Obesity is a leading public health problem in the United States.

Obesity rates have doubled

since the 1970s. Obesity has many physiological, psychological, and social problems. It causes a
decrease in life expectancy and a poor quality of life. Many of the psychological and social problems
contribute to an eating disorder which in turn leads to a greater BMI.
Obesity is a complex condition. It has biological, genetic, behavioral, social, cultural, and
environmental influences. Obesity among adults and children primarily result from individual
behaviors and environmental factors that contribute to excess caloric intake and inadequate amounts
of physical activity. People who have a low-income and/or food insecure face additional challenges.
Factors that contribute to an excess of caloric intake include: an increase in the consumption of
sugar-sweetened beverages, an increase in snaking, larger portion sizes, high calorie-dense foods,
larger amount of foods purchased away from home, exposure to advertising that encourages
unhealthy foods, and value meals at fast food restaurants. Some factors that contribute to an
inadequate amount of physical activity include: computers, increased media use, motorized
transportation, limited recreation facilities, and limited opportunities for physical activity.
Physiological problems that result from obesity include: diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high
blood pressure, various types of diseases, asthma, sleep apnea, arthritis, chronic back pain, mobility
limitations, various types of cancer, reproductive complications, pregnancy related complications,
poor health-related quality of life, increased mortality, decreased life expectancy, and increased risk
of hospitalization. Some of the psychological complications resulting from obesity include:
depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, feelings of worthlessness, body dissatisfaction, disordered
eating, substance use, peer victimization, negative stereotyping, behavior problems, poor academic
performance, school absenteeism, social discrimination, employer discrimination, and work
impairment.
There have been many myths about the relationship between poverty and obesity. A common
myth was that virtually all low-income people are more likely to be obese. In this they overlooked
two facts; The relationship between weight and income can vary by gender, age, and race. The
distinction by income seems to be weakening over time. According to a national study form 1986-
2002; those with low wages had an increased BMI, body mass index, along with an increased chance
of obesity. Women in industrialized countries with a lower SES, social economic status, were more
likely to have a larger body size. This relationship was found to be less consistent for men. White and
Black women with lower income levels experienced higher BMI. Black and Mexican-American men
experienced higher BMI within a higher income level. Obesity was found to be higher in lower
income and education groups but the rate of increase in obesity was faster for higher income and
education groups. Obesity rates for all children increased 10 percent between 2003-2007 but an
increase of 23 percent for low-income children. Low-income children are more than two times likely
to be obese.
Obesity rates have increased within both the poor and the non-poor. The relationship between
obesity and poverty appears to no longer exist. National data from over 30 years suggests that there
is a weakening association between SES and obesity in children.
Food insecure people are vulnerable to obesity because they are engulfed with unique
challenges concerning adopting healthy behaviors. Commonly in low-income neighborhoods they
experience the need for complete-service grocery stores. When these stores are available the healthy
food is quite often more expensive. In the lower-income neighborhoods, fast food restaurants are
more readily available. These neighborhoods generally dont have well maintained and safe
recreation facilities. This causes a lack of opportunities for physical activity. Some low-income
people, generally mothers, eat less or skip meals to stretch their budget for food. With this they may
overeat when the food does become available, which can cause weight gain. Low-income families
can experience high levels of stress due to the financial and emotional pressures of food insecurity, a
low-paying job, transportation, housing, and neighborhood safety. Research has linked stress to
obesity in both adults and youth. Stress can lead to weight gain through stress-induced hormonal and
metabolic changes along with unhealthy eating behaviors. Stress can also trigger anxiety and
depression which is associated with obesity. The low-income adults and children are more
commonly exposed to advertising for obesity-promoting products. This quite often encourages the
consumption of unhealthful food and has an influence on the preferences, diets, and purchases of
children. Another factor is that many low-income people do not have access to health care and if they
do it is generally of a lower quality. This can cause a lack of diagnosis of health problems such as
obesity.
More than 66 percent of U.S. adults are overweight or obese. Obesity tends to emerge more
in the South and Midwest, and generally increases with age. Some percentages concerning
overweight or obesity in adults are: For Black women, 82 percent, for Hispanic women, 77.2 percent,
for White women, 63.2 percent, for Hispanic men, 78.6 percent, for Black men, 69.2 percent, for
White men, 71.4 percent. Over half of Black women are obese, 37.1 percent of Black men are obese,
and 32.8 percent of White women are obese. The risk for obesity tends to rise as immigrants become
accustomed to the American diet and health behaviors.
Obesity rates are increasing more rapidly and tend to be higher among African-American and
Hispanic children than Caucasian. One fourth of 2-5 year-olds are overweight or obese, one third of
school age children are overweight or obese, and about 30 percent of preschoolers who are in a low-
income level are overweight or obese.
Expanding access to subsidized meals may be the most effective tool to use in combating
obesity in poor children. The federal nutrition programs have an important role in the prevention of
obesity. Those who participate in federally-funded school meals are more likely to have a lower
BMI. School breakfast provides students with a better diet quality and is associated with a lower
BMI. Economists have estimated that free or reduced lunch reduces obesity rates by 17 percent.
The research concludes that a low SES does not cause higher obesity rates but there is a
slight correlation given the circumstances. There are federal programs that are combating the issue of
obesity. But the fact still remains that obesity has many physiological and psychological effects that
are detrimental. Obesity in the United States is a leading health problem.