New York - Vermont was ranked the healthiest state in the US for the second year in a row, according to a report from the United health Foundation, the Partnership for Prevention and the American Public Health Association.
The report found that across the state smoking has dropped to 17.6 percent.
Although obesity is on the rise in Vermont it is increasing at a lower rate than any other state, according to the report released Wednesday.
This is the second year in a row that that Vermont topped the rankings.
Hawii ranked second while New Hampshire took the third spot.
On the bottom of the list moving from 49 last to 50 this year was Louisiana.
Louisiana has a high rate of obesity and childhood poverty. The number of unisured was also a contributing factor, CNN reported.
The state has ranked at or near the bottom of the list every year since it was first published in 1990.
Rounding out the bottom 10 were South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Nevada and Georgia.
According to www.americashealthrankings.org:
This report looks at the four groups of health determinants that can be affected:
1. Personal behaviors include the everyday activities we do that affect our personal health. It includes habits and practices we develop as individuals and families that have an effect on our personal health and on our utilization of health resources. These behaviors are modifiable with effort by the individual supported by community, policy and clinical interventions.
2. Community & environment reflects the reality that the daily conditions in which we live our lives have a great effect on achieving optimal individual health.
3. Public and health policies are indicative of the availability of resources to encourage and maintain health and the extent that public and health programs reach into the general population.
4. Clinical care reflects the quality, appropriateness and cost of the care we receive at doctors’ offices, clinics and hospitals.
All health determinants are intertwined and must work together to be effective. For example, an initiative that addresses tobacco cessation requires not only efforts on the part of the individual but also support from the community in the form of public and health policies that promote non-smoking and the availability of effective counseling and care at clinics. Similarly, sound prenatal care requires individual effort, access to and availability of prenatal care coupled with high quality of health care services.
The ultimate purpose of America’s Health Rankings™ is to stimulate action by individuals, communities, public health professionals, health industry employees and public administration and health officials to improve the health of the population of the United States. We do this by promoting public conversation concerning health in our states, as well as providing information to facilitate citizen participation. We encourage participation in all elements: personal behaviors, community, environment, clinical care, and public and health policies. Each person individually, and in their capacity as an employee, employer, voter, community volunteer, health official or elected official, can contribute to the advancement of the healthiness of their state. Proven, effective and innovative actions can improve the health of people in every state whether the state is first or 50th.
83 Comments, Comment or Ping
Sam
Isn’t it curious that there is a strong correlation between unhealthy states and republican states?
Dec 3rd, 2008
Michael
The bottom ten, with a couple of exceptions this time around, tend to go Republican in federal elections. Coincidence?
Dec 3rd, 2008
Neil
The reason is that they don’t care about their health. You see Rapcha is coming and Jesus is gonna hoover them all up to heaven!
Dec 3rd, 2008
AJ
No, it’s no coincidence. They are all American states and most Americans are horribly out of shape. There are more than enough fat people walking around despite their political affiliation.
From xpress.sfsu.edu/archives/news/004551.html:
“One hundred and nineteen million, or 64.5 percent, of American adults are overweight or obese.”
That is disgusting, and that is just adults. What about all the obese kids living with their horribly obese parents? It should be considered child abuse.
Dec 3rd, 2008
Tomas
As you can see, redneck idiots, aka Republicans, aka, lying murderers…
Dec 3rd, 2008
David Baker
How did Sarah Palin’s Alaska rank among the fifty states?
Dec 3rd, 2008
Anthony
If you take a democratic poll on fat people then there is a majority on what they think. That’s why fat people hate democrats
Dec 3rd, 2008
Nick
No, its becuase the liberal states are worried that they might hurt someone’s feelings if they call them “fat”. They are far more concerned with finding a politically correct way to present their findings than they are with actually collecting data about fat people.
Dec 3rd, 2008
Sayivarg
“Jesus is gonna hoover them all up to heaven!”
So that means we get global liposuction?
Dec 3rd, 2008
Dr. Reed
I’m utterly shocked to see some of the comments here. Firat of all, to refer to homosexuals as ‘faggots’ is wrong and offensive. Just as it would be to refer to any other group of people by a derogatory term. Moreover, its a red-herring that clouds the issue here.
Whether you live in Arkansas or Oregon, there are obese people. The real issue here is the relationship between poverty and obesity. Food with high calories, low dollar signs, and massive convinience are marketed more heavily in urban and impoverished areas. It is less expensive and more convinient to buy a 10-piece bucket of chicken for a low-income family of six than it is to prepare the healthy alternative.
