[quote=flu]Actually, obesity is a big problem in China now..
I guess with increased prosperity, people end up gorging more.
So, relating this back to the economy, if we go through a economic depression, do people gain or lose weight?
On one hand, being poor, probably means you have to scale back on food…
On the other hand, being poor, you end up eating the cheapest things (like $99 burgers or some crap like that).
So which way do American’s weight go when we have an economic depression?
BTW: have you folks been to McDonald’s lately? I have to say, I went to the one in Carmel Valley last week (kid wanted to go), and wow the menu has changed. Well, you still can get the fast food crap, but they actually have some pretty decent healthy food that’s not bad tasting too.[/quote]
flu, while I think you’re on the money (no pun intended) with your improved economic conditions theory, I’d place some of the blame on globalization. McDonald’s, Kentucky Fried Chix, Pizza Hut, and others have all made major inroads into the “fast food” culture that has hit China in the last 20 years. However, China has the problem of childhood obesity under control: they’re ordering 5-minute waltzing sessions in their schools. All of the teachers are not in agreement: some believe that calisthenics would be a much better solution, while others fear undesirable fallout from the sessions. Teacher Ma Yanling opined, “Letting students waltz will create hotbeds of adolescent love.”
As for what Americans in reduced circumstances will eat, I don’t agree that most Americans eat fast food and junk food because it’s cheap. I don’t think it IS cheap. I think many just don’t want to cook, or know how to prepare food.
