if the US is alone in the problem... You got some porkers...

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Expert

1058

Cambridge

Subject: RE: Why does America have an obesity problem?

CitySky - 2010-07-14 3:53 AM

Livestrong191 - 2010-07-13 9:51 PM Its a cost to benefit ratio. American`s even someone on minimum wage only has to work 1hr to get a combo meal at MckyD`s so on a 8hr work day he can eat breakfast,lunch and dinner and buy many 2 liters soda drink instead of a $6 water bottel. In other countries some have to work harder and some countries just do not like takeout Thats my view.

It's how people DO eat on very little $, not how most HAVE to.

Pound of dry lentils or beans: less than 2 bucks.
One bell pepper: 99 cents
Cup of brown rice: 20 cents
One onion, plus garlic, or maybe a bunch parsley or cilantro: about another dollar

For a person with a heat source, a knife, a pan and salt & oil in the pantry, that's maybe 3 meals for 5 bucks right there. Starting with $7.25, plenty left over to get some greens, or else the big container of blueberries on sale at our local supermarket chain this week for $1.99.

POTT!
(Post of the thread)

Most of us ex student types learn this early. And you can make some really decent stuff with just those sort of ingredients. Grow some herbs in ya garden ; £10 for herbs all year round ( or in a pot)

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Pro

4612

MA

Subject: RE: Why does America have an obesity problem?

But... but.... they have Chocolate-covered-bacon!!!!

Ok that deep fried butter is a bit much. Although, wasn't it shown in one of Paula Deen's cooking show??

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Extreme Veteran

667

Melbourne

Subject: RE: Why does America have an obesity problem?

Kido - 2010-07-14 5:31 PM It could be me, BUT, when scanning the roadside crowd during the TdF coverage, I'm not sure if the US is alone in the problem... You got some porkers...

Agree, think it is most of the western world, we seem tp have half the world starving, the other half gorging.

Big eye openers are the Jamie Oliver series where he looks at the lack of cooking skills amongst most people these days

Edited by cottoneyes 2010-07-14 6:39 AM

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Master

1584

Fulton, MD

Subject: RE: Why does America have an obesity problem?

Is this in NC? And is it coming to MD? I need to know for, uh, research purposes.

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Expert

1207

Liberty Lake, WA

Subject: RE: Why does America have an obesity problem?

You missed the fact that it's a walk up restaurant and you eat standing up. Both of these actions burn more calories than just sitting in a booth.

Also, the cheese crisp are smothered in garlic butter. There is some evidence that garlic can help assist in managing high cholesterol levels.

We really should support, no ridicule, a bussiness like this that is using innovative approaches at trying to solve the nation health problems.

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Champion

6786

Two seat rocket plane

Subject: RE: Why does America have an obesity problem?

I'll take

"Eat Big, Walk Little"

for $500, Alex

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Champion

6285

Beautiful Sonoma County

Subject: RE: Why does America have an obesity problem?

CitySky - 2010-07-13 7:53 PM

Livestrong191 - 2010-07-13 9:51 PM Its a cost to benefit ratio. American`s even someone on minimum wage only has to work 1hr to get a combo meal at MckyD`s so on a 8hr work day he can eat breakfast,lunch and dinner and buy many 2 liters soda drink instead of a $6 water bottel. In other countries some have to work harder and some countries just do not like takeout Thats my view.

It's how people DO eat on very little $, not how most HAVE to.

Pound of dry lentils or beans: less than 2 bucks.
One bell pepper: 99 cents
Cup of brown rice: 20 cents
One onion, plus garlic, or maybe a bunch parsley or cilantro: about another dollar

For a person with a heat source, a knife, a pan and salt & oil in the pantry, that's maybe 3 meals for 5 bucks right there. Starting with $7.25, plenty left over to get some greens, or else the big container of blueberries on sale at our local supermarket chain this week for $1.99.

That's exactly what I'd eat regularly when I was really really poor, way back when. It got to the point where, once I got a better job and could afford better, I refused to eat lentils for a couple of years.

Now that we've bought a house and are rebuilding our savings, we're back to beans and rice and veggies again. Not that I'm complaining. It's healthy and since we have a bit more money we can add some sausage.

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Master

2083

Houston, TX

Subject: RE: Why does America have an obesity problem?

It's not Americans that are doing anything wrong. We're getting fatter because we haven't had nationalized health care!!!! get it right people!!!!!

Edited by jgaither 2010-07-14 11:29 AM

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Veteran

190

Subject: RE: Why does America have an obesity problem?

I'm Canadian and I always feel like our countries are very similar and the people/culture are almost the same until I go there and notice how many more obese people there are in the US. I'm not saying that Canadians don't have weight issues but there is a marked difference in the amount of overweight and extremely obese people walking around - especially children! It makes me sad to see so many young kids that have serious weight problems and these kids are under ten so it is really the fault of their parents that they end up this way.

One of the places where I experience the biggest "culture shock" is at the supermarket. There is nothing like walking into a Meyer's and seeing huge long aisles entirely devoted to junk food. My husband and I end up walking around stunned at the amount of crap that is available. Do Americans really need 100+ flavours of chips and all the other ready-to-eat over-processed food? It must sell or they wouldn't stock it and people tend to eat what is fast, easy and cheap.

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Pro

4292

Evanston,

Subject: RE: Why does America have an obesity problem?

Just for the record, I eat some variant of the legume-plus-veggie combo more days than not.

* black bean soup with cumin & cilantro
* chickpea curry
* white bean "green chile" chili with tomatillos & chopped green apple
* pinto beans + plantain stew with Jamaican curry powder

etc.

NFPFO. Not For Poor Folk Only. Of course, I blow any savings on chocolate and coffee.

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Pro

4311

Texas

Subject: RE: Why does America have an obesity problem?

CitySky - 2010-07-13 10:13 PM But ChineseDemocracy, if we did that, our good friends in the corn & sugar industries would be sure to object.

Speaking of our friends, the Farm Bill is up for re-appropriation in 2012.

Kill it, kill it with fire!

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Pro

4189

Pittsburgh, my heart is in Glasgow

Subject: RE: Why does America have an obesity problem?

I know a lot of you are suburb dwellers...tell me if this is just a Pittsburgh thing then?

My parents live in a little municipality just outside the city, and it seems like the bloody place has a vendetta against sidewalks! There's really no sidewalk, it goes driveway, street. If you want to walk somewhere, you walk on the street, regardless if it is residential or commercial (and there are both in the neighborhood, a little shopping plaza with a grocery store and some offices and a pharmacy). It really isn't safe, for a variety of reasons including speed of drivers, bad sight lines, and general aggression towards pedestrians. It is no wonder people don't walk in these places, you could end up dead!

When I lived in the UK, I walked everywhere. It was really the most convenient. The library, the shops, my uni, the bus stops, the train station, even the town centre and my diabetes specialist were easy to access by walking. With sidewalks. And pedestrian lights. I think we need to focus on building communities in which people can have their needs met. If you had a green grocer around the corner from your house, would you really drive to Kroger? If you could see your GP three blocks away, wouldn't you rather walk there? If you could live closer to work, would you?

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Why does America have an obesity problem?

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