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Being overweight and getting Covid-19

Regiomontanus

Ματαιοδοξία ματαιοδοξιών! Όλα είναι ματαιοδοξία.
Based on this map of the US, I will make some snarly summaries:

- People who vote GOP, tend to be fatter.
- People who are Christian, tend to be fatter.
- People who are poorer, tend to be fatter.

Stop being credulous people! You're hurting yourself, and you're hurting the rest of us.

New Adult Obesity Maps

That bad region stretching from where @Revoltingest lives down to the gulf is interesting. Parts of the deep south I knew about (try driving through rural Alabama and finding healthy food at restaurants).
 

Left Coast

This Is Water
Staff member
Premium Member
did you look at the map in the link I just posted?

I did. I'd be fascinated to know if a deeper dive would indicate that the typical political ideologies we usually associate with different regions of the country actually correlate with obesity.
 

exchemist

Veteran Member
I was quite disappointed, on my first and so far only trip to the US in 2016, to discover that obesity seemed to be no more prevalent there than in Europe. I’d been told you were a nation of proper fatties, and you’d make me look svelte. Not so.

That was New York though. Guess that place runs on adrenaline?
When I moved to Houston in 1999 I was appalled at the extreme, runaway fatness of some people. They seemed to have lost control entirely, in a way one never sees in Europe. Some could barely walk. There was a guy in the office who could not go up a flight of stairs. There were two women who needed a special plastic under their desk chairs, so that the casters on the feet did not sink into the carpet and prevent them from operating.

People seemed more normal sized in New York and Boston, possibly because they use public transport more, so they have to walk and stand a bit every day.
 

exchemist

Veteran Member
To say nothing of suppressing my disgust for vegetables!
With veggies so much depends on how you cook them. Don't overcook or undercook them. It took me years to realise my mother, who was otherwise an excellent cook, did not take the trouble to get the cooking time right for vegetables - consequence of raising a large family and being so busy, I think. Apart from cooking them until they are starting to soften but not too much, just about any green vegetable is much improved by being tossed in a bit of butter and black pepper just before serving.

With things like greens, you can gently fry a bit of chopped garlic and olive oil and toss them in that, for a change. (Great for cavolo nero). And if you add some anchovies and chilli flakes to the frying mixture and toss broccoli in it, you can mix that with pasta for a satisfying meal on its own - with grated parmesan of course. We often do that on Mondays, if we have had a roast at the weekend.
 

JustGeorge

Not As Much Fun As I Look
Staff member
Premium Member
When I moved to Houston in 1999 I was appalled at the extreme, runaway fatness of some people. They seemed to have lost control entirely, in a way one never sees in Europe. Some could barely walk. There was a guy in the office who could not go up a flight of stairs. There were two women who needed a special plastic under their desk chairs, so that the casters on the feet did not sink into the carpet and prevent them from operating.

People seemed more normal sized in New York and Boston, possibly because they use public transport more, so they have to walk and stand a bit every day.

Always wondered what those things under the chairs were for...

I will fairly say many small to medium sized cities are not set up for walking. If you have a family, you certainly have to have a car(or a friend with one that has too much time on their hands). The residential all tends to be in one area, and all the shopping in another. Unless you're a very brave and you're going by yourself, you'll need a car to get into these areas as they're not at all bike-friendly, and unless you live right next to the shopping area, its probably too far to walk.

I noticed many cities around here are set up like that. Some are trying to make their shopping areas more bike friendly, but the death of most neighborhood stores are not helping the obesity rates.
 

Saint Frankenstein

Wanderer From Afar
Premium Member
Based on this map of the US, I will make some snarly summaries:

- People who vote GOP, tend to be fatter.
- People who are Christian, tend to be fatter.
- People who are poorer, tend to be fatter.

Stop being credulous people! You're hurting yourself, and you're hurting the rest of us.

New Adult Obesity Maps
Sorry we're not all a bunch of wealthy limousine liberal snobs who can afford fancy stuff like Whole Foods and gym memberships.
 

icehorse

......unaffiliated...... anti-dogmatist
Premium Member
Sorry we're not all a bunch of wealthy limousine liberal snobs who can afford fancy stuff like Whole Foods and gym memberships.

As a general rule, if you're not middle class or richer, and you vote for GOP candidates, they're duping you.

The parts of the country that tend to vote in the GOP tend to be more staunch Christians. I would say this, don't fall for GOP candidates to claim to support "Christian values". They see you as sheep to be fleeced.

I count myself as a "classic" liberal. I have no limo ;) I think we should increase the minimum wage, and provide universal health care, and do all we can to move people out of poverty.
 

Subduction Zone

Veteran Member
Vitamin D is an immunomodulator. It is also fat soluble. The fat absorbs vitamin D and reduces vitamin D available to modulate immune responses. Dark skinned people and folks in higher latitudes are more likely to be vitamin D deficient. Immune system responses for people with low vitamin D are more likely to run out of control and allow cytokine storms that kill many who become infected with Covid.
Maybe that explains why people of color tend to have more severe results from Covid19. Poor people often have trouble eating healthily. It can take time and money People of color tend to be on the lower end of the economic spectrum. It all adds up to health problems.
 

Saint Frankenstein

Wanderer From Afar
Premium Member
As a general rule, if you're not middle class or richer, and you vote for GOP candidates, they're duping you.

