Obesity in WV

CHARLESTON, W.Va.-- West Virginia has the nation's worst statistics in 10 of 12 categories in the new 2011 Gallup Healthways ranking.

Mountain State residents lead the nation in obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, depression, heart attack, cancer, neck or back condition, leg or knee condition and "other recurring pain."

More than one in three West Virginians -- 35.3 percent -- are now obese, according to Gallup Healthways.

"If West Virginia lowered its obesity rate, it would most likely lower its ranking in other categories," Healthways official Reggie Ramsey said. Obesity is at the root of most high chronic disease numbers, he said.

"I think someone is sending us a message that our approach to health care hasn't worked," said Dr. Rahul Gupta, director of the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department.

"Almost all these problems are preventable," Gupta said. "We should be trying to prevent diseases as effectively as we try to fix them after they happen." West Virginia is just starting down the prevention road, he said. "If we continue, you will see these numbers come down, but it's going to take time."

"It's time for West Virginians to stand up together and say,'We've had enough, and we can't stand to have such bad outcomes any longer.'"

"We need a good statewide education campaign," said Pat White, who directs Charleston's West Virginia Health Right. "A lot of people don't even know they can prevent these diseases.

"At Health Right, we spend a lot of time teaching people things like, if you walk a half hour a day, it lowers your risk of heart attack or diabetes. Or if you drink two soda pops a day, you're going to gain 20 pounds a year, which increases your risk of heart disease and diabetes.

"People aren't born knowing this stuff," she said. "Billboards, radio ads, and so on could have a big impact." What message would she put on a billboard? "Your grandma and sister may have sugar, but you don't have to," she said.

The health reform law will lower West Virginia's numbers, said Perry Bryant, director of West Virginians for Affordable Health Care.

Obesity goes hand in hand with ignorance and poverty. Go to WalMart if you want to see the face of West Virginia and obesity. If you can stand it that is.

Obesity is cultural and generational in this state. Fat people have fat kids and they grow up thinking it's "normal" just like being a backwater, ignorant ass is normal.

In fact, people actually defend obesity on these boards and are even proud of it! They think they are entitled to be fat. Either that or they say they have thyroid condition, a metabolism issue or they eat healthy and are still fat.

I'm sick of looking at them and I'm sick of subsidizing their lifestyle because none of the pay their own way. Somebody is picking up the tab for their fat asses whether it's the tax payers or those of us who subsidize their insurance rates.

Thin and Proud wrote:

Obesity goes hand in hand with ignorance and poverty. Go to WalMart if you want to see the face of West Virginia and obesity. If you can stand it that is.
Obesity is cultural and generational in this state. Fat people have fat kids and they grow up thinking it's "normal" just like being a backwater, ignorant ass is normal.
In fact, people actually defend obesity on these boards and are even proud of it! They think they are entitled to be fat. Either that or they say they have thyroid condition, a metabolism issue or they eat healthy and are still fat.
I'm sick of looking at them and I'm sick of subsidizing their lifestyle because none of the pay their own way. Somebody is picking up the tab for their fat asses whether it's the tax payers or those of us who subsidize their insurance rates.

LMAO! Wow you are as ignorant and small-minded as they come. God has a funny sense of humor...you'll be morbidly obese one day.

Cant Fix Stupid wrote:

<quoted text>
LMAO! Wow you are as ignorant and small-minded as they come. God has a funny sense of humor...you'll be morbidly obese one day.

I would die before I'd get to that point. You must be kidding.

You're pretty typical. Why do obese people blame thin people? And why do they always talk about how "beautiful" they are on the inside when they are just as nasty on the inside as out?

I'm not fat because I don't eat like a pig. Problem solved.

Thin and Proud wrote:

<quoted text>
I would die before I'd get to that point. You must be kidding.
You're pretty typical. Why do obese people blame thin people? And why do they always talk about how "beautiful" they are on the inside when they are just as nasty on the inside as out?
I'm not fat because I don't eat like a pig. Problem solved.

