Which are America's fattest cities?

By Michelle Fox
CNBC.com

More than one-third of American adults are obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The obesity epidemic has been going on for decades, and today health-care costs associated with obesity are estimated at $147 billion a year.

To be considered obese, a person has a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. With the extra weight comes myriad health issues — obesity contributes to heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and some cancers.

Recently, the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index ranked the 10 most obese metropolitan areas in the U.S., offering perspective on the cities that are affected by the country’s obesity woes.

The health implications are apparent — of the metro areas with the highest obesity levels, 58 percent of their residents were more likely to report having had a heart attack over the course of their lifetimes, and 34 percent were more likely to report having high blood pressure.  Combined, residents of these cities also pay an estimated $1 billion more in medical costs each year thanks to their high obesity rates.

In 2010, the government announced its goal to lower the prevalence of obesity to 15 percent. In 2011, only three out of the 190 areas surveyed in the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index had an obesity rate below that level: Fort-Collins-Loveland, Colo.; Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, Conn.; and Boulder, Colo. Boulder ranked as the least obese city, with an obesity rate of 12.1 percent.

It’s not all bad news, however. According to the CDC, although there was a rise in obesity between 1983 and 2000, the rates actually have stabilized over the past 10 years.

“There has been no change in obesity prevalence in recent years,” CDC scientist Heidi Blanck said. “However, over the last decade there has been a significant increase in obesity prevalence among men and boys, but not among women and girls overall.”

The government is aiming to eventually reduce the rate of obesity. In 2010, the Childhood Obesity Task Force released 70 recommendations to prevent and control childhood obesity.

Look ahead to see the most obese metro areas in the U.S., and how much their citizens are paying in obesity-related health-care costs every year, according to the recent Gallup survey.

10. Reading, Pennsylvania

Obesity rate: 32.7 percent

Annual obesity-related costs: $190.2 million

Located approximately 60 miles northwest of Philadelphia, Reading, Pa., ranks 10th on the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. It’s the most obese city in Pennsylvania, which has a statewide obesity rate of 28.6 percent, according to the CDC .

With 88,000 people residing in the city, more than 28,000 residents are considered obese. In Reading, 10 percent report having diabetes, a chronic disease associated with obesity. Even higher than the obesity rate is the poverty rate: 35 percent of the population in the city lives below the poverty level. According to the nonprofit Food Research and Action Center, women and children in poverty are at the highest risk for obesity.

9. Kennewick-Pasco-Richland, Washington

Obesity rate: 33.2 percent

Annual obesity-related costs: $116.5 million

This metropolitan area in southeastern Washington is called Tri-Cities. It’s also known as “The Heart of Washington Wine Country,” with more than 160 wineries. However, according to Gallup, the region has one of the highest obesity rates in the country — at 33.2 percent — which shows an increase from the 31.5 percent obesity rate a CDC survey found for the area in 2010.

8. Topeka, Kansas

Obesity rate: 33.3 percent

Annual obesity-related costs: $109.8 million

More than 42,000 of the 127,473 residents of Topeka, Kan., suffer from obesity, according to data from Gallup. The good news is the city’s situation appears to be improving: Topeka had an obesity rate of 36 percent in 2010, almost three percentage points above where it is today, according to the CDC survey.

Topeka, the capital of Kansas, was also named as one of the 10 best cities for the next decade by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine in 2010.

7. Lakeland-Winter Haven, Florida

Obesity rate: 33.5 percent

Annual obesity-related costs: $279.3 million

According to Gallup, the Lakeland-Winter Haven, Fla., metro area has the potential to save more than $154 million in health-care costs if its obesity rate dropped to 15 percent. Instead, 33.5 percent of its residents suffer from obesity, racking up more than $279 million a year in medical bills.

The metropolitan area, which includes the cities of Lakeland and Winter Haven, has more than 75 lakes and is located in central Florida between Orlando and Tampa. In 2010, 37.9 percent of its residents were obese, according to the CDC study.

6. Charleston, West Virginia

Obesity rate: 33.8 percent

Annual obesity-related costs: $146.9 million

Charleston is the capital of West Virginia and is dubbed the cultural, recreational and business capital of the Appalachian Mountains. It’s home to several golf courses and parks, including the Haddad Riverfront Park along the Kanawha River.

There are more than 51,000 people living in the city, as of the 2010 census, and based on the rates from Gallup approximately 17,000 of them are obese. In addition, about 17 percent of the population has also reported having diabetes.

The Gallup-Healthways’ number is up from the CDC survey’s obesity rate of 32.3 percent for the city in 2010. According to the CDC, the state of West Virginia had a 32.5 percent obesity rate in 2010, placing Charleston higher than the state average.

5. Beaumont-Port Arthur, Texas

Obesity rate: 33.8 percent

Annual obesity-related costs: $182.8 million

Located in southeast Texas, this metro area includes the cities of Beaumont and Port Arthur. Oil is big business for the region, with refineries throughout the area. The metro area has been a major player in the oil industry ever since the Lucas Gusher exploded on Spindletop Hill in 1901.

According to the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, the metro area could potentially save $101.6 million in medical costs if its obesity rate dropped to 15 percent, instead of the almost 34 percent it has now. Beaumont-Port Arthur is the second most obese metro area in Texas, which has a statewide obesity rate of 31 percent.

4. Rockford, Illinois

Obesity rate: 35.5 percent

Annual obesity-related costs: $179.4 million

Located in northern Illinois, Rockford calls itself the “City of Gardens” because of the 7,000 acres of parks, trails, tree-lined streets and public gardens within its borders. That’s not the only nickname the city has had — it has also been called “Forest City,” because of its woods and was once known as the “Screw Capital of the World” due to factories that produced screws and bolts. Manufacturing is still the area’s biggest industry.

Rockford also ranks as the fourth fattest city in the country, however, with an obesity rate of 35.5 percent. Of the more than 152,000 people who live in Rockford, nearly 54,000 are considered obese, while 10 percent have diabetes and 23 percent live below the poverty line.

3. Huntington-Ashland, West Virginia-Kentucky-Ohio

Obesity rate: 36 percent

Annual obesity-related costs: $146.9 million

The Huntington-Ashland metropolitan area encompasses three states — West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio — at the point where they all meet by the Ohio River.

The metro area first gained national attention in 2008 after an Associated Press story called it the nation’s unhealthiest. That led Jami Oliver to bring his ABC reality show, “Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution” into Huntington, W.Va., to give schools and the town a nutrition make-over. Oliver has called his time there a success. However, the larger metro area still appears to be struggling — 36 percent of its citizens are obese, according to the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, and nearly 20 percent suffer from diabetes.

2. Binghamton, New York

Obesity rate: 37.6 percent

Annual obesity-related costs $131.5 million

In the city of Binghamton, more than 17,000 residents are obese, according to rates from the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. It's surprising then that 54 percent of respondents also said they exercise frequently.

Located at the junction of the Susquehanna and Chenango rivers in southern New York, Binghamton has the highest obesity rate in the state, compared to New York State’s rate of just below 24 percent. Meanwhile, 27.8 percent of Binghamton’s population lives below the poverty level.

1. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, Texas

Obesity rate: 38.8 percent

Annual obesity-related costs: $410.9 million

Located near the Mexican border in southern Texas, this metro area is the most obese in the nation, according to the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. If the region dropped the rate from 38.8 percent to 15 percent, it could potentially save a whopping $252 million a year in medical costs annually. That’s a big savings, especially considering 50 percent of residents report being uninsured.

In 2010, 33.3 percent of the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission metropolitan area’s population was obese, according to a CDC survey, so the data suggest that the country’s most obese city is also getting worse, bucking the nationwide trend of stabilization in obesity rates.

See the full list: America's fattest cities

 “Fat & Fatter” premieres Thursday, March 29 at 9 p.m. ET, with a re-air Sunday, April 1 at 10 pm ET.

The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index results are based on telephone interviews throughout 2011, with a random sampling of 353,492 adults living in the U.S. Health-care costs were based on the National Institute of Health’s estimate of $1,429 per person, per year, in additional health-care costs for people considered obese, compared to those of non-obese individuals.

Related links from CNBC:

Where the 1% live

Best places to live

Top turnaround towns

 

Discuss this post

Jump to discussion page: 1 2 3 ... 11

Wow. Reading is the poorest city in America AND the 10th fattest. Incidentally, Reading, PA sits right in the middle of some of the most dangerous cities in America.

And yet, with its positioning between Amish country and the mountains of Central PA, it is also one of the most BORING cities in America. Drive past Reading to the north or west, and you drop off into the no-mans land of Pennsyltucky.

  • 6 votes
#1 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 6:30 PM EDT

Will the thrill--how is Amish country not pretty--you have no clue--

  • 15 votes
#1.1 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:20 PM EDT

David Macdougal

Having never been to Reading, PA or to Amish country, and only seen photos I cannot comment good or bad.

And yet, with its positioning between Amish country and the mountains of Central PA, it is also one of the most BORING cities in America.

Will-1091847's comment led me to believe that even though Reading is right between Amish country and the mountains of central PA (Both known for their beauty), Reading is still a boring city. I didn't think the intent was to bash the beauty of Amish country.

Maybe I took it wrong?

  • 7 votes
#1.2 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 10:12 PM EDT

I agree David. In fact Pennsylvania in general is a beautiful state. I particularly like the country that interstate 81 takes you through from Maryland to New york,which is a drive my wife and i took every summer for over 15 years from Carolina to Cape cod to visit her parents. It was further out of the way for us,but after the first trip we took that route intentionally because of its beauty. Its just fantastic country! A lot of people associate Pennsylvania with industrial ugliness,just as they do with New jersey, a state that also has some absolutely beautiful country and does not deserve its reputation as a chemical waste land. But in truth those industrial areas are only fractions of what those states have to offer on a whole.

  • 13 votes
#1.3 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 10:13 PM EDT

The food is soooo good in Pa. Lot's of good Amish cooking, and Pennsylvania Dutch. Yummo.

  • 6 votes
#1.4 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 10:24 PM EDT

You know The Governator is morbidly Obese and so are most body builders You can be 5'11" and weigh 215 run a 14 minute two miler bench press 300 lb with no problem and the Government considers you unhealthy. You should watch "Fat Head" it opened my eyes to a lot of things.

  • 14 votes
#1.5 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 11:08 PM EDT

You boys just need a little excitment in your life. Just take a look at the buns on that woman in the picture...Mmmmm Mmmm Mumm.

