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Why Are Southerners So Fat?
Time ^ | 7/9/2009 | Claire Suddath

Posted on 07/09/2009 9:07:36 AM PDT by freed0misntfree

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?

(Excerpt) Read more at time.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; US: Mississippi
KEYWORDS: dixie; fatties; food; ghettovalues; illegalaliens; obesity; poverty; soulfood; south
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To: ejonesie22

That is hilarious!
Even worse is the obnoxious accent and attitudes of those from NYC.


221 posted on 07/09/2009 11:35:24 AM PDT by a real Sheila (Tired of MJ's coverage? You ain't seen nothing yet!)
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To: freed0misntfree

Why are Southerners so fat?

Fried chicken,
Fried okra.
Fried tomatoes.
Fried squash.
Chicken fried steak.
Fried eggs.
Fried catfish.
Fried hushpuppies.
Fried pies.
Fried quokets, fish, turkey and chicken.
Fried sweetbreads.
Fried liver.

And that’s just the home cooked list. No mention of fast foods!

Then add ...
Air conditioning.
TV.
Video games.
Computer.

Why go outside in the heat when you can eat and watch tv or play on the computer!


222 posted on 07/09/2009 11:35:34 AM PDT by Ruy Dias de Bivar (A modern liberal is someone who doesn't care what you do so long as it is compulsory.)
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To: Albion Wilde

A woman with more ‘insulation’ is a better sleeping partner, too in the winter, but a negative in the summer months without central air.


223 posted on 07/09/2009 11:36:20 AM PDT by MHGinTN (Believing they cannot be deceived, they cannot be convinced when they are deceived.)
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To: freed0misntfree

Isn’t Mississippi also the highest in individuals receiving aid from the state?


224 posted on 07/09/2009 11:36:41 AM PDT by KosmicKitty (WARNING: Hormonally crazed woman ahead!!)
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To: a real Sheila

We’re not all nearly that bad, but I sure know what you’re talking about.


225 posted on 07/09/2009 11:37:07 AM PDT by Pharmboy (Who ever thought we would long for the days of the Clinton administration...)
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To: MHGinTN

***Meanie ... I have to take a trip to find a Church’s, and I love their ‘broasted’ chicken.***

I loved Churche’s Chicken till I found it was too “halal” for me!

Popeyes is now my choice!


226 posted on 07/09/2009 11:38:42 AM PDT by Ruy Dias de Bivar (A modern liberal is someone who doesn't care what you do so long as it is compulsory.)
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To: a real Sheila
My take, from Georgia boy:

This is Bible belt - Even been to a covered dish gathering after church in the south. enough food to last a week.

People in the south not setting on butts not waiting for Govt to feed us

BBQ - Best in South
Soul Food - Best in the south
Southern women - Best women in the world, best cooks also.
Veggies - Best in the south where they are not health food but good food, don't believe me try my wife's (GA also) sweet potatoes, or fried cabbage, you will want them for desert. plus we grow more then needed in my garden.

227 posted on 07/09/2009 11:40:55 AM PDT by NoDRodee (U>S>M>C)
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To: freed0misntfree

This thread is just hilarious!

I have to disagree with the article. I think the south has hit a 60% obesity rate. I was out recently with hubby on a Sat. in Target and watched folks streaming in the door. I swear, EVERY PERSON who walked in was noticeably overweight.
EVERY PERSON.

Myself, while I’m not obese, but I could stand to drop 15 lbs. I think the lack of physical activity and the pension for all you can eat buffets have led to the southern fat zone.


228 posted on 07/09/2009 11:41:30 AM PDT by a real Sheila (Tired of MJ's coverage? You ain't seen nothing yet!)
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To: TLI
A few observations:

* Black Americans may be more overweight on average than other Americans, but the second most obese state, West Virginia, has a very low percentage of African Americans (3.5%, vs. a national average of 12.8%). Ditto for Oklahoma (8.3%) and Kentucky (7.8%), both top ten states

* The "Southernness" of all three states can be questioned for demographic and historical reasons. In any case, West Virginia and Kentucky were Border states during the Civil War, and Oklahoma was not in the Union, although several Indian tribes aligned with the Confederacy.

* The argument that the wide open spaces of the South contribute to a lack of walking is not valid, inasmuch as the "leanest" state (Colorado) and an additional two of the ten "leanest" states (Utah and Montana) are in the even wider open spaces of the West.

* The argument that the heat of the South discourages outdoor excercise can be countered by the observation that Floridians, who have perhaps the hottest, most humid climate in the South, have below average obesity rates. Florida also has black and Hispanic populations above the national average. Also, the four Southwestern desert states (NM, AZ, NV, CA), which have hot summers as well (higher temperatures, lower humidity) are in the lower levels, even though all four states have high minority populations (albeit Hispanic and not black).