I admire you. You are right on. I have been on here for awhile trying to say the exact same thing and all you ever hear is criticism or verbal abuse and cursing. Massive education and cultural relearning are desperately needed there. The unhealthy lifestyle is generational and people are literally killing their children with it. Don't be discouraged and let a few idiots derail you. You are right on, on everything you said. TaTa for now Lady of Quality

Thin and Proud wrote:

<quoted text>

I'm not fat because I don't eat like a pig. Problem solved.

You're not fat probably because you metabolize everything you eat.

You might not be fat, but you're sure as hell stupid.

Thin and Proud wrote:

<quoted text>I would die before I'd get to that point. You must be kidding.

You're pretty typical. Why do obese people blame thin people? And why do they always talk about how "beautiful" they are on the inside when they are just as nasty on the inside as out?

I'm not fat because I don't eat like a pig. Problem solved.

1. Not all fat people eat like pigs. Can 90%+ of obese people lose weight with diet and exercise? Sure. But it is physically much more difficult for some than others. It sounds like you've been blessed with some good genetics in that arena. Good for you, because I bet you came out on the short end some other places.

2. There isn't even one obese person in your life for which you care? Not one? I bet there are a few. You're talking about that person, too.

3. You are a mean and ugly person with no discernible compassion or grace. I feel sorry for you.

Everyone is different.
I know a guy who eats a whole 18" pizza and a sub, just for dinner and he weighs 150 lbs. I know another guy who has to constantly eat to keep from losing weight his metabolism is so fast.
Then there are those who run 5 miles a day,eat salads daily and still struggle with their weight.
Lots of factors: chemistry, genetics, lifestyle, metabolism, thyroid disorders, age, hormonal disorders.
All that being said, sure WV is highest obesity in lots of categories. Generations of heavy people tend to pass on bad eating habits as well as sedentary lifestyle along with genetic proclivity.
Per capita, Huntington has the highest density of fast food eateries than any where else in the nation.
Surveys revealed that Orlando was #1 in highest density of fast food eateries of cities over 200,000 people. Orlando has a metropolitan area of over 2.2 million people. Huntington's has only 48K with a metro region population of about 120K. But the kicker is that the entire Orlando region only has about 10 more fast food places than the Huntington region.

you are crazy wrote:

<quoted text>
1. Not all fat people eat like pigs. Can 90%+ of obese people lose weight with diet and exercise? Sure. But it is physically much more difficult for some than others. It sounds like you've been blessed with some good genetics in that arena. Good for you, because I bet you came out on the short end some other places.
2. There isn't even one obese person in your life for which you care? Not one? I bet there are a few. You're talking about that person, too.
3. You are a mean and ugly person with no discernible compassion or grace. I feel sorry for you.

Just why the hell do obese people write off the efforts and responsibility of thin people by saying they are "blessed" with good "genetics" or "metabolisms" instead of admitting that the vast majority of obesity is caused by overeating, lack of exercise and poor diet?

Twenty five years ago obesity was practically unheard of. I was there.

Now, you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a lard ass.
Now I would be a fat assed cow tomorrow if I started eating like a pig. But you know what? I don't. I don't eat fast food, or even meat to speak of. I don't even eat much dairy because it's so unhealthy. I eat whatever type of food I want but I never wait until I'm starving to eat, I never stuff myself and I never eat until I'm more than 70% full.

I see what's in fat peoples grocery carts. I see them in the drive in line holding it up ordering massive amounts of food. I see you all at the buffets - actually I don't because I quit going to them because the site of over eating hogs was too much to bear.
So don't give me that shit. You are heavy because you are undisciplined. Period. Exclamation point. And I'm thin because I take responsibility for myself and my weight and I have pride in myself as well. I wouldn't be caught dead fat.

But when someone points out the obvious dangers and socioeconomic impact of obesity, fat people defend it to their deaths.

You run up insurance costs, you create a demand for plentiful cheap food which in turn, causes industrial farming operations to turn out food to meet your demands and its polluted with hormones, you run up health care costs, you create hazards for people who have to deal with you like health care workers and rescue workers, you have shortened life spans.

And on and on and. Yet you defend yourselves.

But you don't fool anybody.

Spleencage wrote:

<quoted text>
You're not fat probably because you metabolize everything you eat.

Young lady, you are right. That's because I don't take in more food than I need. It's not because I eat like a pig and don't gain weight. If I ate like a pig, I'd be fat, just like everybody else.

