Is The Economy Making Us Fat?

(CBS)  Will the shrinking economy expand our waistlines?

Dieticians warn it very well might.

Almost two-thirds of Americans are already considered overweight, reports CBS News correspondent Michelle Gielan, and with rising prices at the grocery store, nutritionists say the percentage could grow as more people turn to fast foods, and eat more overall because they feel stressed-out.

Hungry consumers are finding a buck goes a long way at fast food outlets, and the burger business is booming.

"If your bank account has just tanked, you've lost your job, and you are worried about keeping your house, you're not going to be spending a lot of money on food if you can avoid it," observes NYU Food Studies Professor Marion Nestle.

For instance, McDonald's recently reported strong third quarter sales, but nutrition experts worry more consumption of fast food in general may lead to more weight gain and resulting health problems.

Says Nestle, "McDonald's is doing really well now as people have flocked to it, because the cost is low, they know what they're going to be eating, they like the taste of the food, and they're not concerned about whether it's too high in fat sugars and salt."

As a result, dieticians say, fast food is becoming more appealing than cooking with fresh ingredients.

"They're going to be looking for the cheapest calories they can find, and those calories are not necessarily the ones that are best for health," Nestle says.

It's not just inexpensive fast foods threatening America's girth. Heather Bauer, author of "The Wall Street Diet," written for busy execs, says stressful times lead to what she calls "stress eating."

"You get home from work," Bauer explained, "you're exhausted, you turn on the TV, and it's just very doom and gloom. Every time you change the channel, it's about the economy, and people eat, they go to food, because it's just very calming and soothing."

What's more, despite offering clients huge discounts, gyms around the country are reporting declining membership, due in part to the sluggish economy, and that could add to a perfect recipe for increased American obesity.

Nutritionists point out that eating healthy is actually a good investment, since fewer health problems down the road could mean you save money on health care.

[skylights90n]

We can say "too bad" to those who continue to gulp sodas and eat greasy burgers, or "so what" let them get fat. But unless something changes all of us will pay the price that comes with an obese nation. Many people will be unable to work due to their health problems, that means more on government disability. Plus the increased health costs will be staggering.
Predictions are that in the next 30 years almost 100% of Americans will be over weight and obese. As usual we stick our head in the sand rather than take steps that seem to be meddlesome. Why not raise insurance rates for those who are overweight and also provide tax breaks for those who clock gym hours? Tax the heck out of fast food the same way we do gasoline, alcohol and tobacco and drop the tax on fresh produce and meats. OMG! What an idea.

[lloydbest1]

"Nutritionists point out that eating healthy is actually a good investment, since fewer health problems down the road could mean you save money on health care."
That last paragraph, an almost throwaway remark, is the key to this whole economy-obesity mess.
My own economic situation is so precarious that I am ashamed to even talk about it. But, I have mitigated that somewhat by:
1. Growing my own as much as possible.
2. Buying fresh (or at least fresh frozen) fruit and veggies. These are actually cheaper than the junk I often see others buy and used to buy myself.
3. Cutting back on meat purchases (not I did not say "cut out").
4. Baking, rather than buying my own bread. Now, at least, I know what''s in it.
5. No more beer, chips and chocolate for this old guy!
I need to squeeze the most nutrition out of each calorie I consume. As an example, a two pound bag of frozen corn or peas costs approximately two dollars. The same two dollars will get me only about 8 ounces of M&M''s. I can''t afford the cwap anymore so I have to buy the good (or, at least better) stuff now.
Doing all that I have described above has cut my food budget by at least 30%, if not by half. Granted I wasn''t obese before the economy tanked but those who are could find benefit in more carefully choosing the kinds of inexpensive foods that are still out there.
Good luck!

[oldone61-2009]

No, the economy isn''t making us fat, but it is making us stupid - so stupid we elected Obama!

[smtalbott]

Yes - stress can make you fat - the scientific evidence is solid - but there are LOTS of reasons for weight gain and difficulty with weight loss.

%u201CKiller at Large%u201D %u2013 a new award-winning feature-length documentary explores the startling details of the American obesity epidemic - and is screening in NYC at The Times Center on Nov 21 (TOMORROW)!

