Obesity Discussion Forums

[Obebuster]

I used to read that obesity is more prevalent among lower class. But the recent report stated that the rate of obesity increase is the highest among the middle and upper middle class now.

I wonder how the current economy (recession) is affecting obesity. I read that people are buying less from whole food or organice food stores since they are too expensive.

Do you think that current recession will make people more obese?

[SheaGrl]

Thanks for sharing! Where did you read the study? Even though the largest rate of increase is in the middle and upper class, the overall obesity number might still be the highest amongst those with the least money. However, I have a haunch that over time the numbers might even out a bit more because obesity doesn't discriminate.

[Obebuster]

SheaGrl, You are probably right that overall obesity number might be still the highest among the lower income family.

I wonder whether they are referring to overweight? obese? or morbidly obese.

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by Obebuster

Do you think that current recession will make people more obese?

I believe so.

My guess is that the quality of food intake will decrease, with increasing numbers of people turning to cheap food with tons of empty calories, while the amount of activity will also decrease as the amount of discretionary income declines.

[monique]

I think people are finally starting to worry about the quality of their food now that there are more options available. Now that all the major grocery stores (in California anyway) have at least a few Organic products, people are wondering why it's worth more to buy organic, and hopefully will look into the health concerns of pesticides and herbicides in food. I also think that as more and more people become obese everyone will have to start taking health more seriously. Things can't go on like this forever because consumers are going to wonder why they feel hungry and tired all the time, and start thinking about whether their food is just empty calories.

Of course there are people like me who are morbidly obese even though they buy organic and were raised on "health food!" But usually we don't have as many health problems. Once you KNOW what healthy eating is, you just need a little kick in the pants to actually do it and have reasonable portions as well! For me it was wanting to start a family, for many it's being diagnosed with a health problem. The good thing about the "epidemic" of obesity is that's it's curable! And personally I think if people eat better they will see their health improve even if they stay obese.

~Monique

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by Obebuster

I used to read that obesity is more prevalent among lower class. But the recent report stated that the rate of obesity increase is the highest among the middle and upper middle class now.

I wonder how the current economy (recession) is affecting obesity. I read that people are buying less from whole food or organice food stores since they are too expensive.

Do you think that current recession will make people more obese?

Just curious, could you post a link to the report? I'd be curious to read this, as historically you are correct, there is a correlation between poverty levels and obesity.

[serge]

Yep. I agree that current recession will make people more obese. Countries I lived in shows this tendency. And it is logic in some way

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by Obesity Discussion

Just curious, could you post a link to the report? I'd be curious to read this, as historically you are correct, there is a correlation between poverty levels and obesity.

Paging Obebuster! Paging Obebuster!

[Obebuster]

I can't seem to find the report I read when I wrote the first post. But here is a similiar info.

Obesity a growing problem among affluent - Fitness- msnbc.com

[Obesity Discussion]

Good link, thanks! I am surprised to see the jump, however, if they're going off the same same salary levels from 1972 to 2002, well, $60k might have been upper class in 1972, but it's middle class in 2002. I have a feeling that by using comparative salaries they're comparing different classes.

[used2be]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post! I tend to also think that obesity is linked to poverty. I know it is for me. Everyone in my household got laid off this year and we've had to scrape by. Here's my line of thinking. Produce for a nice salad will probably run you around ten bucks but a box of mac & cheese, $1.92. Sometimes when you have to take what you can get your hips pay for it. Then, in turn, you just veg out because you're eating cheaper and less nutritional foods. No energy, no motivation.

[justme]

There have been studies done that show McDonalds does better in depressed areas so I imagine that in a depressed economy that they would have more people going there as well as other fast food restaurants so that could be something to consider

[monique]

I managed to lose weight on a "poverty diet" of $20 a week worth of groceries back in grad school. I lived off beans, rice and tortillas mostly. But I was also hungry all the time and only having one meal a day some days. I'm VERY happy and thankful to be able to afford healthy foods right now!

~Monique

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by used2be

Hi everyone,

This is my first post! I tend to also think that obesity is linked to poverty. I know it is for me. Everyone in my household got laid off this year and we've had to scrape by. Here's my line of thinking. Produce for a nice salad will probably run you around ten bucks but a box of mac & cheese, $1.92. Sometimes when you have to take what you can get your hips pay for it. Then, in turn, you just veg out because you're eating cheaper and less nutritional foods. No energy, no motivation.

You are so correct, but it's just not right. I wish the government would consider subsidizing healthy food by taxing crappy food so it became more affordable to the masses. The amount of money our healthcare system would then save from having a healthier population would be HUGE!

Originally Posted by justme

There have been studies done that show McDonalds does better in depressed areas so I imagine that in a depressed economy that they would have more people going there as well as other fast food restaurants so that could be something to consider

We have a number of studies here that discuss obesity and poverty....and you are very right.

Obesity in kids? -- see poverty line

Poor Adolescents More Likely To Be Overweight Today Than 30 Years Ago

Poorer Older Teenagers Fatter Than Well Off Teenagers, USA

Experts: Poor teens need help to fight obesity

Poverty May Increase Teen Obesity Risk

Poverty and the extent of child obesity in Canada, Norway and the United States

Originally Posted by monique

I managed to lose weight on a "poverty diet" of $20 a week worth of groceries back in grad school. I lived off beans, rice and tortillas mostly. But I was also hungry all the time and only having one meal a day some days. I'm VERY happy and thankful to be able to afford healthy foods right now!

