People in Huntington, WV bristle when their town is called America’s fattest and unhealthiest. They say it’s unfair and not true. Be that as it may, the CDC singled out the Huntington metro area for that dubious distinction and now a reality show with Jamie Oliver will try to turn things around.
Oliver is the British celebuchef, probably overexposed at home, who tackled Britain’s school lunches to make them healthier. Now he’s taping in Huntington for a show to be aired next year on ABC, and it’s re-opened the wounds of being called fat(test) city.
The show’s executive producer has stressed the program will not harp on negative stereotypes and Oliver himself spoke to residents last month at a big meeting at city hall to say his goal is not to attack anyone. Then Huntingtonites got wind of his comments back in Britain, in which he said people he’d met in Huntington lacked information about healthy eating and cooking from scratch. They weren’t happy.
State Delegate Don Perdue, who represents the area and acknowledges the local health issue, is uneasy about the image the show will project to the rest of America but says, “If it’s accurate and not positive, that’s our fault. If it’s inaccurate and negative, that’s their fault.”
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Just because one county in one state is called the “fattest and most unhealthy” doesn’t mean the rest of the country is much better. I bet most Americans could benefit from knowing how to eat and live healthier by making healthy choices. But why does it take a Brit to do this?
Nate´s last blog ..Dutch Apple Bread
I agree, Nate, but if people don’t already have the information, it’s their fault. We’re bombarded with it. Unhealthy seems to be the norm. Excellent question about why it takes a Brit. Perhaps foreign eyes can see how huge our portions are? I dunno, but it’s a great question.
“If it’s accurate and not positive, that’s our fault. If it’s inaccurate and negative, that’s their fault.”
I’ve been thinking about this for a few days, and still can’t find anything wrong with it. If more people took that attitude, a lot of the current rage/hysteria/stupidity about the media might just fade away.
I have wondered from time to time if these shows don’t do as much harm as good. I don’t watch them on a regular basis, but I’ve seen some of these shows. I have a slight but undeniable tendency to look at something like “The Biggest Loser” or “Hoarding” and think, “Well. At least I’m not THAT bad!”
shoreacres´s last blog ..Virginia Throws Open the Window
I agree, but even inaccurate and positive would be their fault. I know I can’t hold entertainment shows to the standard of news programs, but accuracy should be a given, whether it’s reality tv or a blog.
I don’t watch those shows, or much else. I don’t have the temperament for it or the interest but I would indeed compare myself. (I’m so freakin’ competitive, it’s not funny!)
I always thought that Houston, Tx, was the fattest city in America. Jamie isn’t subtle, but he got results in turning around the lunch menu in British schools. Whether he could achieve the same in Chickensticksville, USA, is very much open to doubt.
Roads´s last blog ..216. Geneva
I wish Jamie well on this, but I think we’re spoiled for choice when it comes to fat cities, Roads. And If you missed Anna Wintour’s instantly-infamous verdict, do click here:
http://foodpluspolitics.com/2009/06/01/quote-of-the-month-may-09/
I just checked and the video’s still live. Nuclear Wintour indeed!
Hey, hey! A little respect, here
Houston’s the sixth fatttest city in the 2009 Men’s Health poll (the only one I looked at). I do believe we might have been a slot or two higher at one point, but we’re just skinnying down like crazy! LOL
shoreacres´s last blog ..A Different Kind of Horror
Dang, shore, Houstonians are just going to waste away!