July 18, 2008
Top Ten Obese States Or AP Top 25 Football
Anthony Bradley
These are the 10 states with the highest levels of adult obesity, according to a 2007 survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.1. Mississippi, 32.0 percent
2. Alabama, 30.3
3. Tennessee, 30.1
4. Louisiana, 29.8
5. West Virginia, 29.5
6. Arkansas, 28.7
7. South Carolina, 28.4
8. Georgia, 28.2
9. Oklahoma, 28.1
10. Texas, 28.1
Source: Associated Press
ATLANTA, Georgia (AP) -- The South tips the scales again as the nation's fattest region, according to a new government survey. Overall, about 26 percent of to the CDC's telephone survery were obese.More than 30 percent of adults in each of the states tipped the scales enough to ensure that the South remains the nation's fattest region. Colorado was the least obese, with about 19 percent . . .
Why is the South so heavy? The traditional Southern diet -- high in fat and fried food -- may be part of the answer, said Dr. William Dietz, who heads CDC's nutrition, physical activity and obesity division.
At first glance, I thought this was the AP Poll's Top 25 college football rankings. Can anyone out there link us up to a sermon in one of these states where a preacher dude is talking about this problem? Just curious.
I think the problem is multifaceted. Obviously diet is part of the answer, but I think the other big part is exercise. People don't work in the fields anymore, mostly, which is a good thing, but it does require change in diet.
Another issue: refined sugars and processed food are much cheaper than fresh food. Thus, people in more impoverished states tend to eat more sugar/processed food, which is less healthy, because it's cheaper when you want your kids to feel like they have full bellies.
Posted by: tusc0n raider at July 18, 2008 8:54 AMA question: what sermon text would appropriately include discussion of obesity? Obesity is not always attributable to gluttony, so it would have to make a distinction between the two.
Posted by: tusc0n raider at July 18, 2008 10:39 AMtusc0n raider
How about Judges 3:15-23? It teaches that one danger of obesity is that when you get run through by a servant of the Lord the results can be pretty crappy. "The fat, sometimes it makes the blade stick."
Posted by: Dave S. at July 18, 2008 11:02 AMI dread being one of the headless fat people that are pictured in stories about obesity. But I fear I may qualify...
Ohio is only #15 on this list, a bit lower than OSU's AP ranking. I can't wait to be overmatched in another national championship game.
Posted by: Judy at July 18, 2008 12:24 PMSince I'm from state number four, I'll weigh in with my ideas: exceptionally good food that isn't so healthy coupled with outrageous heat that makes you want to stay on the couch. lol
That said, what I've noticed in the last 8 or 10 years is how many overweight children there are. Which, to me, signals either lazy or permissive parenting...or both. You can make fast, convenient food that is healthy. But not if you're too lazy or you give in to all the junk your children want you to buy.
And lastly, from a self-control standpoint, you don't have to eat everything on the plate if you're full.
Those are my thoughts. They are a little disjointed since I've been in a car for far too long today.
Posted by: dramaturge at July 19, 2008 8:57 PM