  • 2 votes
#1.6 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 11:27 PM EDT

Thats a small butt compared to what I see walking around Houston on a daily basis, she would be called average on a dating profile. I wonder why health costs are so high... Hmm

  • 12 votes
#1.7 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 11:37 PM EDT

Too many Tortilla's in McAllen and Edinburg.

  • 7 votes
#1.8 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 11:39 PM EDT

I blame the corporate owned farms who are giving growth hormones to animals, which we then eat. Before the corporations took over farming and ranches we did not have an obesity problem like we do now.

  • 19 votes
#1.9 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 12:29 AM EDT

A whole lot more to love.

  • 5 votes
#1.10 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 12:50 AM EDT

Blondeness032:

Please. I've been eating that same "corporate" grains, eggs and meats others have and I'm not overweight or pear-shaped in the least.

Lay off the unhealthy foods (stop with the depressed mentality in your life). It's very difficult to get fat when you don't eat more than 2,000 to 2,700 calories a day (varying by gender), especially if those calories don't come from fried or sugar-laced foods.

  • 11 votes
#1.11 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 7:16 AM EDT

“There has been no change in obesity prevalence in recent years,” CDC scientist Heidi Blanck said. “However, over the last decade there has been a significant increase in obesity prevalence among men and boys, but not among women and girls overall.”

On-line gaming!!!

  • 5 votes
#1.12 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 8:54 AM EDT

This just in:

ALL AMERICAN CITIES ARE FAT

and its not news.

  • 12 votes
#1.13 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 9:57 AM EDT

Here are some pictures of fat people

http://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&hl=en&source=hp&biw=1156&bih=727&q=bodybuilding&gbv=2&oq=body&aq=0&aqi=g10&aql=&gs_l=img.3.0.0l10.2706l3754l0l5380l4l4l0l0l0l0l110l431l0j4l4l0.frgbld.

We Should stop this industry that causes fat people where is California when you need them?

  • 1 vote
#1.14 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 11:45 AM EDT

TWO Texas cities in the TOP TEN. BOTH are down on the Mexican Border....!!!!!!

ANY QUESTIONS?????

  • 9 votes
#1.15 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 12:44 PM EDT

Auto 101

It will be in the 70's, no clouds. A beautiful day for a walk.

  • 1 vote
#1.16 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 12:47 PM EDT

Auto 101:

Here here!! The whole story needs to be taken with a grain of salt. Auto got it right though. I spent 10 years in the service having to be "taped" for my body fat due to being over the height/weight tables. I passed every single one with flying colors. Most of the people I knew who were "overweight" fell in to this category. Even today, I might qualify as obese, but you would never guess it from looking at me.

The fact is, the government needs to revamp things. It is known fact that over time, people in general change and as a whole, society is bigger in size that 30 years ago but the way things are measured has not.

  • 4 votes
#1.17 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 12:51 PM EDT

Jennifer 90 no clouds, slight breeze up to 9 mph.

Can't wait for July !!!!!! 110+

    #1.18 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 12:51 PM EDT

    Having visited Montana, I have to say the ranchmen there have oooooo la la buns. Not many are overweight either. Sorry, but the lady in that photo has two butts where only one belongs. What I've also noticed is that babies are born huge these days. Most average 9 lbs. at birth. In the 60's, a baby born with that weight would be considered an oddity.

    • 2 votes
    #1.19 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 1:29 PM EDT

    Hello ewent. Thought maybe you got placed into a witness protection program or something!! Haven't seen you in a while.

    • 1 vote
    #1.20 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 1:37 PM EDT

    Auto and gopherguy

    Obesity is not based on a set weight, it is calculated based on your BMI. So a 300 lb. body builder is NOT considered obese because they typically have around 3% body fat during competitions. That body fat percentage may increase in non-competition seasons as they are in the "bulking" phase, but it still remains below 10% and thus far below the obesity measurement.

    Most over-weight people DO NOT fall into this category. You may call them "healthy" from a heart rate, blood pressure, cholesterol level... but if their body fat percent is greater than 30%, they are definitely considered obese.

    Obesity is NOT a factor of how much you "bench" or how fast you run the mile. If you can "bench press 300 lb with no problem" and run two miles in 14 minutes... but you still have more than 30% body fat, then you are taking in far too many calories compared to the amount burned. This is not opinion, this is the first law of thermodynamics... it is a scientific fact.

    • 5 votes
    #1.21 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 1:41 PM EDT

    TWO Texas cities in the TOP TEN. BOTH are down on the Mexican Border....!!!!!!

    ANY QUESTIONS?????

    Relevance?

    • 4 votes
    #1.22 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 1:43 PM EDT

    Demographics!!

      #1.23 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 1:44 PM EDT

      I guess now the Politically Correct/Food Nazis will try to make it illegal to be fat. Besides what is the obsession, it's NOBODIES damn business if a person wants to be fat that is THEIR business NOT anyone else's. I am not over weight but what I weigh and/or what I eat is NObodies damn business.

      I think a lot of these people that put this crap up R-E-A-L-L-Y need to seriously get a real life. I mean some of you people ain't got nothin' better to do than criticize other peoples eating habits?

      • 2 votes
      #1.24 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 1:46 PM EDT

      Located near the Mexican border in southern Texas, this metro area is the most obese in the nation, according to the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. If the region dropped the rate from 38.8 percent to 15 percent, it could potentially save a whopping $252 million a year in medical costs annually. That’s a big savings, especially considering 50 percent of residents report being uninsured.

      Yes, it does affect other people when we have to pay for it. Why does a teenage boy cost more to insure? I would bet that at least 50% of these are illegal.

      • 1 vote
      #1.25 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 1:52 PM EDT

      Out of all those places Chicago has the best food, "yum yum" Im lucky I can eat what I want and not gain a lick, the secret is you barf it all up and your ready to go again.

      • 3 votes
      #1.26 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 1:56 PM EDT

      @indie party - actually, BMI is a calculation based on height and weight not body fat percent, so yes, according to the BMI index a body builder would be considered obese.

      • 5 votes
      #1.27 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 1:59 PM EDT

      Lusitania,

      Bet it is not as Yummie after it has been recycled?? Try that with jalapenos and it will cure the problem!!

      • 1 vote
      #1.28 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 2:00 PM EDT

      Its Aberdeen WA. You should see all fat-a$ses around here in their pj's goin to wal mart. I've never seen so many chicks that walk on the outside edges of their feet.

      Fat chicks ruin everything. Not so sure why Central & South American men like them so much. Once again, Hipsanics are doing the work that white men don't want to do!!!

        #1.29 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 2:01 PM EDT

        Harry that cleared my head by about 4 feet on the first pass I hate to admit........!!! HA : )

          #1.30 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 2:09 PM EDT

          @IndieParty

          What you say is not true. BMI is calculated based on age, height and weight. It has noting to do with, nor does it take into account, your body fat or lean muscle mass percentage. Its a Body Mass Index, not body fat percentage. So what theothers are saying is true, you can be very fit and sill have a BMI in the range of what would be considered obese (or underweight, for that matter). That's why its so easy to figure out your BMI and why it should be considered a guideline, especially if you fall into not-so-average circumstances such as body builders/extreme athletes, very petite people, etc. If you are concerned about your weight, that shouldn't be the only thing you're looking at, and it should probably be looked at in conjunction with working with a health professional.

          • 3 votes
          #1.31 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 2:15 PM EDT

          Try that with jalapenos and it will cure the problem!!

          The trick is to swallow a little Brioschi then after a shot of some fine whiskey and no you dont lap up barf like a dog Drr", its barf

            #1.32 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 2:17 PM EDT

            "TWO Texas cities in the TOP TEN. BOTH are down on the Mexican Border....!!!!!!"

            TXHorseman-

            Only the cities in the number one spot are near the border...Beaumont/Port Arthur, the number 5 spot, is east of Houston, about an hour from Louisiana. I'm sure you know this, and just made a mistake though.

              #1.33 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 2:20 PM EDT

              "To be considered obese, a person has a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. With the extra weight comes myriad health issues — obesity contributes to heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and some cancers."

              so when do the OBESE people start extra on heath insurance , not get hired, lose their lunch/snack room , etc etc etc like the smokers do ?Difference the smokes pay 80 Billion in taxes each year , other than shoving more food down their neck they don't pay FAT TAX like smokers , BTW if you didn't notice other than costing same myriad heath issues as smokers , IT burns a lot more gas , more water , decrease in world food supply and bigger coffinsnot metion back ache for carriers.

              LOSE THE WIEGHT OR GET TAXED like smokers have been.

                #1.34 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 2:20 PM EDT

                As Sinbad said "fat for the fat people".

                  #1.35 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 2:21 PM EDT

                  I like bubble butts

                  • 1 vote
                  #1.36 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 2:35 PM EDT

                  natedom

                  There is not a single person in the health and fitness world that would ever consider any body builder "obese". And as someone who has spent many years in that field, I can tell you that the VAST MAJORITY of people considered obese by BMI are actually obese.

                  To assume that obesity is not as big of an issue, and most people are body builders, is laughable... to say the least. America is a country full of lazy fat a$$es. Go to any Walmart and you will see them. These people are not in shape, they are not body builders, and they are not healthy.

                  You can claim that the obesity measurement is flawed because it attributes body builders as "obese"... but they represent less than 0.1% of the population. 99.9% of the population considered obese by BMI are actually obese. Trying to disqualify the measurement to make yourself feel better about your own body is simply a desperate attempt to save ones self esteem.

                  • 5 votes
                  #1.37 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 2:38 PM EDT

                  The problem with targeting overweight people with health premium increases is that once you target one group, where does it end?

                  If you work for a company that has lets say 20% of the workforce as overweight, that means that those employees would pay a higher health care premium than you do. What about your Secretary who has a child with juvenile diabetes? Should their premiums be higher too? What about your boss who had breast cancer? What if your spouse developes heart disease, or skin cancer?

                  The problem with targeting specific groups is that eventually the target will be YOU.

                  • 7 votes
                  #1.38 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 2:54 PM EDT

                  with the amount of additives, that the FDA allows manufactures to put in food, it is a miracle we are all not 300 pounds; pink slime, processed fat, aspartame it will kill you, MSG retains water, BTH in milk, cheese dairy products, it makes the hormones that create fat go crazy, just to name a few, buy only frozen vegetables, or fresh, free range chicken, milk and dairy without bth, and never, ever buy any product that contains MSG, it is a health hazard.

                  • 2 votes
                  #1.39 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 3:28 PM EDT

                  Jessicalc.

                  Yeah, I was really speaking to McAllen more than anything, but you are correct.

                    #1.40 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 3:33 PM EDT

                    Janine,

                    Well stated. The truth is though, that this is already happening and has been for years. Credit reports. age, etc. Already dictate many insurance costs.

