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by Keysha on December 30th, 2008
Neither. It's because they buy the cheapest foods they can find. Potatoes, rice, pasta. Low nutritional content and high carbohydrates. Carbs turn to sugar which creates obesity. Cheap meats are fattier.
When you have to scrimp and save, it's easier to buy things that fill your belly than it is to buy ones that are healthy. The food goes farther. And eating is important.
by cunning stunt who u calling chicken on December 30th, 2008
Fixed income people have to buy what they can afford to eat and usually those items are prepared foods that are high in calories and carbs and fats. Also, when you are on welfare, I suspect you're depressed. I know I would be. Depression too leads to obesity, depression keeps people 'on the couch', in front of the TV.
Yeah, I am sure there is a certain amount of unhinging the jaw and tipping back the fridge goin' on too, but mostly it is that the nutritional value of the cheapest foods is mostly missing from the equation.
by MissEllie in MO on December 30th, 2008
Many people with limited resources aren't able to buy healthy foods like fruits and vegetables. They buy cheaper foods, especially if they are feeding a family, like pasta, rice, potatoes, bread, etc. It is somewhat expensive to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. Also, there are a lot of people who DO HAVE the resources who don't eat a healthy diet either.
by katydid15 on January 4th, 2009
I think a lot of people on welfare are overweight because of a number of factors. The biggest factor is that cheap food is generally not good food. Fresh foods are really expensive especially in the winter. Also, they may not know better about eating better. Additionally, if they are disabled in some way, then getting any exercise would be difficult.
by AnonymousGirl on December 30th, 2008
There are also many people on welfare who are not overweight. There are a variety of people everywhere, whether they are on welfare or not.
by Gene H on January 5th, 2009
Dear Dr. Brainiac:
You have never been on welfare. It isn't a joy ride. Food stamps doesn't really feed a person unless he shops on the cheap. That means mostly the unhealthier, fattier foods. You have the compassion of a nazi corporal. Don't become a general like the neo-cons or the christian right. No one fantasizes at a young age of going on welfare.
by DukeG on December 30th, 2008
Its because they are lazy. Anyone can loose their job, but Unemployment lasts a few months. Welfare lasts for generations. Call it unpc and minus me all you want. Its true. There should be a time limit on welfare.
by vew573 on December 30th, 2008
Hey! Look around you....All these fat people are not on welfare.
by ChandaDiane - est. 1975 on December 30th, 2008
Because it is cheaper to eat poorly.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are pretty expensive, if you take notice.
MUCH cheaper to buy prepackaged frozen foods.
by lonelydragon on January 5th, 2009
It's because welfare really doesn't give a person enough money to live on, and healthy foods like produce are expensive. High fat, starchy foods are cheaper. If healthy foods were more affordable, then people on welfare would probably be thinner.
by Scifisuz on December 30th, 2008
I think it's because they eat badly and cheaply. They eat & drink what is easily available and fast with little/no regard for health or nutrition.
by bagless77 on January 7th, 2009
While my family is not on welfare, we are on a rather fixed income. My husband and I are both overweight. It is frustrating for me when I go to the grocery store and the only snacks I can afford are things like generic cheez-its, chips, and popcorn. I would love to be able to afford chex mix, fruits, raw vegetables, yogurts, string cheese, whole wheat crackers, etc. I'm not stupid. I know how to eat healthy, but those foods cost more. Additionally, when making meals, there is often not enough of the main dish to stretch, so we put out fillers such as mashed potatoes, rice, pasta, etc., and usually round out the meal with a slice of bread.
Another reason may be that the family is just frequently low on cash. They have $25 after paying bills that pay period. (We have had less before). They could go to the store and buy a few days worth of ramen, pb&j stuffs, and some pancake mix, or they can hit up McDonald's and have a filling meal for the whole family and be able to feel somewhat normal when they "yes" to the kids' request for an ice cream.
by Medusa on January 5th, 2009
Probably because they're depressed over their financial condition and we all know depression can be a cause for overreating. You don't have to spend a lot to eat fat.
by vew573 on January 4th, 2009
If you really want to know, put yourself on welfare wages for a year and see what happens. I bet you will come away with a different attitude.
by dumdum on December 30th, 2008
I for one would like to see the breakdown of overweight people based on income level. Can't say you are wrong but just looking around it makes me curious. If what you say is correct than the reasons you gave could be valid.
by laaayla on August 11th, 2009
Better question is why are you concerned about peoples weight who are on welfare? Are you doing a study? How does it affect you personally? Do you want to blame the poor for being poor? Did you know that Jesus said the poor would always be with us? The poor are here to inspire the compassion in our hearts for other people. What have you done lately to help society's poor?
