Health is Wealth

Last year, for instance, the MW fast-food and ice cream restaurant in this city [Madras] proclaimed a special promotion: “Overweight? Congratulations.” The limited-time deal afforded diners savings equal to 50 percent of their weight (in kilograms). The heaviest arrival lugged in 135 kilograms (297 pounds) and ate lustily at 67.5 percent off.

This article in the New York Times talks about India's paradoxical obesity epidemic. I suppose I don't notice it too much when we go back, since Pappathikatu remains tucked away from the big cities, but I do notice it when we spend a few days in Madras. A few years ago when I went, we actually ordered a pizza, which was astounding to me. I suppose the days where my sister and I would taunt each other with the McDonald's song (embarassing, I know, but we didn't know any better) are over, and not just because we've grown up.