                    • 1 vote
                    #1.41 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 3:54 PM EDT

                    Greetings. This is a first for me and an issue about which I am very passionate. As a former fat person, I feel a little extra leeway to speak frankly. Reasons to lose the fat and get fit:

                    1) A sign of self-respect that you will no longer abuse and mistreat your precious, God-given body

                    2) Someone probably loves you and wants you around as long as possible

                    3) The likelihood that you would be more happy, comfortable, and able to do/enjoy more in life

                    4) You would no longer be the main cause of rising health care costs for others but instead help to

                    lower them

                    5) To rise above animal instincts of self ingratiation and live in a more dignified,

                    civilized manner, worthy of humanity

                    All of these reasons to get healthy have a common denominator-resisting the tendency to do what is selfish, easy, irresponsible, and superficial to instead be mature, disciplined, a solution not a problem, a contribution to society, and inspiration, and appreciative of the life given to you by caring deeply enough for that life to decide to live it well every day! Forget the potions, contraptions, false promises, excuses, and magic pills. Make the hard choices and do it! Yes, it is that easy. Anything that you care enough about is!

                    Yay for a forum like this to challenge and provoke positive change!

                      #1.42 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 3:54 PM EDT

                      Wanna see fat people? Just head to your nearest Walmart. It's unbelievable!

                      • 1 vote
                      #1.43 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 3:56 PM EDT

                      cheeseburgers cost 99 cents

                      salads cost $4.99

                      and people wonder y they r so fat

                      • 6 votes
                      #1.44 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 4:03 PM EDT

                      I for one thing the so called obesity epidemic in the USA is overexagerated. Accurate population data in most other countries is close to non-existant (think they have the same quality of data in Peru, Zambia or Iraq?) making comparison difficult. Secondly, most of the data focuses on BMI, something a myriad of other posters on here have pointed out as being bogus. Is it any coincidence that BMIs among men are rising just as the Muscle obsession in the USA is exploding? There are like 2 to 3 times more gyms out there these days than a mere 10 years ago.

                      Lastly, Americans work many, many more hours than our European counterparts. Differences in weight between the US and Europe are mostly due to this, not moral shortcomings of Americans.

                      • 1 vote
                      #1.45 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 4:14 PM EDT

                      Why is it that the phrase "fat,dumb and happy" included the word "dumb"? I think it's because if your fat,which according to an article in Readers Digest a few years ago is totally caused by putting to much food in your mouth, you have to be as stupid as someone who smokes. I personally smoke,and I appreciate the fact that being a big fat pos has passed smoking as the leading cause of preventable ailments. Maybe now you people will get of my butt and start looking at the size of your own!!! By the way,I'm 5'6" and weight 135. At least I won't break the backs of the medical crew that comes to take me away!!!

                        #1.46 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 4:14 PM EDT

                        Obesity is not based on a set weight, it is calculated based on your BMI.

                        BMI is based on height and weight not % of body fat.

                        • 2 votes
                        #1.47 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 6:25 PM EDT

                        Lusitania, I'm calling you out. Last time I went to Chi-town I put on 20-25 lbs in a week. Top that! Still working off the Giardano's.

                        • 1 vote
                        #1.48 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 7:51 PM EDT

                        You get your monies worth in Chi-town,.. here's lookin out .

                          #1.49 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 9:13 PM EDT

                          @ Auto 101,

                          I wouldn't get too ginged up on the bodybuilders. They won't count toward the stat which is the cost of healthcare. Maybe for organ damage from roids, but not diabetes.

                            #1.50 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 9:26 PM EDT

                            haha I'm from McAllen and I clicked this article knowing my city would be #1. don't worry I'm the 61.2% that isn't obese and the 50% thats legal. I need to get out of this place!

                              #1.51 - Sat Mar 31, 2012 1:11 AM EDT

                              Amazingly, as I was growing up, there were a lot of people in our vicinity that made fun of "fat" people or "fat azz's" as some of the posts call them. It was always a complaint about how they looked, what they "shoved down their neck", what they cost someone else in healthcare...make them pay more...take it away from them....blah, blah, blah.

                              Now that I am grown, a whole LOT of those skinny "whiners" and "haters" are now fat themselves.

                              Enjoy your "karma" when it comes back to bite you in your fat Az later in life. ;)

                                #1.52 - Sat Mar 31, 2012 2:09 AM EDT

                                @David MacDougal

                                Will the thrill--how is Amish country not pretty--you have no clue--

                                I didn't say it wasn't pretty. It is very pretty. Just the Amish aren't particularly known for fun and excitement. If you find corn fields and pastures full of cows and public roads littered with horse turds exciting, good for you. Me - not so much. I do not dislike it. I just do not find it particularly fascinating.

                                BTW, I LIVE IN SOUTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA NEXT TO THE LANCASTER COUNTY BORDER. So, I can speak to Amish country and the city of Reading with some legitimacy.

                                  #1.53 - Sun Apr 1, 2012 8:09 AM EDT

                                  @Indie Party - where did I say that the majority of people considered obese are body builders? Where did I say that we don't have a problem with obesity in this country? Where did I make any assertion about my own personal size based on the BMI index? That's right, I didn't say that for any of them. I simply pointed out, in contrast to what you were saying, that BMI is based on height and weight, it has zero to do with body fat percentage, and while I didn't outright say it, it is a very flawed scale and should be taken with a grain of salt.

                                  The BMI assumes everyone has a small bone structure. The BMI assumes every person has the same percentage of fat based on their height and weight.

                                  As for me trying to justify my own size; I actually fall in the "normal" range for BMI despite having a large bone structure, and always have. I have no issues with my own size or weight.

                                    #1.54 - Mon Apr 2, 2012 8:33 AM EDT

                                    My wife just falls in the over weight However She just did her PT test and ran a 17:31 two miler. 54 push ups in 2 minutes (and that is not girl push ups) and 92 sit ups in two minutes

                                      #1.55 - Mon Apr 2, 2012 10:42 AM EDT

                                      Auto 101

                                      That is pretty damn good for a man much less a woman. I went to have a bone density test and I have good bones for a 66year old as it turns out. My mother had osteoporosis so I was concerned. I ask the doctor if being a little overweight had an affect on a women's bone density and he said that thin women ofen are more prone to have brittle bones. I am going to try to lose some weight but so far I am healthy. Thank God.

                                        #1.56 - Mon Apr 2, 2012 5:45 PM EDT
                                        Reply

                                        McAllen is ther fraud capital of the USA when it comes to Medicare. Not convinced their numbers are real.

                                        • 2 votes
                                        Reply#2 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 7:13 PM EDT

                                        Washington DC would top the list if they were looking at heads instead of bellies.

                                        • 6 votes
                                        #2.1 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 8:27 AM EDT

                                        just got back from the gym here in D.C. - Arlington & D.C. are actually really healthy cities, everyone bikes and jogs, lots of parks and green space makes a big diff..

                                          #2.2 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 2:58 PM EDT

                                          beanathome---you need to get your facts straight! Smokers do make it to medicare age. My own great gram lived to 104. She smoked and drank right up to the time of her passing.

                                            #2.3 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 5:45 PM EDT
                                            Reply
                                            Comment author avatarJust being me..Expand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

                                            And most of them are democraps. 99% fat and 1% not, the 1% are the politicians.

                                            • 6 votes
                                            #3 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 8:56 PM EDT
                                            Comment author avatarSome Lame Name HereExpand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

                                            How do you see to type with your head so far up your ass? What about Chris"Fat Bastard"Christie?

                                            • 14 votes
                                            #3.1 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:00 PM EDT

                                            Congratulations--you have perfected the American pastime of inventing ridiculous statistics.

                                            Remember that all of these "costs associated with obesity" are largely fabricated. Notice that they do not tell you what the difference in health costs in "trim" cities are versus the cost in "fat" cities. It's the same way that they never compare the lifetime health costs of "trim" people versus "fat" people.

                                            People who smoke, die younger. Typically, they don't get on Medicare, they don't go to nursing homes, they don't live long enough to get dementia, they don't live long enough to get expensive cancers . . . the government makes 30 cents off every pack of cigarettes. It does not cost more money for the health care of smokers--smokers die young, dropping dead while they are still working, and contribute to Social Security though they will never get the money out. We already know this in the US--when government officials are confronted with it, they start to sputter about how one can't calculate the costs of people dying young. Yeah, we can--the cost is zero, in dollars, unless they leave behind young children.

                                            In Europe, the same study has been run with the obese. The obese drop dead at a younger age from simple diseases like heart problems and diabetes (diabetes is a lot cheaper than people pretend). They do not live long enough to create huge costs--over the course of their lifetime, their health costs are less.

                                            By the way, the fattest cities and states are red states. People who are evangelicals are more likely to be heavy. So, it's actually a lot more likely that most of these people are the Republican "base"--have a great day.

                                            • 10 votes
                                            #3.2 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:05 PM EDT

                                            You must be one of those fat people! Incidentally, FAT PEOPLE suck up 85% of ALL MEDICAL SERVICES in this country. I vote for a $0.05 cent tax per gram of fat in ALL the food you buy if you are more than 10 pounds overweight. Get on the scale and pay off the national debt.

                                            • 7 votes
                                            #3.3 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:50 PM EDT

                                            People who are evangelicals are more likely to be heavy.

                                            Bean, hmmmm.....could it be evangelicals are concentrated in the bible belt. Could there be some dietary commonalities in that region of the country? Dallas, for example is part of the bible belt. With a steakhouse on every corner. Beef, Beef, Beef! For morning, lunch, breakfast.. Not as simple as saying evangelicals...what reading the bible makes one fat?

                                            Those on border towns, McAllen, El Paso, have high incident of obesity. Why? Because their culture still uses lard, yes, fatback from animals to cook. Anglos here are not as fat. Why? culture. We tend to eat more healthy, plus whites here usually can afford to eat healthy.

                                            • 3 votes
                                            #3.4 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 10:01 PM EDT
                                            Comment author avatarChestyPullerExpand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

                                            Nope bean, it's states with large black populations and to a lesser degree Hispanic. The red states that have high obesity are so mostly because they have large black populations like Alabama, Miss.,VA, Arkansas, etc;

                                            Blacks, and to a lesser degree, hispanics are more likely to be fat pigs.

                                            ...says the CDC

                                            Non-Hispanic blacks (35.7%) had 51% greater prevalence of obesity, and Hispanics (28.7%) had 21% greater prevalence, when compared with non-Hispanic whites (23.7%).