~Monique

As I mentioned above, it's such a shame that healthy food costs so much more to eat. Having access to foods that make you healthier shouldn't be a luxury.

[SentinelBasch]

Originally Posted by StudPuppy

The amount of money our healthcare system would then save from having a healthier population would be HUGE!

You know, I looked into this once, because I was just curious to see how much of a difference there actually was. It surprised me to learn that an average obese individual actually incurs LESS healthcare expenses over the course of their lifetime than a healthy weight individual. Why? Because their lives are shorter - only about 5-10 years less on average, but it's enough to make a difference on average expenses.

I agree that people with more money have more options for healthier eating, but I have lived on both sides of the spectrum, and you can eat healthy regardless of your budget. Buying produce in season, eating legumes, buying in bulk - there are plenty of ways that people can eat healthy on practically any budget, if they're really motivated to do it.

[Jasmine130]

Originally Posted by SentinelBasch

I agree that people with more money have more options for healthier eating, but I have lived on both sides of the spectrum, and you can eat healthy regardless of your budget. Buying produce in season, eating legumes, buying in bulk - there are plenty of ways that people can eat healthy on practically any budget, if they're really motivated to do it.

I tend to agree with you, Nick. If we are motivated enough, I think we can find healthy foods at good prices. We have a Foodsco nearby, which is a lower-scale grocery chain. Their produce there is GREAT, there's a huge variety, and the prices are very low.

Granted, this is California, where there is produce in abundance, year round. We have community gardens, and individuals whose overabundance of garden delights prompts them to give same to church-based food pantries. I've done this myself when my tomatoes and cucumbers took over my backyard and I canned and froze and still couldn't keep up .
Our yard now is mostly shaded with huge trees and only a small portion of our property receives enough sun to grow vegetables, so I grow a few and then we are shareholders in CSA (community supported agriculture) which supports family, organic farms in the Bay Area. They deliver boxes of produce to our patio, and we can also go to the farms and pick our own.

On the other hand, I have been in Minneapolis in the dead of winter and bought winter vegetables in the downtown farmer's market. I've walked through Boston in all seasons and at the end of the day, was gifted with free fruits and vegetables that vendors didn't want to pack up and haul back.

I have a friend who is part of a food distribution network, and the foods she receives there for her and her disabled daughter are abundant in fresh fruits and vegetables. This same friend has shared with me that when she was living in a family shelter, the kitchen and pantry were always well-stocked with healthy choices, but many of the families elected to go out to McDonald's rather than eat the food in the shelter. Their reasoning was, their children would not eat the healthier foods, they wanted the chicken mcnuggets, soda, fries, etc.

I think there are several issues at hand here, cheap, addictive foods being one of them, and parental education being another.

[Boxerbaby]

I can only offer my experience on this one. Back in November my husband and I were both laid off and had about 5000$ of vet bills in a matter of months and we actually started eating healthier. (We are both working again thankfully). The reason we ended up eating healthier was because we stopped eating out. It was MUCH cheaper to go to the grocery store than it was to a resturaunt. Plus not working we had more time to grocery shop lol. I think just like there are many reasons why a person becomes obese, there may be many different effects on obesity due to the economy.

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by SentinelBasch

You know, I looked into this once, because I was just curious to see how much of a difference there actually was. It surprised me to learn that an average obese individual actually incurs LESS healthcare expenses over the course of their lifetime than a healthy weight individual. Why? Because their lives are shorter - only about 5-10 years less on average, but it's enough to make a difference on average expenses.

Just curious, where did you get that information from?

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by Jasmine130

I think there are several issues at hand here, cheap, addictive foods being one of them, and parental education being another.

I think education is one of the most important aspects here.....even more important that the quality of food available.

Originally Posted by Boxerbaby

I can only offer my experience on this one. Back in November my husband and I were both laid off and had about 5000$ of vet bills in a matter of months and we actually started eating healthier. (We are both working again thankfully). The reason we ended up eating healthier was because we stopped eating out. It was MUCH cheaper to go to the grocery store than it was to a resturaunt. Plus not working we had more time to grocery shop lol. I think just like there are many reasons why a person becomes obese, there may be many different effects on obesity due to the economy.

I think a lot of people don't realize how much cheaper it is to cook at home. The big deterrent is the extra time it takes, especially with more dual working households, people living far away from jobs and cities getting spread out, etc.

[SentinelBasch]

Originally Posted by Obesity Discussion

Just curious, where did you get that information from?

For the life expectancy bit, a study was done by Oxford University with 900,000 men and women over the course of 10-15 years. The study showed that moderate obesity, which is the most common type, reduces life expectancy by an average of 3 years. Severe obesity, which is not as common, can shorten a person's life span by up to 10 years. There is a link to the study here:

Moderate obesity takes years off life expectancy - University of Oxford

For the other bit about healthcare costs, what it boils down to is that while healthcare costs associated with obesity are high, they are not as high as conditions associated with the elderly in general. A study was published by the Public Library of Science. The conclusion was as follows:

Although effective obesity prevention leads to a decrease in costs of obesity-related diseases, this decrease is offset by cost increases due to diseases unrelated to obesity in life-years gained. Obesity prevention may be an important and cost-effective way of improving public health, but it is not a cure for increasing health expenditures.

There's a link to the study here:

PLoS Medicine: Lifetime Medical Costs of Obesity: Prevention No Cure for Increasing Health Expenditure