Correlation between 'poverty' and 'obesity'?

Question

I'm not someone that advocates blaming others for ones problems. I think most people that are obese could do a little research and live healthier lives (even if they don't become a size four)


But I do wonder if there is a ligitimate correlation between poverty and obesity. In past years, people have started working longer hours for less money. These people seem to struggle paying for health insurance and saving for their kid's college tuition (not to meantion all of the other monthly bills). Many families in this kind of position, seem stuck on the "Wal-Mart" budget, where they can't exactly afford to go to the health store and buy more expensive/healthier foods. You often see these people getting home from work at 6 or 7 at night and having a fridge full of "prepackaged, working class foods", that just aren't very healthy.

If America's "working class" was better paid and worked less hours, do you think we would see less problems with obesity in this country?

Answer 1

Healthy food costs more than cheap food. Foods that are processed and high in sugars and fat (like boxed macaroni and cheese or Top Ramen noodles) are cheap. As are hotdogs and bologna. Cheap bread is white bread, void of nutrition. A healthier choice is whole wheat bread, more expensive. Ditto for fresh fruits and vegetables and lean, quality meats. Bottom line : you can feed a family cheaper with cheap food that's bad for you.

Answer 2

I think if people stopped taking in 2-3 times the calories they burn they wouldn't be obese. And you mention prepackaged, working class food--food of convenience I take it? How hard is it to bring a ziploc of granola and an apple to work for breakfast? I think if people put more thought into what and how much they eat then 65% of this country wouldn't be overweight. I've been told weight management is 85% diet. The average person burns 1700-2300 calories in 24 hours just sitting around. I agree, I'm not someone to blame others, I just feel as though we're pointing the finger at everyone for this epidemic when we should look more at personal responsibility.

Not to get on a soap box and avoid the better portion of the question... Correlation? Let me ask this, how is it that only in America the poor people are fat? Go to any country outside the U.S., the ratio of overweight to healthy weight is dramatically lower. I've spent a lot of time in South West/Central Asia. I ocassionally see overweight people, but have yet to see anyone obese--anything even remotely comparable to what I see on a daily basis back in the states. On a side note, I will say that in my opinion if people were better paid and less worked there'd be a lot more stronger, happier families. Less enstranged, alienated youth. Less stress related problems. My two cents anyway...

Answer 3

There is a correlation between poverty and obesity. Rather, the correlation is between poverty and poor overall health, not always full out obesity. The threads that tie the two together are Lack of Education and Lack of Funds.
People who are on the lowest rungs of our society are often not aware of the proper ways to nourish their bodies. They do not know or understand the link between high fat, processed foods and poor overall health.
Also, poverty is a state of having a lack of proper funds for your life. If you have a low amount of money, you are not going to be shopping at the natural foods/ organic section of the grocery store when it is much more affordable to grab a value meal at the local drive thru.

People need to be educated more about the dangers of their diet and the benefits of eating well, and they need to have healthy options that are available to them. Until these two things happen we will continue to see a rise in the overall health problems in our country.

Answer 4

I do think there's a correlation in many cases. Check the price difference between foods like ramen noodles, macaroni and cheese, and Little Debbie snack cakes versus anything labeled as so-called "health food". In fact, go to a health food specialty store and check out the astronomical prices. The poor don't shop there. The typical poverty-level diet is jammed full of carbohydrates and "empty calories" and is practically guaranteed to pack on the pounds.

Answer 5

I think so. I work 6 days a week just to make almost 400 dollars every two weeks. And I am not skinny and not close to it. I don't even have a car, let alone money for expensive health food.

Answer 6

Probably. But the thing is then less work would get done because they would be losing money from the higher wages and they would be losing time. So prices would have to go up...lol ok maybe thats overthinking a bit

Answer 7

People who have less money usually eat fatty foods because they are cheaper and more filling. they also are less driven to live a better life because they are limited to a budget and must stick to it to survive.They also have a higher rate of depression.which sometimes makes a person eat more.

Answer 8

The correlation between poverty and obesity is depression and stress.

Answer 9

people who are living at the poverty level or below do not have the income to buy the more expensive foods that contain reduced/less fat and fewer calories.

Answer 10

Well, since less hours would allow for more time for more healthful activities, then probably.