Obesity And Poverty
In the United States one out of every third person is obese (“One Out,” 2013). According to the Census Bureau, one out of seven people in America live in poverty (“Poverty in the,” 2013). The question these numbers pose is whether or not there is a direct correlation between obesity and poverty. Existing studies suggest a direct relationship between poverty and obesity. If there is a causal relationship between these two variables, what does this mean for America in terms of its over-reliance on processed food? What consequences may Americans expect to see if such a relationship were ignored over the longer term? Americans living in poverty are far more likely to experience obesity due to the higher costs associated with nutritious versus non-nutritious
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foods as well as other factors such as a lack of knowledge regarding the importance of good food choices.
The reason those experiencing poverty are much more susceptible to obesity is that least expensive food items in a grocery store are typically those that are non-nutritious and fattening.
An example of such food products include processed flour goods and high-sugar cereals known as high-glycemic foods. The problem with this, and it is touched upon in Michael Pollan’s The Omnivore’s Dilemma, is that the cost of healthy eating in this country is high that people of lower socioeconomic statuses simply cannot afford to eat food high in nutritional value. While this point was previously contended by some, emerging research in the form of studies is proving that the cost of healthy food is greater (Spyros, 2011). The implications of this, as the number of people living below the poverty threshold continues to rise, is that obesity and related chronic illnesses are going to cost this country’s healthcare system a substantial amount of …show more content…
money.
The second reason a connection exists between those living in poverty and the onset of obesity is that many people have a limited understanding of why it is essential to make good choices when purchasing and preparing food. This problem is further complicated by the fact that people living in poverty experience higher levels of stress associated with trying to cope with other aspects of their life. Some argue that people have a responsibility to become educated on matters relating to health and nutrition; however, making good food choices is not at the top of the priority list when a person has more to worry about such as whether or not he or she can maintain shelter for their family or keep a minimum-wage job that allows the person to eat in the first place (Hollar, Messiah, Lopez-Mitnik, Hollar, Almon, & Agatston, 2010).
The relationship between poverty and obesity has been established in existing literature and is a valid consideration when working toward solutions to this country’s obesity epidemic.
Addressing this problem requires more than motivating people to become physically active and increasing nutritional education in the schools. As discussed previously, the cost of non-nutritional foods is a major contributor to the problem as those experiencing poverty are unable to afford to purchase healthier foods consistently. This is something that requires intervention at a much higher level in terms of requiring food companies to provide healthier alternatives to those who are severely economically restricted. The motivation for doing this should come from a desire to decrease healthcare costs incurred by the government as a result of chronic health problems directly related to obesity among the
poor. References
Hollar, D., Messiah, S. E., Lopez-Mitnik, G., Hollar, T. L., Almon, M., & Agatston, A. S. (2010). Effect of a two-year obesity prevention intervention on percentile changes in body mass index and academic performance in low-income elementary school children. American Journal of Public Health, 100(4), 646-653.
One out of three US adults are obese and 17% of children age 2 to 19. MercoPress. Retrieved from http://en.mercopress.com/2010/01/15/one-out-of-three-us-adults-are-obese-and-17-of-children-age-2-to-19
Pollan, M. (2006). The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A natural history of four meals. New York, NY: Penguin Books.
Spyros, B. (2011). Study: Healthy food too expensive for most Americans. WBOC. Retrieved from http://www.wboc.com/story/15211008/healthy-diet
foods as well as other factors such as a lack of knowledge regarding the importance of good food choices.
The reason those experiencing poverty are much more susceptible to obesity is that least expensive food items in a grocery store are typically those that are non-nutritious and fattening.
An example of such food products include processed flour goods and high-sugar cereals known as high-glycemic foods. The problem with this, and it is touched upon in Michael Pollan’s The Omnivore’s Dilemma, is that the cost of healthy eating in this country is high that people of lower socioeconomic statuses simply cannot afford to eat food high in nutritional value. While this point was previously contended by some, emerging research in the form of studies is proving that the cost of healthy food is greater (Spyros, 2011). The implications of this, as the number of people living below the poverty threshold continues to rise, is that obesity and related chronic illnesses are going to cost this country’s healthcare system a substantial amount of …show more content…
money.
The second reason a connection exists between those living in poverty and the onset of obesity is that many people have a limited understanding of why it is essential to make good choices when purchasing and preparing food. This problem is further complicated by the fact that people living in poverty experience higher levels of stress associated with trying to cope with other aspects of their life. Some argue that people have a responsibility to become educated on matters relating to health and nutrition; however, making good food choices is not at the top of the priority list when a person has more to worry about such as whether or not he or she can maintain shelter for their family or keep a minimum-wage job that allows the person to eat in the first place (Hollar, Messiah, Lopez-Mitnik, Hollar, Almon, & Agatston, 2010).
The relationship between poverty and obesity has been established in existing literature and is a valid consideration when working toward solutions to this country’s obesity epidemic.
Addressing this problem requires more than motivating people to become physically active and increasing nutritional education in the schools. As discussed previously, the cost of non-nutritional foods is a major contributor to the problem as those experiencing poverty are unable to afford to purchase healthier foods consistently. This is something that requires intervention at a much higher level in terms of requiring food companies to provide healthier alternatives to those who are severely economically restricted. The motivation for doing this should come from a desire to decrease healthcare costs incurred by the government as a result of chronic health problems directly related to obesity among the
poor. References
Hollar, D., Messiah, S. E., Lopez-Mitnik, G., Hollar, T. L., Almon, M., & Agatston, A. S. (2010). Effect of a two-year obesity prevention intervention on percentile changes in body mass index and academic performance in low-income elementary school children. American Journal of Public Health, 100(4), 646-653.
One out of three US adults are obese and 17% of children age 2 to 19. MercoPress. Retrieved from http://en.mercopress.com/2010/01/15/one-out-of-three-us-adults-are-obese-and-17-of-children-age-2-to-19
Pollan, M. (2006). The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A natural history of four meals. New York, NY: Penguin Books.
Spyros, B. (2011). Study: Healthy food too expensive for most Americans. WBOC. Retrieved from http://www.wboc.com/story/15211008/healthy-diet