Characterizing the problem as one of "just laziness" is intellectual laziness. For one thing, the environment is dramatically different. People have an easier time sticking to rice and beans when that's pretty much all there is. In America, unhealthy food is not only more accessable but heavily marketed. You can't expect people to make similar descisions on average in such different circumstances.

If poor people are eating unhealthy food because of marketing it is still laziness. Take the time to find out what's good for you, it's not hard.

My point is that no one can honestly say that they are fat because they can't afford good food. There are tons of excuses, but it comes down to personal responsibility.

I'm not talking about excuses, I'm talking about your expectations. You're holding people born in America to a higher standard of discipline than those born elsewhere, and poor Americans to a higher standard than rich Americans.

Laziness? Is that based on opinion or data? This is an unbiased question. I am further interested in how widespread this sentiment is.

I heard a story about a McDonald's closing in a poor area. There are at least two effects of this, the second of which was quite surprising: 1. McD, a source of high-fat food, leaves the area, and subsequently people need to find alternative food; 2. McD, a source of cheap food, leaves the area, and subsequently people have trouble affording food.

Apparently McD's distribution chain is so efficient, that their presence resulted in wider access to food. I say nothing about nutrition, jobs, or anything else. Just food that fills your stomach. It seems like nothing is that simple enough to summarize in a single sentence. Doing so is likely overestimating of your grasp of the situation. But perhaps it is indeed just laziness.

Also see: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=643999

I don't know of a study that makes the claim, but I can go to the grocery store and buy really cheap food that's not bad for me. It takes more work to prepare than hitting a preset on the microwave or going to a drive-thru, but it's cheap and will keep you healthy.

(I say this as I'm about to re-heat some left over spanish rice that I made last night. It cost almost nothing to make.)

Perhaps you should read "Why it's expensive to be poor." http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=619110

I recently learned the great utility of beans and I asked why they aren't pouring over the streets. Apparently: culture, agriculture, and subsidies. A culmination of broken links.

Why on earth aren't beans subsidized instead of corn? Among other things, this would cut down immensely on the amount of fertilizer consumed per year.

My guess: Grain farmers have the better lobby.

Anyway, beans don't need a subsidy.