Obesity and poverty...
Replies
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I see alot talk about those who are receiving food stamps and other types of government assistance. But what about those families who do not qualify for any state assistance but do not make enough money to thrive on. I don't think the issue is just as simple as to stop having babies especially when some politicians are determined to restrict access to birth control. I think there are larger issues at play.
Im going off topic. No politician is trying to limit access to birth control. they just don't think the Federal Gov't should subsidize peoples sex habits. Condoms are sold in drug stores and there is a variety of other forms of BC women can take.0 -
Forgive me for saying this,but I don't even go to a grocery store for the first few days of the month because it's just too heart breaking to see the over-weight & "under-privileged" loading up their grocery carts with bologna, sugary treats, soda, chips, pudding, junk & other "food" for their families.
Just as many people complain when those on assistance buy things like meat or milk from animals raised w/o antibiotics and hormones, wild caught fish over farm raised, organic produce or other higher priced healthy options.
Oh, puhleezeee... people see what they want to see! Do you how many educated and wealthier families buy that crap too? And did you stalk this family to see if they were paying with food stamps? Judgey Mcjudgey. I grew up with a single mom that made $24,000 a year and we has many nights where we were hungry. My mom didn't feed us junk food because we couldn't afford it, but in America there's a total lack of education regarding what is healthy! GMOs, processed foods, pesticide laden produce. People living below the poverty line are not shopping at Whole Foods and they would be judged if they were too.
The problem is American has a corporate controlled food supply. Eat the crap so you get cancer so that we can treat you with drugs.0 -
I think we have to step back ( me included) and realize that there are at least 2 kinds of poverty. On the one hand we have the people who are poor. Who are doing the best they know how with what they are given. They don't always make the best choices but they try to fit in the healthier alternatives when and where they can. They may or may not have the resources like good quality food to choose from but when the opportunity presents itself to do better they always choose that
The second kind of poverty is the single mom who by choice has had baby after baby. She knows to do better but its just so much easier to get help every month from a government she never sees and from tax payers she couldn't care less about. If given the choice she would get her hair or nails done rather then feed her kids and thinks its up to the state to not only educate her kids on how to do better but support her kids.
That's just my take on it.
It's not sexist. Most single men don't qualify for public assistance.
That is quite the classist/sexist statement. I think that is a huge generalization of individuals who are living in abject poverty. That sets-up quite the dichotomy and limits the ability to think outside the box.0 -
Forgive me for saying this,but I don't even go to a grocery store for the first few days of the month because it's just too heart breaking to see the over-weight & "under-privileged" loading up their grocery carts with bologna, sugary treats, soda, chips, pudding, junk & other "food" for their families.
Just as many people complain when those on assistance buy things like meat or milk from animals raised w/o antibiotics and hormones, wild caught fish over farm raised, organic produce or other higher priced healthy options.
Oh, puhleezeee... people see what they want to see! Do you how many educated and wealthier families buy that crap too? And did you stalk this family to see if they were paying with food stamps? Judgey Mcjudgey. I grew up with a single mom that made $24,000 a year and we has many nights where we were hungry. My mom didn't feed us junk food because we couldn't afford it, but in America there's a total lack of education regarding what is healthy! GMOs, processed foods, pesticide laden produce. People living below the poverty line are not shopping at Whole Foods and they would be judged if they were too.
The problem is American has a corporate controlled food supply. Eat the crap so you get cancer so that we can treat you with drugs.
YES!!! This my point when I say we live in a culture that promotes unhealthy choices/living. Dead on0 -
Forgive me for saying this,but I don't even go to a grocery store for the first few days of the month because it's just too heart breaking to see the over-weight & "under-privileged" loading up their grocery carts with bologna, sugary treats, soda, chips, pudding, junk & other "food" for their families.
Just as many people complain when those on assistance buy things like meat or milk from animals raised w/o antibiotics and hormones, wild caught fish over farm raised, organic produce or other higher priced healthy options.
Oh, puhleezeee... people see what they want to see! Do you how many educated and wealthier families buy that crap too? And did you stalk this family to see if they were paying with food stamps? Judgey Mcjudgey. I grew up with a single mom that made $24,000 a year and we has many nights where we were hungry. My mom didn't feed us junk food because we couldn't afford it, but in America there's a total lack of education regarding what is healthy! GMOs, processed foods, pesticide laden produce. People living below the poverty line are not shopping at Whole Foods and they would be judged if they were too.
