El Pasoans Need To Stop Joking About Obesity
Oh, ha ha. El Paso is the 20th most obese city in America. Hilarious. We’re all just a bunch of lovable, enchilada-stuffed, Whataburger-fueled goofballs who waddle our way through life, right? Well, maybe it’s time to stop laughing and start looking in the mirror—if we can still see it past our growing midsections.
A Culture of Excuses (and Extra Cheese)
Every time a study like this comes out, what do we do? We joke. We make memes. We post about how it’s “totally worth it” because our tacos are just that good. But here’s a wild thought: Maybe—just maybe—that’s exactly why we keep ending up on these lists. Instead of acknowledging that we have a legitimate health crisis on our hands, we treat it like a badge of honor. “Oh, but the food is so good.” Yeah? So is a triple bypass if you survive it.
The Real Cost of Our Favorite Pastime
You know what’s not funny? The $190.2 billion a year the U.S. spends on obesity-related medical costs. The $4.3 billion lost in productivity. The increasing rates of diabetes, heart disease, and mobility issues that are directly linked to our eating habits. But sure, let’s keep pretending that queso-drenched everything is an acceptable substitute for nutrition. Let’s keep blaming a “lack of access to healthy food” while driving past six different grocery stores on our way to the nearest drive-thru.
Stop Using Culture as an Excuse
Food is culture. I get it. But culture isn’t an excuse for self-destruction. We don’t have to choose between enjoying our incredible cuisine and maintaining our health. Balance exists. It’s possible. But that’s not going to happen as long as we keep treating these rankings like a joke instead of a warning sign. So go ahead, El Paso. Laugh it up. Just don’t be surprised when our ranking keeps climbing—along with our blood pressure.
The Fattest Cities in the U.S.A.
Gallery Credit: Scott Clow
Texas Fattest Cities
Gallery Credit: Noah Sherwood