WV Ranks 6 in obesity (Charleston, Fairmont: crime, new home, neighborhood)

[Colby "The Punk" Wells]

Originally Posted by GottaHerdOn

I pretty much agree with that idea about WV south of Flatwoods being the southern. Is most of WV really Baptist? I thought it would be more Methodist or Presbryterian or something?

I have no doubt that Baptist is the predominant religion around the Huntington area, I noticed that very clearly when I started school down here. It is a little startling at first at the amount of religion firstly, then the concentration of Baptists is alarming as well. Not saying its wrong, just stating my observations

I actually thought Methodist was the predominant religion in WV as well. I found that map on Wikipedia. Here's the article for it.
Religion in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[appalachiangirl]

I think Methodists are more predominant in the Mid-atlantic states and some parts of the Upper South (I've seen WV classified as both of these),but deeper South is more Baptist.

[David Kennedy]

Methodism was the first real religion brought into the mountains by Bishop Asbury in the 1790's. He was agast at what he saw and made a commitment to bring moral living to the inhabitants...read some of his journal...catholic's were the last to come as missionaries...1850/60's...rode the train to Wheeling...lots of history in those accounts..

[vec101]

City-data, which we all love for providing us with this forum, says:
Throughout its history, the religiously active population in West Virginia has been overwhelmingly Protestant....
In 2000, the major Protestant denominations and the number of their adherents were the United Methodist Church, 150,985; the American Baptist Churches USA, 108,087; the Southern Baptist Convention, 43,606; and the Presbyterian Church USA, 28,467. Other fundamentalist denominations included the Churches of Christ, 24,143; the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee), 21,657; and the Church of the Nazarene, 21,389. The Catholic population was 105,363 in 2000; there were an estimated at 2,400 Jews and 1,528 Muslims. Over 1.1 million people (about 64% of the population) were not counted as members of any religious organization

http://www.city-data.com/states/West...Religions.html

[ArcticPhoenix]

Originally Posted by GottaHerdOn

We have addressed the Southern thing before though. While to some WV may be "southern" to others its not. It varies a lot from region to region. Especially when you factor in other parts of the state such as the northern panhandle, eastern panhandle, north central WV, and the Ohio River valley compared to the southern WV coal fields. While some in each region may identify with being southern it is greatly diminished as you get further north. I personally feel more northern being from Elkins, and if not northern, then Mid-Atlantic or some other classification. But not southern. I'm going to agree with the being a lower income state, and a lack of restriction for fast food companies.

Some of my in-laws live in Pittsburgh in an area called Mt. Lebanon, PA and within their little city limits, fast food places are banned!! I was so impressed with that idea, I thought it was an excellent idea. Markets over fast food any day!!!

I absolutely agree that it depends on the area you're in. Like I said, I was making an observation about where I'm from in WV. I would consider myself a "southerner with northern allegiance", if that makes any sense. There is a sense of torn identity in WV, yet.. ironically... it is from that torn identity that West Virginia gets such a strong identity and therefore strong bonds with itself.

Beyond that, there aren't many gyms in WV, and outdoor activities really aren't promoted overall, with the exception of whitewater rafting (where you're sitting in a raft) and skiing (which does use up quite a few calories). However, again, many West Virginians eat processed foods quite a bit. I'm still going to stick to my guns though and say that it is a southern thing moreso than an "American" thing, but it is an American thing, too.

Again, a healthy lifestyle isn't promoted. Balance isn't really promoted, and West Virginia, as a whole, remains largely uneducated to the world around us, and the other ways in which people live their lives. This isn't to say that West Virginians are stupid. I'm not dogging West Virginians, remember, I grew up there, and will forever REMAIN a West Virginian through and through. However, I just have never seen a healthy lifestyle be promoted there.

Here in Washington State, it's everywhere. Organic foods, whole grain foods, LOTS of outdoor activities... Washington State doesn't have as bad of an obesity problem as other states have. Yes, there are some problems with obesity, like the rest of America, but it isn't in the top 20 even. I really don't see that many people around that are overweight. In WV? In the area I grew up in? I don't recall seeing more than a handful of people being normal weight. The VAST majority were overweight.