The problem is American has a corporate controlled food supply. Eat the crap so you get cancer so that we can treat you with drugs.
Umm, WTH are you talking about?? I can't even tell if you are agreeing with me or arguing with me, but since you quoted me and jumped on a soapbox, I assume it's one or the other.
I was actually thinking of my daughter so I wouldn't need to follow her. I know what she buys and how she pays for it, and I've heard the comments.0 -
I would be curious to know how many of the people who are pointing out how inexpensive it can be to purchase healthy foods, are actually living in impoverished areas with high access to convenience foods but little access to fresh produce and meat. How many work multiple jobs and must use public transportation to transport these bulk groceries home. How many have commutes that put them home late at night, where they can then begin cooking a healthy dinner from scratch. How many grew up with parents instiling poor nutrition habits that they themselves took initiative to break. How many decided to take up the task of learning how to cook in addition to the stresses of work, childcare, and barely making ends meet.
I get that you can go to the grocery store and buy bulk foods, vegetables, etc. and spend less over the course of a week or a month than you would purchasing cheap convenience foods. Sure. But there are other factors that don't always make this the most realistic option.
I do think everyone (regardless of financial status) is capable of improving their health and nutrition. I just don't like to see it explained away as something that is equally feasible for everyone.0 -
You are right. We lost electric a few times growing up because we could not afford to pay the bill. Often the choice was food or electric.. But I think anyone getting food stamps should have to go through nutrition class including cooking. How to cook beans (dry beans are cheap) how to make food in bulk to save money. There are so many ways to save money. But education is key.
and YES the poor are by far less educated that the wealthier. And YES the middle and upper classes can be uneducated too. Most are about nutrition. If I had my druthers I would have it a Core class in college! How to eat, what to eat ( no fad diet crap), how to shop! It would make us all healthier.
The point is poverty does lead to ovesity. BUT if those people were helped and educated they would do better. MOST poor people think they have no choice. If you told moms look here is a better way and it is inexpensive. Don't you think that most moms would do it?0 -
Forgive me for saying this,but I don't even go to a grocery store for the first few days of the month because it's just too heart breaking to see the over-weight & "under-privileged" loading up their grocery carts with bologna, sugary treats, soda, chips, pudding, junk & other "food" for their families.
Just as many people complain when those on assistance buy things like meat or milk from animals raised w/o antibiotics and hormones, wild caught fish over farm raised, organic produce or other higher priced healthy options.
Oh, puhleezeee... people see what they want to see! Do you how many educated and wealthier families buy that crap too? And did you stalk this family to see if they were paying with food stamps? Judgey Mcjudgey. I grew up with a single mom that made $24,000 a year and we has many nights where we were hungry. My mom didn't feed us junk food because we couldn't afford it, but in America there's a total lack of education regarding what is healthy! GMOs, processed foods, pesticide laden produce. People living below the poverty line are not shopping at Whole Foods and they would be judged if they were too.
The problem is American has a corporate controlled food supply. Eat the crap so you get cancer so that we can treat you with drugs.
YES!!! This my point when I say we live in a culture that promotes unhealthy choices/living. Dead on
But both the rich and poor live in that culture. As do those the thin and the fat, the healthy and the sick.0 -
I would be curious to know how many of the people who are pointing out how inexpensive it can be to purchase healthy foods, are actually living in impoverished areas with high access to convenience foods but little access to fresh produce and meat. How many work multiple jobs and must use public transportation to transport these bulk groceries home. How many have commutes that put them home late at night, where they can then begin cooking a healthy dinner from scratch. How many grew up with parents instiling poor nutrition habits that they themselves took initiative to break. How many decided to take up the task of learning how to cook in addition to the stresses of work, childcare, and barely making ends meet.
I get that you can go to the grocery store and buy bulk foods, vegetables, etc. and spend less over the course of a week or a month than you would purchasing cheap convenience foods. Sure. But there are other factors that don't always make this the most realistic option.
I do think everyone (regardless of financial status) is capable of improving their health and nutrition. I just don't like to see it explained away as something that is equally feasible for everyone.
