For the past few decades, we have seen obesity become an increasingly important issue in America and is overwhelmingly effecting people in more poverty dense areas of the country. Over the past few decades, we have also seen a major rise in corporate fast-food establishments. These are places that serve relatively cheap, and unhealthy food, and I believe they are a big reason that America is dealing with an obesity problem.
According to an article published in the National Institute of Health (NIH), James Levine, shows that counties that have a poverty rate of larger than 35% have an obesity rate that is 145% higher than the rate in wealthy counties. This shows that there is a clear link between poverty and obesity. In another article published in the NIH, Michael Mireku shows that in the lowest income quintile the rate of obesity is 12.3% compared to the highest quintile where the rate of obesity is 3.7%. If someone has less money, they are more likely to eat worse, and deal with the health effects that come with that.
Right now, in America there are over 204,000 fast-food restaurants in America according to IBISworld. There are also only 63,000 supermarkets in America according to IBISworld. This means there are over three fast-food restaurants to every one supermarket in America. For a lot of people fast-food restaurants are just more accessible. Eating at a fast-food restaurant is also quicker than going to get groceries and cooking. A lot of people that are impoverished have to work multiple jobs, meaning they might not have time to buy groceries and cook for themselves or their family.
There is also a clear link between people that eat a lot of fast-food, and obesity. Fast-food isn’t the only reason America is dealing with an obesity problem, but it is a good reason. Fast-food, obesity and poverty all rely on each other. If people had more money, they would be able to cook for themselves, and eat less fast-food. If people eat less fast-food, people would be healthier
If we want to deal with America’s obesity problem we have to deal with poverty. I’m not arguing the government should tell people how to eat, but I think they should do something about the lack of healthy eating options a lot of impoverished people have.
Mark Warren can be reached at [email protected]
Mira
YES! Everything about this: yes! I think we also need to find the reason for high food costs?? Considering the amount of food waste in the US alone, why are we racking up healthy food prices, knowing it’s just going to result in MORE perfectly good products being thrown out? The current system is all intertwined to keep those in poverty in states of poor health and poverty. A vicious cycle! If you have 5 kids, buying 5 happy meals is cheaper than buying groceries in some homes. Why???