"You can never be too rich or too thin".

[Quantess]

It's an old saying, but it has never been more true than today.

The disparity between rich and poor keeps growing at an equivalent rate to the disparity between thin and obese. Everyone at DU knows the rich keep getting richer and the poor keep getting poorer. That part is a no-brainer. We are also aware that obesity is a growing epidemic in America, and yet the "ideal weight", as defined by models and celebrities, is a very thin image, and is actually unhealthy for many individuals.

The chasm between rich vs. poor, and the chasm between obese vs. skinny, keeps widening.

Is there a connection between these two dichotomies?

[mrreowwr_kittty]

1. Certainly.

The wealthy seek to differentiate themselves from the poor as much as possible. Centuries past, when food was scarce, the rich were plumb and sedentary while the poor were lean. Nowadays, slenderness and fitness are signs of leisure, since poor people are stuck indoors and fatty junk food is cheap.

[Captain Angry]

3. Extremely processed fatty junk food is cheap.

All the nutrients and fiber have been ground out of the food that is found in vending machines and convenience stores.

If you're working constantly, finding time to cook can be difficult. With the rise in food prices, it can seem very expensive as well.

[krispos42]

2. Counterpoint:

Nicole Richie, Ann Coulter.

Both too rich AND too thin!

:hide:

[amitten]

4. And one is a man. n/t

[noamnety]

5. you picked the wrong forum for transphobic humor. (nt)

[AndyTiedye]

6. I Think the Coulterbeast is a Creation of Some Modern-Day Dr. Rotwang

[cosmik debris]

7. What a perfect example!

It has always puzzled me that people in this forum seem to get their health advice from the least likely sources. You have provided me with the perfect example.

the "ideal weight", as defined by models and celebrities

Critical thinking is dead in this forum. And that quote proves it.

[Quantess]

8. Yes. Notice I did not say "ideal weight, as defined by medical experts"

And that I was not suggesting that celebrities and models are good role models regarding body image. However, celebrities and models do influence the public's perceptions, like it or not.

Ideal weight as defined by medical professionals is not what this discussion is about.

Edit to add: I really should have posted this in GD, not in the Health forum.