I don't believe we are saying its equally feasible for everyone. But I believe where there is a will there will always be a way.. My mother made meals ahead of time. She was usually home from work (by bus) at 5:15 every night. Yet I had home cooked meals all the time. The problem with some- not all- some. is that they are lazy. Many do try their best and still fail. But many more fail to try. I've seen it, with coworkers as well as heard stories of the abuse within the system from family who works there.0 -
I think we have to step back ( me included) and realize that there are at least 2 kinds of poverty. On the one hand we have the people who are poor. Who are doing the best they know how with what they are given. They don't always make the best choices but they try to fit in the healthier alternatives when and where they can. They may or may not have the resources like good quality food to choose from but when the opportunity presents itself to do better they always choose that
The second kind of poverty is the single mom who by choice has had baby after baby. She knows to do better but its just so much easier to get help every month from a government she never sees and from tax payers she couldn't care less about. If given the choice she would get her hair or nails done rather then feed her kids and thinks its up to the state to not only educate her kids on how to do better but support her kids.
That's just my take on it.
Agreed0 -
We live in a middle class neighbourhood on the edge of an impoverished area and I was shocked to find out that most of the kids my son goes to school work don't get any meals other than the ones provided by the breakfast program.
I hear this quite often in the media about how children are not fed at home and school food programs are their only source of nutrition. I don't get that at all. You mean to tell me you don't have ANY money to feed your kids? The ONLY meals they get are at school? What are the parents eating? They must be starving to death if they can't afford food but I don't seem to hear many news stories about that. My conclusion: the food money is spent on other things. Otherwise, the parents would be dropping like flies.
This is happening in Oregon. For 1 in 4 kids here, the only hot meal is the one they get from school. There are programs in the summer where kids can pick up free lunches at the library/community center. My hubby works with extension services and has done studies on nutritional deficiencies in children. He has observed the following:
1. Some parents really do not have the fundamental cooking skills/knowledge to prepare a simple wholesome meal.
2. Some parents make the decision to forgo healthy food options so they can pay for their beer, cigarettes, pot and tattoos.
3. Some parents go to the grocery store hungry and make really bad food choices.
4. Some parents buy junk food because they can and it is a pleasure to eat junk food.
5. Kids are deficient in Vitamin D intake but way over on their sugar and fat intake.
6. Financial or medical crises will affect a poor family exponentially more - the efforts to avoid eviction, family breakup, and general chaos are monumental for a poor family.
I recently discovered that most high schools have eliminated Home Economics and Consumer Education courses. This doesn't seem to be a good idea.0 -
Forgive me for saying this,but I don't even go to a grocery store for the first few days of the month because it's just too heart breaking to see the over-weight & "under-privileged" loading up their grocery carts with bologna, sugary treats, soda, chips, pudding, junk & other "food" for their families.
Just as many people complain when those on assistance buy things like meat or milk from animals raised w/o antibiotics and hormones, wild caught fish over farm raised, organic produce or other higher priced healthy options.
Oh, puhleezeee... people see what they want to see! Do you how many educated and wealthier families buy that crap too? And did you stalk this family to see if they were paying with food stamps? Judgey Mcjudgey. I grew up with a single mom that made $24,000 a year and we has many nights where we were hungry. My mom didn't feed us junk food because we couldn't afford it, but in America there's a total lack of education regarding what is healthy! GMOs, processed foods, pesticide laden produce. People living below the poverty line are not shopping at Whole Foods and they would be judged if they were too.
The problem is American has a corporate controlled food supply. Eat the crap so you get cancer so that we can treat you with drugs.
YES!!! This my point when I say we live in a culture that promotes unhealthy choices/living. Dead on
But both the rich and poor live in that culture. As do those the thin and the fat, the healthy and the sick.
I agree with you, culture is not limited by income. What I agree with in the post above is that things are set-up in ways that make eating healthy more difficult and eating unhealthy way too easy. Then when we wise up and begin to take stock we have to pay "extra" (ie organic anything is more expensive, most nutrition programs cost $$$, drugs etc) to eat right and live healthy.0 -
I'm glad we all agree that the problem is people shouldn't drop out babies if they can't afford to feed them.
Wow.. That's a thought.. But it ain't gonna happen as long as children are so lucrative for some. :frown:
When I was at the Social Security office getting my card, the dude at the booth beside me was asking how much the payouts would increase if he had 1 more kid, 2 more kids, 3 more kids... and he was taking notes on all the different things that would boost the payout and the SS employee was more than happy to oblige.
