Health

Teen obesity more prevalent among low-income families

by anamika.mis15 | December 10, 2008 at 10:01 pm

942 views | 14 Recommendations | 11 comments

A study released on wednesday presents the strange picture of obese problem in childrens.According to new study obese problems found in low income families,46%-49% of low income teens prefer eating fast food junks.

Children from low-income households are nearly three times more likely to be obese as children from affluent households in California, according to a new study released on Wednesday.

    Statewide, 21 percent of teens living in low-income families are obese, compared to 8 percent of teens from more affluent families, researchers at the University of California in Los Angeles said in the study.

    "Low-income" was defined as having an income of less than 19,971 U.S. dollars for a family of four or 12,755 dollars for a family of two, according to federal poverty guidelines, while "more affluent" was defined making more than 59,913 dollars for a family of four or 38,256 dollars for a family of two.

    There are about 480,000 obese adolescents from all income levels in California, according to the report.

    The researchers blamed the disparity in obesity on a higher intake of sugary soda and fast food, fewer opportunities to participate in organized sports, more television watched, and less general physical activity.

    High numbers of fast-food restaurants and low numbers of parks in poorer neighborhoods contribute to the problem.

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Amitjha

at 01:40 on December 11th, 2008

well this is bit strange, perceived notion of linking obesity with richness has been invalidiated by the survey.

anamika.mis15

at 01:58 on December 11th, 2008

yup,its really strange that low families childrens becoming obese.

Paschen

at 02:23 on December 11th, 2008

It is actually not strange at all. It all is linked to proper nutrition, good food and balanced diets do cost more where as junk food is cheeper. Further come Parental supervision into play.

Rhonda J Mangus

at 02:25 on December 11th, 2008

I'm not sure that I agree with the findings, but thanks for the story.

KaushiK™

at 03:12 on December 11th, 2008

junk food is cheaper. proper healthy things come from big companies and costs more. the cost of consulting a good doctor is also on the rise. consulting a professional dietician is equally costly and also not much practiced outside the major metros. For parental supervision, the parents also need to be equipped with the right kind of education and not just university degrees. In India, the middle class are their own doctors, hence most diseases are detected at later stages. Most people go to pharmacies and get their own prescribed meds for themselves. And, we all know about side effects of medicines, but we talk about it more rather than taking precautions and seeing a doctor.

The middle class is in the middle of government hospitals offering cheap facilities and costly nursing homes. The hospitals appear dirty to them, and nursing homes appear too costly. Hence health is in the compromised scenario. Obesity can lead to many other complications, but we are hardly aware. If doctors discuss it on television and try to increase awareness, then we start our own diagnosis.

anamika.mis15

at 03:58 on December 11th, 2008

The nutrition divide is growing day by day, people are dying on both the extrems, wheter either because of excess or shortage.The calories are going in waste, we cannot blame Genes or system for this waste.

Miriam Mannak

at 03:40 on December 11th, 2008

Malnutrition comes in a different appearance these days. Because being obese does not mean you are well fed as the condition goes hand in hand with eating too many refined foods, too much fat, too much sodium and too little healthy stuff. That is because a portion of fries or crisps is often cheaper then a healthy sandwich and a KFC fiesta is cheaper then providing your family a hea;lthy meal with fresh veggies, fruit and other goodness. So what to do if you do not have a lot of money?

I also think that people are not as creative as they used to be when it comes to money and food.

anamika.mis15

at 04:00 on December 11th, 2008

we are detatched from nature, partcularly when it comes to food resourses, in the name of preserving we intake chemicals , not meant for human consumption.We are driven by market, let us see how long and far we can go by this kind of dietry regime.

shubhangid

at 03:53 on December 11th, 2008

I agree with You Kaushik..Good comment.

as far as Malnutrition concern money is not the only reason .There might be lot of reasons behind this.

Miriam Mannak

at 04:54 on December 11th, 2008

I am not saying money is the only reason for malnutrition, but it is an important factor. Have a look in shops - fresh veggies are more expensive then frozen or canned veggies, olive oil more expensive then margarine, brown or whole weat bread more expensive then white bread, smoked chicken more expensive then spam ... It is a proven fact that households with allow income simply do not have the means to provide a healthy and balanced meal.