Jamie Oliver Reduced to Tears by America’s ‘Fattest City’

Jamie Oliver, the internationally famous British chef who, in a past show, attempted to tackle the issue of childhood obesity, has hit a dead end as he’s shooting for the upcoming ABC show Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution in Huntington, West Virginia. After several “warnings” from the local media, the chef was recently reduced to tears by the obstinacy of the members of America’s “fattest” community, NineMSN informs citing The Sun.

While shooting for an episode of the show, Oliver found himself in a very difficult position as the members of the community very straightforwardly told him that his attempts at helping them lead healthier life were pointless. Moreover, they told him they did not need his advice or his recipes for healthier foods and that they were happy just how they were, which pushed Oliver to the verge of tears, reports say. For a guy who’s known for his upbeat outlook on everything, that’s really hitting a new low, it is further being said.

“They don’t understand me. They don’t know why I’m here,” Oliver reportedly told his crew in between sobs. “His tears was the lowest we’ve ever seen Jamie. He is normally so upbeat but the scale of this challenge got to him. Everywhere he turned, he was faced with obstacles. He felt so alone and thought at times of packing the whole thing in,” a well-placed production source goes on to say.

“Oliver touched down in Huntington in September, and was reportedly met with immediate resistance. Many residents of the city, which has a population of about 50,000, have been disputing the ‘fattest and unhealthiest city’ tag since it was bestowed upon them in November 2008, the Huffington Post reports. The analysis was based on 2006 data from federal agency the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Oliver’s presence appears to have opened an old wound, with locals reportedly ‘outwardly hostile’ to his healthy eating ideas,” NineMSN says of the initiative.

Though disheartened by the initial reception, the chef regained some of his former high spirits when he touched base with his fans on his official website, where he said everyone had a “right” to healthy food and being made aware that the foods they’re eating are bad for them. Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution premieres on ABC on March 26.