My mom in law retired from the state welfare office. The stories she told were incredible, and quite sad.. The waste and abuse of the system is legendary. The ones who need it a lot of the time don't qualify. and the ones who do, abuse it. You aren't allowed to question even though Ms Jones is telling you her children's father ran out on them, but you know for a fact he is in the waiting room waiting for them. Or the woman who gets emergency assistance and you see her an hour later getting her nails done. You still can't question them. Many choose that lifestyle because it pays well. Why try to do better if you don't need to.. Unfortunately the kids are the ones who suffer.
<b>There is a sub-culture emerging</b> where this "life-style" is socially acceptable and even something to (ironically) aspire for *ahem* settle for. Forgive me for saying this,but I don't even go to a grocery store for the first few days of the month because it's just too heart breaking to see the over-weight & "under-privileged" loading up their grocery carts with bologna, sugary treats, soda, chips, pudding, junk & other "food" for their families.
How long until bypass surgeries are covered on public health care?
They already are if you can get a dr to say you have a condition that would be benefited by it.
I know what you mean, in the small town where i'm from there are generations of people on public assistance, some of them don't even try to get a job. You grow up and when you're old enough you start getting your own checks. It's so sad.0 -
I see alot talk about those who are receiving food stamps and other types of government assistance. But what about those families who do not qualify for any state assistance but do not make enough money to thrive on. I don't think the issue is just as simple as to stop having babies especially when some politicians are determined to restrict access to birth control. I think there are larger issues at play.
Im going off topic. No politician is trying to limit access to birth control. they just don't think the Federal Gov't should subsidize peoples sex habits. Condoms are sold in drug stores and there is a variety of other forms of BC women can take.
again I agee. It's not the governments responsibility to make sure you don't get knocked up its yours. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY PEOPLE. if you don't want babies don't have unprotected sex.0 -
I would be curious to know how many of the people who are pointing out how inexpensive it can be to purchase healthy foods, are actually living in impoverished areas with high access to convenience foods but little access to fresh produce and meat. How many work multiple jobs and must use public transportation to transport these bulk groceries home. How many have commutes that put them home late at night, where they can then begin cooking a healthy dinner from scratch. How many grew up with parents instiling poor nutrition habits that they themselves took initiative to break. How many decided to take up the task of learning how to cook in addition to the stresses of work, childcare, and barely making ends meet.
I get that you can go to the grocery store and buy bulk foods, vegetables, etc. and spend less over the course of a week or a month than you would purchasing cheap convenience foods. Sure. But there are other factors that don't always make this the most realistic option.
I do think everyone (regardless of financial status) is capable of improving their health and nutrition. I just don't like to see it explained away as something that is equally feasible for everyone.
I don't believe we are saying its equally feasible for everyone. But I believe where there is a will there will always be a way.. My mother made meals ahead of time. She was usually home from work (by bus) at 5:15 every night. Yet I had home cooked meals all the time. The problem with some- not all- some. is that they are lazy. Many do try their best and still fail. But many more fail to try. I've seen it, with coworkers as well as heard stories of the abuse within the system from family who works there.
Also true. No two situations are exactly alike, and I imagine there are certainly people (in all income brackets) who don't care to make an effort as well.0 -
I'm glad we all agree that the problem is people shouldn't drop out babies if they can't afford to feed them.
I'm glad we can solve all of our social issues so easily. Just don't "drop out babies" and buy healthy food. Gotcha. Because there aren't a whole host of other factors that come into play with either of these issues.
There are a ton more, but the bottom line is this. If you can't afford to feed yourself. Why on Earth would you have more children? I really can't wrap my head around that.
Honestly in my experience it isn't the majority.
For the record I don't agree with having more children when you are already struggling but my point was its not as simple as don't have kids.