                                            http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5827a2.htm

                                            Specifically, the number of fat pigs (obese) in America between 2006-2008 was 25.6% of the population. Of that amount, 35.7% were black, 28.7% were Hispanic and only 23.7% were white. I.e. the black and Hispanic fat pigs made up 64% of the fat pig population.

                                            Red states that have a high % of obese people state-wide (not just one city), normally have this because they have large black populations. There are plenty of white tubs of lard, but they are much rarer than black and to a lesser degree, Hispanic, tubs of lard.

                                            The Government's Centers for Disease Control says if you're black you are 51% more likely to be a blob of cholesterol than a white guy, and if you're Hispanic you are 21% more likely to be a tub-a-lard than a whitey.

                                            • 8 votes
                                            #3.5 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 10:01 PM EDT

                                            mr jim, you are so right. i wonder if the public REALLY knows how much health hazard it is to be obese= stroke,heart atack,hypertension,diabetes,kidney problems,etc,etc whc are all long course of being in the hospital. no, they don't drop dead ,BEAN@home. why don't you go to the hospitals nd do your research? and it is costing the hospital big bucks coz the above diseases are long term problems and the government is not doing anything much coz of fear to offend anybody

                                            • 4 votes
                                            #3.6 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 10:04 PM EDT

                                            Really, you have some valid statistics to back that 85% number up? I'd suggest if you are going to make @!$%# up at least try and make the number look like something realistic. LMAO.

                                            Truthfully I don't think I've ever seen so many idiots repeating media driven fabrications in my life. For some reason that I have yet to be able to figure out, MSN attacts all the moralizing, hysterical, morons like dung attracts flies.

                                            • 2 votes
                                            #3.7 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 10:12 PM EDT

                                            Wow.... REALLY??? We're going to make it about race? Plenty of obese white folk here in Oregon.

                                            • 5 votes
                                            #3.8 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 10:40 PM EDT

                                            What about Chris"Fat Bastard"Christie?

                                            Don't for get the former Governator in CA He is Morbidly Obese.

                                            • 1 vote
                                            #3.9 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 11:18 PM EDT

                                            Suck the stats, knit girl.

                                            Clownsicle above made it about political parties, so I had to point out that in red states with high rates of obesity, in most cases it's because of a high Democratic black minority population, like in the South where blacks make up 20-30% of the populace.

                                            Blacks are 51% more likely to be obese than whites, and made up the largest group of obese people in America (35.7% of all obese Americans) from 2006-2008, says the Centers for Disease Control. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5827a2.htm

                                            • 5 votes
                                            #3.10 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 11:27 PM EDT

                                            I'd do believe, most of these locations have REPUBLICAN Congressmen. If they love BBQ it's all right with me. Boy, just get yourself a ham sandwich, sit back and relax.

                                            • 1 vote
                                            #3.11 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 11:30 PM EDT

                                            Ragnar;

                                            Wow, does all the name calling make you feel like a good about yorself? It makes you sound like a twit and a bully which you probably are. The only dung is that which is stuck to your mouth.

                                            I work in the health care indusrty as a RN and an EMT. I work as a surgical nurse and 85% of the surgeries we do are directly or indirectly related to obesity and smoking! As far as classing them all as Republicans, that is just plain ignorance on your part. There is a very large population of under educated people who are not taught good nutrition, and there is a large segement of society who receive government benefits that waste their food stamps on junk food rather than nutritious food. As an EMT I am picking up patients on the ambulance many times who are having difficulties with their health because of their eating and or/smoking history. We have a lot of couch potatoes where I live because of the weather and people don't get out moving like they should. So they over eat but then do not work it off. The article is correct.

                                            Beanathome, you are wrong in your assumptions as well. The obese and the smokers DO live long enough to require a lot of health care and MANY of them are on medicare and/or disability because they can't work. I see it ALL the time.

                                            • 7 votes
                                            #3.12 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 11:59 PM EDT

                                            Beanathome:

                                            Bullsh*t. Cite the national statistics supporting your outrageous statement about red states/Republican leanings and obesity. Perhaps you naively deduct that based on the red state statuses of thsoe cities in this top-10 list.

                                            Stupid.

                                            I guess you've not visited predominantly Democratic-voting areas in major Southern cities. Pretty uneducated, bad-attituded and lots of lard-rolls across the physique.

                                              #3.13 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 7:20 AM EDT

                                              ChestyPuller Comment collapsed by the community

                                              Nope bean, it's states with large black populations and to a lesser degree Hispanic. The red states that have high obesity are so mostly because they have large black populations like Alabama, Miss.,VA, Arkansas, etc;

                                              bull****, i live in memphis and travel to mississippi every 2 weeks. the white people are just as fat as everyone else. it's what they traditionally eat everyday and a lack of exercise that makes them this way and both white and black eat it. biscuits with gravy and cocoa every morning, fried foods, every meal has a dessert. they don't exercise for the most part as they expect their daily work to be enough to negate much weight gain. tennessee is better but not by very much.

                                              • 3 votes
                                              #3.14 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 10:42 AM EDT

                                              mary-308,

                                              You say you work as an RN and EMT and all you see is fat people and/or smokers?!

                                              As an EMT how many patients have you seen for the following: 1) drunk drivers, 2) victums of drunk drivers, 3) beaten and bloody victums of drunks (both adults and children), 4) murder victums of drunks, 5) assaults on people by drunks? I could go on and on and on.

                                              And all people can focus on is fat people and of course smokers?

                                                #3.15 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 10:42 AM EDT

                                                Richard, read. At no time did Mary say that all she sees is fat people and smokers. She said that 85% of the surgeries they do at the hospital where she works are directly or indirectly related to obesity and smoking. The way you worded your post, one would think the only reason someone would have to go to the hospital would be alcohol related.

                                                • 4 votes
                                                #3.16 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 11:16 AM EDT

                                                It is costing the hospital big bucks because the above diseases are long term problems and the government is not doing much of anything because they fear offending somebody.

                                                Since when is it the governments responsibilty to tell people how to eat? This is America, and most Americans don't want anyone telling them how to live. We don't do enough in this country to prevent this in the first place. Education would be a good start.

                                                People don't have to hunt for their food anymore, so the result is weight gain if you don't watch what you eat. Corporations encourage people to eat, it's good for their bottom line. Nobodies looking out for you, it's up to you to decide to eat better. 25% of Americans are obese; that's pathetic...

                                                  #3.17 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 6:39 PM EDT
                                                  Reply

                                                  I can see that... all the obese Mexicans couldn't walk any further so they just settled there. I'm KIDDING! It was a joke! Relax!

                                                  • 6 votes
                                                  Reply#4 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 8:58 PM EDT

                                                  As the old country boy saids to another, "You are what you eat - not a bit more or a bit less." Could you pass me those potato's? All this talking is getting me hungry.

                                                  • 2 votes
                                                  #4.1 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 11:37 PM EDT

                                                  America is the fattest country. What, you might be fat. And of course, most white people are lazy (except the ones who are serious)! They couldn't even finish a building on time, eating those twinkies, and had to be replaced. So, Mexicans ( better called latinos or hispanic) had to be replacement for the lazy asses. Then in no time they finished the job earlier than expected!

                                                  • 2 votes
                                                  #4.2 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 7:25 PM EDT
                                                  Reply

                                                  I'll make this very simple. There is nothing uglier than a naked fat person. Period.

                                                  I'm a 64 yr old male and work to keep myself in shape for both my health and looks. Quite frankly, I will not date a fat person. Screw the personality, good cook etc crap. A fat person is one because they don't care enough to be otherwise. The less than .001% that really have a medical reason are few and far between.

                                                  • 10 votes
                                                  #5 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:04 PM EDT

                                                  bobman--again, congratulations for mastering the American art of inventing statistics.

                                                  We already know that many medications frequently handed out for diabetes, anxiety, and injuries will cause people to put on weight (weight they will never take back off). We already know that BPA will cause people to gain weight. We already know that steroids in meat cause people to gain weight. We know that working at a computer all day will cause a person to gain weight (and it doesn't matter how much "exercise" they do--it will not budge the weight).

                                                  A fat person is typically a person who has an unpleasant job that pays poorly. That person has few options for food, having to eat whatever is cheapest and quickest. That person may well live in a neighborhood where it is not safe to go outside (try walking in my neighborhood--do it regularly, and you'll eventually get killed by a car).

                                                  Look--this doesn't take a genius. Back in the latter 1800s and early 1900s, it was the rich people who were fat. Then, sometime in the 1960s, it started shifting to poor people. At the same time--BPA was introduced, all the animals started getting fed corn products, steroids and antibiotics started to be used, computers became common, low-wage jobs became sit-in-the-chair or stand-in-one-place-for-hours where they used to involve action. People are no lazier or gluttonous than they ever were--but they are heavier.

                                                  I would say that there is nothing uglier than a deliberately ignorant person who is more interested in proving his own (questionable) worth than in looking at cold, hard facts.

                                                  By the by--thanks for not dating "fat" people. I assure you--this is wonderful news for them. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

                                                  • 25 votes
                                                  #5.1 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:12 PM EDT
                                                  Comment author avatarChestyPullerExpand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

                                                  Bean, spare us the fatpig excuses. There are none.

                                                  Diabetes is something fatpigs give themselves by being fatpigs, in many instances.

                                                  We know why you're a worthless fat slob. Because you're weak, lazy, and can't resist finishing off the whole tub of ice cream late at night when no one's around to embarrass you for acting like a swine at the trough.

                                                  • 10 votes
                                                  #5.2 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:22 PM EDT

                                                  I take it you're "plus size".

                                                  • 1 vote
                                                  #5.3 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:24 PM EDT

                                                  How about Barbie? She has no personality, can't cook and has fantastic measurements...

                                                  • 6 votes
                                                  #5.4 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:27 PM EDT
                                                  Comment author avatarChestyPullerExpand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

                                                  The reason the poor are fat pigs in America today is because our so-called poor are upper middle class by the standards of 90% of the globe. They have $100 a month extra to blow on fast food and pizza and stuff their fat faces with. Unlike the 1800's they aren't scraping by on some poor farm, hoping to get enough beets to make it through the winter, or having to go week after week out to ask for food from churches or charitable organizations, of which there were many more back then. Today, they can sit at home, be a complete useless piece of human garbage and still get paid, thanks to Democrats, complete with cable tv and Pizza Hut deliveries.

                                                  The poor in 2012 HAVE MUCH MORE healthy options than past generations. They could save $1000+ a year by buying only grocery store food and eliminating all fast food and pizza, and they'd be much healthier. For stupid liberals who say "bad food is cheaper"...please leave the mansion every once in a while and head over to your basic grocery store and fast food restaurant. You can buy a can of Nalley chili (2 servings) for $1. A meal at the drive through now costs $6 or $7. Even if you buy 3 dollar menu items, that's triple the price of the chili. For the price of a pizza and pop + delivery charge, $20 or close, you can buy a half week's worth of groceries at the store, breakfast lunch and dinner.

