Madonna Tribute - Cast of Glee
Something I Support About Canada
I know, you hear me bitch a lot about Canada. Ok, specifically about French Canada. However, I will admit when they have us beat. Wanna know where they have us beat (and by "us", I mean Americans)? Healthy eating and controlling obesity.
Almost every Canadian who has had the balls to broach this subject with me (and given their dislike of Americans around here, most of them don't have a problem broaching it, and it sounds like this, "I was surprised to hear that you're American because you're not fat."), approach our eating habits with a mix of disgust and awe ("Man, I did love it when I was living in the States and every half block on my drive home I could pull over for fries. That was sweeeet.").
Sometimes, when you're discussing it with somebody who's not just looking for a reason to point out America's inferiority, they'll actually make good points, like "Well, fast food is so much more a part of your culture - it's where you go to hang out with your friends" or "Yeah, I noticed when I was down there that even the grocery stores down there were different. There were aisles and aisles of chips and cookies and candies. You just can't even buy that much bad food up here." And, observationally, as Wal-Mart becomes the place more and more people buy their food, taht gets worse. Because that's about profit, right?
Ok, here's the thing. The US annual obesity rates just got released. THERE IS ONLY ONE STATE IN THE UNION WHERE 20% OF THE POPULATION OR LESS IS NOT CLINICALLY OBESE. Congratulations to you, Colorado. Reason #442 why you're awesome. Deep south and West Virginia? OVER 30% OBESITY RATES. And most of the country is well over 25%. Here's the breakdown.
That's not okay.
The killer is, this is not that hard to fix. Get up off the couch. Cook better food, at home. Make your kids be active, because that's the fastest growing segment. In 23 States, people are MORE obese this year and last year. NOBODY is less obese than they were last year. Is this going to be like the economy? We wait until it completely crashes on us before we do anything?
I know we all hate socialism, but maybe making it harder for McDonald's to own every street corner isn't the worst thing in the world.
Almost every Canadian who has had the balls to broach this subject with me (and given their dislike of Americans around here, most of them don't have a problem broaching it, and it sounds like this, "I was surprised to hear that you're American because you're not fat."), approach our eating habits with a mix of disgust and awe ("Man, I did love it when I was living in the States and every half block on my drive home I could pull over for fries. That was sweeeet.").
Sometimes, when you're discussing it with somebody who's not just looking for a reason to point out America's inferiority, they'll actually make good points, like "Well, fast food is so much more a part of your culture - it's where you go to hang out with your friends" or "Yeah, I noticed when I was down there that even the grocery stores down there were different. There were aisles and aisles of chips and cookies and candies. You just can't even buy that much bad food up here." And, observationally, as Wal-Mart becomes the place more and more people buy their food, taht gets worse. Because that's about profit, right?
Ok, here's the thing. The US annual obesity rates just got released. THERE IS ONLY ONE STATE IN THE UNION WHERE 20% OF THE POPULATION OR LESS IS NOT CLINICALLY OBESE. Congratulations to you, Colorado. Reason #442 why you're awesome. Deep south and West Virginia? OVER 30% OBESITY RATES. And most of the country is well over 25%. Here's the breakdown.
That's not okay.
The killer is, this is not that hard to fix. Get up off the couch. Cook better food, at home. Make your kids be active, because that's the fastest growing segment. In 23 States, people are MORE obese this year and last year. NOBODY is less obese than they were last year. Is this going to be like the economy? We wait until it completely crashes on us before we do anything?
I know we all hate socialism, but maybe making it harder for McDonald's to own every street corner isn't the worst thing in the world.
Labels: random nothings
posted by pregamejocelyn at
3:57 PM
permalink baby
3 Comments:
According to Stats Canada, Canada uses age-standardized data and self-reporting when measuring obesity rates and the US does not.
As such, not sure the two countries can be compared on more then anecdotal levels
Still, good to see that you're internalizing the local attitudes.
By
Anonymous, at 1:17 PM
Perhaps the real problem is our 60-80 work weeks that do not allow us the time to cook.
Perhaps it is choice that people make to buy an affordable house with good schools--which often means a long drive to work without the time to work out.
Canada may be less fat because they have generally avoided these problems. In short, I'm not sure it is a McDonald's thing as much as it is a function of the need to be the best, the most productive, etc.
By
David Parker, at 5:24 PM
is this comment directed at me? i will make sure that i am not in any pics that you may show folks north of the border so that you do not have to justify your relationship to someone who is obese
By
Anonymous, at 9:35 PM
Post a Comment
<< Home