Obesity Epidemic in the United States
Wealth and Obesity
Income influences your diet!
Your economic, social, and environmental living factors influence your diet which may influence obesity rates in the U.S. Behind tobacco use, obesity has become the second leading preventable cause of death in the nation. There is typically a relationship between minority and low socioeconomic groups who face higher risks of obesity (Beydoun & Wang, 2007).
Obesity Prevalence in Populations
Studies have shown a relationship between households falling in the lower-income quantile, less educated, and minority groups such as non-Hispanic Black, Mexican-Americans, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders with higher risks of obesity (Bao, Chaloupka, Mirtcheva, Powell, & Slater, 2006).
Additionally, a relationship between African American, Asian, and Hispanic neighborhoods exists. These areas have substantially fewer chain supermarkets compared to White neighborhoods.
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Fewer chain supermarkets mean less health-conscious food choices which may lead to increased obesity rates (Beydoun & Wang, 2007).
Higher Risk Areas
Your income, and environment plays a huge role of your everyday choices. The higher risk populations of obesity mentioned typically have less access to health-conscious food availability.
Current American society also "encourages" sedentary behaviors with larger portions of food at a lower cost with a reduced energy expenditure of work at home. All of which aids obesity development (Beydoun & Wang, 2007).
Get Active!
To maintain a healthy weight a balance between energy consumption and energy expenditure must be met. Make healthful food choice, and exercise!
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Obesity prevention in school children should also be emphasized to implement healthy learning habits at a young age.
These differences may influence food preparation, eating practices, physical activity, and body weight for a healthier lifestyle! (Beydoun & Wang, 2007)
References for this Section
Beydoun, M. A, & Wang, Y. (2007). The obesity epidemic in the united states-gender, age, socioeconomic,
racial/ethnic, and geographic characteristics: A systematic review and meta-regression analysis. Epidemiologic Reviews, 29(1), 6-28. doi:10.1093/epirev/mxm007
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Powell, L. M., Slater, S., Mirtcheva, D., Bao, Y., & Chaloupka, F. J. (2006). Food store
availability and neighborhood characteristics in the United States. Preventive Medicine, 44(3), 189-195. doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2006.08.008