Our town is fat

One town, labeled as the fattest in America said to critics - "So what?"

"It doesn't come up," said Huntington, W.Va. mayor David Felinton, who is obese at 5 feet 9 and 233 pounds, as he walked toward City Hall one recent morning. "We've got a lot of economic challenges here in Huntington. That's usually the focus."

This story talks about a town with lots of fat folks - but other problems that are on the front burner.

With poverty at its highest level and economic woes to numerous to count, the town doesn't want to be the unhealthiest in the U.S. but its residents say it has bigger fires to put out.

The story has the usual obesity experts blasting fat people, and their town, as the 10th level of Hell, and some historic explanations of why the town is the way it is.

The culprits - diabolical fried foods, seducing sugary snacks and artery-clogging hot dogs with all the fixings.

Huntington's residents don't seem to be aware of its distinction, which experts say is part of the problem. However, with other factors, like its crippled economy, historic and cultural factors, what can this fat town do?

Some seem to think obesity is about a bunch of people who no self control that just overeat. I know I'm stating the obvious, but it's a lot more complicated than that.

What will we do about obesity nationwide? How can this town be helped?