Thank you!!! I was not POOR when I had my 3 children...but I became that way when my youngest was 3 mths old and their father left us and moved to a different city. (and no, he does not pay child support) there are other contributing factors that people do not plan on when they "spit out" kids. Would I have another kid now? Absolutely not. Do I make sure that does not happen? Of course I do. Would I lay in bed every night thinking "maybe if I just had 1 more, I would qualify for *insert assistance program here*. It is not everyone that abuses the system. There are single mothers out there that will try every option possible before applying for assistance because she does not want to become a statistic or be thought of as "one of those people" like many of you have stated in your posts. It is not easy for a single mother who WORKS full time to go out and beg for help. Would I do it if I needed it? Of course! I would do whatever it took to make sure my kids had whatever they needed. I go without things that I need every month to make sure they can go on a school field trip (so they wont be the only kid going because we can't afford it), or get a new pair of shoes because their old ones are torn or a new outfit because they outgrew the old, etc. Just because I do not have a lot of money or because I get help does not make me less of a person or give ANYONE a right to look down on me. If I was neglecting my kids, using their food money for drugs/alcohal or had a nice car, home, material things (which I don't) while I was on assistance, yes. But that isn't the case. The OP started this post because there is a connection between poverity and obesity. (not to say it is the reason for all obese people or that all poor people are obese) but she made some valid points and as always...it has reverted to a "why i am better than you" type of conversation. I am overweight, but working on changing it. I am poor, but working on changing that too. I am not uneducated, I have a college degree. I work in the education system and they do not pay what we deserve. Plain and simple. I would never wish my life on anyone else. I do have moments of depression...but I make the most of what I have and my kids will NEVER go without. This is nothing I wouldn't do for them. Am I lazy? Maybe when it comes to some things...but not when it comes to carrying for my family.0 -
Forgive me for saying this,but I don't even go to a grocery store for the first few days of the month because it's just too heart breaking to see the over-weight & "under-privileged" loading up their grocery carts with bologna, sugary treats, soda, chips, pudding, junk & other "food" for their families.
Just as many people complain when those on assistance buy things like meat or milk from animals raised w/o antibiotics and hormones, wild caught fish over farm raised, organic produce or other higher priced healthy options.
Oh, puhleezeee... people see what they want to see! Do you how many educated and wealthier families buy that crap too? And did you stalk this family to see if they were paying with food stamps? Judgey Mcjudgey. I grew up with a single mom that made $24,000 a year and we has many nights where we were hungry. My mom didn't feed us junk food because we couldn't afford it, but in America there's a total lack of education regarding what is healthy! GMOs, processed foods, pesticide laden produce. People living below the poverty line are not shopping at Whole Foods and they would be judged if they were too.
The problem is American has a corporate controlled food supply. Eat the crap so you get cancer so that we can treat you with drugs.
You are literally insane and I wish I could admit you to a psych ward for your paranoia.0 -
I will probably be bashed for this... HOWEVER, I'm putting it out there anyway.
I agree with you 110% and have thought for a very long time, that we need to find a way to help the people we have living here in our own country, and slow down on helping the other countries. Part of the reason we are falling apart as a country is because we have stopped looking inside and taking care of our own. We MUST fix the things that are broken here before we can go to other countries and fix what is broken.
When we were a stronger country, helping others was vitally important, but in doing so we have lost sight of our own countries needs! I find it extremely sad.
Ok, I'm going to get off of my soap box, because I could go on forever with this :sad:
Don't be fooled, the government is not over there to try and help people, it's there to protect oil interests.0 -
Agreed. It'll be hard to educate people about this, but this is exactly the problem. If all a kid eats is Doritos, but still remains under their needed caloric intake for the day, obesity cannot happen. We're eating too much in this country.Obesity is a matter of too many calories and not enough exercise. Poverty is not going to cause that. Yes, there is a correlation between poverty and obesity in some countries, but that doesn't equal causation.
