If the poor are obese, they are already spending more on food than they need to be. They could simply purchase fewer big macs, right?
But I really don't buy this theory. If it were true, it would imply that graduate students should be fat too (which they usually are not). The fact is, big macs are cheaper than most other foods per calorie. They are not cheaper per meal.
Incidentally, Harlem has plenty of produce (organic and non). But (based on my anecdotal observations) it's mainly purchased by the yuppies.
Humans need calories, it's true, but more than that we need nutrients. McDonald's food is carefully processed and stripped of its natural nutrients, so that you need to eat much more of it to get the nutrients you need. It's also packed full of calories, so that it tastes good, so eating enough of it not to be malnourished requires eating a lot of calories as well.
But I really don't buy this theory. If it were true, it would imply that graduate students should be fat too (which they usually are not). The fact is, big macs are cheaper than most other foods per calorie. They are not cheaper per meal.
Incidentally, Harlem has plenty of produce (organic and non). But (based on my anecdotal observations) it's mainly purchased by the yuppies.