TIME MAG: Why Are Southerners So Fat?

TIME:

People from Mississippi are fat. With an adult obesity rate of 33%, Mississippi gobbled its way to the "chubbiest state" crown for the fifth year in a row, according to a new joint report by Trust For America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Alabama, West Virginia, and Tennessee aren't far behind, with obesity rates over 30%. In fact, eight out of the 10 fattest states are in the South. The region famous for its biscuits, barbecue and pecan pies has been struggling with its weight for years -- but then again, so has the rest of the country. Wisconsin loves cheese, New Yorkers scarf pizza, and New Englanders have been known to enjoy a crab cake or two. So why is the South so portly?

Read the whole story: TIME

Comments

[yukoner1]

It's payback for their losing the War Between The States/War of Northern Aggression. They ARE determined to win the Battle of The Bulge and bankrupt you with their medical bills though.

[Gordo10]

ur dumb "War of Northern Aggression" hahaha

[Pupadup4oBama]

but yet they are only hurting themselves when they drop dead of heart disease.

I have a family member who complains about not having enough money to buy a new apartment...but yet he has no problem going to IHOP and ordering an order of pancakes with cream, eggs, bacon and sausage. Ugghhhh...

[Yves Papa]

Ou bien ils baisent ou bien ils sont obèses.

[merger]

If you have ever watched Paula Deen, you will know. There is butter and/or sugar in everything and plenty of both. I have southern friends who mix their iced tea with lemonade and then add more sugar. When you order iced tea in the South it comes sweet, very sweet, unless you specify otherwise. So much of what southerners do socially revolves around lots of food.

[We-Are-The-Ones]

And it is fried with good ole fashioned lard. Yum.

[macintoshsauce]

When you use wholesome ingredients in baking or cooking you do not gain weight. You gain weight from all the DIET crap that is in the stores.

[mikesw]

"fried pickles" ???????

[mick7191]

Fried Twinkies

[turfkiller]

Polish sausage bites, deep fried and battered.

You have to be an optimist: http://www.irory.com/html/crossroad_cooks_16.html

[epiphany1234]

Fried squirrels too!

Seriously.

[sunnybunny]

Fried oreos?

[ramal]

Because the food is so good and the weather is so hot. Never a good combination.

[SSF]

You can't eat grits and bacon with (or for) every meal.....

[NOOTPOSTSFORISREAL]

Was it just me or did that article read like an 8th grade book report?

[darylwalmsley]

it's called poverty

[Ping]

I bet it's more psychological that nutritional.

[Pupadup4oBama]

exactly....people tend to eat their frustrations.

[indy girl]

comfort food to offset your poverty!

[Siobhan11]

Agreed - I commented about my weight struggle elsewhere here. While I count metabolism as an issue, I admit I don't eat like a bird, neither am I a glutton, but I do tend to calm my nerves with food. Not a drinker, not a smoker, no presription meds. Food is my chosen self medication. I am not saying I have no responsibility to try. I do try to fight the fight.

A kind doctor once said in general about people's chosen vices - Life is hard. Sometimes people need a crutch. I know that will anger the really together people out there. Who feel we should be perfect. I say I am happy for you, but please don't judge me.

[CaptainQueeg]

The South will very slowly, rise again. !

[indy girl]

Like biscuits made with lard!!! With gravy.... and sausage. And a side of bacon.

[CaptainQueeg]

Is that Gravy Drippin's or French Fries on her pants ?

[sean6886]

My usual excuse for eating c r a p was due to lack of time or want to cook anything. Eventually, I just got tired of being tired all day, so I found good food that doesn't take time at all to cook.
After awhile, if I ate fast food, I felt really sick. I lost weight, got healther, my doctor was happy, and I had more energy.
Now, I make sure to exercise about three days a week and I take 15 minutes out of my work day to walk.
People, it's not rocket science.

[Pupadup4oBama]

i too used to be VERY lazy about cooking - I'd order carryout ALL the time - bad for the waistline AND the budget.
Now, I actually go grocery shopping and buy fresh fruits and veggies on sale - make sure I always have chicken, fish and lean ground beef in the fridge, plus walking my dog doesn't hurt either.

[imsosure]

Well I suppose they are so fat because they eat like pigs and don't care about their health. It's amazing to what extent some people will go to in order to what ever they want regardless of the cost or consequences.

[lookingforintegrity]

I just harvested carrots, chard, peas, raspberries, and onions from my garden tonight. There are also zucchini, beets, potatoes, corn, beans, broccoli, and more. I don't have land for a garden so a neighbor has offered hers for several of us to share. We are eating well for very little money. Eating well doesn't have to be expensive.

[Pupadup4oBama]

that is FANTASTIC! - that is what community is all about! Share and share alike.

[ChicagoBob]

Calories in.
Calories out.
Do the math.

[ThinkCreeps]

Yup.. eating too much, not doing enough exercise.

(They can't do math, you're going to have to help them out with that)