[duncan st clair]

Originally Posted by beenaround

I don't have connections in Alabama either, but I do like to visit. Why is the original poster so hard on Alabama? Other states have obesity problems too; obviously more so in Alabama, but the condesending tone is quite rude.

Because he LIVES here.

1. Sloth
2. Anger
3.Gluttony
4. Ignorance
5. Poverty

[RikardW]

Originally Posted by indy-bama_grl

I have to disagree with reguards to school. I have lived in indy my entire life. Schools here are horrid. Check out greatschools.net. The schools in Alabama are ranked higher in just about every aspect than in indy. There are more schools ranked 10 (highest) in one county in Alabama than the entirety of indy.

Alabama may be more poverty stricken, but at least you do something about it. In indy, you can not go a twenty mile radius without seeing people livin on the streets.

Alabama has a lot to be proud of, and I am not just talkin about sports. I hate indy. The people in bama, for the most part, are nice. In indy, rude and mean are just the way things are. It is even taught in school. I am not exaggerating, in elementary we learn songs like, "Think Hard Double Retard."

I have to say that when it comes to either rude and mean or obese people, I would choose the obese every time.

Wow, some strong comments here. "I hate Indy." "Schools here are horrid." Education opportunities in Indy are adequate. Unfortunately there are just some folks who don't appreciate what an education will do for them. Like the radio commercial that I hear all the time, "If you think education is expensive, try ignorance".
I am not a big fan of these studies and rankings put out by a variety of people, who usually have an ax to grind and grant money to spend.
I am generally turned off by obese people. I'll admit it. But its not really any of my business as long as they are not snatching crumbs off my plate. It has become popular for America to be concerned about obesity, smoking, alcohol, and drugs. These are personal choices, made by each and every one of us. Get that? Personal choices. I'd say America would be better off being concerned about its reputation around the world. How do we explain billions of dollars for a war machine, a blatant disregard for the environment, or capitalist greed? Has anyone else noticed the number of people released from death row, or convicted rapists being exhonorated with DNA testing? Our justice system could use an overhaul. We are being taxed at an alarming rate and our constitutional rights are being eroded on a daily basis. But no, let's bash fat people. Let's enact smoking laws. Ban trans-fats. What's going to happen to "Think Double Hard Retard" when it's time to get a job? Send him to some Pacific Rim country so he can sew my gloves, pants and shoes together?
Look, not everyone is college material. There's a need, right here in America, for the type of jobs being outsourced overseas. American jobs for Americans.
We need to get away from the personal attacks on fat people, smokers, drug addicts and alcoholics. They've been around for centuries and come from all walks of life. To say that these issues will usher in the decline of America, if we don't take legislative action immediately, is laughable.
I would like to see "Think Double Hard Retard" get an education. Why? Because these are the unfortunate souls that do populate our prisons. Their life of crime starts early, in part, from lack of parenting. They turn to gangs for love and acceptance. Great. Most teen gang bangers are truants. They are truly the "Think Double Hard Retards". At this point it's almost too late to save them. The fat kid? Well, he just might have parents that care, gets passing grades and goes to college and learns about cigarettes, pot, and alcohol. Along the way he makes good, conscious decisions and decides to become an engineer, lawyer, and maybe even a doctor. At least he was able to get to the point of making good, conscious decisions. The parents of this world need to realize how important they are in this process. Teachers would be a whole lot more successful, in Indiana, Mississippi, or wherever, if children were being sent to school with a motivation to learn.
My wife is a special education teacher in a large school system. There are kids with special needs, and some may get teased over it. I find it unacceptable to dilute the available resourses that these children honestly need. We have children of normal intelligence, or even above, testing at a very low level because of absenteeism and their attitude. They don't have special needs that teachers need to address. It starts in the home. Wake up and smell the roses.
On the other hand, don't, it may be fattening.

[Clarkx3]

amen! we will all be less obese when Uncle Sam bans trans fats altogether, but at what cost? We won't have to look at the overweight, but we will be told what we can look at someday.....scary. I say we should be more concerned on the state of our country as well.

[Jazz Piano]

Originally Posted by Cattknap

The #1 cause of obesity in southern states is the southern diet - if you visit the south or live there, you know what I mean....or watch Paul Deen (whom I love) - imagine what your weight would be if you ate foods like she prepares.