But I don't. And yes, everyone's metabolism is different so they need to eat accordingly. That's the way it works.

And the myth of the skinny person who eats like a pig but never gains weight is something fat people make up because I guarantee it that if you actually added up the calories against the physical activity of those legendary people, you would find out that they do not have magic powers to eat what they want and never gain weight.

One of my sons was an athlete. He ate like a pig too, trying to gain weight. I couldn't believe how much he ate and if you didn't know better, you'd think he was one of those legendary people you speak of. But the day he stopped playing sports and kept eating like he was, he started to gain weight practically over night.

He adjusted and modified his diet but he could have been a lard ass too if he'd continued to eat like he was playing three sports.

you are crazy wrote:

<quoted text>
1. Not all fat people eat like pigs. Can 90%+ of obese people lose weight with diet and exercise? Sure. But it is physically much more difficult for some than others. It sounds like you've been blessed with some good genetics in that arena. Good for you, because I bet you came out on the short end some other places.
2. There isn't even one obese person in your life for which you care? Not one? I bet there are a few. You're talking about that person, too.
3. You are a mean and ugly person with no discernible compassion or grace. I feel sorry for you.

P.S. why do fat people always resort to name calling when someone points out the obvious about obesity?

Why are they so angry towards thin people who take responsibility for themselves? It's not our fault you are fat, and as ugly on the inside as the outside.

Society has to deal with your ass. We have to pay for your health care, we have to pay for your fat children's health care. People have to deal with your asses in all sorts of facets of society because you can't take simple responsibility for yourself and you want to name call ME like a kindergartner?

You want to be fat? Fine. Pay for your own health care and don't expect responsible people to do it with either their taxes or their insurance premiums. Go into a high risk pool and pay your fair share.

Then, when you collapse, don't expect emergency workers to injure their backs lifting you.

You pollute society and you blame ME?

The bible belt, the only place where being fat is genetics, but being gay is a lifestyle choice.

Chad W wrote:

The bible belt, the only place where being fat is genetics, but being gay is a lifestyle choice.

Really. Only in America are the poor, fat, and West Virginia is ground zero.

To any of you mean, angry lard asses who blame me and genetics for your obesity.

If you go to WalMart and find one cart pushed by some lard ass, that's full of fresh fruits and vegetables and other healthy foods, and with no junk or pop or frozen pizzas, I'll kiss your fat ass right here.

Best I can anyway.

Just do it and see what I mean.

Here is what pisses me off about fatties, First I have Diabetes, oh now wait before you say anything, I have Type 1 Diabetes, therefore I am insulin dependent, I can't cure my diabetes. I’m adult male and I AM NOT OVERWEIGHT. I do not believe people with the fat diabetes should even be in the same category with me and other type 1's. Type 2 (fat diabetes) is preventable and curable. So stop feeding your faces and try to live with what I have to do on a daily basis.( 7-10 finger sticks a day and several shots of Insulin a day, all you fatties do is swallow a pill) I can’t help but to get pissed when I hear a fatties say "I have diabetes" bullshit...You will always have “Your fat diabetes” because you can’t control your eating and controlling your carb intake.

TYPE 1 wrote:

Here is what pisses me off about fatties, First I have Diabetes, oh now wait before you say anything, I have Type 1 Diabetes, therefore I am insulin dependent, I can't cure my diabetes. I’m adult male and I AM NOT OVERWEIGHT. I do not believe people with the fat diabetes should even be in the same category with me and other type 1's. Type 2 (fat diabetes) is preventable and curable. So stop feeding your faces and try to live with what I have to do on a daily basis.( 7-10 finger sticks a day and several shots of Insulin a day, all you fatties do is swallow a pill) I can’t help but to get pissed when I hear a fatties say "I have diabetes" bullshit...You will always have “Your fat diabetes” because you can’t control your eating and controlling your carb intake.

That's a real shame for you. I'm sorry to hear that. It's too bad you are lumped in with all the fat asses who have diabetes. As soon as people hear "diabetes" they think "lard ass."

There are many evil diseases plaguing the young adults in this country and I'm convinced it comes from our polluted food supply.

