Why Are Southerners So Fat?

I came on here just to post a similar topic. I had a pretty good debate about this subject with a friend of mine from the south just yesterday. Why is it that the south is ranked so much lower then the north. Take MA or CT versus Mississippi or Texas Im sure is a combo of things that make up the differences but a few of the potentials are:

1) Local laws (bans on trans fat / School lunch laws ect)
2) Weather
3) race
4) Types of food (aka BBQ, Mexican joint on every corner.. fried veggies.. lol)
5) area cultrue.. (do southerners tend to eat larger portions, go out to eat more)
6) Economic catogory (more poor in south)?

So what do you all think are the leading causes of this interesting anomaly?

http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.html
 
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Chapdog said:
I came on here just to post a similar topic. I had a pretty good debate about this subject with a friend of mine from the south just yesterday. Why is it that the south is ranked so much lower then the north. Take MA or CT versus Mississippi or Texas Im sure is a combo of things that make up the differences but a few of the potentials are:

1) Local laws (bans on trans fat / School lunch laws ect)
2) Weather
3) race
4) Types of food (aka BBQ, Mexican joint on every corner.. fried veggies.. lol)
5) area cultrue.. (do southerners tend to eat larger portions, go out to eat more)
6) Economic catogory (more poor in south)?

So what do you all think are the leading causes of this interesting anomaly?

http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.html
Click to expand...

I think you have hit on several of the contributing factors. I believe the leading cause is definitely socioeconomic, which then carries in to culture. The poor often buy foods that are cheaper and processed so they can afford to feed the family, then on top of that they fry the foods because it's an inexpensive way to increase satisfaction and calorie count.

Much of those fried and smothered type recipes originated in the south during slavery because quantities and supplies were absolutely limited for slaves. The foods stuck around but the south tends to be MUCH more sedintary than it was then.
 
TexasMeg said:
I think you have hit on several of the contributing factors. I believe the leading cause is definitely socioeconomic, which then carries in to culture. The poor often buy foods that are cheaper and processed so they can afford to feed the family, then on top of that they fry the foods because it's an inexpensive way to increase satisfaction and calorie count.

Much of those fried and smothered type recipes originated in the south during slavery because quantities and supplies were absolutely limited for slaves. The foods stuck around but the south tends to be MUCH more sedintary than it was then.
Click to expand...

hmm, If im reading correct your saying slave food moved forward to today's day and age but now those same people are more sedentary?

Id venture to say nationwide the rates of obesity between black and white is almost identical.
 
Chapdog said:
hmm, If im reading correct your saying slave food moved forward to today's day and age but now those same people are more sedentary?

Id venture to say nationwide the rates of obesity between black and white is almost identical.
Click to expand...

I'm saying that the recipes have endured. Many of those foods that originated during slavery are mainstream today in the south. And, yes, we are MUCH more sedentary today than we were then.
 
TexasMeg said:
I'm saying that the recipes have endured. Many of those foods that originated during slavery are mainstream today in the south. And, yes, we are MUCH more sedentary today than we were then.
Click to expand...

So then its food type... aka bbq and fried veggies on every corner in south versus north.. how does that explain Michigan and Ohio then?
 
I cant tell you one thing.. when i visit Texas for business im always amazed at how many restaurants and they types of restaurants there are everywhere compared to New England. ALSO the portion sizes are on average bigger then up here. Just my observation.
 
Chapdog said:
So then its food type... aka bbq and fried veggies on every corner in south versus north.. how does that explain Michigan and Ohio then?
Click to expand...

I don't really think bbq has much to do with it. I think it has more to do with fried and comfort type food...so it's called now.

I have been to your area of the country and I'd venture to say that portion sizes are too large there as well ;). I think it has to do with the types of restaurant more than the location.
 
You're both wrong.

They're fatter because the south sucks and there's nothing to do in the south except to eat and be racists.
 
Chapdog said:
I came on here just to post a similar topic. I had a pretty good debate about this subject with a friend of mine from the south just yesterday. Why is it that the south is ranked so much lower then the north. Take MA or CT versus Mississippi or Texas Im sure is a combo of things that make up the differences but a few of the potentials are:

1) Local laws (bans on trans fat / School lunch laws ect)
2) Weather
3) race
4) Types of food (aka BBQ, Mexican joint on every corner.. fried veggies.. lol)
5) area cultrue.. (do southerners tend to eat larger portions, go out to eat more)
6) Economic catogory (more poor in south)?

So what do you all think are the leading causes of this interesting anomaly?

http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.html
Click to expand...



Religion and loving Jesus.

You ought to try and get in the Golden Ciorral buffet (aka hog heaven) right after church on sunday.
 
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