Type 2 diabetes rates are sky high in East Harlem, a poor area with a population that is 90% Hispanic or Black. Estimates vary from 16-20% on the proportion of adults in the area with the condition. Obesity and poor diet are rampant. The people live hard lives, and the joy of crappy food is one of the few pleasures in life, so it's difficult to give up. People in the area who try to eat healthier or exercise often face ridicule from peers.
One of the things I've always felt is wrong in our society, is that unhealthy food is cheaper than healthy food. At University I remember that a pie and chips would cost about $3.50 while a single salad sandwich was about $5.50. You'd imagine poor people would be less overweight since they couldnt afford as much food, but the sad fact is that unhealthy food is often cheaper to buy than meat and vegies.
to read it you need tio register (no charge) and the article is very long. BamaDave's version about sums it up, but the article really humanizes the issue and emphasizes the lack of education of many of the victims which compunds the problem.
peter
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Peter
After all, diamonds are a girl's best friend…
I agree that healthy food is often expensive and definitely less convenient.
However, the average consumer out there is buying a lot of expensive junk food, pop, chips, etc.
There are a lot of healthy inexpensive foods like brown rice, beans, veggies (especially frozen and canned), tuna, PB, dairy, and some chicken.
The change needed in some people's lifestyle/mindset is literally 180 degrees. Education is part of the answer but, like JP's answer regarding the non-exercising spouse, it takes motivation.
For the average population it takes motivation, for these people it might take that and a whole lot more.
For them inexpensive food is going to amount to no-name kraft dinner and no-name ramen noodles.
Compounded by the fact that their eating out meal is mcdonalds and you're done.
The average consumer however does buy alot of crap that is expensive and could be done for the same or cheaper.
Og.
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