The parts of the country that tend to vote in the GOP tend to be more staunch Christians. I would say this, don't fall for GOP candidates to claim to support "Christian values". They see you as sheep to be fleeced.

I count myself as a "classic" liberal. I have no limo ;) I think we should increase the minimum wage, and provide universal health care, and do all we can to move people out of poverty.
Dems aren't the answer, either. They don't give a damn about the poor. Democrat run cities are gentrifying their poor areas and raising the cost of living through the roof. Hence why everyone is fleeing California. They're doing the same in my city, which is controlled by Democrats. There's a big class disparity in this city. Neither of the establishment parties really care, although there's members of both who do.
 

Wandering Monk

Well-Known Member
Maybe that explains why people of color tend to have more severe results from Covid19. Poor people often have trouble eating healthily. It can take time and money People of color tend to be on the lower end of the economic spectrum. It all adds up to health problems.

Darker skin also reduces Vitamin D production from sunlight.
 

JustGeorge

Not As Much Fun As I Look
Staff member
Premium Member
Well, shoot... I voted for Biden, and I'm certainly not Christian... why am I still fat?? :mad:

I think there's too much involved to really pinpoint the problem enough to do any good. Religion itself would be no indicator on why a person would be fat or thin, but the part of the country they live and the cuisine that is prevalent in those regions might affect their weight. In some part of the country, you're going to find more religious folks than others. It would seem to me its more about region than weight. You can throw in political affiliation in there, too, but again, that boils down to region as well.

Another great factor in one's weight is the company they keep. That, in my opinion, is one spot where education may come into play. Few heavy people are unaware of why they are fat. It doesn't seem accurate to blame a lack of comprehension of healthy practices on obesity. However, people do tend to associate with people of a similar education level. If all your friends or family members are eating well and participating in healthy activities, you will be more likely to as well. However, its hard to pass on the pizza and movies when everyone around you is indulging.

Also, as already stated, income does affect obesity, as a well off person can generally afford healthier food than a poor person. A more highly educated person is more likely to make more money, and therefor will typically have greater access to healthier foods.
 

JustGeorge

Not As Much Fun As I Look
Staff member
Premium Member
Not enough meat in the diet? I am sure that @Revoltingest can hook you up with some bacon:D

Gross!

I'm pretty sure that last pregnancy did me in... I was at a reasonable weight then. I never shed those baby pounds, and my metabolism didn't bounce back from a pregnancy at 34 like it did from the pregnancy at 21. Yeah, I could diet, and struggle, and push... but honestly, I don't care enough. I'm not obese or at a point where this will affect my health(unless, it seems, if I get Covid), and I'm comfortable in my skin.

I will tell you, it doesn't help that I'm an excellent cook...
 

Subduction Zone

Veteran Member
Gross!

I'm pretty sure that last pregnancy did me in... I was at a reasonable weight then. I never shed those baby pounds, and my metabolism didn't bounce back from a pregnancy at 34 like it did from the pregnancy at 21. Yeah, I could diet, and struggle, and push... but honestly, I don't care enough. I'm not obese or at a point where this will affect my health(unless, it seems, if I get Covid), and I'm comfortable in my skin.

I will tell you, it doesn't help that I'm an excellent cook...
I know that meat is not in your "like" list. And actually vegetarians often have the problem of not enough weight. But age and changing metabolisms get to all of us. And I understand the problems of being a good cook and weight. People are always complementing my food. In my house my housemate has very limited cooking abilities. She would rather have me cook and I would rather eat my food.
 

Regiomontanus

Ματαιοδοξία ματαιοδοξιών! Όλα είναι ματαιοδοξία.
Sorry we're not all a bunch of wealthy limousine liberal snobs who can afford fancy stuff like Whole Foods and gym memberships.

But you don't need that. Really! Jogging and walking are free. Buy some cheap used free weights. And I never go Whole Foods. Heck Walmart stocks not only a lot of veggies but much of it organically grown. I dislike Walmart generally but applaud their push for more organic because it will lower the costs for everyone. Good luck.
 

JustGeorge

Not As Much Fun As I Look
Staff member
Premium Member
I know that meat is not in your "like" list. And actually vegetarians often have the problem of not enough weight. But age and changing metabolisms get to all of us. And I understand the problems of being a good cook and weight. People are always complementing my food. In my house my housemate has very limited cooking abilities. She would rather have me cook and I would rather eat my food.

I never had a bit of a weight issue as a vegan... however, dairy doesn't like me. I can totally be a fat vegetarian without much effort. I could go back to veganism, but then I'd have to make a different meal for me and one for the rest of the family, and I don't want to do that. I don't like dirty dishes.

Its the same way at my house... my husband is a chef by trade, but he's not allowed in my kitchen.

His eating habits do detrimentally affect me at times, though. He looooves junk food and is constantly bringing it home. Up until this Covid situation, he was as thin as a rail and ate whatever(though its finally catching up with him a bit). When he brings me home my favorite chips, I struggle to refuse.
 

icehorse

......unaffiliated...... anti-dogmatist
Premium Member
Dems aren't the answer, either. They don't give a damn about the poor. Democrat run cities are gentrifying their poor areas and raising the cost of living through the roof. Hence why everyone is fleeing California. They're doing the same in my city, which is controlled by Democrats. There's a big class disparity in this city. Neither of the establishment parties really care, although there's members of both who do.

The Dems are FAR from perfect, on that we can agree. That said, I'd say that they're clearly the lesser of evils.
 
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