Dec 3rd, 2008
Jim
Personally, I think health has more to do with an individuals education, upbringing and other socioeconomic factors than it does with political affiliation. But then again I think political affiliation has a lot to do with education, upbringing and other socioeconomic factors. So maybe conservative ideology can be attributed with stupidity, bad parenting, and a red-neck society?
Dec 3rd, 2008
JOHN O
“How did Sarah Palin’s Alaska rank among the fifty states?”
Alaska is ranked 30.
Obama’s Illinois is ranked 31.
Dec 3rd, 2008
betterdeadthanred
nifty article on red state values:
oregonherald.com/n/radicalruss/20041212_red-state-moral-values.html
Dec 3rd, 2008
Ed
The elitist attitudes of liberals knows no bounds. It is all politics in your mind. Did you give any thought about all those states being in the south or states that have large elder populations? Culturally, there are differences that could explain such a parallel that transcend party affiliation. “Hoover THEM all up to heaven?” Who is the “them” you refer to? All Christians are fat? Listen to yourselves, liberal elitists. You sound like bigots from the 1940’s. When the political pendulum swings again - and it will - remember how you treated anyone different physically, or even possessing a different opinion - as an inferior mentally and physically - a neanderthal. You are supposed to be the enlightened as I recall. You will reap what you sow. P.S. I am not the caveman from the insurance commercials but that guy has gotten a bum deal.
Dec 3rd, 2008
tom wilsom
What doctors and scientists are saying about Eat to Live.
“Dr. Fuhrman’s Eat To Live presents a compelling, scientific, practical approach to weight loss, health and vitality that is a refreshing alternative to the plethora of popular, but largely ineffective diets and weight loss methods. For those who want to make dietary changes that will enable them to enjoy optimum health and appearance, this book is a must.”
James Craner, M.D., M.P.H.
Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Internal Medicine Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Nevada School of Medicine
——————————————————————————–
“This is the book about achieving optimal health and weight that the scientific community has been waiting for; the “Gold Standard” via which all other diets can be judged. Dr. Fuhrman takes the latest scientific information from thousands of research studies and puts together the most effective and healthiest dietary approach possible. Everything else is just second-rate. All health professionals must read this book. I apply Dr. Fuhrman’s advice to my own life because it not only makes scientific sense, it works!”
Jeffrey Gilbert, M.D.
Medical Director: STD Center for Excellence @ Montefiore Medical Center, Bx Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine: Albert Einstein College of Medicine Assistant Clinical Professor of Ob/Gyn: Albert Einstein College of Medicine Consultant: NYS Department of Health
——————————————————————————–
“Simply a great piece of work. Dr. Fuhrman has painstakingly taken the time to wade through the ever burgeoning mountain of evidence which proves that the American diet and many physician supported fad diets are not only unhealthy but are a contributing if not the direct cause of our enormous public cardiovascular and cancer problem. His references are excellent and exhaustive. As individuals and as a nation we cannot ignore this book. Dr Fuhrman, I commend you.”
Robert J Warren, M.D.
Fellow American College of Surgery Fellow American College of Orthopedic Surgery Meridian Hospital, NJ
——————————————————————————–
“Dr. Fuhrman’s book is a world of nutritional wisdom. He has illustrated a comprehensive familiarity with the world’s scientific literature, weaving in his extensive clinical experience and insight that is a must read for every physician in America. Dr. Fuhrman offers a new, more effective approach to the treatment of various diseases and safe and effective methods of prevention. I recommend everyone remember his health equation and follow it for life.”
Dec 3rd, 2008
Steve Western
I think that it is more of a correlation between states with good tasting food and states with bland tasting food. MMMMMM, Mexican food and biscuits and gravy.
Dec 3rd, 2008
porkrind
“The elitist attitudes of liberals knows no bounds”
We elitists recognize no bounds. It’s Per Ardua Ad Astra all the way for us, and that includes our BMI.
Dec 3rd, 2008
Mike S
Boy, did that man just win a hot dog eating contest or what?? Maybe he just can’t resist those midnight twinkies!!
Dec 3rd, 2008
Ed
Here is a gem of elitist tripe from the nifty article referenced by “Betterdeadthanred”
“So take heart, blue states. We’ve got the sage wisdom of poor divorced high school graduates in trailer houses choosing the people who will provide us clear moral leadership on the economy, marriage, education, and housing. The states that take the most federal welfare, yet still can’t adequately provide for their very old or very young, will control the tough decisions about health care and Social Security. The places consuming the most energy will direct our policy on the environment. Now, just stay out of their way or they’ll run you over in their pickup truck.”
