The Privileged Slim

20 November 2006

With The Big Eating Day also known as Thanksgiving just around the corner, I thought I’d talk about fat.

Not turkey fat - since turkey meat doesn’t translate into a heart attach in every bite - but excess body fat, as in obesity.

Mention obesity in Boulder, and people think you’re talking about a foreign disease. Obesity does not exist in this Rocky Mountain Shangri La where everyone is obsessed with being outdoors and active and discriminating about their food.

Not such bad obsessions given that beyond the bounds of Boulder, obesity is a disease increasingly associated with bad food choices linked to economic disparity and inactivity.

Unhealthy food is cheap and healthy food is expensive, which means a healthy body weight is a becoming a physical condition of the privileged. 

Bloggers, we in developed countries are living in a time of the healthy haves, and the hefty have-nots! 

Even in France, where they appear to be able to eat all that rich food and stay Chic and Slim, there is a rising class of underprivileged fatties. 

However, in Australia there is no differentiating poor fatties from rich fatties because Australia is a nation of fatsos! 

Obesity does not abide economic barriers in my home country.  Fifty percent of the population has a weight problem because they over-indulge in the good life: too much rich food and not enough exercise. 

Those fat fifty percent should read Chic and Slim and learn how the slim and privileged French imbibe, but don’t gain weight.

Outside of Boulder, sixty percent of Americans are fatsos!  And in the UK, most adults are overweight while one in five is obese. 

Strewth, are you getting the picture?  In the developed world it’s safe to say that the percentage of fatties hovers around fifty percent. 

This supports the argument that Chic and Slim ought to be a best seller, PE ought to be a mandatory part of daily life, while healthy food should not be priced for the privileged, but economically accessible to all.

Failing those oughts and shoulds, how will the waistline of the developed world measure up in the future? 

Hmmm, it’s Thanksgiving on Thursday, then it’s Chrissie, the New Year … let’s address the future of fat next year!

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2 Responses to “The Privileged Slim”

  1. ann raabe Says:
    November 21st, 2006 at 9:22 am

    Yes, but one can buy a bag of coveted peanut butter cups for $15…or a few venus breasts(?) those fabulous chocolate dumplings for the same, so who is the smartest shopper? Maybe the fatsos, as you so pointedly call “them” (I am not one of “them” darhlink!…and Tildy you are SO not PC!), are getting the most for their money, and the more hedonistic types are enjoying less for their money….or more. This becomes a rather philosophical question. At any rate, I always look forward to your next column. Fun, hip and smart.


  2. Suzi G Says:
    November 21st, 2006 at 10:15 am

    I agree, darl, Aussie is a nation of fatsos - except for my home town of Sydney - where the body reigns supreme - but go West of the bridge, love - not a good sight!!  The Boulder obsession with health and fitness is on the border of riduclousness- my, even the doggies have their own organic shops!!  The French clearly have the answer - chew slowly and enjoy every mouthful and you’ll be chic and slim forever!! (I seem to remember my Gran telling me to chew slowly, but I think it was for other reasons than being chic and slim!!) Happy Thanksgiving! Stay Slim & Sexy, girlie!


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