                                                  For stupid liberals who further say, ridiculously, "there are no grocery stores in some urban areas", Mapquest is your friend, idiot.

                                                  • 6 votes
                                                  #5.5 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:36 PM EDT

                                                  well said bean,but he must be white only black guys like fat chicks

                                                  • 1 vote
                                                  #5.6 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:39 PM EDT

                                                  take your meds chestless

                                                  • 6 votes
                                                  #5.7 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:49 PM EDT

                                                  you got that right baby.

                                                    #5.8 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:58 PM EDT

                                                    No chesty - the reason why the poorest are the fattest is because the unhealthy food is usually the cheapest and the fastest to prepare, if not already prepared. I'm talking about food in an actual grocery store, not fast food. If you go to walmart or any low end grocery store, you will see people pile up the cheap sodas (2 for a $1) the potato chips, ground meat that turns pink when exposed to air, the totinos frozen crap, etc. Those that are trying to eat healthy mostly buy fresh produce or even take it a step further and buy organic which is not cheap at all. not to mention it takes time to cook and prepare these foods. You can name call all you want, but facts are facts.

                                                    Besides when did eating healthy become a liberal/conservative issue?

                                                    • 10 votes
                                                    #5.9 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 10:07 PM EDT

                                                    I'll make it even simplier. You're 64 God damn years old; who the f@#k wants to date you fat or thin?

                                                    BTW, don't bother coming back and try to impress me with how you are in excellent shape for your age. Save the bullcrap for all those hotties at the nursing home.

                                                    • 12 votes
                                                    #5.10 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 10:22 PM EDT

                                                    You sound jealous of a 64 yr old.

                                                    • 7 votes
                                                    #5.11 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 10:36 PM EDT

                                                    Chesty... pull your head out of your ass, find someone too give you a hug, you are in desperate need for some love. So much hate and name calling from you and the 64 year old grandpa.

                                                    You're both hypocrits. You feel so superior to "fat pigs". Such a shame. Leave it to you to also bring in the politics. Ignorance runs wild with you two.

                                                    • 5 votes
                                                    #5.12 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 10:41 PM EDT

                                                    ChestyPuller

                                                    I believe the "real" Chesty Puller would be B!tch slappin you about now. Your entitled to opine, but must you attack people with petty name calling? Come on!

                                                    Your Tripartite Motto preaches Liberty Equality and Fraternity (In French by the way) Chesty, the real one, not the wanna be Chesty, couldn't stand the French.

                                                    I'm curious. That Fraternity (Brotherhood) you belong to wouldn't have ties with the Arian Nation would it?

                                                    You seem to have a lot of hate eating you up inside.

                                                    • 2 votes
                                                    #5.13 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 10:44 PM EDT

                                                    You people know if your 5'11" and run a 2 miler in 14 minutes And weigh 215 your Obese?

                                                      #5.14 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 11:20 PM EDT

                                                      Hey Bobman I can tell you one thing uglier than a naked obese person.....a naked old person. I would SOOOOO much rather see a naked obese 18 year old than a naked fit 64 year old....any day of the week.

                                                      • 3 votes
                                                      #5.15 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 11:40 PM EDT

                                                      Beanathome: "We know that working at a computer all day will cause a person to gain weight (and it doesn't matter how much "exercise" they do--it will not budge the weight)."

                                                      The statement about exercise is pure BS. Plain and simple. I spend a lot of time working at a computer and WILL gain weight if don't exercise. That can be as simple as 30min of brisk walking, or similar exercise. So much for your excuse, er, cold hard facts.....

                                                      • 4 votes
                                                      #5.16 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 9:05 AM EDT

                                                      Any fat person running a 14 minute 2 miler has no business being fat. Gotta be lazy.

                                                      • 3 votes
                                                      #5.17 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 10:34 AM EDT

                                                      boboman, i don't think dating period will be a problem for you with your personality.

                                                      truth, or incorrectly considered obese. he's saying bodybuilders are considered obese if they weigh 215 on a 5'7 frame.

                                                      • 3 votes
                                                      #5.18 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 10:54 AM EDT

                                                      Yes every single Mister universe is extremely unhealthy weight. They are the fattest as a hole group of Americans. Granted they exercise 8 hours a day You can see every muscle one their body's They are just extremely fat. How can you people support such organisations the have fat people show off their body's as a sport you people are sick. Arnold Schwarzenegger You are way too fat looses weight.

                                                      • 2 votes
                                                      #5.19 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 11:12 AM EDT

                                                      There is nothing uglier than a naked fat person. Period.

                                                      Here are Some of your fat people

                                                      http://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&hl=en&source=hp&biw=1156&bih=727&q=bodybuilding&gbv=2&oq=body&aq=0&aqi=g10&aql=&gs_l=img.3.0.0l10.2706l3754l0l5380l4l4l0l0l0l0l110l431l0j4l4l0.frgbld.

                                                      You tell me lady's Who would you like to see in person with no cloths on Arnold Schwarzenegger in his prim a very fat person or a 64 year old man.

                                                        #5.20 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 11:42 AM EDT

                                                        the fattest is because the unhealthy food is usually the cheapest and the fastest to prepare, if not already prepared.

                                                        This is a tired argument; I could list 10 meals that cost less than $10 and take less than 20 minutes to prepare that aren't pre-packaged. It isn't necessarily about what is the cheapest, it is about what is the easiest. I never buy spaghetti-o's, hamburger helper, or any frozen dinners. I spend about $100 a week to feed my family of four, that includes breakfast, lunch (my kids never eat school lunch) and dinner. Every meal is made fresh, it simply takes a person willing to spend a little time in the kitchen.

                                                        @auto 101 - no body builder who stands 5'11'' is going to weigh only 215 pounds. But personally, I would rather see someone who does stand 5'11' and weighs 215 pounds with a little pudge around the middle naked than a body builder. To me, body builders are absolutely disgusting to look at. However, you are confusing "obese" as determined by BMI (which I don't agree with, seeing as it doesn't take bone structure or muscle content into consideration) with fat, which is what I am assuming the cranky old man was referring to.

                                                        • 1 vote
                                                        #5.21 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 2:13 PM EDT

                                                        Auto, of the 3, I'd take Arnold any day (& there are nude pictures of him out there), but given my druthers, my top pick would Manu Bennet (yes, I saw those episodes of Spartacus)----man, what a chest---but O.K., enough of my fantasies.....

                                                          #5.22 - Sat Mar 31, 2012 9:51 PM EDT
                                                          Reply

                                                          Wow how sad . . . I believe I am part of this article, lol!!!

                                                          • 1 vote
                                                          Reply#6 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:09 PM EDT

                                                          Wow! California doesn't have any fat cities! Yay!!!

                                                            Reply#7 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:10 PM EDT

                                                            I always said the good old U.S.A. has the fattest poor people in the world. A tribute to Obamas food stamp program.

                                                            • 9 votes
                                                            #8 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:11 PM EDT

                                                            Wow, so Obama made them fat that is a new one did he also make you an idiot?

                                                            • 15 votes
                                                            #8.1 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:16 PM EDT

                                                            hityme you may have a point. No job means no exercise. Just sit around and eat fattening food from the food-shelf all day. I guess it is all Obama's fault. Of course he will blame it on God or someone.

                                                            • 2 votes
                                                            #8.2 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:24 PM EDT

                                                            So obesity wasn't a problem before Obama became President?

                                                            How can you see where you're going with all that blind hate?

                                                            Don't answer the second question. It was rhetorical.

                                                            • 12 votes
                                                            #8.3 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:37 PM EDT

                                                            ohh NO, Blame it on George Bush W

                                                            have not heard that one lately

                                                            • 2 votes
                                                            #8.4 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:37 PM EDT

                                                            It wasn't Bush's fault. Blame it on Carter for planting too many peanuts.

                                                            • 3 votes
                                                            #8.5 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:53 PM EDT

                                                            Obesity is caused mostly by poverty and lack of education; great Republican virtues. If you think I'm wrong, then try living in the south for awhile...a place where people who like to get a little outdoor exercise are considered as "screwed up" as homosexuals.

                                                            • 6 votes
                                                            #8.6 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:54 PM EDT

                                                            Obesity is caused mostly by poverty and lack of education; great Republican virtues. If you think I'm wrong, then try living in the south for awhile...a place where people who like to get a little outdoor exercise are considered as "screwed up" as "gays."

                                                              #8.7 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:54 PM EDT

                                                              ANT1073 I`ll bet you classify yourself as a TON OF FUN. How much do you weigh now?

                                                              • 1 vote
                                                              #8.8 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:55 PM EDT

                                                              I hadn't realized that Obama has been President since 1939. Damn him and his Food Stamp program.

                                                              • 13 votes
                                                              #8.9 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 10:52 PM EDT

                                                              aaron, I live in the South. While I admit many people here have a weight problem, I assure you noone is considered to be "screwed up" for wanting to be active. Most nice days, I go for a walk at lunchtime, and I'm hardly the only one out there - lot of fellow walkers and joggers. People are using the town park for pick-up soccer and basketball games well before it officially opens for the summer. Could we all stand to be more active? Probably. Is anyone looked down on for being active? Not that I've ever heard of.

                                                              • 9 votes
                                                              #8.10 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 11:04 PM EDT
                                                              Comment author avatarC_D_J55.Expand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

                                                              Yeah...like those greybelly-goobers and hillbilly inbreds, get lots of exercise while drivin' their raggedy pickup trucks...! Even to their outhouses.

                                                              • 2 votes
                                                              #8.11 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 11:28 PM EDT

                                                              Now, you shouldn't bit the hand that's feeding you.

                                                              • 1 vote
                                                              #8.12 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 11:41 PM EDT

                                                              It's too hot and humid in the southeast to go outside and get some exercise in the summer.

                                                              • 1 vote
                                                              #8.13 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 8:47 AM EDT

                                                              I love how some people insult the South while hiding behind their computer. I bet you wouldn't come down and say that to anyone's face, huh? That's what I thought. Jerks.

                                                              • 9 votes
                                                              #8.14 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 8:54 AM EDT

                                                              Yeah, real mature to play to inaccurate stereotypes for cheap laughs. Despite being born and raised in the South, I personally don't know anyone who is the result of an incestuous relationship, or who has an outhouse. I DO know quite a few farmers - not a job for the lazy. Have any of you ever put up hay? Hours of backbreaking work, and it has to be done whether it's hot outside or not.