I'd put my money on a lack of self control (which all children naturally have), combined with parents who either don't care, or who lack the ability to say "no" to their children, along with the parents modeling poor eating behavior.0 -
Thank you!!! I was not POOR when I had my 3 children...but I became that way when my youngest was 3 mths old and their father left us and moved to a different city. (and no, he does not pay child support) there are other contributing factors that people do not plan on when they "spit out" kids. Would I have another kid now? Absolutely not. Do I make sure that does not happen? Of course I do. Would I lay in bed every night thinking "maybe if I just had 1 more, I would qualify for *insert assistance program here*. It is not everyone that abuses the system. There are single mothers out there that will try every option possible before applying for assistance because she does not want to become a statistic or be thought of as "one of those people" like many of you have stated in your posts. It is not easy for a single mother who WORKS full time to go out and beg for help. Would I do it if I needed it? Of course! I would do whatever it took to make sure my kids had whatever they needed. I go without things that I need every month to make sure they can go on a school field trip (so they wont be the only kid going because we can't afford it), or get a new pair of shoes because their old ones are torn or a new outfit because they outgrew the old, etc. Just because I do not have a lot of money or because I get help does not make me less of a person or give ANYONE a right to look down on me. If I was neglecting my kids, using their food money for drugs/alcohal or had a nice car, home, material things (which I don't) while I was on assistance, yes. But that isn't the case. The OP started this post because there is a connection between poverity and obesity. (not to say it is the reason for all obese people or that all poor people are obese) but she made some valid points and as always...it has reverted to a "why i am better than you" type of conversation. I am overweight, but working on changing it. I am poor, but working on changing that too. I am not uneducated, I have a college degree. I work in the education system and they do not pay what we deserve. Plain and simple. I would never wish my life on anyone else. I do have moments of depression...but I make the most of what I have and my kids will NEVER go without. This is nothing I wouldn't do for them. Am I lazy? Maybe when it comes to some things...but not when it comes to carrying for my family.
You're post sums up everything beautifully because you are living the struggle, and I pass many blessings on to you. It's not just that simple is it? Wave the magic wand, pull yourself up by the bootstraps. You show that it is a struggle and there are many battles because when you add not having enough money into the mix it makes things so much more complicated. Now you have to make the choice do you decide between the expensive organic beef or do you get the less expensive ground beef so your child can go to the field trip, have fun, and you have enough money left over to make sure they have a nice lunch. It's not that easy. You battle and you are winning not lazy because you get up every day and face the music and do the same thing over again. Very easy to sit on your high horse and judge when you dont have to choose between buying toilet paper or apples.0 -
As someone who actually came from a poverty-stricken background, allow me to shed a little light on a lot of people's situation. I'm not going to give my opinion on the topic itself, just some information for other people to consider before they do. If you haven't been horribly poor you really do not have any idea of how to guess what you'd do in the situation.
1) Sometimes your family has no way to get to a grocery store often, so you shop at what's nearby, usually at convenience stores. Most convenience stores do not sell fruits and vegetables, only non-perishable items. Sometimes the nearest grocery store sucks, and you can't afford any better.
1.5) When you have little money, you want your food to feed many mouths and/or last a long time. With most perishables being at a week or so, the incentive to buy is very low.
2) Sometimes there is literally no yard or even a patio/balcony. You are apartment 15F in a 20-story building full of people just like you. No one is doing any gardening.
2.5) No grocery store owner in is right mind wants to open a grocery store in your neighborhood because he doesn't want to be robbed, or have people steal his merchandise.
3) Your live with your mother who works 2 jobs.
4) Your dad pays no child support and doesn't pick you up to have dinner or go to the park for a run.
5) When your mom wants to make you smile, she buys you candy and "treats". The neighbors give you candy and treats, too, because you and your friends are good kids, and candy is cheap.
6) You're not taught nutrition in school. You go to a school that sucks because it gets almost no funding because the students do poorly on their tests, and your teacher spends half the day disciplining other students. He or she spends one third of the school year preparing you for standardized tests that most students will fail.
6.5) Schools themselves are serving students things that are not healthful. Pizza (recently deemed a vegetable in the US, by the way) tater tots, and brown meat served with instant potatoes isn't setting the best example.
7) People in poverty usually have very little education. Don't assume they should know they need to eat healthier.
8) They are raised to keep hunger away (just as our public school food system continues to model), not to be nutritionally balanced. Think of comfort foods, and remember why they bring comfort. They're filling and swimming in salt and butter or grease, and they make you feel good.
9) Your brain associates hunger with stress. Your mom can't afford to buy a better car, a couch that has all 4 legs and no rips in it, a coffee maker to replace her old one, but she will be damned if she can't feed you and you have to feel what she felt when she was a hungry little kid living just like you do now.
Well said! I see every thing you included on this list, well, except the apartment 15f, but we do have housing projects. I teach in a Mississippi Delta school district. Would you believe many of my students have never tasted a home-baked cookie until they got one in my classroom? I teach HIGH SCHOOL! Many have no idea that treats can be tasty and healthy.0 -
I see alot talk about those who are receiving food stamps and other types of government assistance. But what about those families who do not qualify for any state assistance but do not make enough money to thrive on. I don't think the issue is just as simple as to stop having babies especially when some politicians are determined to restrict access to birth control. I think there are larger issues at play.