The human body has not evolved to consume processed foods and sit around all the time. Humans have, for eons and eons, been extremely active. We farmed, we marched to war, we conquered mountains and rivers and explored the ends of the earth. We made our own food and we stayed, overall, a healthy weight. Now, however, food is much cheaper, we don't really work for it, and we spend our days behind a computer much like my day is spent today. I'm working a 9.5 hour shift (after my 7 hour shift at the airport earlier) at my 2nd job, and I'm sitting behind a computer for about 2/3's of the shift. This isn't healthy for me to sit for this long.

But... that's also part of our culture. Americans have become lazy. West Virginia isn't immune to the problems of the outside world. It does, however, seem to be immune to many of the benefits of it.

And David Kennedy: I lol'd.

[David Kennedy]

Obesity in Wv is a money maker...relate the diseases and operations, diet-fads and considerations like...appliances: wheelchairs, accessibility...job requirements..

Even in Wv, it adds up into the hundreds of millions...factor in the welfare quotient and the socialistic/helpless attitude of those who govern and make money from this horrid system and you create a killer for the masses and it produces great wealth...someone must be the 'crop...be the victim...be the patient...and its really nationwide.

The west coast has always been aware of good health...but crazy too...it's like give me the best food and the best 'dope to go with it...did all the crazies (beat-niks) from Greenich villiage have a missionary program to the west coast?

What I really like about Seattle...Chinatown...a real one...and we have good friends there...in Bremmerton...punkers! Seattle is OK!

[appalachiangirl]

Pa seems to have a lot of overweight/obese people,at least in the southwestern areas near the WV border (no I'm not making fun,I need to lose some weight myself). There truly ARE those who are overweight due to medical reasons (certainly not all). about 60-70% of woman with polycystic ovarian disease,a serious hormonal problem which is often genetic and causes MANY health problems,for instance (I have a cousin with this)--are overweight--and many people on steroid medication gain weight as well.

[vec101]

Originally Posted by ArcticPhoenix

.... Beyond that, there aren't many gyms in WV, and outdoor activities really aren't promoted overall, with the exception of whitewater rafting (where you're sitting in a raft) and skiing (which does use up quite a few calories). ......
Again, a healthy lifestyle isn't promoted. Balance isn't really promoted, and West Virginia, as a whole, remains largely uneducated to the world around us, and the other ways in which people live their lives. This isn't to say that West Virginians are stupid. I'm not dogging West Virginians, remember, I grew up there, and will forever REMAIN a West Virginian through and through. However, I just have never seen a healthy lifestyle be promoted there.
.

How long has it been since you lived here? Sounds like it's been quite a few years.

Hiking, walking, exercise, wholesome eating, weight control, etc. ARE promoted. That doesn't mean people do it, but it is promoted.

"West Virginia, as a whole, remains largely uneducated to the world around us, and the other ways in which people live their lives." -- That's just the attitude from people who don't live in the state now that gives WV it's image that we are all ignorant and live in the dark ages.

I agree that there was a time when that probably was true. But the world is no longer what it used to be and WV is no longer cut off from the rest of the world.

[NOVAmtneer82]

I've lived outside of WV for four years and agree completely with ArcticPhoenix regarding the state and its lack of connection to the outside world (not saying that's always a bad thing). I've never seen hiking, walking, exercise, wholesome eating and weight control being promoted in WV but if it is then VERY few people are listening.

[David Kennedy]

People are walking everywhere, rail trails, parks, malls, high school and college tracks...workout in the spas...and we have several...where are you getting this opinion?

My opinion as to being 'uneducated to the world around us...that is a blessing if their ever was one. I certainly don't want the 'bums from Portland hitting me up for money on every street corner...the plastic, insincere world of California, the 'money chase of New York City...the dope from Cleveland...
It seems that the 'world around us has very little to offer in honesty and values...we have that now..and are losing it...we still are able to live in safety here...how would becoming that be a help?