The words of a man seriously convinced he is a whole lot smarter than almost everybody else. It seems liberals want to take away the vote of anyone unfortunate enough not to share their brand of wisdom or zip code. Does that mean that the utterly poor of Africa, SE Asia or South America do not possess the wisdom to elect an elder or representative to their government? Is that too politically hot for you? Say what you mean, coward. I have seen the children of poor, divorced high school graduates spill their blood in combat and rise to run major corporations. Anything is possible. You do not have a monopoly on brains or courage - by ANY measure.
Dec 3rd, 2008
pawel
These polls are based on lies and therefore useless. People would be shocked to see just how many fat people there are in the states. I would venture the guess of a 1 / 5 ratio of fit people to fat. I have a close friend who has been drastically overwieght for over 10 years and he simpily will not admit he has a problem. His entire family is well over 400 pounds each and none of them seem to realize the danger. I feel sad for heavy people because they lack the mental strength to have control over their bodies. I wish it weren’t this way, but i won’t waste my attention on the ignoraunt.
Dec 3rd, 2008
Joop deBruin
Interesting that this website made a decision to include a photograph of a Bavarian rather than an American. Plenty of oinkers in America; loads of Liberal Dem oinkers too, contrary to what’s been posted above. Fatties exist in all political persuasions.
Dec 3rd, 2008
Ed
“Per Ardua Ad Astra” - While ripping off a latin slogan is impressive - it isn’t even a technically correct translation if what you are trying to infer is that every wonderful BMI is a path to the stars paved with thorns. I have known many people with world class BMI that have never worked a moment in their life for it> In fact they smoke, abuse drugs, alcohol, eat horribly, all manner of life style aberrations. - you name it. Their benefactor is genetics - many of us are aware of its role in shaping lifestyle, phenotype, you name it. Isn’t that right?
Identifying yourself as an elitist really puts a damper on how LOTs of people interpret what you have to say. You should get out more.
Dec 3rd, 2008
Matt
No surprise here really. Rednecks mainly eat trailer park-type fried food. Check out how many waffle houses there are in the south. Terrifying.
Dec 3rd, 2008
Matt
Ed wrote:
“Their benefactor is genetics - many of us are aware of its role in shaping lifestyle, phenotype, you name it. Isn’t that right?”
Are you suggesting that Southerners are inferior genetically? I don’t think they’re any different, as a whole, genetically. The lifestyles they choose to lead are just a lot worse for them.
Dec 3rd, 2008
Ed
“I feel sad for heavy people because they lack the mental strength to have control over their bodies. I wish it weren’t this way, but i won’t waste my attention on the ignoraunt.”
Wow - the absolute bigotry in some of the things I read here is staggering. I am sure this nice man really doesn’t mean to sound like he has no sympathy for anyone that doesn’t meet his image of ideal - let alone lack the compassion to waste any of his time on the “ignoraunt”. I know a lot of fat, “ignoraunt” people that would open their homes to a stranger, fat, thin or otherwise - that needed a helping hand. I guess all the Twinkies makes sharing their attention a little less painful. Eat a sandwich and lighten up, dude.
Dec 3rd, 2008
Michael L.
This state also voted for McCain. It is not a coincidence that the most conservative Republican states are the most unhealthy. It is their priorities, lack of education, and lack of quality health care. Vermont is one of the most Liberal states in the nation.
Dec 3rd, 2008
betterdeadthanred
gee, ED - since we’re pasting quotes, you forgot a little gem like this one:
“The blue states have an enormous tax base and pay disproportionately high taxes into the government compared to the money they receive from the government. The red states pay very little in taxes and receive disproportionately high returns from the government. “Paying your own way” is for losers; red states believe in sharing the wealth.”
Dec 3rd, 2008
John G
I am not going to insult you people with saying you cant believe what you just wrote! How can you bring Republicans and Democrats into this discussion????? Did you ever look at the lack of “good” jobs in these states??? Everyone is judging the Republican party by GeorgeW Bush. So if Obama doesnt get things fixed, then will it be the democrats fault? Or maybe the truth is that southern states like fried twinkies, and everything else fried, and Vermont just grills everything. It sure is going to be bad if our eonomy stays in the messed up state it is in, because in the next election the votes for Micey Mouse in the write insection, just might outnumber theones for the Reps and the Dems.