In the film, when asked what the most pressing issue is in America today, former Surgeon General Richard Carmona responded, "Obesity, because obesity is a terror within. It is destroying our society from within and unless we do something about it, the magnitude of the dilemma will dwarf 9/11 or any other terrorist event that you can point out...%u201D

Killer at Large features interviews and footage of numerous public figures discussing both the politics and the causes/effects of obesity including former President Bill Clinton, consumer advocate Ralph Nader, filmmaker Neil LaBute, Senator Tom Harkin, Senator Sam Brownback, Governor Mike Huckabee and a number of bestselling authors such as Michael Pollan, Chef Ann Cooper, and Dr. Brian Wansink among many others.

Tickets: $20

[smtalbott]

Yes - stress can make you fat - the scientific evidence is solid - but there are LOTS of reasons for weight gain and difficulty with weight loss.

%u201CKiller at Large%u201D %u2013 a new award-winning feature-length documentary explores the startling details of the American obesity epidemic - and is screening in NYC at The Times Center on Nov 21 (TOMORROW)!

In the film, when asked what the most pressing issue is in America today, former Surgeon General Richard Carmona responded, "Obesity, because obesity is a terror within. It is destroying our society from within and unless we do something about it, the magnitude of the dilemma will dwarf 9/11 or any other terrorist event that you can point out...%u201D

Killer at Large features interviews and footage of numerous public figures discussing both the politics and the causes/effects of obesity including former President Bill Clinton, consumer advocate Ralph Nader, filmmaker Neil LaBute, Senator Tom Harkin, Senator Sam Brownback, Governor Mike Huckabee and a number of bestselling authors such as Michael Pollan, Chef Ann Cooper, and Dr. Brian Wansink among many others.

Tickets: $20

[cwbyht]

Great, now the food police have another excuse too tell us what we should be eating. I''ve got an idea, instead of giving billions to farmers in subsides, why don''t you find a way to make healthy stuff affordable?

[xxunknown]

can we also blame insanity, infidelity, drug and alcohol addiction etc. on the economy? How about we blame ourselves for our own short comings and flaws? What happened to personal accountability?

You can make a lot of healthy meals on a tight budget. Not to mention, taking a walk outside is free.

This society wants to blame instead of being self responsible.

I like KFC but good sense tells me not to eat it six times a week.

[skinnyminny2]

People are idiots. Dry beans and rice go a lot farther than that dollar at a fast food establishment. Even frozen vegetables can be cheap when on sale.
If people can''t respect themselves enough to buy a convenient piece of fruit instead of a convenient greasy fast food meal, they deserve everything that comes with that junk. Let ''em get fat. Who cares.

[global_eye]

People should hold out hope.

We should feed our bodies the right food and continue to press for a better system of sustainability, justice and balance.

There is a new economy, a new age, and new beginning coming. Soon humanity will discover something extraordinary is happening.

www.WakeUpMankind.org

[docpeter1953]

I contradict this article. Cutting costs is what everybody did back in the 1920''''s and 1930''''s. They created victory gardens. No more luxury cafe''''s and elite food. It was back to basics. People grew their own food. I am hit really hard by the economy, but I was partially prepared. I bought seeds to grow food. I have very little land, so I learned about container gardening. Now I use every bit of the little land I have developing edible landscaping. I have cut back on food, but not nutrition. I eat cactus every day, like most of the world, not the US of course. I eat succulent leaves for snacks. I eat strawberries, eggplant, green beans, okra, and tomatoes I have grown in my yard and containers. I am now growing broccoli, cauliflower, and brusselsprouts. I will soon be eating sweet potatoes that are a ground cover in a landscaping theme. I planted garlic and will be planting onions. I planted Stevia to use as a sweetener. Victory Gardens or a rose by any other name Edible Landscaping is the way to go...

Posted by clancy49 at 12:30 PM : Nov 20, 2008
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Hey Everybody, dinner is at clancy49''s this evening. Please remember clancy49 stated, ''Now I use every bit of the little land I have developing edible landscaping.'' so I guess it will be on all fours tonight, probably work better that way anyway, no need for plates and dishes. ;-)