Obesity rate very high where I live (advantage, heart, diet)
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Let me start by saying, I really love where I live, and this is no knock on my city/town whatsoever. We moved here in 2019, but in that year the area had the distinction of being the fattest city in Florida. I am wondering why? I had noticed wherever we go, the majority of folks are really obese, and I mean by a lot. It is just strange to see this. I was in the hospital for a couple weeks a two years ago and was appalled at the number of health care providers that were literally morbidly obese, including the two "diabetes educators."
What do you attribute this phenomenon to? We moved from a coastal town and it was nowhere near the level it is here. I do see a lot of BBQ joints, wings, fried chicken places etc. but there are also a lot of healthy Asian places, Mediterranean food, etc. It seems the only people of normal weight are the younger college kids. The older, and married family folks...... yeah. So again, just curious about the sheer # of overweight folks here. Just wonder if there are any theories to explain this.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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I would consider what the major employers are there, and if there are more of the more sedentary jobs where people sit at a desk all day, and fewer active jobs like farming and construction. If it's a college town, the college administration and educators are all sitting at their jobs all day and they are probably one of the biggest employers.
Southerners in general tend to have a higher obesity rate.
Bad diet and lack of exercise are the obvious answers, but I guess you want to know the reasons behind these choices.
Hard to say. Perhaps self care is not culturally important there? As mentioned above, this would suggest lower incomes and educational achievements.
Not surprising to hear health care workers aren’t so healthy. That’s not uncommon anywhere.
Physically active professions such as tree service and construction workers-now that would be surprising to see a fat person representing.
I don't think it is exclusive to your area, as the US in general is very rotund. When I visited Poland and Nigeria, I was shocked how small the food portions are, and I saw more normal weight people everywhere. Seeing someone that was obese was not as common. Another thing I noticed is there were more people commuting by walking or cycling vs. the US.
OP I'm a Floridian by way of NV, AZ and NJ and I can tell you the high rate of obese health care workers is not just in our state. I have morbidly obese family members who I love with all my heart and I know what the future holds for them because I've seen other family members go through amputations due to Type 2 diabetes. Health care workers are especially aware of the consequences and yet I've seen some outside enjoying a cigarette.
Sometimes education doesn't mean a darn thing when it comes to making smart health choices.
You must be from Panama City or nearby. I have an acquantance from Germany who came to the USA to coordianate with his work partner and they took him to Panama City beach for an afternoon of leisure and said "Don't be shocked at what you see." He told me there were rows and rows of these individuals laying out on the beach. He was surprised that for a place with such great weather and outdoor places to go that it would be that way.
I feel bad for the individuals and so did he at the time. But I wish they could take advantage of the amenities available to help themselves be healthy.
I noticed this when I moved to NC. I was shocked, yesterday I saw a woman with a full cart of Mt. Dew, when the soda goes on sale, it unbelievable how much they buy. They still eat fat back here, everything cooked with lard.
I don't understand either, every day on "food row" that's what I call it, each place is packed, fast food and Chili's, Coaches, Cracker Barrel, everyday.
First~People eat out way too much! How can they afford that?
Self reported Obesity by state, using BMI. Healthy is less than 25, lol. Congratulations, the 6 of you! No need to point out that this is not a perfect map or a perfect way to measure obesity. We know that, but there it is anyway.
I noticed this when I moved to NC. I was shocked, yesterday I saw a woman with a full cart of Mt. Dew, when the soda goes on sale, it unbelievable how much they buy. They still eat fat back here, everything cooked with lard.
I don't understand either, every day on "food row" that's what I call it, each place is packed, fast food and Chili's, Coaches, Cracker Barrel, everyday.
First~People eat out way too much! How can they afford that?
I too wonder about how all these cheap chain places are packed all the time. Even at those prices, it really adds up, and I know people who eat out CONSTANTLY. Don't know how they can afford it. We are retirees, and enjoy a meal out but for us it is once or twice a week, we go somewhere with good quality and don't order/eat junk. The rest of the week I cook healthy meals, and we even skip a meal now and then.
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