Residents or Recent Former Residents, Generally Speaking, is Chicago a -Fat- City? (university, metra)

[ChiNaan]

It's somewhere in the average range for the U.S. It's not going to make anyone's list of the 10 healthiest cities like places in Colorado or California, but it's not going to make anyone's list of the 10 most obese cities like places in the South and elsewhere in the Midwest, either.

Of course average range for U.S. = very fat compared to the rest of the world or to the U.S. of a few decades ago.

[andrew61]

Originally Posted by i_am_hydrogen

Lack of access to grocery stores and healthy eating options (food deserts) contribute to obesity in poor areas of the city.

Well, I live in a North Side neighborhood that is anything but a food desert, and I see plenty of obesity here too.

[andrew61]

Originally Posted by ChiNaan

Of course average range for U.S. = very fat compared to the rest of the world or to the U.S. of a few decades ago.

This occurs to me nowadays when I watch old TV sitcom reruns and realize that many of the characters I used to think of as "fat" -- like Archie Bunker or Louise Jefferson -- don't seem all that big to me anymore.

[ChicagoMeO]

When I watch TV shows that showcase the BIGGEST humungous sandwiches, "Man Vs Food" or even some of the featured tv shows like Chicago's Best, they often show these too effen huge sandwiches, and loads of food on a plate. It makes me sick. Add to that chicago deep dish pizza, vs the skinny NY style (which they have in some places); so coming to chicago you can get fat if you indulge in it.

We have a lakefront where that promotes activity, so that keeps it in check.

But I've traveled elsewhere and they have their own fattening food choices, like down south where they enjoy everything fried, and smothered with gravy.

Still I dont think Chicago is the #1 place with fattest people.

Oh i forgot to mention, all the food piled high on buffets, where a lot gets wasted, but "free food" and "all you can eat" is really tempting to people who love to eat.

[Almont1]

It depends on the neighborhood, obviously.

Chicago is a fatter-than-average city and metropolitan area (compared to the other major U.S. metropolitan areas) and is definitely fatter than, say, SF, LA, NYC, or Boston, but the very affluent parts will obviously be mostly healthy, slim people.

[Chicago_Josh]

The men are fatter than the women here it seems

by and large at least

[nearnorth]

Originally Posted by Almont1

Chicago is a fatter-than-average city and metropolitan area (compared to the other major U.S. metropolitan areas)

Actually, the obesity rate across all U.S. metro areas of 1 million or more is 24.7% and the rate for Chicago's metro area is 24.2%. I'd say that makes us pretty average.

U.S. City Wellbeing Tracking

It might depend on your definition of "major" metro area, i.e. maybe if you bumped it up to 2 mil or 3 mil instead of 1 mil Chicago would be above average, but I'd have to see a source for that. Certainly if you bumped it up to 9 mil we would be, because then we'd only be compared against NY and LA.

[the12ronin]

Interesting, the poll is slowly starting to shift. It's at 1/3 say "Fat" and 2/3 say "F dat"

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by the12ronin

Interesting, the poll is slowly starting to shift. It's at 1/3 say "Fat" and 2/3 say "F dat"

So you do you think an internet poll with 18 votes is more relevant than the studies posted?

[the12ronin]

I think people's personal perspectives are equally as relevant.

You do not get a feel for the perception dynamic through a study.