New Orleans launches anti-obesity campaign

The United States has seen a dramatic increase in obesity over the past two decades, prompting officials to call the problem an epidemic. One-third of people over the age of 20 in the country are reportedly obese and about 20 percent of children and teenagers also fall into this category. Studies show that the country's poor, who have to rely mainly on unhealthy fast food, are more likely to be excessively overweight. In the US city of New Orleans, which is considered to be one of the country's fattest cities, officials have started dozens of projects, including organic gardens, in a campaign that aims to encourage people to pursue a healthier diet. In the latest in our network's series on the epidemic, Al Jazeera's Tom Ackerman reports from New Orleans.

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  News & Politics

[Fave Adams]

What about the chemicals in the food..? when will Monsanto be investigated

[TyphoonThaReapa]

As a person that was born a raised in New Orleans, I have to say that I really missed the food. It's one of the biggest things in the culture. However, as I've grown and learned more about nutrition and eating habits, you can only eat most of the Cajun foods in small amounts. It'll literally kill you. Oh, and first.

[amemy2]

What chemicals? 

[amemy2]

good news.

[LelouchL3]

The only food that schools cook are processed foods, and even then the vedgetables are boiled. Change need to stary from the ground up. Fire all the lunch ladies, hire real chefs that shop locally. But that will mean an end to crappy lunch companies.

[creedstat]

RACIST 

[Robert Kraft]

You are correct.

As soon as the real comments start to come in they will most definately shut down the comments...They do it EVERY time!

It's just another way they try to get us all to think the way they want us to.

[Robert Kraft]

Like they are forced to eat "fast food" because of economic restraints? wtf

Go to the store and buy higher quality food!

It's CHEAPER that way ANYWAY!

[danielmvids]

I'm glad many people are starting to pay attention to the obesity crisis.

[CoalKeepsTheLighsOn]

It depends on what you eat bro, but I feel you.... Growing up in the South, Southern food has always been a comfort food, but damn it's so bad for you... All of the fried foods and buttery grits... It's all about portion control I guess.