People are fat because they're poor

[trex]

Let's be honest. One of the main reasons that people in the US are fat is because they're poor. Why? Because it's a lot cheaper to eat food that is crap and is crappy for you than it is to eat healthy food. When you are living on a minimum wage, creating a healthy diet comes second to trying to feed yourself. When the cheapest foods are the ones that make you fat, it's no wonder that the US is a nation of the obese. It's only going to get worse with the rising oil prices.

[ithaca]

No, they're fat because they're lazy. I can put together 2 pieces of bread with turkey and light mayo for about 20 cents. But that actually takes a little effort and planning which is why people turn to fast food.

[trex]

No, they're fat because they're lazy. I can put together 2 pieces of bread with turkey and light mayo for about 20 cents. But that actually takes a little effort and planning which is why people turn to fast food.

Spoken like someone who can afford good food

[maat55]

Isn't being fat and poor an oxy moron.

[trex]

Isn't being fat and poor an oxy moron.

It should be, but when food that is crap for you (high in colories) decreases in price while healthy food soars in price, it doesn't always work out like one would assume. Blame it on high fructose corn syrup being the cheapest thing on earth

[ithaca]

Spoken like someone who can afford good food

My salary has nothing to do with this. I thought we were talking about poor people choosing to eat fast food while ignoring cheap, healthy alternatives?

[trex]

My salary has nothing to do with this. I thought we were talking about poor people choosing to eat fast food while ignoring cheap, healthy alternatives?

It does if you have never tried to live on a minimum wage budget and you make statements that they are lazy. When someone is working 2 shifts just to make things meet, it's not laziness that they don't make a quality meal. It's being exhausted and not being able to afford healthy food that doesn't take a lot of time to prepare. Work two shifts to make things meet and I'll bet you no longer call the poor lazy.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

There are lots and lots of people who are fat without being poor, therefore I disagree with the title, "People are fat because they're poor."

There are also plenty of poor people who are not fat. People do become fat when they eat too many calories. Even people who live on calorie dense, cheap food could be slim, if they only eat as many calories as they need.

I do think that with food being relatively cheap and ubiquitous, the poor can easily turn to food for pleasure, for comfort, for making themselves feel better, relieve pressure, for treating themselves, their friends, and their family. Pancakes with syrup, fried potatoes, a bowl of rice with butter, even a cake thick with chocolate frosting are indulgences well within the reach of most, including food stamp recipients. Some people stop eating and feel satiated at an appropriate calorie level, others keep right on eating. This is true for poor and middle class alike, I think. But middle class have access to more ways to find pleasure, relieve pressure, make themselves feel better, treat themselves & family, etc.

[sweeps]

What about a drastic drop in physical activity?

Plus there are several other factors that have combined to cause the problem.

[maat55]

trex

Explain all those skinny people Africa.

I think americans are getting fat because they sit at a computer and argue about why people are fat.

[aevans1206]

Trex, I know you had posted that just by the title. I do agree with you. It's 25cents for a bag of chips, which are sold at corner stores. Apples, bananas are much more expensive and for many in Chicago, they live in "food deserts" where grocery stores are miles away and most of those individuals cannot afford a car, etc. Therefore, junk food from corner stores reign supreme. I see it daily in the classroom. The Chicago Park district offers small amounts of programs and many of these poverty stricken neighborhoods are too unsafe for children to get out and play. It become a catch 22. Also, it simply is a matter of children being left alone while their parents work, and thus, they buy crap.

[simpleyme]

I bought a box of 72 oranges for 9.99 and a bundle of bananas for 1.29 two loafs of wheat bread for 3.29 a jar of strawberry preserves for 1.79 a jar of adam all natural peanut butter for 2.29 so for way less than 20 bucks I will be feeding a family of 4 lunch for 7 days and have a enough oranges left for the rest of the month

If people who work double shifts cannot make sandwiches (and I tell you I can and do ) I do not know what can be done for them

[Ima saver]

trex

Explain all those skinny people Africa.

I think americans are getting fat because they sit at a computer and argue about why people are fat.

That is funny maat!!

[aida2003]

Since English is not my first language, can someone explain what an oxymoron mean? I checked dictionary.com and I still couldn't understand what that meant.

Oh, sometimes I wonder why fattening food tastes sooooooo good like chocolote, cakes, pastries or smoked meat and cheese fondue. We're traveling to Europe in 4 weeks and I'm already drooling how many goodies I'm going to consume in my homeland (there's nothing close in the US). My only comforting thought is that I'm pregnant now, so it's OK to gain weight .

[sweeps]

can someone explain what an oxymoron mean?

It's a phrase that is contradictory such as "jumbo shrimp".