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I thought it was common knowledge that poor and/or uneducated people, at least in the West, tend to be more obese, and overall tend to live a less healthy lifestyle. But I'm happy to be wrong. What has usually been the topic of discussion between people with differing political views is 1) whether this can be reduced to a personal choice (ability), and consequently 2) where the responsibilities lie to improve the situation. At least observationally, having lived in both richer and poorer areas of cities around the world, in the poor areas people smoked more, drank more (whether sugary drinks or alcohol), were more obese, had worse teeth, and I saw fewer joggers or other people working out. Because of my political views I tend to feel that many of these poorer/uneducated people both lack the ability and the environment to do 'better', and regardless of whether that is true, I believe societal/collective initiatives would be helpful in changing the situation (whether state- or community-led). I think there are plenty of initiatives to support improvements (church, grassroots movements, non-profits, state-initiatives; pick your poison). The one thing I have trouble with is the, IMO, often self-serving and incredibly myopic view that all these people are just inferior and entirely willingly choosing to live often unhealthy and unhappy lives. When I see a severely obese person, I see someone with problems, not someone who's just a happy, lazy glutton. I've never personally met a fat person who was unapologetically happy with their situation. Far from it. |