                                                              • 7 votes
                                                              #8.15 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 10:52 AM EDT

                                                              larry, which one is the party line- it's all obama's fault or take responsibility for your own actions? cause the two are both said by republicans but are contradictory to each other.

                                                              • 2 votes
                                                              #8.16 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 10:58 AM EDT

                                                              Aaron if you let go of the man's hand while outside they might be less inclined to see you as gay.

                                                                #8.17 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 12:48 PM EDT

                                                                So easy to make fun of southerners from your cozy lil chair behind that computer. Some of the hardest working people are from the south, working out in 115 degree temps without an ounce of body fat on them....your ignorance is obviously endless.

                                                                • 6 votes
                                                                #8.18 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 12:52 PM EDT

                                                                kris, every area has "some people" who do whatever you describe. the south also has alot of people who extremely obese, hence over half of the top ten fattest states being in the civil war south.

                                                                • 2 votes
                                                                #8.19 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 2:55 PM EDT

                                                                People from the south don't use outhouses and are not hillbillies or drive ragedy trucks. Instead of thinking what you see on TV to be true, you should come to the south and visit, you might find that you might not want to leave. Everyone who comes here loves it here. The people here are the friendliest in the country and we do cook the best food you will ever eat. Life is about being happy, and I'm not fat, but in defense for those who are-it's their life and they have the freedom to eat what they want if it makes them happy. It's definitely not just the south that has obese people. I know some people that big and they are the nicest people you would want to meet. People need to remember just because someone is fat does not mean that they are not human. They are people too and they have feelings just like anyone else does, and some people actually are attracted to bigger people, everyone has different likes.

                                                                • 6 votes
                                                                #8.20 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 5:11 PM EDT

                                                                I have a cousin who was in shape her entire life. She got ill and had to take meds and she gained so much weight. She can't lose the weight and now her family picks on her because she's fat...she really is fat...I know that's not the case for every fat person out there, but maybe next time you look at somebody and you see they are fat, don't judge them and call them lazy because you have no idea why they are that way.

                                                                As for those who keep talking about the highly in shape ranchers; please list actual locations. I would love to find me a man who keeps his body nicely tuned.

                                                                • 3 votes
                                                                #8.21 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 6:03 PM EDT

                                                                Tay,

                                                                The first part of your post in an intelligent one. Unfortunately, there is way too much ignorance running rampant in our country, for your wise words to fall on willing ears.

                                                                  #8.22 - Sat Mar 31, 2012 2:28 AM EDT
                                                                  Reply

                                                                  nothing uglier than a naked fat person?? yeah how about a naked 60+ year old?

                                                                  • 10 votes
                                                                  Reply#9 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:13 PM EDT

                                                                  I would think a 60 year old nude body would mostly look good to other 60 year olds. I don't know though can't say I've seen a lot of nude 60 year olds. I'm afraid to look I might like it.

                                                                  • 3 votes
                                                                  #9.1 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:35 PM EDT

                                                                  Never said I was pretty sport. I 6 ' even and weigh 190 lbs. Blood pressure 112/65.

                                                                  • 1 vote
                                                                  #9.2 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:41 PM EDT

                                                                  Don't know how old you are but your blood pressure sounds almost too good. I'm 6' 2" about 212 and my blood pressure is like 130's/low 80's. Sometimes it's in the high 70's but not very often. My wifes runs that low but she's a workout queen.

                                                                  • 1 vote
                                                                  #9.3 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:57 PM EDT

                                                                  I 6 ' even and weigh 190 lbs.

                                                                  I'm 5'11" and at 190 I'm considered over weight. I'm suppose to be 170

                                                                    #9.4 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 11:22 PM EDT

                                                                    Bobman; Quit bragging. Dick Cheney may be looking for another donor.

                                                                    • 10 votes
                                                                    #9.5 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 12:44 AM EDT

                                                                    Lets see You have Arnold Schwarzenegger in his prim Who is considered by the Government to be extremely fat or you have a 67 year old man. Which one would you Lady's want to see?

                                                                    Here is a link to Google pictures So you can see some of the fattest Americans http://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&hl=en&source=hp&biw=1156&bih=727&q=bodybuilding&gbv=2&oq=body&aq=0&aqi=g10&aql=&gs_l=img.3.0.0l10.2706l3754l0l5380l4l4l0l0l0l0l110l431l0j4l4l0.frgbld.

                                                                      #9.6 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 11:34 AM EDT

                                                                      Bobman, there is no one out there that is a 'perfect size or shape'. I deff agree with bean... An overweight person back in the day was concidered beautiful & wealthy. Honestly... I'd rather look an someone with meat on their bones (naked), than have to look at someone skin and bones (naked).

                                                                      I believe that media has a bunch to do with all the eating disorders out there, they make younger generations see all this 'plastic' besides all the natural beauty of most people out there. Media is always saying "Look at this star, she just gained a whole 40 lbs..." Then a week later they're saying "Look she lost that and another 20 lbs on top of it."

                                                                      If it weren't for media, I believe a lot of us would be a lot more healthier and happier.

                                                                      • 2 votes
                                                                      #9.7 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 2:30 PM EDT

                                                                      Bragging on the internet is retarded because anyone can lie through their teeth. Nobody gives a crap about you bombman, you aren't even the most inshape person posting on here.

                                                                        #9.8 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 4:26 PM EDT
                                                                        Reply

                                                                        The way they keep extending our retirement age, you would think the government would like more fat people. They usually don't live as long.

                                                                        • 3 votes
                                                                        Reply#10 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:16 PM EDT

                                                                        Yes, the fatter you are....the shorter your life span. Just think, you many never reach the age to collect your Social Security. The REPUBLICANS are "banking" on that.

                                                                        • 1 vote
                                                                        #10.1 - Sat Mar 31, 2012 12:04 AM EDT

                                                                        you many never reach the age to collect your Social Security. The REPUBLICANS are "banking" on that.

                                                                        It was originally set to the average age of death why not keep it there?

                                                                          #10.2 - Sat Mar 31, 2012 11:32 AM EDT
                                                                          Reply

                                                                          The culture of poverty is ---- lack of hope --- unless it is North American Indians who blame it on the American diet. So go back to your sensible diet-----

                                                                            #11 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:16 PM EDT

                                                                            a sensible diet of health food costs more than junk food. do you see why poor people are usually going to be more obese now?

                                                                              #11.1 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 11:01 AM EDT

                                                                              Not true Hatr. You don't have to buy organic, free range, latest fad healthy foods to eat healthier than the foods from fast food restaurants and processed foods from grocery stores.

                                                                              Eggs, milk, frozen vegetables, canned tuna, brown rice, beans, apples, bananas, chicken thighs, ground meat, wheat bread, peanut butter, oatmeal (not the packet kind, the real stuff), tilapia and canned chickpeas are all examples of low cost, healthy foods. It's not about availability for a lot of people, it's about being too lazy to make your own meals.

                                                                              • 5 votes
                                                                              #11.2 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 11:27 AM EDT

                                                                              PH

                                                                              You hit the money. You can actually eat fast food McDonald's and loose weight if you count calories. You have adults order kids meals because they know the calories and that is the amount your to have. Watch "Fat Head" Documentary that exposes the Lies of "Supper Size Me"

                                                                              • 2 votes
                                                                              #11.3 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 11:38 AM EDT

                                                                              bull, fresh produce is by far more expensive than fast food.

                                                                              • 3 votes
                                                                              #11.4 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 11:45 AM EDT

                                                                              Did I say anything about fresh produce? I believe I said frozen vegetables which are just as healthy if you don't buy the ones with butter (gross). Frozen peas, frozen spinach and frozen green beans actually retain a phenomenal amount of nutrients because they are frozen at optimal ripeness.

                                                                              Apples and bananas are low cost fruits. Apples are even more low cost in the fall when there is an abundance.

                                                                              • 6 votes
                                                                              #11.5 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 11:59 AM EDT

                                                                              Auto, you are right. Personally, I don't eat fast food (unless it's Subway or Panera) because I don't like it, but you could, in theory, choose healthier options at fast food restaurants and not get fat.

                                                                              I still wouldn't consider it the healthiest choice though - there is a lot more to being healthy than just being thin.

                                                                              • 4 votes
                                                                              #11.6 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 12:02 PM EDT

                                                                              what do you think apples and bananas are?

                                                                                #11.7 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 12:12 PM EDT

                                                                                Per my post, apples and bananas are not expensive. I just grabbed a banana from the gas station down the road for .50.

                                                                                • 3 votes
                                                                                #11.8 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 12:30 PM EDT

                                                                                PH - I couldn't agree more. There are lots of ways to eat healthy on a budget. And as for produce, apples and bananas are, for the most part, extremely inexpensive. Bananas here in Boston (where most food is expensive) are only 49 cents per pound. Apples, depending on the variety, are also cheap, especially when the local ones are in season.

                                                                                • 4 votes
                                                                                #11.9 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 1:56 PM EDT

                                                                                Thanks Kat! Boston is SO expensive. But they do have nice apple farming up that way :-)

                                                                                • 2 votes
                                                                                #11.10 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 2:00 PM EDT

                                                                                David McDougal;

                                                                                The culture of poverty is lack of hope?!? I thought our current Prez was all about hope?,,,,and change. What happened, the wheels fall off the cart, or was it, and I think it more likely, all just campaign lies and false promises? And what, pray tell, Do we Native Americans have to do with this?

                                                                                  #11.11 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 11:16 PM EDT

                                                                                  Nicodemus1946

                                                                                  Just out of curiosity, how do fat people, let's say in Texes (a red state), have anything to do with Obama and hope? If a person is fat, it has nothing to do with how they vote. Who did McDonald's back in the last election anyway? Jesus, everything that is considered wrong in our society is Obama's fault for some of you out there. Some of you fat people were fat long before Obama became President so you need to find someone else to blame for your eating habits. If Michelle Obama tries to get kids to change their diet by making healthier food choices, she is a commie who is taking our rights away. If you don't change your diet and you are fat and unhealthy, it is Obama's fault because he promised hope and change?

                                                                                  • 2 votes
                                                                                  #11.12 - Sat Mar 31, 2012 12:29 AM EDT

                                                                                  If Michelle Obama tries to get kids to change their diet by making healthier food choices,

                                                                                  IF your child brings soda to school he will be sent home for violating the schools no soda policy if he is caught selling it he/she will be suspended.

