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Home > Blogs > Seen and Overheard > Archives > 2009 > July > 29 > Entry
Is Walmart really bad for our waistlines? Study says they are slimmer
From Laura Houser, Staff Writer
The common perception is that Walmart is bad for America’s waistlines: they drive down the prices on fatty foods, resulting in a league of overweight shoppers.
The chain is also critiqued for a number of other reasons, but the naysayers might be wrong when it comes to encouraging bad eating.
A recent study by economists Art Carden and Charles Courtemanche, of Rhodes College and the University of North Carolina respectively, says that there was a small but statistically significant reduction in obesity rates in communities with a Walmart.
The drop is attributed to the store’s ability to provide quality produce at a low price. This is good news for those with a lower income, a demographic that is typically heavier.
Of course, Carden and Courtemanche found that communities with Walmarts saw an uptick in alcohol purchases, as well as a decrease in exercise.
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Permalink | Comments (12) | Post your comment | Categories: talk
Comments
By Jake
July 29, 2009 11:39 AM | Link to this
I don’t understand why everyone keeps wanting to hate on Wal-Mart. Its a store that everyday people (aka Main Street) goes to so they can save a little money and people in the media try to find far flung reasons to criticize the store and the people who shop there.By My2cents
July 29, 2009 11:46 AM | Link to this
Unhealthy eaters will do so whether prices are good or not. Obesity is caused by unhealthy eating habits - just because carrots are on sale, it’s not going to cause a habitual unhealthy eater to make better eating decisions.By My2cents
July 29, 2009 11:46 AM | Link to this
Unhealthy eaters will do so whether prices are good or not. Obesity is caused by unhealthy eating habits - just because carrots are on sale, it’s not going to cause a habitual unhealthy eater to make better eating decisions.By miss m
July 29, 2009 11:52 AM | Link to this
My2cents, prices have alot to do with how my family eats. We are on a very tight budget. I have maybe $80 to spend per week for a 5 person family. I cant buy 3 boxes of macaroni and cheese for $1.10 at Aldi. I can buy a bag of carrots for a dollar. We love fresh fruits and veggies but sometimes it just isnt affordable to buy them. We are all overweight.By Jimmy
July 29, 2009 12:11 PM | Link to this
Anytime I go into a Wal-Mart the percentage of obese people is higher than at a Kroger for example. Unhealthy, processed foods like mac and cheese are cheap but you can find healthy food cheap too. People just don’t know where to find it. Go to farmers markets or start a garden in your backyard. Chicken and eggs are also pretty cheap and very healthy. On another note, for a humorous look at the obesity problem in America, check out www.homeofthefat.comBy R
July 29, 2009 1:04 PM | Link to this
It doesn’t matter if it is Wal-Mart or another store. People will buy junk food if they choose to do so regardless of price or store.By the Strawboss
July 29, 2009 1:32 PM | Link to this
I don’t think you can blame Wally World for your waistline, but they are pretty ruthless when it comes to violating labor laws. They also have so much buying power that they can dictate how much they will pay for your products. You won’t have a choice if they’re your biggest buyer.By the dude
July 29, 2009 2:04 PM | Link to this
i work at walmart. the reason you see so many huge as people there are because we supply them with electric carts to ride around in. they have no disability other than their enormous asses not walking by themselves. we have like 50 of them. they would lose weight by not using these carts and just making the effort to get some exercise. our produce team keeps our produce extremely cheap usually, also. you can get a week’s worth of salad for an entire family for less than 5 bucks.By yada
July 30, 2009 9:48 AM | Link to this
I work at walmart and until you know how they treat their workers, you have no right to say anything. I have never been treated unfairly in anyway. As a part-time worker I am treated very well and have great benefits thank you.By yada
July 30, 2009 9:53 AM | Link to this
I agree about the lard butts on the electric carts. They all act like they have a disability! You may have bad knees but it’s because you have too much weight on them. The carts are for the true handicapped people and the elderly only.By me
July 30, 2009 10:42 AM | Link to this
wallmart dont shove food down fat peoples mouth. People make their own choices. if u r on such a tight budget grow your own vegies u can buy the seed on food stamp card.people are just getting lazy and just grab whats convenent instead of taking the time to make a more healthy meal. than want to have some one to blame becouse their fat. than want to sit on their fat butt and collect disabilityBy John
July 31, 2009 12:59 AM | Link to this
Until you have worked at 100 Walmarts’ you really won’t know have they treat their employees as a corporation. Even then it will only say how you treat you. There are too many complaints about Wallyworld to believe they are all false.