Dec 3rd, 2008
Dave
Party catering mostly to the “I always get what I want, and who cares what the consequences are” attitude: Republican.
Party catering mostly to the “Think about other people and their needs as well as your own” attitude: Democratic.
Consequences of hate, greed and gluttony: Obesity, COPD, heart disease, stroke, heart attacks, paranoia, xenophobia, Domestic Violence, gun violence, poverty, despair, and depression
Consequences of compassion and understanding: A healthier society.
Irony: The same party promoting greed and gluttony uses the Bible, which is full of all sorts of hippie shit like, “Love they Neighbor As Thyself” and “Do Unto Others” and “Be a Good Samaritan” as their justification for promoting greed, gluttony, and hate.
Ever ask yourself why they only pay attention to the parts suggesting that homosexuality is a bad thing and not the parts suggesting that you should feed the poor and house the homeless?
What if Jesus came back as a gay guy? Would you let him get married?
Dec 3rd, 2008
shawn
Obviously yall aint sat out on a summer night drinkin beer and eatin some good ol barbque. My weight aint none of your dang business. Western above has it right!
Dec 3rd, 2008
CHARLES H
Alarming but not surprising.
Red-States are filled with ignorant uneducated losers.
It’s amazing isn’t it? I’ve lived all over the U.S. and am now in the deep south and I must tell you, I’ve never seen so many obese people in my life. It’s scary.
Dec 3rd, 2008
jack
BLacks.
THE Reason is because black people are a huge minority in the south and are overwhelmingly overweight. Most black people vote democrat not republican, but they really dont vote, so a connection between the overweight and republicanism is incorrect. So if you were to remove blacks from the study, it would be very different.
Dec 3rd, 2008
Jonathan
Wow - with a sample size of 50, vague overgeneralizations and faulty assumptions to boot - this data is about as rock solid as Oprah’s weight in the 90’s.
Dec 3rd, 2008
Mark
I am pretty sure this guy is sitting at an Obama rally! Note the look of despair on his face.
Dec 3rd, 2008
Sitruc
Bad food or good food that taste terrible. Let’s talk about snack food. Doctors says eat healthy. The problem is that eating carrots, broccoli, celery, apples just taste bland. How many people dip the before mentioned food in dip, or cheese spread to cover of the taste? Or how about the carmel spread on slide apples. Face it I would rather eat a bag of Cheeto’s than any of the before mentioned food items. Why because Cheeto’s satisfy a craving… Now if you can get all those healthy foods to taste like Cheeto’s then you would be a Nobel prize winner.
Good food taste bad, which is why bad food, junk food taste better and sell better.
My opinion for what it is worth and look I did not insult anyone!!!
Dec 3rd, 2008
Morgane
Well, all these comments are great, but although the facts might very well be true, the article is not that well written. I’m a journalism major, and this is not worth being in the Google Newsfeed!
Dec 3rd, 2008
Richard
Here is the full list of the state rankings, from healthiest to least healthy:
Vermont
Hawaii
New Hampshire
Minnesota
Utah
Massachusetts
Connecticut
Idaho
Maine
Washington
Rhode Island
North Dakota
Nebraska
Wyoming
Iowa
Oregon
Wisconsin
New Jersey
Colorado
Virginia
South Dakota
Kansas
Montana
California
New York
Maryland
Michigan
Pennsylvania
New Mexico
Alaska
Illinois
Ohio
Arizona
Indiana
Delaware
North Carolina
Kentucky
Missouri
West Virginia
Alabama
Georgia
Nevada
Arkansas
Oklahoma
Florida
Texas
Tennessee
South Carolina
Mississippi
Louisiana
Dec 3rd, 2008
pawel
The real problem is natural born citizens have no morals or values for life. they are taught in their pathetic schools that they are superior to others around the globe. they are lazy mentally and physically. thats why since the beginning of the nation, its been up to men from foreign countries to run the united states.
Dec 3rd, 2008
Richard
The writer of this article took a journalistic shortcut to illustrate his topic. The accompanying photo is copied from a German website — without credit. That man is a product of beer and bratwurst, not beer and barbecue!
Dec 3rd, 2008
mnuez
Republican? How about noticing that the healthiest states are the Whitest states or the ones with the least income disparity?
