Relationship Between Poverty and Obesity Essay - 1608 Words

Does low socioeconomic status bear a significant role in the obesity epidemic? A national survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2010) estimated that more than two-thirds of Americans are now overweight or obese (body mass index of over 30), and the percentage is escalating. The Census Bureau (2011) reported 46.2 million people in America are currently living beneath the official poverty line. The official poverty rate in 2010 was 15.1 percent; up from 14.3 percent in 2009; this was the third consecutive annual increase in the poverty rate (Census Bureau, 2011). One might assume that obesity and poverty are not associated, but this is not accurate. The correlation between poverty and obesity can be†¦show more content†¦102). One might impugn that it is not poverty but lack of education that affects the obesity epidemic. It does not require a mathematician to comprehend that choosing a two dollar case of Honey Buns as opposed to a six dollar ba g of apples will equal more food in the refrigerator. Generally, processed foods are more â€Å"energy dense† than garden-fresh foods; they contain less water and fiber but more added fat and sugar, which make them both less satisfying and more calorific (Pollan, 2006). Provisions similar to fruits and vegetables contain high water content that permits individuals to feel satiated rather swiftly. Nutritious meals are more expensive, less tasty, and are more time consuming to prepare, fostering unhealthy eating patterns. On special occasions, parents will treat their children to McDonalds where everything is â€Å"super-sized†. Adults and children can acquire debauched consumption patterns because they don’t comprehend the quantity they have enthusiastically ingested. Pollan (2006) stated that â€Å"Well-designed fast food has a fragrance and flavor all its own, a fragrance and flavor only nominally connected to hamburgers or French fries or for that matter to particular food† (p. 111). Low socioeconomic status individuals have limited access to healthy and affordable foods which sequentially contributes to obesity. One might contend that the government provides assistance (WIC and Food Stamps) toShow MoreRelatedHousehold Income By Federal Poverty Level Essay921 Words   |  4 Pagesby federal poverty level DV: Being overweight or obese Faculty: Dr. Shana Alex Charles Fall Semester 2015 December 17, 2015 2) Interpretation of your results. a) With reference to my midterm research study, I will be using the updated 2011/12 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) for adolescents (ages 12-17). My research question is how is being overweight or obese associated with the household income by federal poverty level? H0: X(obesity) = X(income)Read MoreEducation, Prevention And Control Of Obesity944 Words   |  4 Pagesprograms aimed at education, prevention and control of obesity. Below we will discuss some of the programs initiated by the federal and state government to fight this epidemic. The program Healthy people 2020 - a broad federal program with the goal of improving the health of all Americans. Under Healthy People 2020, several initiatives have been established with the help of other government offices to target different approaches in combating obesity. â€Å"Aim for a Healthy Weight† for example, is an NIHRead MoreChildhood Obesity Essay examples1472 Words   |  6 Pageschildhood obesity was rarely a topic of conversation. A survey done in the early 1970s showed that 6.1% of children between the ages 12 and 19 were overweight. 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The essay will cover different vantage points of obesity including obesity’s relationship to poverty in the U.S., parents’ fight for more physical activity in schools to combat childhood obesity, statistical data about America’s obese population and even a spurious correlation between obesity and sleep duration inRead MoreHealth Promotion For Combating Obesity973 Words   |  4 PagesChildhood obesity prevalence rates have been steadily increasing in the United States and in 2010; it was identified in more than 42 million pre-schoolers (WHO, 2013). Obesity has various medical risks that are related to obesity in children including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, sleep apnoea, asthma, dyslipidaemia, metabolic syndrome, orthopaedic complications, and a reduced life expectancy. 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