Im going off topic. No politician is trying to limit access to birth control. they just don't think the Federal Gov't should subsidize peoples sex habits. Condoms are sold in drug stores and there is a variety of other forms of BC women can take.
again I agee. It's not the governments responsibility to make sure you don't get knocked up its yours. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY PEOPLE. if you don't want babies don't have unprotected sex.
This is targeted towards single women of course. First, none of those methods are 100% guaranteed to not produce a baby. Let's not even get into the crazy side effects many of these birth control methods have on women. Second, I find it highly unlikely that married folks are going to be using protection (isn't that a benefit of being married) so I feel that point is mute under these circumstances. My point is that the issue goes deeper than to just stop reproducing children. he issue is way more complex than that.0 -
Oh, puhleezeee... people see what they want to see! Do you how many educated and wealthier families buy that crap too? And did you stalk this family to see if they were paying with food stamps? Judgey Mcjudgey. I grew up with a single mom that made $24,000 a year and we has many nights where we were hungry. My mom didn't feed us junk food because we couldn't afford it, but in America there's a total lack of education regarding what is healthy! GMOs, processed foods, pesticide laden produce. People living below the poverty line are not shopping at Whole Foods and they would be judged if they were too.
The problem is American has a corporate controlled food supply. Eat the crap so you get cancer so that we can treat you with drugs.
You are literally insane and I wish I could admit you to a psych ward for your paranoia.
I don't think that poster is completely wrong and I think that you're pretty naive if you don't realize how much lobbying goes on in our government on behalf of those mega food companies and by pharmaceutical companies. They are the ones with the mega cash and the ability to fund campaigns...0 -
I see alot talk about those who are receiving food stamps and other types of government assistance. But what about those families who do not qualify for any state assistance but do not make enough money to thrive on. I don't think the issue is just as simple as to stop having babies especially when some politicians are determined to restrict access to birth control. I think there are larger issues at play.
Im going off topic. No politician is trying to limit access to birth control. they just don't think the Federal Gov't should subsidize peoples sex habits. Condoms are sold in drug stores and there is a variety of other forms of BC women can take.
again I agee. It's not the governments responsibility to make sure you don't get knocked up its yours. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY PEOPLE. if you don't want babies don't have unprotected sex.
I paid for my own BC back in the day because 1. I had no health insurance working in retail and 2. I DIDN'T WANT TO GET PREGNANT!!0 -
I see alot talk about those who are receiving food stamps and other types of government assistance. But what about those families who do not qualify for any state assistance but do not make enough money to thrive on. I don't think the issue is just as simple as to stop having babies especially when some politicians are determined to restrict access to birth control. I think there are larger issues at play.
Im going off topic. No politician is trying to limit access to birth control. they just don't think the Federal Gov't should subsidize peoples sex habits. Condoms are sold in drug stores and there is a variety of other forms of BC women can take.
again I agee. It's not the governments responsibility to make sure you don't get knocked up its yours. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY PEOPLE. if you don't want babies don't have unprotected sex.
This is targeted towards single women of course. First, none of those methods are 100% guaranteed to not produce a baby. Let's not even get into the crazy side effects many of these birth control methods have on women. Second, I find it highly unlikely that married folks are going to be using protection (isn't that a benefit of being married) so I feel that point is mute under these circumstances. My point is that the issue goes deeper than to just stop reproducing children. he issue is way more complex than that.
Of course they aren't 100% accurate. But the pill is 99%. Condoms don't have any side effects. and as for married couples not using BC, what do you think we stop having sex. Or do we just have unlimited children. I've been married for 25 years and until my husbands surgery a few years ago I was on the pill. And I have friends (married) who only use condoms. Your argument isn't valid.0 -
I have to disagree with this. I'm a single mom of two kids. I work full time. My son eats like a man, so basically I'm feeding 2 adults and 1 child. I'm lucky that I have a car. I shop at the "cheaper" no frills grocery stores, they might not be the cleanest or best looking but it's cheaper. I shop sales and use coupons. We hardly eat fast food, I don't buy chips or junk food. If my kids want a snack I will make a big bowl of popcorn. When you buy seeds, popcorn is super cheap, filing and tasty I cook meals every night , and usually I make double meals so I have leftovers for lunch and another meal. On a weekend I will make a big batch of tomato sauce, stew or chili. I freeze extras so I can pull a quick meal together. Another great tool is a slow cooker. I use mine alot.
