Last Name 2 Student Name Ginger Alms English 101 March 20

Last Name 2student Nameginger Almsenglish 101 11526 March 2016the Rise

Last Name 2 student Name Ginger Alms English 101 11526 March 2016 The Rise of Obesity The rates of obesity have risen dramatically in the past 20 years. The kinds of food and ingredients that are put in our body are causing this epidemic to grow at a steady pace. Furthermore, this issue tends to be more prevalent in lower income households. The junk food that is made available for the poor are cheap, quick, and contain very unhealthy ingredients. The foods that are of high quality, however, are limited to those in the lower class.

Those in the lower class are subjected to a higher risk of obesity. In this annotated bibliography, I will be exploring facts from all points of view and using these sources to answer the question: Why are there higher rates of obesity in the lower class?

Paper For Above instruction

The growing epidemic of obesity over the past two decades has become a pressing public health concern, with a disproportionate impact on low-income communities. The intricate relationship between socioeconomic status, access to nutritious food, and health outcomes underscores the complexity surrounding higher obesity rates among economically disadvantaged populations. This paper delves into various perspectives and research findings to understand why obesity prevalence is elevated in lower-income groups and explores the multifaceted factors contributing to this disparity.

One prominent perspective emphasizes the role of the food industry and the availability of cheap, processed, and calorie-dense foods. Marc Ambinder (2010) highlights the influence of the food-industrial complex, which promotes high-calorie, low-nutrient foods accessible to the masses, especially the poor. The article from The Atlantic discusses how economic constraints limit healthier food choices, as budget-friendly options often contain unhealthy ingredients that contribute to weight gain. This perspective suggests that the structural features of the food environment disproportionately harm low-income individuals, who rely heavily on inexpensive options that are nutritionally poor (Ambinder, 2010).

Complementing this view, Sonia Caprio et al. (2008) examine the influence of race, ethnicity, and culture on childhood obesity, with socioeconomic status as a key factor. Their research demonstrates that children from lower SES backgrounds are at heightened risk of obesity due to various social determinants, including limited access to healthy foods and safe recreational spaces. The authors argue that environmental and cultural factors interact to exacerbate obesity rates among disadvantaged groups, emphasizing that socioeconomic barriers hinder preventive efforts and healthy lifestyles from a young age (Caprio et al., 2008).

However, counterarguments challenge the assumption that low-income populations can always afford healthy food. "Hunger Is a Serious Problem for America's Poor" (2004) sheds light on food insecurity and hunger among low-income households. The article explains that many impoverished families face difficult choices between food and bills, leading to reliance on inexpensive, calorie-rich foods to stave off hunger. This perspective underscores the paradox where poverty both limits access to nutritious options and increases dependence on processed foods that contribute to obesity (Poverty, 2004).

Further insights from Johannes Haushofer and Ernst Fehr (2014) analyze the psychological impacts of poverty, revealing how chronic financial stress impairs decision-making and self-control. Their research suggests that poverty not only influences physical access to healthy foods but also affects cognitive functions that may predispose individuals to overeating or poor health choices. This psychological perspective highlights that economic hardship has deep-rooted effects beyond mere food availability, influencing behaviors that promote obesity (Haushofer & Fehr, 2014).

Andrew Lecos (1985) focuses on the addictive nature of refined sugars in American diets. The article emphasizes how the food industry’s emphasis on sugar-laden products, which are cheap and highly palatable, promotes overconsumption. The addictive qualities of sugar contribute to obesity, especially among populations with limited access to healthier options. Lecos's perspective aligns with the idea that corporate practices and consumer habits perpetuate unhealthy eating patterns that disproportionately affect the poor (Lecos, 1985).

The broader context of obesity is explored in "Obesity" (1968), an encyclopedia entry that provides comprehensive background on the physiological, economic, and social factors involved. This resource offers foundational understanding and situates the issue within a global and historical framework, aiding in comprehending the multifaceted nature of obesity as a health crisis (Obesity, 1968).

Claudia D. O’Donnell (2009) investigates how politics and industry influence obesity rates, especially through the promotion of processed foods and dietary fads such as reduced-fat products. Her analysis underscores how economic interests of food manufacturers and regulatory policies shape the nutritional landscape, often at the expense of public health. This perspective demonstrates how systemic factors and commercial interests reinforce unhealthy eating patterns among low-income populations (O’Donnell, 2009).

Silja J. A. Talvi (2006) examines the prevalence of obesity in minority and impoverished communities, emphasizing the social and economic inequities that contribute to this health disparity. Her article discusses how structural inequalities, limited access to healthcare, and environmental factors lead to higher obesity rates in marginalized populations. Talvi’s work points to the intersectionality of race, poverty, and health, highlighting the need for targeted policy interventions (Talvi, 2006).

In sum, the multitude of perspectives and research findings illustrate that higher obesity rates among lower-income populations are rooted in a complex web of structural, economic, psychological, and cultural factors. Structural barriers like food deserts, targeted marketing by the food industry, and psychological impacts of poverty all combine to create conditions that predispose low-income individuals to obesity. Addressing this disparity requires multifaceted strategies that consider these diverse influences and promote equitable access to healthy foods and environments.

References

  • Ambinder, M. (2010). Beating Obesity. The Atlantic. https://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&sw=w&u=ecc_main&v=2.1&=r&id=GALE%7CA&asid=51bee16643d6912dbd747851b98db263
  • Caprio, S., et al. (2008). Influence of race, ethnicity, and culture on childhood obesity: implications for prevention and treatment. Diabetes Care, 31(11), 2211+.
  • Poverty. (2004). Hunger Is a Serious Problem for America's Poor. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ/OVIC?u=ecc_main&xid=51b0663
  • Haushofer, J., & Fehr, E. (2014). On the Psychology of Poverty. Science, 344(6186), 862–867. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1246491
  • Lecos, C. (1985). Our insatiable sweet tooth. FDA Consumer. https://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&sw=w&u=ecc_main&v=2.1&=r&id=GALE%7CA&asid=cbe6fccb4e8c1d7544ecf21f97b1b3a6
  • Obesity. (1968). In D. L. Sills (Ed.), International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences (Vol. 11, pp. 489–495). Macmillan.
  • O’Donnell, C. D. (2009). Obesity: politics to products. Prepared Foods. https://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&sw=w&u=ecc_main&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA&asid=e5e25c560497b2c4dfcd8c4cc84ced1a
  • Talvi, S. J. A. (2006). Obesity is a Serious Problem in Poor and Minority Communities. Obesity. https://go.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ/OVIC?u=ecc_main&xid=80bfe6b3

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