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Hunger and Obesity: The Link
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Obesity is a form of malnutrition that has grown to frightening proportion in not only our nation, but in Ohio,
as well. In fact, Ohio has the 4th highest incidence of overweight high school students in the nation at 13.9%
and the 33rd highest incidence of overweight low-income children (ages 2-5) at 11.1%.5
We all too often see the sad paradox that hunger and obesity can coexist in the same household -- and in the same
child.
Obesity is on the rise for a multitude of reasons -- more sedentary lifestyles, less physical activity, enticing
vending machines filled with unhealthy snacks, increased television and computer usage, and larger portion sizes.
Sadly, low-income families facing hunger and food insecurity not only deal with these barriers, they are faced
with additional, daunting challenges. Low-income neighborhoods often lack full-service grocery stores where more
healthful foods are likely to be found. Rather, these communities house local convenience stores where high-fat
and high-calorie foods are more readily available than healthy fruits, vegetables and low-fat snacks. Further,
healthy foods are often cost-prohibitive for low-income families as they are considerably more expensive. Families
struggle to balance their household budget, which is particularly difficult with the increased cost of utilities
and other necessities, which makes choosing less expensive and less nutritious foods an easier decision.
The lack of resources to purchase adequate food that is experienced by many low-income families contributes
to obesity in additional ways. Many families often face food shortages throughout the year, such as at the end
of the month, when food stamp benefits are depleted. Therefore, families will tend to overeat when food is available
resulting in physiological changes that help the body conserve energy to compensate for recurring food shortages
by storing calories as fat. This "yo-yo" dieting, when repeated over time, can lead to weight gain; increasing
the risk of becoming overweight or obese.
Further escalating the struggle against obesity, children living in low-income communitiesoften lack safe places
to play and exercise. Minimal physical activity combined with adiet high in fat and calories can create an energy
imbalance putting children in furtherrisk for obesity.6
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Poverty –> Hunger –> Obesity
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Low-income families face:
- Lack of full service grocery stores
- Abundance of convenience stores with high-fat and high-calore foods
- Healthy fruits, vegetables and low-fat snacks are often cost prohibitive
- Lack of safe place to play and/or be physically active
- Minimal open space in low-income communities
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