Too Poor To Be Healthy

Obesity is very serious health problem in America. Only here are our people so poor that we are gaining weight living below the poverty line. In most other countries, living in poverty means getting skinnier. So with this information, we can conclude that the real problem lies within the nutrients of the food that we take in. How can we eat healthy when the cost of being healthy is so high? Not everyone can afford it.

Why are we broke? Because the cost of healthy eating is much more than purchasing unhealthy foods like a $1 burger at McDonald's. When we try to eat healthy, it’s like the cost of an arm and a leg. The cost of fresh fruits and vegetables increased 188%. The cost of Soda only increased 20%. Take your kids to Whole Foods and check out the prices of organic foods. Wouldn’t McDonald's prices look better to you?

Places to shop for healthy foods are not something we come across on every corner. Liquor stores are however on every corner and they sell snake stuffs like chips and soda as well as lunch such as the MSG filled Cup o' Noodles. The closes place to shop for us is on the other side of the city. You know how many bus transfers and waiting in the rain that is? I rather drink warm MSG soup that only takes 2 minutes to prepare.

The theory of supply and demand also plays a role. This is like the question of what comes first, the chicken or the egg? If more people consume fruits and vegetables, then there will be more supplies of it because it is in demand. Well, how can we demand something we cannot afford?

Physical activities also play a role in terms of obesity. The more calories you burn, the more this will help decrease appetite. Obviously this means that burger will look less and less delicious. The problem is, I don’t want to leave the house anymore because my homeboy just got shot down the block from where I live. Gang bangers just rented the room upstairs. Where do I get my exercise done? I have to leave the house to get to the gym. I also have to leave the house to purchase a BowFlex machine. Forget that, once I get it someone will break in a steal it.

So how am I supposed to think about getting a gym membership when I can barely pay the bills? I’m so depressed;I think I’m just going to eat my worries a way. This tub of cookies and cream ice cream looks good in the freezer. Stress is directly related to weight gain and who has the most stress? Yep... the poor.

Man, being poor sucks. But what can I do? I have to plan out a set amount of money for food. Am I going to be out on the streets? Probably, but at least I know I won’t die from a disease because my body will be healthy enough to handle it. I get to stay thin and live long enough to enjoy my time on the streets. God bless America.