Obesity and Low-Income Families

Approximately one in every six U.S. kids are obese, and, the most recent statistics, indicate that almost one in every three kids are obese, placing them at an elevated risk of health problems varying from diabetes to being intimidated at school. However, there exists a twinkle of better news. Nearly after two decades of theatrical growth, childhood obesity percentages are showing leveling off signs. State researchers have even indicated slight reductions among specific groups, resulting to some experts’ speculation that the endemic may have attained the high-water mark. It is however worrying that obesity is being associated with socio-economic status; this is according to research studies.

Obesity normally has been a huge problem amongst kids from low-income family units, and fresh evidence suggests percentages may be decreasing more slowly, or even not in any way, in this populace. Federal analysis of mostly low-income families kids has not indicated similar declines amongst 2- to 5-year-olds as found in more broad national surveys, surely, the weight of the obesity endemic is carried by kids in low-income populations. A recent study that appeared in the May journal Pediatrics issue shows the latest confirmation that less well-off kids are faring worse in obesity. According to researchers, the decrease was more pronounced amongst kids with non-Medicaid healthiness insurance than between those on Medicaid, the state-funded health strategy for low-income family units (CNN Health 2).

According to research carried out by Los Angeles UCLA Center for Health Policy Research it was confirmed that obesity rates rated by income, and that children  whose family incomes are under the poverty line, their obesity rates have increased, and not just faintly, but rather radically. The health insurance is an indicator, for some of the causal explanations for this disparity, for instance, the family setting, ways the parents provide for the kids, how they regulate or check the child’s consumption or physical activity. Contrasting to extra affluent kids, children on Medicaid could be less probable to reside in neighborhoods that they can play and keep fit safely outside, and their parents are less expected to contact supermarkets offering fresh and healthy foods. Additionally, the researches states that lower-income caretakers who work full-time or operate more than one job could have reduced time of being physically active and less likely advance this kind of healthy manners for their children. Therefore due to these tight times it is easier and cheaper to depend on fast foods compared to purchasing and preparing fresh food (CNN Health 2).

Lack of exercise chances and accessibility to healthy foods are surely part of the story. However, those behaviors that add to obesity frequently occur alongside a backdrop of bodily and mental challenges that could make weight monitoring an afterthought. Big cities’ preschool-aged girls were found more probable to be overweight if they went through stressful incidents such as observing household aggression, their mother being depressed or taking alcohol or drugs, or residing in a questionable housing situation. Additionally, foods being offered in low-income learning institutions are not healthy and balanced as would be expected. Furthermore, students are encouraged to work hard and play less to pass their exams to access a better future. When we look at every one of these risk aspects in terms of hostility, and constantly moving around and depression definitely childhood obesity will be the least of the family’s concern. Therefore, we are discussing about families which are worried mostly about where they will reside, or rather whether there exist a safe place for them to stay, that obviously just makes it difficult (Institute of Medicine 3).

Kids from low-income family units are barely a monolithic population, and study suggests the relations among obesity and family earnings varies broadly by sexual category, age, civilization, and geographical area. In a 2006 research, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition observed that in several decades of nationwide data collection, obesity was evidently associated to socioeconomic status only amongst white girls. No reliable relationship was established amongst Mexican-American kids, and black teenage girls were probable to be overweight if originated from wealthy families. Experts concur that some development has been made in the struggle against infancy obesity. Encouraging signs amongst preschoolers was reported in nationwide surveys and this may reflect the extensive awareness paid to obesity in latest years. This is also attributed to Michelle Obama’s initiative of reducing the number of obese children in the US (PBS 1).

Among the most significant things that have occurred in the previous decade is a marvelous rise in public consciousness of the problem, as Madsen, a researcher who specializes in involvements targeting overweight kids. Environments are transforming, such that daycares and schools are more aware of the prevailing obesity issue than they were a few years ago. As part of continuing research, recently it was established that when lower-income children decrease their soda intake, they have a tendency to switch to juice and which is itself has high calories as compared to water (PBS 1).

Efforts to battle obesity in low-income family units will require to consider the additional confrontations these families undergo on a daily basis, thus the awareness should be something more than asking families to feed their kids healthy food. The government must increase awareness and also help in reducing the poverty which is associated with obesity.

Works Cited

CNN Health. “As childhood obesity improves, will kids in poverty be left behind? .com.” CNN. N.p., 2012. Web. 5 July 2014. <http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/01/health/childhood-obesity-poverty/>.

Institute of Medicine. “Infographic – Institute of Medicine.” IOM Home – Institute of Medicine. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 July 2014. http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2012/Accelerating-Progress-in-Obesity-Prevention/Infographic.aspx

PBS. “As Michelle Obama’s Anti-Obesity Push Turns 2, It’s Time for a Check-Up | The Rundown.” PBS NewsHour. N.p., 2012. Web. 5 July 2014. http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/second-anniversary-of-lets-move/