                                                                                  http://articles.latimes.com/2011/nov/07/news/la-heb-soda-ban-in-schools-obesity-20111107

                                                                                  IF you bring your lunch You will have a well balanced meal or they will take it away Like they did to this kid

                                                                                  http://www.carolinajournal.com/exclusives/display_exclusive.html?id=8762

                                                                                  ANd if you cant be a parent and say no to your kid we will take the happy meal toy away.

                                                                                  http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/30/health/california-mcdonalds-happy-meals/index.html

                                                                                  If you take your kids to a sit own restaurant they will eat more calories and fat because they have nothing to play with so they will now ban you kid from eating there soon.

                                                                                    #11.13 - Sat Mar 31, 2012 11:44 AM EDT

                                                                                    Auto 101

                                                                                    If junk food is served at school the health conscious people will be claiming the school is pushing sweets and fat on our kids so that it can go both ways but I would be on the side of the health conscious people side anyway. Michelle Obama is trying to work for healthier kids. That is a good goal and has nothing to do with someone taking your rights away. In fact, that assumption is really a stupid one.

                                                                                    I can remember many years ago when the school cafeteria served well balanced meals and apples and oranges were in the vending machines and candy and coke was not sold on campus. That was back in the 60's. The kids were involved in PE and sports activities too. Now the kids do not get enough exercise and they eat too much junk food. Any parent who thinks that is okay has really bad parenting skills. Did you eat allot of candy, junk food and cokes in school Auto and if you did do you think it is smart for growing kids to eat crap for lunch? Maybe that is the answer to why are so wrong headed about healthier diets, they grew up on crap food and don't know any better.

                                                                                    • 1 vote
                                                                                    #11.14 - Sat Mar 31, 2012 6:50 PM EDT

                                                                                    I can remember many years ago when the school cafeteria served well balanced meals and apples and oranges were in the vending machines and candy and coke was not sold on campus.That was back in the 60's. The kids were involved in PE and sports activities too. Now the kids do not get enough exercise and they eat too much junk food.

                                                                                    When I was in school in the late 80's early 90's we were served frozen hamburgers and burnt pizza. and if you weren't in line in 13 minutes you didn't eat because they ran out of food. NO they had a salad bar but they spit in the dressing. and they would piss in the frying oil.

                                                                                    Any parent who thinks that is okay has really bad parenting skills.

                                                                                    That is why if you bring any thing unhealthy in the brown bag lunch they will be forced to buy the school lunch and the bill will be sent the the parent/s.

                                                                                    Did you eat allot of candy, junk food and cokes in school Auto and if you did do you think it is smart for growing kids to eat crap for lunch?

                                                                                    I didn't think it was a good thing to eat frozen hamburgers (i like them cooked) or salad that was spit in. would you? I broke the rules and wen home ate and went back to school in about 20 minutes. However If you want to eat frozen food that is under cooked and still frozen be my guest.

                                                                                    That is a good goal and has nothing to do with someone taking your rights away

                                                                                    NO they will just take your food away possibly suspend you.

                                                                                      #11.15 - Sat Mar 31, 2012 10:08 PM EDT

                                                                                      Jenifer here is from the article where a school says the mother is clue less on pacing her kids lunch

                                                                                      A preschooler at West Hoke Elementary School ate three chicken nuggets for lunch Jan. 30 because the school told her the lunch her mother packed was not nutritious.

                                                                                      The Division of Child Development and Early Education at the Department of Health and Human Services requires all lunches served in pre-kindergarten programs — including in-home day care centers — to meet USDA guidelines. That means lunches must consist of one serving of meat, one serving of milk, one serving of grain, and two servings of fruit or vegetables, even if the lunches are brought from home.
                                                                                      “I pack her lunchbox according to what she eats. It always consists of a fruit. It never consists of a vegetable. She eats vegetables at home because I have to watch her because she doesn’t really care for vegetables.”

                                                                                      The girl’s grandmother, who sometimes helps pack her lunch, told Carolina Journal that she is a petite, picky 4-year-old who eats white whole wheat bread and is not big on vegetables.

                                                                                      When the girl came home with her lunch untouched, her mother wanted to know what she ate instead. Three chicken nuggets, the girl answered. Everything else on her cafeteria tray went to waste.

                                                                                      The Turkey sandwich is not as healthy as chicken nuggets. According to the school

                                                                                      http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/15/school-lunch-guidelines-p_n_1278803.html

                                                                                        #11.16 - Sun Apr 1, 2012 12:46 AM EDT

                                                                                        101

                                                                                        If some official made a mistake and replaced a sandwich with McNuggets that is a problem. Now I would not trust the parent complaining without proof of what was really in the lunch bag but I have more of an issue with the damn chicken nuggets. Those things are usually mostly fat and starch so maybe they should have dumped the white bread gave the kid the turkey slice with an apple or orange and carrot sticks instead and maybe a slice of whole wheat bread with some peanut butter on it. It would taste good with the apple slices too. But that was one complaint and your know there are always two sides to every storey.

                                                                                          #11.17 - Sun Apr 1, 2012 2:02 AM EDT

                                                                                          some peanut butter on it.

                                                                                          Are you Trying to kill kids You cant have any peanut products in many schools.

                                                                                          and carrot sticks instead

                                                                                          My kids wont eat Carrots but will eat Cauliflower and broccoli.

                                                                                            #11.18 - Sun Apr 1, 2012 2:06 AM EDT

                                                                                            101

                                                                                            You are right about allergy to nuts, it can kill but nuts are very healthy for those who can eat them. Most kids will eat carrots but broccoli is not all that popular with kids. Cheese is good too. Strawberries and melon cubes sound good. I am getting hungry talking about food. I wonder if you could send a protein blender drink with fruit and berries in to school for lunch that would be healthy. This is why I cannot lose weight, I love good food and I can cook. Bad combination.

                                                                                            • 1 vote
                                                                                            #11.19 - Sun Apr 1, 2012 2:27 AM EDT
                                                                                            Reply

                                                                                            A No-Brainer ....

                                                                                            Frankly, from what I see on a daily basis, I am surprised that the obesity percentage numbers aren't even higher, and in even more locations around the country. Here in the suburbs of Phoenix, I drive by all of the many fast food joints in the area and no matter the time of day, there are a dozen cars waiting in the drive-up lane. Is there a mother or father that comes home and actually cooks for the family these days? No wonder the children are all overweight. Near the high school I see kids crossing,(waddling), across the street who look like a herd of hippos that escaped the city zoo. They eat fat-laden crap at school, or for a quick cheap lunch near the school, and have the same thing all over again when the parents come home with 'dinner'. It's a national travesty to see what the fast food conglomerates have done, and what people are doing to themselves, not only in this country but in most of the westernized world. I'd rather starve than eat that junk and end up looking like Java the Hut with diabetes, heart trouble and size 48 pants.

                                                                                            Peace to all

                                                                                            • 7 votes
                                                                                            Reply#12 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:17 PM EDT
                                                                                            Comment author avatarLarry-314720Expand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

                                                                                            Once them illegals get here they must really load up on the tortilla's and beans.

                                                                                            • 1 vote
                                                                                            Reply#13 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:21 PM EDT

                                                                                            hey bigoted republican, 9 of the top 10 fattest states are republican states. the one that is a democratic is tied for the 10th spot. i guess hate in your heart makes you fat. it would explain why so many hateful people are fat like gingrich, cheney and limbaugh.

                                                                                            • 2 votes
                                                                                            #13.1 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 12:17 PM EDT

                                                                                            WV democrat. PA democrat, NY Democrat, FL 50/50 tossup state. this hole comparison is BS and both of you know it.

                                                                                            • 1 vote
                                                                                            #13.2 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 1:13 PM EDT

                                                                                            NYS may be predominantly democratic (in large part due to NYC) however, upstate New York (Binghamton) has a high concentration of republican voters.

                                                                                              #13.3 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 2:22 PM EDT

                                                                                              auto, the list you are using is for cities not states.

                                                                                              top ten fattest states

                                                                                              1.Mississippi
                                                                                              2.Louisiana
                                                                                              3.Tennessee
                                                                                              4.Kentucky
                                                                                              5.Oklahoma
                                                                                              6.West Virginia
                                                                                              7.Alabama
                                                                                              8.Arkansas
                                                                                              9.Missouri
                                                                                              10.TIE: Michigan and South Dakota

                                                                                              and according to the last 4 presidential voting cycles west virginia is republican cause it has gone that way 3 out of 4 times.

                                                                                              http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_states_and_blue_states

                                                                                              • 3 votes
                                                                                              #13.4 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 2:43 PM EDT
                                                                                              Reply

                                                                                              I think this is really hilarious, because the town I live in is located in Indiana and I will tell you that with out a doubt it has some of the fatest slobs living in it. I'm not sure about healthcare cost association for all these heavyweight hicks living in my town, but I'm sure, that dentists probably are doing rather well from seling plenty of dentures without a doubt.

                                                                                              • 3 votes
                                                                                              Reply#14 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:24 PM EDT

                                                                                              Scott, do you live in NW Indiana?

                                                                                              yeah,I was there too, they do load up on bad food & plump them self on the couch or a local Pub, no excercise.

                                                                                              But people need earnings to buy good,healthy food, unempl.benefits, foodstapms & walfare don't stretch very far.When the Mills were going full steam, people used to eat & live better.

                                                                                              • 2 votes
                                                                                              #14.1 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:33 PM EDT

                                                                                              Hello Anna,

                                                                                              Actually, I live in Northeast Indiana and let me tell you, it feels like being out in the ocean on a large boat and watching for whales swimming around you. This obviously might sound funny, but at the same time it's very true and disgusting at the same time.

                                                                                              • 1 vote
                                                                                              #14.2 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:49 PM EDT
                                                                                              Reply

                                                                                              How can the Government reduce the rate or the severity of Obesity. Please get them out of our kitchen,we have our own responsibility to be as healthy as possible.The Gov, can stop spending our money like a drunken sailor, let us keep more of our earned $$$ so we can buy,healthy,greens, lean meats.

                                                                                              People can't afford to feed their families, so they keep buying cheap stuff, pasta, starchy junk food, whatever they CAN afford it

                                                                                              • 10 votes
                                                                                              Reply#16 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:28 PM EDT

                                                                                              Anna is right. Stay out of my kitchen,kids lunch box,healthcare,marital status,religious belife,bedroom,property etc...

                                                                                              • 12 votes
                                                                                              #16.1 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:39 PM EDT

                                                                                              You got it wrong Mike. Fat people need to stay out of the kitchen. People can already do what they want and look how fat they are.

                                                                                              • 1 vote
                                                                                              #16.2 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 10:43 PM EDT

                                                                                              I agree mike. It's none of their business.