The greater the genetic similarity among its residents, the less pronounced will be the economic gap and the less unhappiness, crime and ill-health there’s likely to be.
But let’s not go there because…
From the Left: “That’s racist! There’s no difference in average (capitalistically-helpful) aptitudes between Brahman Indians and Bantus! We KNOW that’s not true, because if it WERE true, it would be racist!”
From the Right: “Run-amok Capitalism is the American way! What are you a Godless Commie?! Enemy of the State! A rising tide lifts all ships!”
Buffeted by the religious-left and the plutocracy-manipulated-right, I retreat to my cave to commune with dead philosophers and cynics.
Dec 3rd, 2008
Kevin
Dave , wow your flipped upside down on everything. Get educated man.
Dec 3rd, 2008
Richard
When did Louisiana become “Republican?” Yeah, we know how the state votes in Presidential elections, but much of the local leadership has been mostly Democrat for quite some time. They recently elected their first Republican governor since reconstruction. Wow, sounds real red to me…
As stated previously, most unhealthy behavior can be found among the poor. Do you seriously think they are voting Republican? The taxes in many of the higher ranked states are so high the poor and lower-middle class can’t afford to live there. Taxes in many red states remain low, meaning they have to deal with the democrat voting section 8 housing dwellers.
You liberals posting here claim to be so caring and high-minded when it comes to the “needy” but your words here reveal who you really are. Snobs. Plain and simple snobs. How much of YOUR money do you spend helping the “needy?” I rest my case…
Do you honestly believe it is the self-reliant christian conservatives contributing to these low numbers? Then by all means explain Utah to me. No, it is the poor whom you have taxed out of your midst who are largely contributing to the problems in the unhealthy areas.
Keep thinking you are above it all. It was a flood of democrat voting African-Americans in California that pushed prop. 8 over the top. That, my liberal friends, is your base. You can not win an election without them and yet (GUFAW!) look at what happened to your sacred same-sex marriage “rights”.
Then again, I’m talking to a group of people who believe there is actually a right to abortion written in the Constitution. Maybe you guys are simply as stupid as you believe everyone else to be…
Dec 3rd, 2008
Dustin
Who cares its there body if they want to eat alot and become fat let them.
Dec 3rd, 2008
Brigitte
There is a simple example on how to eat to be healthy and active: the cave dwellers: eat roots, leaves, mushrooms, nuts and berries which you had to collect yourself and once in a while, when you can catch one, a fowl. This diet worked to keep people save for milennia. (All available at health food stores or your regular supermarket now. Walk there to simulate collecting the food yourself. Will save a large portion of the monthly food budget).
Dec 3rd, 2008
Bill
Sam said:
“Isn’t it curious that there is a strong correlation between unhealthy states and republican states?”
If you go up to americashealthrankings.org you can get the full report and you will find that a lot of republican states were in the top 10 healthiest states. Also, there were democratic states in the bottom 10 of the report.
Thus, there is NO correlation. Keep in mind that (#1) Vermont (D) is about 30% republican and (#50) Louisiana (R) is some 40% democratic. Thus there are both republicans and democrats in both the healthiest and unhealthiest states.
Being healthy doesn’t have to do with being republican or democratic. We are what we make ourselves. If we chose to be fit, then we are. If we chose to be fat, then we are.
Dec 3rd, 2008
pawel
then when their fat bodies need medical attention i have to pay for it with my taxes. there needs to be a standard for residence in the usa. if a person is overweight, obviously they are of no use for any logical thing
Dec 3rd, 2008
Chunk
New headlines:
“Candidates eaten by Citizens!”
“Louisiana Citizen Mistakes Shower Curtain for Toliet Paper!”
More to come soon. Keep eating.
Dec 3rd, 2008
Eat Bull
“Joop deBruin
Interesting that this website made a decision to include a photograph of a Bavarian rather than an American. Plenty of oinkers in America; loads of Liberal Dem oinkers too, contrary to what’s been posted above. Fatties exist in all political persuasions.”
Bavarian Cream? What? Now I’m hungry.
Dec 3rd, 2008
Meshe
I looked over the entire report and it’s quite fascinating. I believe Utah should have come in higher, however they are apparently lacking in enough Primary Care Physicians per capita. (Something that is not actually a reflection of the population’s health).
Utah has the lowest cancer rate in the country as well as the lowest use of tobacco. Maybe those Mormons are on to something.