My guess is that higher obesity rates in both the nation as a whole and the South in particular are the result of a combination of a decline in manual labor due to automation on the job and at home, the effects of food additives, notably high fructose corn syrup, and a tendency of lower income people, irrespective of race or ethnicity, to purchase prepackaged and prepared foods with high starch and fat contents.

229 posted on 07/09/2009 11:41:56 AM PDT by Wallace T.
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To: freed0misntfree

Bump for later.


230 posted on 07/09/2009 11:44:51 AM PDT by Springman (Rest In Peace YaYa123)
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To: BeerLover NYC

“I could live off cajun food alone”

Me too. When every entree starts off with a roux, you’re talking some calories


231 posted on 07/09/2009 11:45:16 AM PDT by Figment ("A communist is someone who reads Marx.An anti-communist is someone who understands Marx" R Reagan)
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To: TexasFreeper2009

I grew up in a lower middle class home.
We ate somewhat healthy. My mom rarely bought cookies or chips.

We had a garden every summer and fresh veggies. My mom and grandmother canned all summer.
It was all much healthier and CHEAPER than buying at the grocery store. Even the smallest backyard can yield some fresh garden veggies.

Most towns have a farmer’s market or roadside stands during the summer for fresh produce and it is much cheaper than a store. That article is full of crap.


232 posted on 07/09/2009 11:47:52 AM PDT by a real Sheila (Tired of MJ's coverage? You ain't seen nothing yet!)
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To: freed0misntfree; Calpernia
...according to a new joint report by Trust For America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

That alone nullifies anything said about obesity. This outfit ONLY funds "studies" and "reports" that will give a specific result. A result I might add, that is good for the bottom line of the foundation's primary support, Johnson & Johnson pharmaceuticals.

233 posted on 07/09/2009 11:48:40 AM PDT by Gabz
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To: -YYZ-
Couldn’t they just walk them to the bus stop?

Depends on the local "carry laws". Sometime very light armor is better than none.

But, ther are definately people who will drive a hundred feet. These are not restricted to the South.

234 posted on 07/09/2009 11:48:49 AM PDT by GingisK
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To: SonnyBubba

You seriously don’t know what a napscoordinator is. Obviously never been in the military...oops sorry your from the South that explains alot.


235 posted on 07/09/2009 11:50:30 AM PDT by napscoordinator
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To: freed0misntfree

Excerpt

THAT’S WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THE SOUTH
(Andy Razaf)

Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys - 1942
Phil Harris - 1947

Also recorded by: Nolan Bruce Allen; Buddy Blue;
Cliff Bruner; Moon Mullican; Red Stick Ramblers;
Rollin’ In The Hay.

Won’t you come with me to Alabamy
Let’s go see my dear old Mammy
She’s fryin’ eggs and boiling hammy
That’s what I like about the South

Now there you can make no mistakey
Where those nerves are never shaky
Ought to taste her layer cakey
That’s what I like about the South

She’s got baked ribs and candied yams
Those sugar-cured Virginia hams
Basement full of those berry jams
An’ that’s what I like about the South

Hot corn bread, black-eyed peas
You can eat as much as you please
‘Cause it’s never out of season
That’s what I like about the South

Aahhh, don’t take one, have two
There’s dark brown and chocolate too
Suits me, they must suit you
‘Cause that’s what I like about the South

Well it’s way, way down where the cane grows tall
Down where they say “Y’all”
Walk on in with that Southern drawl
‘Cause that’s what I like about the South

Down where they have those pretty queens
Keep a-dreamin’ those dreamy dreams
Well let’s sip that absinthe in New Orleans
That’s what I like about the South


236 posted on 07/09/2009 11:58:11 AM PDT by Mila (e)
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To: a real Sheila
I'm sorry you had bad experiences with a couple of New Yorkers.

I lived there for two years and met thousands of 'em. The ones I know are all fine people.

237 posted on 07/09/2009 11:58:42 AM PDT by Chunga (Vote Republican)
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To: napscoordinator

“Sorry I meant Most Southerners are lazy...not 100 percent”

Not true. But %100 of Pennsylvanians in the Navy are protected by the “don’t ask, don’t tell, don’t persue” doctrine


238 posted on 07/09/2009 11:58:59 AM PDT by Figment ("A communist is someone who reads Marx.An anti-communist is someone who understands Marx" R Reagan)
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To: Rebelbase
"Perv dangers, not laziness."

Exactly!

239 posted on 07/09/2009 12:00:42 PM PDT by Mila (e)
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To: a real Sheila

All-you-can-eat buffets are offering pensions now?


240 posted on 07/09/2009 12:01:40 PM PDT by Chunga (Vote Republican)
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