I do think education is the way to go. I'm lucky I like cooking and I'm always looking for new ways to cook food. I have a friend who has 4 kids. My friend is obese and so are 3 of the 4 kids. They eat tons of junk. I bet I spend less money on groceries in a month, than she will spend in a week.
Good healthy food doesn't have to be expensive, or take hours to cook... you just have to know what you are doing0 -
I was reading through the thread about who is to blame for obese children. The unanimous consensus is that it's the parents' fault. While I agree to a certain extent, I think people are forgetting a few key pieces of info. Let's take a look at Mississippi. It's the #1 poorest state in the nation. It's also the #1 most obese state in the nation. It's also the #1 most hunger stricken state in the nation. How could that be? How can people be starving AND obese!? It doesn't make sense. Or does it?
If you go to the grocery and buy enough fresh, whole food to feed a family of four for a week, you'll likely spend no less than $200. Good, fresh, real food is terribly expensive. Crap food is not! A cheeseburger, fries, and coke at McDonalds cost $3. A salad at McDonalds cost $6. Fresh produce and meat is expensive compared to ramen noodles and Vienna sausages. It's next to impossible for people living in poverty to eat healthy food!
I don't know how to fix that, but I know that something needs to change if we're going to solve the obesity epidemic in this country!
People use the cost of healthy foods an excuse. Giant bag of frozen broccoli: $5 at Walmart. Smaller frozen veggie bags: around $1.50. Boneless-skinless chicken breast: $1.99 a pound at Walmart. Canned beans: under $1. Don't even get me started on how cheap farmers markets can be for fresh veggies and dried beans. The real cost of eating healthy is time and that's what people are too lazy to invest. People want to reach for a box and heat something up in 3 minutes or have it handed to them in a bag 2 minutes after ordering.0 -
I see alot talk about those who are receiving food stamps and other types of government assistance. But what about those families who do not qualify for any state assistance but do not make enough money to thrive on. I don't think the issue is just as simple as to stop having babies especially when some politicians are determined to restrict access to birth control. I think there are larger issues at play.
Exactly. And you may well have the money to support your children when they are born. Then your spouse dies or leaves. Or the plant where you worked shuts down throwing you and your entire town into poverty. Or one of those children is born with special needs or develops a chronic or life threatening illness. Or you suffer a horrific accident that leaves you disabled. Not everything in our lives are within our control.
These issues we are discussing here a very complex, right? There is data that supports that most U.S. Citizens are just one healthcare crisis away from poverty. Meaning that in a two parent household, if one parent was to have a medical crisis and unable to perform work, the household would not be sustained by just one income.0 -
If you go to the grocery and buy enough fresh, whole food to feed a family of four for a week, you'll likely spend no less than $200. Good, fresh, real food is terribly expensive. Crap food is not! A cheeseburger, fries, and coke at McDonalds cost $3. A salad at McDonalds cost $6. Fresh produce and meat is expensive compared to ramen noodles and Vienna sausages. It's next to impossible for people living in poverty to eat healthy food!
A bag of lentils is under a dollar that with a couple carrots and celery and onion is a delicious meal for cheaper than a burger and fries and waaaayyy healthier...0 -
I came from a poor home, we didn't eat healthy, nor did we have a lot of junk food, veggies came mostly from cans, very rarely fresh fruits in the house, chips once in awhile, cake and ice cream for birthdays, no sugary cereals, mostly cheerios, corn flakes, wheaties, etc., but we were not fat either, my siblings and I we played outside from morning to night and after school, we rode our bikes, climbed trees, played games with neighborhood children, something you don't see anymore. We rarely ate fast foods or any other restaurants. We did get a lot of candy at Halloween, Christmas and Easter.
I believe that the problem is that children don't get enough exercise, they don't play outside anymore, they sit in front the tv or computer all day long!!!
Edit to add, we, siblings and I ate a lot of box macaroni when we were children, why because it was cheap, but 3 of us shared a box, may not have been healthy, but than we went outside and played and burned all those calories!!! :bigsmile:0
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