by Google a Foo Fighting COAT on January 5th, 2009
Both, but they lean on eating, cause they don't work.
by LovelyAsCanB on January 5th, 2009
A lot of people are overweight. But poor people tend in America tend to be at higher risk because they don't excercise as much and mainly becaue they eat foods higher in calories. Eating healthy means a lifestyle change that takes time and much planning. People who are poor normally don't do alot of planning ahead for the next meal. They seek out what is more convinient.
by ooo00ooo on January 4th, 2009
i don't think that's true. in my case i'm not on welfare but i'm still overweight and i can pay for whatever i want to eat any day. as long as i don't go splurging on foie gras, wagyu or kobe beef, caviar or the likes every single day.
and you cannot blame this in cheap foods (carbohydrates) like rice, bread, pasta, potato, etc... because if that were so, then asian people like chinese, japanese, korean, filipinos, etc... should be overweight or at least a lot of them because this is their main staple. in fact these ppl eat rice almost every meal of their life and have trouble getting full without rice. but then that isn't so. in fact most of these ppl are on the slim side
by happiness on December 30th, 2008
They do not work ? Yes....... Eat so well ? May be Not.
by Spicy Hot on December 30th, 2008
I guess it could be either.
by killdrphil - reasonable for a madman on December 30th, 2008
I guess both.
by Heather108 on May 24th, 2011
I have worked part time at a supermarket the past two semesters and last Friday the assistant manager bet me that every person coming through my checkout line using an EBT card would be overweight.
I foolishly took him up on the bet, a quarter to him for each person in the near 300+ pound size and a quarter to me for each one of average size or under.
At the end of my shift, he owed me $1.50 and I owed him 9.25
Wow! What a difference.
by Emorchards on September 22nd, 2009
I don't like this whole excusing of overweight/welfare people. I am very poor, a full time uni student and not on welfare, but it does not stop me from economizing so that I can eat healthily. I think what people really are saying is that these people don't care or are ignorant.
by Dog Chaser on September 19th, 2009
I don't think it is cheaper to eat processed foods but I do think it is easier. I think that many on welfare don't have the knowledge to know how to shop for a healthy diet. Simple things like
Shop for in season veggies/fruit
More rice/beans/eggs
Cook from scratch
Volunteer/shop at the food pantries
I think before getting food stamps you should have to take a class in nutrition/food preperation.
Having said all of that, there are a lot of fat educated rich people too.
by Pablo on September 9th, 2009
combination of poor diet and bad eating habits
plus lack of physical activity
I retired about four years ago and I have to lose 95 pounds
as I am looking like a beached whale~~but it is because of
eating way to many calories and not being physically active
and your slow down when you reach 60's ~~exercise and diet
but Poor people tend to eat every meal like they were on
death row~~of course it shorten life just like smoking does
and if you are fat, smoking and a drunk~then you probably
got a multitude of problems that US has to foot the bill
by ♥AngelHeart♥ on September 8th, 2009
Anyone on a fixed income can become overweight. Healthy food is not cheap. They can buy 10 frozen dinners for $10 which is all the food stamps some low income folks receive for an entire month. They have to stretch it as far as they can. $10 a month is not enough to buy good healthy food. Also if it is a disabled person, they are not able to get out and walk or do most exercises. I'm not making excuses for anyone. I'm just saying what I know to be true.
by EmptyWallet on September 8th, 2009
Well, I have seen people getting food stamps that were freaking nuts. I even got (In Missouri) $155 per month for food. Damn, I gave HALF to the church I went to.
I lived with no electric and a small gas stove and I did pretty damn good for what little I ate.
Then I got a job in a VERY hot work environment and lost even more weight! I even had a couple of females hit on me, but passed, way too mental and one was a "Here and there" crack addict..Damn, no thanks!
by GLAM71 on January 13th, 2009
the real answer is this, FOOD STAMPS. I know some one on welfare with 3 small children ages 3,5&9. the mother recieves 748$ a month in food stamps, thats enough food to feed all those straving kids for a year. I dont know anyone who needs that many groceries. She buys fat lobsters and shrimp cases of gogurts and capri sun, while i clip coupons bargain shop and sometimes do without and i have a good job.
by Yarnlady is happy every day on January 7th, 2009
The very same reason that people who are not on welfare are overweight. They eat more calories than they use up.
by malevolentbutticklis on January 7th, 2009
Low Standards
.
