Can only the rich afford to be thin?

USA Today | May 2, 2004 | Nanci Hellmich

[wmichgrad]

http://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/2004-05-02-diet-cover_x.htm

[MrsEmmaPeel]

It doesn't cost much not to eat.

[Bikers4Bush]

So what would it be called if we suggested that the lower income folks stop stuffing ho-ho's and twinkies down their throats two at a time while wallowing on the couch and watching Jerry Springer?

[FITZ]

I think they want to make the taxpayers cough up a lot more money to provide the lazy with health spas.

[cyborg]

EXCUSES!! How much do these people think a mango costs? Oh but of course the low class should stick with government cheese food.

[FITZ]

No --- and you see the "poor" stuffing their shopping carts with all kinds of expensive junk food --- they'll buy a $4 bag of brand name potato chips but won't buy a $1 for 5 pounds of raw potatoes. And a box of twinkies costs more than a head of lettuce --- so this is all complete nonsense.

[dandelion]

"America - a land so prosperous, even the poor people are fat..."

"America: where poverty is now defined as one's inability to buy radicchio, baby lamb chops, and merlot wine..."

That'll fix that arguement. Without poverty as the whipping boy, the liberals will be forced to blame an abundance of FOOD for the state of obesity in the country.

[Alberta's Child]

There's one interesting aspect to this issue that doesn't get a lot of attention:

One of the underlying causes of obesity in this country has been the rise in our intake of food containing refined sugar, as well as the increase in refined grains in our diet. These happen to be among the most heavily-subsidized agricultural products in the U.S. today, which explains why they are among the cheapest food products in a typical supermarket.

[sinkspur]

The truth is that intelligent people can make the connection between eating certain kinds of foods and being thin.

Ignorant people, no matter how much it is explained to them, usually can't.

Fast food, on the whole, is much more expensive than buying chicken and fresh vegetables at a supermarket.

[scab4faa]

I, by no means am rich and I am 5'11 and 173. So, this article is B.S. I see overwieght people constantly stuffing thier faces with garbage. Makes me sick.

[AD from SpringBay]

"The rich can afford to be thin in America, and the poor can't," says Barry Popkin, a nutrition professor at the school of public health at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

What an absolutely amazing statement - from a professor nonetheless. Let's think about this: in America, if you are poor - you can't afford to be thin? Really? One would think that being poor would limit one's ability to buy food. So, first of all, thank God we live in a nation where being poor is defined as being helplessly fat. Secondly, it doesn't cost much to increase your physical activity and limit what you eat. Adkins smatkins - just do more and eat less - it's time proven and works. The only thing more fool-proof is abstaining from sex to limit stds. And finally, the good professor might want to consider that one reason why there might be thinner wealthy people is because they are out working for their money and over the course of their lives have developed self-discipline skills that allow them to also limit their calorie intake. But I don't know about this last statement - guess we'll need to spend a few million government dollars (i.e. our stolen money) to figure that one out for sure. The good professor is a dolt.

[Blood of Tyrants]

This is one of the most stupid articles ever. Many years ago, researchers sought to "prove" that poor southern blacks ate worse foods of lower quality than whites. What they found was that blacks actually ate food that was BETTER for you than many whites because they tended to eat more greens and vegetables and foods high in fiber and less processed foods high in sugar and fatty meats.

[Crawdad]

Please explain Ted Kennedy.

[commish]

One of the underlying causes of obesity in this country has been the rise in our intake of food containing refined sugar, as well as the increase in refined grains in our diet.

Bingo! I am currently on Sugar-Busters and have lost 20 Lbs. just by eliminating Sugar and refined products from my diet.

I have been eating all natural foods (luckily STEAK is all natural LOL) and whole grain products. I have never felt better, and do not miss anything I have given up. Though I must admit giving up Potatoes and Corn (both highly glycemic foods) was tough at first.

[TigerTale]

Can only the rich afford to be thin?

The fact that this question even makes sense to us is a demonstration that America is the most successful nation in history.

[XJarhead]

Stupid article. There is some truth in saying that it may be a bit easier for rich people to stay thin, but to say that the poor can't be thin is a joke. It's cheaper to broil than to fry, to use less butter and fat, and to eat less processed sugar rather than more.

[big bad easter bunny]

So its very safe to say the poor don't go hungry here.

[CSM]

We better implemant a tax on healthy foods so the prices are leveled and the poor will be able to make the choice!

I can't open your freepmail......

[VeritatisSplendor]

beans and rice.

mrs VS

[ClearCase_guy]

The booming economy is Africa is responsible for most of the starvation there. You see all the skinny people with bones spoking through their skin? They are filthy rich! Trust Funds out the wazoo, I tell ya!