What is with MSNBC flogging this Obesity Map/Unemployment Map today?

[Stinky The Clown]

Several times today they've shown a map that they say shows a correlation between high obesity and high unemployment. The fact that they completely do NOT match in California is overlooked.

What is with this?

[Kalyke]

1. South bashing?

:shrug:

(For the record, I'm Southern and not obese. I, like every other woman on the planet, think I need to lose 10 pounds, however. :))

[get the red out]

10. +1

Likewise.

We Southerners do have a reputation for obesity at this point. I do not think that current employment conditions have much to do with it. My opinion is that "tradition", or what people are told is "tradition", trumps thinking in the South on a lot of issues, so reluctance to change eating habits as work has become less labor intensive isn't a surprise.

[Hannah Bell]

2. same old shit. unemployed = fat = morally defective = it's their own fault they don't have jobs.

the real correlation is with *poverty*.

[StarfarerBill]

3. I've gained a few pounds since being unemployed.

But high obesity rates predate the Great Recession by a long shot, so I know there are other factors at work besides just being out of work.

[eShirl]

4. unemployment -> depression -> overeating

[kenfrequed]

6. Actually..

It is more a matter of the kind of food that is sold to poor people. Cheap extremely starchy, fatty, low protein, low vitamin quick ready to eat meals.

After all if your poor and looking for work a lot or working two or three poverty jobs how do you find time to cook or maintain an active life?

[beyond cynical]

11. Funny...you are serious aren't you?

:hi:

[Lone_Star_Dem]

5. They're spinning the correlation between obesity and poverty?

Or perhaps they're ignoring the correlation between poverty and unemployment?

[spanone]

7. the economy is the fault of fat people

:shrug:

dr nancy needs something to talk about????

[Lex]

8. What about the Republican/ Obesity / Unemployment Map?

That one would be eye-opening.

[Subdivisions]

9. I stopped watching MSNBC yesterday. n/t