I hardly call it a diet...more like a "DIE et"...

[janeilee]

Oh yes....I would agree with that!!! I very rarely eat out, although it is enjoyable to have someone else do the cooking...it is just too risky! I prefer a "clean" way of eating myself....foods cooked without adding fats...for example, greens without bacon/ham...plenty of fish but grilled, not fried and without butter, just some Mrs. Dash original seasoning and a touch of salt....mmmmm good! This isn't to say that I don't indulge occasionally on good 'ole southern cook'n....I would be a lier to say that I didn't, but it is only very rarely that I do.

[zenjenn]

The problem is nationwide. If you look at those actual statistics, almost ALL states fall within the 20-30% of the population being obese category. So you are talking about single-digit differences the majority of the time.

the adults are contorting their faces while they furiously move their hands on some silly game.

And you do nothing silly, I'm sure.

There is nothing wrong with adults or children playing video games, or reading fluffy books, or watching TV. All things in moderation.

Actually video games are probably my most consistent form of physical fitness. I play a dance game on the playstation, and I'm not joking when I say it's as physically demanding as a high-impact aerobics class. But it's fun and I can do it from the comfort of my home after my kids are tucked in for the night.

[Keeper]

While the topic is revelant, please just take note this thread was started over a year ago. Many of the posters, no longer post on this forum.

[SClady]

Your life on this earth is short so I feel it is much better to feed your Soul. Learn to love and care about people, not condemn. My Grandmother died at 100, my Mother is 94 and still going strong and I am 70. None of us are or were overweight. We eat fried chicken, gravy, biscuits, and all that good stuff. It is more important what comes out of your mouth than what goes into it.

[70Ford]

Originally Posted by RikardW

I am generally turned off by obese people. I'll admit it. But its not really any of my business as long as they are not snatching crumbs off my plate. It has become popular for America to be concerned about obesity, smoking, alcohol, and drugs. These are personal choices, made by each and every one of us. Get that? Personal choices.

You ever hear of oversized chairs? The bariatric industry is expanding greatly.
Rich pockets are getting richer on the crappy McDiets of others.

The estimate for the "obesity hit" on economics was 78.5 billion dollars in 1998! We've gotten fatter since then, of course. Do you think the cost has gone down?

Obesity and Overweight: Economic Consequences | DNPAO | CDC

The World Bank is debating whether obesity is costing the global economy as much as malnutrition.

Obesity could cost global economy as much as malnutrition, warns World Bank

Are you saying that these personal decisions don't affect you? Do you pay taxes? I do. Do you wish things didn't cost as much? Do you wish there was less of a drain on the economy because of fat people? I do.

Does someone hold a gun to the fat person's head and say "EAT THE HAMBURGER OR DIE?" Probably not. It's complicated...these people's personal choices do affect everyone....it's just that one can't immediately see the costs involved.

[RikardW]

Originally Posted by 70Ford

You ever hear of oversized chairs? The bariatric industry is expanding greatly.
Rich pockets are getting richer on the crappy McDiets of others.

The estimate for the "obesity hit" on economics was 78.5 billion dollars in 1998! We've gotten fatter since then, of course. Do you think the cost has gone down?

Obesity and Overweight: Economic Consequences | DNPAO | CDC

The World Bank is debating whether obesity is costing the global economy as much as malnutrition.

Obesity could cost global economy as much as malnutrition, warns World Bank

Are you saying that these personal decisions don't affect you? Do you pay taxes? I do. Do you wish things didn't cost as much? Do you wish there was less of a drain on the economy because of fat people? I do.

Does someone hold a gun to the fat person's head and say "EAT THE HAMBURGER OR DIE?" Probably not. It's complicated...these people's personal choices do affect everyone....it's just that one can't immediately see the costs involved.

Bariatrics? What about geriatrics? That's a business that is expanding greatly, too. What's the hit on the economy by folks that are living ever longer lives?
That aside, our economy is at risk from plain greed and corruption. I find this obesity issue so far down on the list of "Drains on the American Economy" that it doesn't rate mentioning until some of the other, more important issues are tackled.