I read an interesting story today about increasing obesity rates in the United States. America's population is getting fatter and fatter. In 1995, no state had an obesity rate above 20 percent. Today, just 16 years later, all but one state does. Wow. That's staggering.
The fact that that America is getting fatter isn't surprising because people have been freaking out about this for years now. It's the rate at which this is happening is shocking to me. It only took 16 years for 49 states to jump above 20 percent. Colorado, which is the only state with an obesity rate lower then 20 percent today, is sitting on the edge at 19.8%. In 1995, Colorado statistically would have been at the top of the list with a number like that.
Worse news comes when you look at the other side of the chart today. According to the report, a dozen states top 30 percent obesity, the majority of them in the south (chicken and waffles?...). Mississippi sits atop the list for the 7th consecutive year, with its confederate brethren Alabama, West Virginia, Tennessee and Louisiana falling in close behind. In 2006, just 5 years ago, Mississippi was the only state above 30 percent.
The reason they gave for these areas showing these numbers? They are poor and rural. Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't that mean that food is not in abundance? How many more times is everyone with any authority on these matters just going to look the other way and act like this stuff isn't happening.
-Anderson Rowe
I've thought a lot about this. A large part of the problem is that healthy food is expensive. McDonald's is cheap. In today's society "rural" doesn't mean that food isn't in abundance. Typically, that's where food comes from. Just because it is or isn't in abundance, doesn't mean it's eaten in balance. I, as well as many I'm sure, have jokingly suggested a fat tax. What a great idea! Except, it would backfire on some such as those in poor areas. It all boils down to our government's responsibility to protect us from things such as GMO's and high fructose corn syrup (has anyone read labels!? It's in EVERYTHING. A friend of mine in the nutrition field told me it's in part because we are high producers of corn, and have little use for it, outside of HFCS). Food for thought...har...har...haaaar :)
ReplyDeleteAre you kidding me. Why is it the goverment or anybodys responsibility except our parents to protect us from anything for that matter. If parents were not so fricking lazy and cooked for there kids instead of stopping by the nearest fast food junk shop for dinner 5 nights a week then you might see a difference. I am pretty sure every single person in the U.S. knows McDonalds food is not good for you or your kids, but we still eat it. So why would the government spend a dime of money we dont have, to protect us from somthing we already know. McDonalds food will make you fat, but dam its good,(and cheap).
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