Auto immune disorders are plaguing people your age (I'm guessing you are twenty-something). Type 1 diabetes is an AI disorder.

Thin and Proud wrote:

<quoted text>Just why the hell do obese people write off the efforts and responsibility of thin people by saying they are "blessed" with good "genetics" or "metabolisms" instead of admitting that the vast majority of obesity is caused by overeating, lack of exercise and poor diet?

Twenty five years ago obesity was practically unheard of. I was there.

Now, you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a lard ass.
Now I would be a fat assed cow tomorrow if I started eating like a pig. But you know what? I don't. I don't eat fast food, or even meat to speak of. I don't even eat much dairy because it's so unhealthy. I eat whatever type of food I want but I never wait until I'm starving to eat, I never stuff myself and I never eat until I'm more than 70% full.

I see what's in fat peoples grocery carts. I see them in the drive in line holding it up ordering massive amounts of food. I see you all at the buffets - actually I don't because I quit going to them because the site of over eating hogs was too much to bear.
So don't give me that shit. You are heavy because you are undisciplined. Period. Exclamation point. And I'm thin because I take responsibility for myself and my weight and I have pride in myself as well. I wouldn't be caught dead fat.

But when someone points out the obvious dangers and socioeconomic impact of obesity, fat people defend it to their deaths.

You run up insurance costs, you create a demand for plentiful cheap food which in turn, causes industrial farming operations to turn out food to meet your demands and its polluted with hormones, you run up health care costs, you create hazards for people who have to deal with you like health care workers and rescue workers, you have shortened life spans.

And on and on and. Yet you defend yourselves.

But you don't fool anybody.

Well, I'm not obese. I just have a heart. You are still an ugly miserable person.

you are crazy wrote:

<quoted text>
Well, I'm not obese. I just have a heart. You are still an ugly miserable person.

Well, not all of us can be as lovely as you my dear. Compliments on your "heart".

You are sort of like the parent who hits her kid for fighting.

You are exactly right, when I go out to eat or clubin' or whatever, I have to take my shot before a meal, people look at me (which it doesn’t bother me, I will advocate for T1 Diabetes anytime) like I’m a druggie, maybe someday I can afford a Insulin pump. But here is a little story I will share, a few years back we were at a dinner with some friends from out of town, of course I had to take insulin before eating, so one of the dudes that was with my friends said Hey man, not at the dinner table, people can see. I told him dude it's only insulin for diabetes, and his stupid dumbass response was “you’re not overweight, how can you have diabetes?" So yeah I'm stuck with the type 2 fat diabetes tag. I hope for a cure someday soon. I was Dx at the age of 14 been dealing with it for 12 years so far so good…

Thin and Proud wrote:

<quoted text>
That's a real shame for you. I'm sorry to hear that. It's too bad you are lumped in with all the fat asses who have diabetes. As soon as people hear "diabetes" they think "lard ass."
There are many evil diseases plaguing the young adults in this country and I'm convinced it comes from our polluted food supply.
Auto immune disorders are plaguing people your age (I'm guessing you are twenty-something). Type 1 diabetes is an AI disorder.

TYPE 1 wrote:

You are exactly right, when I go out to eat or clubin' or whatever, I have to take my shot before a meal, people look at me (which it doesn’t bother me, I will advocate for T1 Diabetes anytime) like I’m a druggie, maybe someday I can afford a Insulin pump. But here is a little story I will share, a few years back we were at a dinner with some friends from out of town, of course I had to take insulin before eating, so one of the dudes that was with my friends said Hey man, not at the dinner table, people can see. I told him dude it's only insulin for diabetes, and his stupid dumbass response was “you’re not overweight, how can you have diabetes?" So yeah I'm stuck with the type 2 fat diabetes tag. I hope for a cure someday soon. I was Dx at the age of 14 been dealing with it for 12 years so far so good…
<quoted text>

That's just awful! Think of all the healthy people who let themselves get fat, then get diabetes where otherwise they would be free of it. Then there's you who would give anything to be healthy and they just throw their health away because they eat like hogs.

It will be okay. Things will get better as treatment methods improve. I'll bet one day, all you'll have to do is take a pill once a day.