Study looks at links between poverty and obesity
A recent study looking at the links between poverty and obesity shows that a lack of food isn’t necessarily to blame.
Previous research has suggested that poor children weren’t getting nutritious food and instead ate junk food, such as hot dogs. Or that children may have eaten well when money was available, but would skip meals when cash was short, a cycle that could slow their metabolism and cause them to gain weight.
By challenging those theories, the researchers hope to encourage more research into the issue. Some studies show that nearly one third of American children ages 10-17 are overweight or obese, and that nearly 40 percent of those kids are from low-income households.
Brenda Lohman, a co-author of the study, said the high number of overweight low-income kids is a public health concern.
“Understanding why the rates are so high …. is needed,” she said.
The study, which will be published in the February issue of the Journal of Nutrition, only looked at children who were overweight.
After teaching in poverty stricken areas of the city for four years it never seemed that a lack of food was to blame for obesity. In my experience, a lack of nutritious food, and a lack of exercise seemed to be the cause for the large numbers of obese children. Kids who were eligible for free school breakfasts and lunches (which weren’t all that nutritious to begin with) often brought in their own food- primarily potato chips, cookies, fruit drinks that contained no fruit juice, and fast food. I’m curious to read the study in its entirety to see what the researchers found.
My StumbleUpon Page
January 23rd, 2008 at 3:59 pm
[...] Jackie added an interesting post on Study looks at links between poverty and obesity.Here’s a small excerpt:After teaching in poverty stricken areas of the city for four years it never seemed that a lack of food was to blame for obesity. In my experience, a lack of nutritious food, and a lack of exercise seemed to be the cause for the large … [...]