2. OBESITY AND POVERTY
When thinking about poverty in the 21st
century, would you assume that people are
more likely be obese or thin?
“The Census Bureau recently reported that the
nation’s poverty rate increased to 14.3 in
2009….the highest level we’ve seen since
1994” as well has obesity.
Arguments on what has increased these rates
are the way people eat and lack of grocery
stores, restricted options for exercise, or does
weight vary depending on gender, race, or age.
4. ARGUMENT ONE
According Institute of Natural Healing (INH), “poor
families have limited food budget and choices.”
People tend to purchase foods such as
sugars, cereals, potatoes, and processed meat
products because they are more affordable than
fresh food.
Increase of fruits and vegetables since 1985 to 2000
have increased by 40%.
Usually no fresh markets or grocery stores in low income places and according McGeeney and
Mendes, “30% are obese in low-income and lowaccess compared to 26% in neither.”
5. ARGUMENT 2
According to Lee Hegwig, “options for regular
physical can be restricted for poor people.”
Barriers such as unsafe neighborhoods, poor
access to parks and recreational activities, or air
pollution can limit physical activity.
“Low-income groups are 40% more likely to be
exposed to crime,” according to Active Living by
Design.
The availability of parks and recreational activities
in low income places is decreased by 50%
compared to high income neighborhoods.
Impoverished places more likely have air
pollutions, causes harder breathing for people.
6. ARGUMENT 3
Food Research and Action Center believes that it’s
the “relationship between income and weight can
vary by gender, race-ethnicity, or age.”
Low-income isn’t the only segment that has
increased in obesity, but also has for the wealthy.
Greater risk of obesity in in white women and
children than men, but higher rates in Mexican
American men (FRAC 1).
Children 6 to 19 years of age are found greater
obesity in low income families among white and
Mexican-American.
7. PROPOSED SOLUTIONS
Moving out of the low incomeneighborhoods.
Installation of more parks and fitness
facilities
Locating grocery stores and fresh
markets
Government should tax high processed
foods and lower healthy fruits and
vegetables
8. CONCLUSION
Three arguments: IHN believes that lack of
healthy food choices and eating fatty foods, Lee
Hegwig argues that it is the lack of options to
be able to exercise, and FRAC believes that it’s
age, gender, or race ethnicity.
Solutions proposed
With poverty rates rising at a higher
rates, obesity has done the same. So to
decrease obesity in poverty action needs to be
taken.
9. WORKS CITED
Hegwig, Lee. “Why Poverty Leads to Obesity and Life-Long Problems.” Scholars
Strategy Network. 2012 December. Web. 1 November 2013.
Income Category and the Percentage of Obese Adults. Graph. N.d. Economics of Obesity:
Why Poor People are Fat? IHN. Web. 27 October 2013.
“Low Income Populations and Physical Activity.” Active Living by Design. Web. 25
November 2013.
McGeeney, Kyley, and Elizabeth Mendes. “Income, Not “Food Deserts, More to Blame for
U.S. Obesity”. Gallup Wellbeing. 20 September 2013. Web. 17 October 2013.
10. WORKS CITED CONTINUED
Men Eating Soup and Bread During the Great Depression. Photograph. .N.d.
Economics of Obesity: Why Poor People are Fat?. INH. Web. 27 October
2013.
Michael Connors. “Homeless, Malnourished, and Obese.” Photograph.. N.d.
CRC: Health Group. Web. 25 November 2013.
“Relationship Between Poverty and Overweight or Obese.” FRAC. Food
Research and Action Center. 2010. Web. 27 October 2013
