Obesity and Poverty

Watching the national and local news, all I've been hearing about is the U.S. economic downturn and the struggle to overcome it. Especially in my state, we've been hit hard by this and are feeling the effects daily. One thing people are unaware of is the effects it has on our children and our bodies.

State officials are questioning the correlation between obesity and poverty. Recent studies prove this trend. The Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, & Dance (JOPERD) published a report which was issued by the Trust for America's Health (TFAH). and was titled "F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies Are Failing in America, 2007," and claimed that obesity appears to have some correlation with the poverty rate. It went on to explain that "Eight of the 10 states with the highest poverty rates are in the South, which led other regions in its obesity rate for adults (10 of the 15 states with the highest rates). The South also had the highest rates of overweight children, accounting for eight of the top 10 states."

According to an article "Obesity, Poverty Linked" issued in the Arizona Daily Star on September 3, 2007, a study published by the University Of Washington found a direct correlation between obesity and ZIP codes and property values. "It specifically showed that each $100,000 increase in the median price of a home in a given ZIP code was accompanied by a two percent decrease in obesity rates. Obesity rates reached 30 percent in areas with the lowest property values but were just 5 percent in more affluent ZIP codes. Researchers concluded area prosperity is a good indicator of access to healthy foods and opportunities for exercise."

The proof is there and now it's time for state governments to realize this issue needs to be addressed. Naturally there is lack of funding in public schools because of low family income. Many schools are then forced to cut back. When there are cut backs, physical education programs are taken away. In these areas, children are also limited to physical activities at home because of the unsafe neighborhoods. Parks and local playgrounds are not safe for children to be in and after school programs are not an option because of costs. On a state level, we must find ways to make sure nutritional options are enforced and that every school has the support needed for physical education programs to be retained and expanded. Parents need to be educated to encourage healthy habits and options. There are many physical activities children can do in their homes. Every step we take and every influence we make in the lives of our children will help in the fight against obesity.