                                                                                              • 5 votes
                                                                                              #16.3 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 10:48 PM EDT

                                                                                              Now isn't all this talken making your blood pressure go up ? Now, just settle down boys and get yourself something to eat, you'll feel better.

                                                                                              • 1 vote
                                                                                              #16.4 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 11:45 PM EDT
                                                                                              Reply

                                                                                              fat christians smell good

                                                                                              • 1 vote
                                                                                              Reply#17 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:28 PM EDT

                                                                                              That's because their diabetes and don't know it yet. And, yes fat people leaking all that sugar from their pours do smell sweeter.

                                                                                              • 1 vote
                                                                                              #17.1 - Sat Mar 31, 2012 12:08 AM EDT
                                                                                              Reply

                                                                                              So they are FAT good for them. can't say a bad thing about a fat person that would make me a bad person long live all the fat people in the USA

                                                                                              • 4 votes
                                                                                              Reply#18 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:31 PM EDT

                                                                                              There's not much exercise or calorie burning going to the mail box once a month to pick their check up. What does the government expect?

                                                                                              • 3 votes
                                                                                              Reply#19 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:32 PM EDT

                                                                                              pretty sure rush, gingrich, huckabee and chris christie and many of your(yes, it's obvious by your hate you're republican) party's leaders are more than fat. what's their excuse?

                                                                                              • 2 votes
                                                                                              #19.1 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 11:14 AM EDT

                                                                                              HATR_HURTER

                                                                                              pretty sure rush, gingrich, huckabee and chris christie and many of your(yes, it's obvious by your hate you're republican) party's leaders are more than fat. what's their excuse?

                                                                                              Not that I agree with Charles or anything, but wow. So if people spew hate it means they're republicans? Good to know. And all this time I thought you were a democrat, hatr_hurter.

                                                                                              • 3 votes
                                                                                              #19.2 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 2:05 PM EDT

                                                                                              people of both parties spew hate, what they hate makes their affiliation transparent. also, no i'm not a spineless democrat nor a hypocritical republican.

                                                                                              • 3 votes
                                                                                              #19.3 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 2:46 PM EDT
                                                                                              Reply

                                                                                              One thing that should be able to unite us, Democrat and Republican, is mocking fat people.

                                                                                              • 3 votes
                                                                                              Reply#20 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:38 PM EDT

                                                                                              I believe you chestypuller have the uncanny ability to Unite many of us.

                                                                                              • 5 votes
                                                                                              #20.1 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 10:55 PM EDT
                                                                                              Reply

                                                                                              Binghamton, New York , Obesity rate: 37.6 percent, It's surprising then that 54 percent of respondents also said they exercise frequently.

                                                                                              It's because they are not telling bthe truth, or at least not doing exercise properly. If so, no surprise since what we eat is more important then exercise in weight loss.

                                                                                              As a healthcare provider, I can never discuss diet with my over weight patients. They have tried or read about so many diets and think they are experts in nutrition and always cut me off when I try and explain to them what to eat and how to lose weight.

                                                                                              In addition, when you try to explain to them about bad diets (like the HCG/500 cal per day garbage) they will argue that they are right and it works, buut I only see failures in the long run, always.

                                                                                              Now, I don't even bother.

                                                                                              • 2 votes
                                                                                              Reply#21 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:39 PM EDT

                                                                                              Can you tell them to burn more calories than they take in?

                                                                                              • 2 votes
                                                                                              #21.1 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:41 PM EDT

                                                                                              It's because they are not telling bthe truth, or at least not doing exercise properly.

                                                                                              Exactly. I've been a member of a particular gym for the last 7 years or so and I've seen a lot of people come and go. Some people ask why I go and say, "You don't look like you need to be here," and I always respond by telling them it's a way of life. Some overweight people think all they have to do is diet and exercise until they get the weight off and then they can resume life as they knew it but it's simply not that way. You have to adopt a whole new lifestyle and not "go on a diet." To me, going on a diet means you'll eventually go off and if you haven't made any lifestyle changes, you'll wind up being overweight again.

                                                                                              I was always thin growing up but when I hit 35, I discovered I could no longer eat whatever I wanted to without gaining a little weight so I had to make some changes. I adjusted my portions, removed a few things, added a few others, and added more exercise. The older I get, the more I exercise I need because the more my metabolism seems to slow down. If I want to eat a little extra, I have to do the work and make sure I work out a little extra, too. I find now that at age 53, I'm in the best shape of my life. I'm an avid cyclist and in the summer I ride two centuries for charity in two days spanning a good portion of my state. I started this when I was 49 and I feel great. During the winter months, I keep in shape with spinning and weightlifting.

                                                                                              I realize belonging to gym can be expensive, but people can exercise for free with walking or jogging. All they need to do is motivate themselves.

                                                                                              • 5 votes
                                                                                              #21.2 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 2:23 PM EDT

                                                                                              You do get exercise lifting your hand from the bag of chips to your month. Let's eat and get some exercise.

                                                                                              • 1 vote
                                                                                              #21.3 - Sat Mar 31, 2012 12:12 AM EDT
                                                                                              Reply

                                                                                              Fat people can loose weight, easy fix. It's the stupidity problem we're having a problem with.

                                                                                              • 6 votes
                                                                                              Reply#22 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:40 PM EDT

                                                                                              Texas is #1 in that issue also.

                                                                                              • 3 votes
                                                                                              #22.1 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:52 PM EDT

                                                                                              actually texas isn't the fattest state nor even in the top ten for 2011. this was for metro areas.

                                                                                                #22.2 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 11:19 AM EDT

                                                                                                tryreality...what the hell are you babbling about?? I would love to see you spew that crap to some good-ol Texas boys. lol I bet they would be more than happy to show you how clever they can be. :)

                                                                                                • 1 vote
                                                                                                #22.3 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 1:04 PM EDT
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                                                                                                Wow not only do we have obese people but we also have real idiots posting real stupid @!$%#.Hityme and Larry314 are two of the dumbest morons on here .In less than 4 years Obama is being blamed for obesity.What a country.

                                                                                                • 9 votes
                                                                                                Reply#23 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:44 PM EDT

                                                                                                LOL Tommy

                                                                                                • 1 vote
                                                                                                #23.1 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:56 PM EDT

                                                                                                funniest part is of the top ten fattest states 9 of them are heavily republican.

                                                                                                1.Mississippi
                                                                                                2.Louisiana
                                                                                                3.Tennessee
                                                                                                4.Kentucky
                                                                                                5.Oklahoma
                                                                                                6.West Virginia
                                                                                                7.Alabama
                                                                                                8.Arkansas
                                                                                                9.Missouri
                                                                                                10.TIE: Michigan and South Dakota

                                                                                                http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_states_and_blue_states

                                                                                                • 6 votes
                                                                                                #23.2 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 11:23 AM EDT

                                                                                                even more funny, the only democrat leaning state was TIED for the 10th. republicans have 1-9 of the fattest.

                                                                                                • 3 votes
                                                                                                #23.3 - Fri Mar 30, 2012 11:29 AM EDT

                                                                                                Yes, "Mr. Hunter" you are 100 % correct about your top 10 list of states with the fatest people and they are all states that are REPUBLICANS. To be a REPUBLICAN I guess you have to be fat. And, that's what scares me about Romney. His body must be bi-polar.

                                                                                                • 2 votes
                                                                                                #23.4 - Sat Mar 31, 2012 12:18 AM EDT

                                                                                                your top 10 list of states with the fatest people and they are all states that are REPUBLICANS

                                                                                                Yes, I think it has something to do with hoarding more than you need. It is in their DNA to take more for themselves and ignore those who have less. If Ryan's plan passes, we all will be on a diet because we will no longer have Social Security, Medicare and the poor will no longer have food stamps. The fat Repubs will still be hoarding more than they need however.

                                                                                                • 2 votes
                                                                                                #23.5 - Sat Mar 31, 2012 12:41 AM EDT

                                                                                                your top 10 list of states with the fatest people and they are all states that are REPUBLICANS

                                                                                                SO New York is Controlled by all republicans?

                                                                                                Illinois Controlled by all republicans?

                                                                                                West Virgina that has two democrats for every republican is a red state?

                                                                                                What drugs are you people On.

                                                                                                Social Security, Medicare and the poor will no longer have food stamps

                                                                                                Then You should save for your retirement. S.S. will have no money and will only have enough to pay our 2/3 when I retire. They have been saying it needs fixed for the last 30 years. Food stamps has already been fixed so they wont be on it for long.

                                                                                                IF your democrat you will have or rights and your choices will be taken from you and they will tax you at 90% so they can help the poor.

                                                                                                  #23.6 - Sat Mar 31, 2012 11:56 AM EDT

                                                                                                  Why do you guys insist on making this a political thing? Don't you ever get tired of that?

                                                                                                  • 2 votes
                                                                                                  #23.7 - Sun Apr 1, 2012 11:50 AM EDT

                                                                                                  auto, learn to read. new york is not one of the 10 fattest STATES. not metro reas which this article uses but STATES. STATES, thought i'd put it again in case you missed it........again.

                                                                                                    #23.8 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 10:32 AM EDT

                                                                                                    auto, learn to read. new york is not one of the 10 fattest STATES. not metro reas which this article uses but STATES. STATES, thought i'd put it again in case you missed it........again

                                                                                                    I was using an example DO you understand what that is Or do you need to go back to school. That a state that is considered red is based only on who they voted for president not who they have in the state Government.

                                                                                                    DO you really think that a state is only controlled by democrats and they only vote democrat?

                                                                                                      #23.9 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 11:12 AM EDT
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                                                                                                      cillena1Deleted

                                                                                                      ..So how long will we have to wait before seeing some Big Booty photos from the # 1 Big Mac, TX?

                                                                                                      • 3 votes
                                                                                                      Reply#25 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:46 PM EDT

                                                                                                      Next time, just take a look at the lady taking your order.

                                                                                                      • 1 vote
                                                                                                      #25.1 - Sat Mar 31, 2012 12:23 AM EDT
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                                                                                                      Comment author avatarpeath naussExpand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

                                                                                                      @beanathome 1: your only saying that'cause ur fat. 2: if this was a fake article why would it be on an EXTREMELY popular website? 3: Geta life ho

                                                                                                      • 1 vote
                                                                                                      Reply#26 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:46 PM EDT

                                                                                                      Yea shes tons of fun! Butter her hips to get her through the door big ! I like Big Butts...

                                                                                                        Reply#27 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:46 PM EDT

                                                                                                        You like the big ones knowing you'd be the only one hittin it?

                                                                                                        • 3 votes
                                                                                                        #27.1 - Thu Mar 29, 2012 10:00 PM EDT
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