Dec 3rd, 2008
Mark
Am I the only person that notices that all the people in the background of the picture are all actually wearing colors of Brazil - the yellow, with green and blue with stars? That’s Brazil’s flag, and not the colors of any American sports team! I’m not saying there aren’t fat Americans, but the “evidence” of the picture actually seems more likely to be a guy in Brazil! Pretty pathetic that you’d use that picture and jump to a conclusion, out of a desire to gloss over reality because it helps make Americans look bad. In the US will call people like you “chumps.”
Dec 3rd, 2008
atook60
While of course the dumb a$$ red staes are loaded with lard asses.Here is another reason for there incredable girth .This comes from personnal experiance I work at a nuke plant and am one of the token veterans hired throughout the industry where most of the employees are local farmers .The local farmers all typically work another full time job because with the farm subsidies they get and there interest free loans that they use to buy race cars and campers and vacation homes tax free farm diesel getting paid to not farm and of course selling off huge way overpriced bits of there farms during the housing boom most of them are multimillionaires .Since they brought in us token ex navy nukes to run the places they can get away without out evan working at there real job.
So what does that leave left to do, eat eat eat these farmers are frigin huuge you have never seen bigger red neck jesus screaming ditto headed morons anywhere on earth I guarentee.
Dec 3rd, 2008
DANE
It really bothers me to see young people who are destroying their bodies with food, cigarettes, booze or drugs. I’m not the thinnest guy around and at 85, I’m starting to get a little puggy around the middle, but I don’t like it and I’m trying to do something about it. I have spent too much time at my computer and not enough time on my two feet. I find that belly fat interferes with putting on my shoes and socks, going to the bathroom and several other things. I started smoking when I was in the Army and continued that horrible habit for 30 years. Since quitting, I can’t stand the smell of tobacco smoke. Thank God I have never done drugs, but do like a beer now and then. When I see young people smoking, it almost breaks my heart. It is such a foul habit and is very hard to quit.
Dec 4th, 2008
anon
Why are there SO many errors in this article? Hate to be the ‘grammar Nazi’ but this is ridiculous.
Dec 4th, 2008
jon
Does anyone care about the real issue at hand or does everyone just want to slam the other? The South eats fatty foods and older Americans retire in the South where it’s warm and the money goes further. This has nothing to do with Republicans or Democracks!
Dec 4th, 2008
john rees jones
Love the fact that most of the comments assume he is a republican, fact is he probably didnt vote. The reason why most of the SE red states are overly obese is the fact that they are largely populated by african american citizens which flies in the face of you Obama voting dems. A very interesting quandry, eh?
Dec 4th, 2008
jon
Democracks, If you want to discuss right v/s wrong then you need to take a closer look at how Barrack has voted. It is absolutely unreal that people would vote for him and support these things. With the election results I’m afraid that our nation is going to a declining state. I truely can not imagine that all these people would be this perverse and stupid!
Dec 4th, 2008
Billy Bobs
What’s more dangerous, Cannabis or Bacon?
Dec 4th, 2008
jesus
that guy looks delicious. i bet he tastes good on the barbie. yum.
Dec 4th, 2008
Obama Flip flopped. again
CORRELEATION BETWEEN UNHEALTHY STATES AND REPUBLICAN STATES? I THOUGHT OBAMA WON THE MAJORITY OF THE TOP TEN?
Dec 4th, 2008
Fully Automatic
The Human condition is the cause of overeating and most other problems with which we all struggle. Humans are negative by nature because its easier, on many levels, to only focus on the few bad things people do or say. Its easier to remember a few bad things than the multitudes of good things.
In addition to the Human condition, people are a product of their environment from the day they’re born to the day they die. A baby is a clean slate. Its the people with which the baby associates that define them as a person. If the P’s drink and fight alot with the kid around (which probably describes a good portion of the populus in the last 40 years) that first foundation will be negative. Kids emulate everything about adults, good or bad. Cuss alot around your kid and surprise, they start running around repeating it, especially out in public..ouch. If the kid is around good, honest, and emotionally stable people (far and few between these days) with a set structure, morales and values by which they live, then that kid will probably turn out better than a kid who is around booze, drugs, fighting etc.
Addiction to anything is a self medicating defense mechanism to escape the underlying problem(s). Lack of hope and a negative outlook on life by upbrining or association can cause most to turn to something, anything, to just get some relief and comfort. Drugs, food, booze, porn, shopping are just but a few addictions. Its not limited to drugs or booze. Many people cant afford, or dont want to do drugs or booze so they do what they like such as eating, shopping, porn.
