Why are so many southern people over weight?

Question

I lived my whole life in southern california and never understood why america was considered to be obese. Then i spent some time in Georgia and Alabama and was how shocked how large and unhealthy so many people were. Do they just not know any better or don't care.

I'm not saying they were all obese, im not trying to be mean, i was just wondering if it is a culture thing.

No, i don't eat fried foods. I was born with a heart condition and I am no supposed to eat certain foods.

Answer 1

Have you ever had southern cooking? Some of the best food there is, but boy is it fattening! Most of the meat in the south is breaded and fried, vegetables are seasoned with bacon fat or pork in some form, there's usually bread served with every meal, and quite often dessert....and sweet tea is almost a southern beverage staple...

All that type of cooking came about before obesity was an issue and before we knew how terribly unhealthy all that type of cooking was...people worked hard (physically and actively) all day and so could eat like that and not become quite fat...

Now our lives are more sedentary...we don't have to work the farm for our food or money, yet the cooking's still the same because it's so darned good.

Yes, most southerners know better, so I guess I'd have to say they just don't care...I've been obese and I finally started caring...I'm an average size now but I do miss all that yummy food...

Sometimes you've got to make sacrifices though...it's an occasional treat now, and not the way I cook or eat on a daily basis...

Answer 2

Good home cookin'. We don't go to a restaurant that serves a piece of 2 oz. steak, 3 asparagus, and 5 pieces or corn or whatever. Not all southern people are obese, did you notice that? I'm not. Living in California I'm sure your like a lot of other people more worried about looks than life. We just know how to enjoy our life and not care what anyone else thinks. That's not to say that there isn't a lot of unhealthy people, but that's a personal choice. They don't hurt anyone but themselves.

Answer 3

I think southern people are more over weight then other states is because mostly southern people cook their food with fatening ingrediants like fat back meat, lard and crisco. They also eat alot of pork which adds weight gain to an unhealthy body. Yes, I think they do know better, some of them think as long as it taste good its well worth the pounds!

Answer 4

i'm from southern virginia, and moved to los angeles just this may. i wouldn't really call it a "culture" thing, but it is extremely common to eat fried food, and "cofort" or "soul" food. you probably hear the saying, "if it doesn't have bacon grease in it, it isn't southern cookin!" it kind of is true. its kind of like jambalaya, shrimp creole, and gumbo that are associated with new orleans.

Answer 5

We care. We just want to gross you out so you will leave and never come back. Do you realize how Southern California is the most grotesque part of North America for us Southerners. So many fags and self-centered, shallow perverts there that we just can't wait till there's an earthquake and ya'll are soon an island, like Atlantis . . . Lost forever. God Bless you.

Answer 6

Come to Michigan - There are quite a few obese people here

Answer 7

We do know better, and we're not all overweight, but we do have the most awesome food in the world!!!! so it is hard to control ourselves sometimes. And our laid back ways don't leave much room for a hustled lifestyle.

Answer 8

It's the soul food , the fried chicken , and all the causian goodies people don't get enough of.

Answer 9

Fried foods, processed foods and lots of refined sugar.

Answer 10

Definitely they eat fatty food like hamburger,cheese,diary foods,preserved foods and sweets.