Obesity Tied To Economic Status
Some of the fattest people in America are among the poorest. And with food prices rising, the problem is likely to get worse.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture predicting food prices will be up 4.5 percent throughout the year, due to high fuel costs, weather problems, and the growing diversion of corn crops to make ethanol. Globally, prices will rise nearly 50 percent, according to the president's Council of Economic Advisers.
"The food crisis will make obesity and attendant diabetes even more rampant," said University of Washington epidemiologist Adam Drewnowski. "Fruits, vegetables and fish are becoming luxury goods completely out of reach of many people. Consumption of cheap food will only grow. "Obesity is the toxic consequence of a failing economy."
While more people from every economic background are becoming obese around the world, the poor are still outpacing the better-off.
A recent U.S. Department of Health and Human Services study found that women in poverty were roughly 50 percent more likely to be obese than those with higher socioeconomic status.
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Health
Obesity
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