Any time you see someone driving like a moron, or someone that is overweight or a drunk or druggie and so on, there is a person that is unbalanced emotionally due to negative or tragic events in their life and/or a physiological chemical imbalance. The problem is no one wants to admit any of the above about themselves so they go on through life struggling and getting more ill. The moral of the novel here is, dont judge people. Most of the time you’re probably doing or saying the same thing about which you’re judging others. Once you change one negative behavior that sets the groundwork to process the others. One at a time or one may lead to other negativity releasing you.
Good luck and good Life!
Dec 4th, 2008
Fat Tax
I think there should be a fat tax on everyone who is fat. This will help pay for health care and make people think twice about allowing themselves getting fat. The more your overweight, the more you pay.
what do you think? you agree or not. Shoulf we begin to petition the governement for a fat tax?
Dec 4th, 2008
Nick
——————————————————————
Republican? How about noticing that the healthiest states are the Whitest states or the ones with the least income disparity?
The greater the genetic similarity among its residents, the less pronounced will be the economic gap and the less unhappiness, crime and ill-health there’s likely to be.
But let’s not go there because…
From the Left: “That’s racist! There’s no difference in average (capitalistically-helpful) aptitudes between Brahman Indians and Bantus! We KNOW that’s not true, because if it WERE true, it would be racist!”
From the Right: “Run-amok Capitalism is the American way! What are you a Godless Commie?! Enemy of the State! A rising tide lifts all ships!”
Buffeted by the religious-left and the plutocracy-manipulated-right, I retreat to my cave to commune with dead philosophers and cynics.
——————————————————————
Nice!
Did you all come here to have your minds changed or are you simply looking for another platform from which to spout your political rhetoric at people?
Seriously, can’t you all take a step back and see how absurd this is?
Wait, I already know the answer…
Dec 4th, 2008
Ryan
It’s interesting that those on the left instantly see a connection between a state being “red” and being unhealthy. This is ridiculous. Actually the correlation between states and health has FAR more to do with the percentage of blacks in a state. Blacks have far higher rates of obesity and heart issues, far lower percentages of blacks have health insurance, seek preventative care and medicine, blacks have lower life expectency, and higher infant mortality rates. That’s the difference between the south and north. (one example, very Democratic New York and California scored quite low).
Not that this matters…but yeah…black vote Democrat overwhelmingly. Nice try.
Dec 4th, 2008
mjb
Seriously? People are making a connection between politics and weight?
I know from personal experience, that the poorer, liberal areas of all cities tend to be fatter than the wealthier ends.
Of course, this is just a personal observation. I’m not going to say that because there are a number of lazy folks collecting my money while they sit and watch soap operas, benefit from liberal policies. Naw, I’ll leave that alone.
Dec 4th, 2008
Pam
Fat Tax? Now you are going to tell me what to eat? How about a stupid tax? Don’t the stupid people of this world cost the Health Care industry millions? Or perhaps a clumsy person tax, for when I trip over something and break my ankle? Hmmmm……maybe next you will start to tax the air we all have to breath to survive. You don’t REALLY need ALL OF THAT AIR do you????
Dec 4th, 2008
MuaDib
Well…
I’d rather be fat than listen to elitests tell me how to run my life.
I am in independent who refuses to take the blue or red pills.
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. When did each party forget that line?
Dec 4th, 2008
Seth
MARK said (about the fat guy in the picture above): “… but the “evidence” of the picture actually seems more likely to be a guy in Brazil!…”
Well spotted Mark! So he starts off in the United States, is whisked off to Germany and then winds up in South America! Sure travels a lot for a fat guy!
Gotta love teh internets
Dec 4th, 2008
Seth
FULLY AUTOMATIC said a lot that made sense. Thanks!
Dec 4th, 2008
Richard
That picture came from this German website. Note the .de in the domain name at the top left. “lustich” translates to ‘funny’.
http://lustich.de/bilder/sportler/dicker-sportler/
Dec 4th, 2008
Seth
“Jesus is gonna hoover them all up to heaven!”
Whoa! I can just see Jesus and his dad fighting over whose turn it is to empty the dust bag.
Get a Dyson guys.
Dec 4th, 2008
Squirt
I believe that everybody in one way or the other cares about their health.
its just the matter of being motivated to maintain a health lifestyle.