If you look at all aspects of their life you will find repulsiveness. They speak incorrect English. Their houses are a mess. They have a different father for each child. They are lazy. They do not exercise. They do not take care of their personal appearance. They do not bother to further themselves. They are not life long learners. They do drugs. They don't help their children. They are criminals. The list goes on and on. Becoming a superfatty instead of tracking calories in a notebook and jogging at 6 am is no surprise when taken in the context of every other decision they have ever made.
by Anonymous on September 11th, 2009
none of that is right they get well over enough money to live and eat healhty trust me my cuzin got just as much in food stamps as my dad made working a full time job... its just because they dont work,get no exerise,and buy junk food (BECAUSE THEY CHOSE TO NOT BECUASE THEY CAN ONLY AFFORD IT) my cuzin was over weight and im under weight...
by Theby on September 19th, 2009
Could be due to a number of reasons. Junk food is cheap. Depression due to unemployment can make one feel less motivated and tired which could result in little or no exercise. Low self esteem can lead to over-eating for comfort.
What is the price of a mail-order bride?
by Answerbag Staff on June 3rd, 2010
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Now, what you most want to have?
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If Jesus loves me so much, why wont he pay my gas bill?
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I like the feeling and the sensation that comes with weight lifting, as well as the reward it brings.. Do you agree?
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How long could you stretch $700 assuming you had no expenses?
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Comments
You hit the nail on the head! +5
by xhepera on December 30th, 2008
Right on. A cheap loaf of bread for a $1 is more filling and will last longer than any vegetables you could get for the same price.
by Carmella on December 30th, 2008
you are so right Keysha. People don't realize that you can buy 3 2 liter sodas for $2.00 and it go much further than a $4.00 gallon of milk or same with vegetables. It's not a matter of not wanting to eat healthy.. We don't have a choice. The only foods I can afford are pasta, potatoes, etc that are high in fat. Must be nice for some people to be able to JUDGE others. Karma is a bit** and one day.. I hope these people experience EXACTLY what we do.
by Scrappy on December 30th, 2008
Hey, I was going to say the same thing! Good answer really!
by Anonymous on December 30th, 2008
Right on Scrappy!
by xhepera on December 30th, 2008
Agreed 100%.
by Arisztid on December 30th, 2008
disagree.
only unused carbo turns to sugar. but come on let's be honest here. its not simply the carbo that causes ppl to be fat. perhaps you should take a look at asian ppl. main staple for chinese, koreans, japanese, filipinos, etc... is rice. these ppl eat rice almost every meal. breads for snacks and some have been known to eat rice with noodles. that's going double for carbo. but how come these ppl tend to be on the slender side? perhaps it's time to look at the lifestyle.
by ooo00ooo on January 8th, 2009
It could probably have something to do with the fact that in the USA, 'normal' portions are considerably larger than in Asia. It could also have to do with the fact that the MAIN staple for most Americans is potatoes. And when you eat potatoes, which are NOT overly fattening themselves, you put butter, sour cream, or whatever on them. Margarine runs about 75 cents a pound.
.
I also pointed out cheap meats, which are fattier. It's cheaper to fry a burger than it is to grill a lean steak. Considerably. And, since cooking oil, if it is used for things that do not taint the flavor, is reusable, french fries or fried potatoes add to the mix.
.
Lifestyle has a great deal to do with it. But not like you are insinuating. The lifestyle of eating foods prepared unhealthily is the biggest culprit. And it is cheaper to eat that way. Especially when that is the only way you know.
by Keysha on January 9th, 2009
Unused carbs turn to sugar? Carbohydrates *are* sugars by definition. They don't turn into sugars. They turn into fat. The fact remains that carbs are extremely calorie dense for the actual overall nutrition you get from them. And a carb-heavy diet is not healthy for anyone for prolonged periods. Singling out the fact that rice is a staple in Asian countries doesn't explain anything without taking into account the overall diet. Besides, health agencies are reporting what they call an "alarming" spike in obesity and diabetes in Asian countries these days, although it's nowhere near the epidemic we're experiencing in the West.
by xhepera on January 9th, 2009
i agree. my family and i are not the richest of people and the only foods that we can afford are very cheep and not that nutritional. i grew up on it and now i have fatty liver disease. its not that we didnt play around and exercise or anything its just the food has more carbs than you can burn. I used to go walking every day! and not around the block but all around the neighborhood and downtown. so its not just we are lazy its just that we dont have much choice. i also hate it that food stamps wont help us either :( we "make too much"
by CHeeZie MC on September 8th, 2009
maybe if they stopped buying beer and smokes they could afford better food..........
by Tammy_B8328 on November 20th, 2011
Judge much? You ASSume that all those on welfare do this. Tell me, how do they do that with food stamps that won't pay for those things? And, in many places, the maximum for food stamps per person is $200. (that is if you are classified as truly poverty level) They also are often on medications, which take much of the money they DO get. Yes, there are those who cheat the system, those that smoke, those that drink, but not all. Not by a long shot. You should try living on what most of those on welfare get a month. Bet you would be crying a different tune, then.
by Keysha on November 20th, 2011