Dec 4th, 2008
Self Basting
This guy is making his own gravy…
Dec 4th, 2008
Guy in the Picture
How can you dbags take something so awesome like this picture and turn it into something about politics? Thats as lame as this guy is awesome. goin’ sizzler
Dec 4th, 2008
Josh
That is a very fat state
Dec 4th, 2008
LL
Classic. Red states = fat slobs. No surprise there. Lower IQ’s are sure to be a safe bet as well.
Dec 4th, 2008
mike
Everything southern fried and battered and pork fat, it’s no wonder they look like this. People need to get control, can you even care for yourself in this state. you know, bathe properly uhhh wipe properly etc etc
Dec 4th, 2008
Johar
I think climate plays a big role too. Considering the bottom ten they get a bit more heat than other states that contributes to a lot of consumption of food(especially beverages) to overcome the heat factor. Personally, i eat more in summers than i normally do in winters.
Dec 4th, 2008
Junkyard
Dave,
You are a sad angry man…Stop being a victim.
It has nothing to do with Red vs Blue states it has everything to do with economics. Cheap food is very well documented to be the least healthy, so if all you Liberals are so caring and worldly stop hording all the good stuff and help your fellow man. Oh that’s right then you would actually have to do something other then complain about how most Americans disgust you, while their family members die for your elitist BS!!
UN FREAGIN BELIEVALBE!!!
Also…when all of your Liberal agendas are in place every Fat comment on this site will become hate speech and you will become the criminal!! LOL!
Dec 4th, 2008
jim
Most of these states are southern where really good food and refrigerated air are the norm. In the summer most of them go from refrigerated air cars to buildings and homes it is too hot to stay out and enjoy the weather much.
Dec 5th, 2008
Andrew P.
“Isn’t it curious that there is a strong correlation between unhealthy states and republican states?”
@SAM (1st post in this comment thread): You must be a liberal Democrat or Green Party member to make an absurd statement like that. California is a liberal state. San Francisco is a very liberal city in that liberal state. San Francisco is also known as the World’s Largest Outdoor Lunatic Asylum. I think I’d choose to live in a state filled with unhealthy, but rational, conservative Republicans any time over a state filled with svelte, mentally ill liberals.
Dec 5th, 2008
dodo
Jim if I understand your comment it seem to me the republican are less educated than democrats ,it`s so true look what they give us last 8 years.
May be they should start going place to see how people live on less and sometime happy instead of staying one place down there practicing glottonnery.
Dec 5th, 2008
SIVG
Something that is being overlooked in this “big” picture. The population of the world as a whole is getting fatter generation..by generation. Look back when the world wasn’t so saturated with technology. Before 24 hour television, and computers, X-Box..etc. kids spent more time outside playing, instead of sitting in front of the boob tube, or computer games for endless hours, munching on high calorie snacks. Anyone here remember coming in from school, grabbing a piece of fruit to hold you over to dinner, and running outside to play with your friends, until dinnertime, that wasn’t from the local KFC? A time when schools were not full of junk food, and sugar laden soft drinks, most kids took a packed lunch? With more single parents, and or both parents working, it has become a fast food, micro-wave for dinner society. The traditional foods of the various parts of the country haven’t changed, what people do between meals has, and they have passed this on to their children. You see this happening not just in the states, but Europe as well. It has become a micro wave, fast food, junk food society. There are people that are overweight for legitimate reasons..medications that cause it, disabilities that prevent exercising…the majority of people in this country are overweight, due to eating to much crap, and not exercising, and they are killing their kids with the same bad habits. I grew up in a household with 3 siblings, money wasn’t plentiful, and we ate cornbread and navy beans at least 3 times a week..there was always a salad to go with it, plenty of fruit in the house, and ice cream,soft drinks or any kind of junk food was a “once in a blue moon treat”, not an always in the house and available anytime you want staple. We spent a lot of time out playing with friends..not sitting in front of the TV. As long as parents keep sitting their kids in front of the TV and computers, and games with a soft drink in one hand and a bag of cookies in the other, until the pizza man delivers dinner, the obesity rate and the ailments that go with it will keep rising.
Dec 5th, 2008
Beth
WOW I’m pretty surprised at these findings! Having visited Vermont a couple times, I can tell you from what I’ve seen that evidently the healthy people are at home on their treadmills! The rest of the “herd” can be seen anywhere in public, gorging on mass quantities…Maybe Vermont has the healthiest “hidden” population…
Dec 7th, 2008
Reply to “Louisiana Ranked Unhealthiest State: Report”