Poverty and Obesity

Poverty and obesity are both mention whenever the subject of one comes about. This is because they are closely. Some studies have proven that obesity is the result of poverty.  This same idea has trickled down to children in schools. According to Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), competitive foods are widely available in U.S. public schools (2010). Competitive foods are defined as those foods and beverages available or sold outside of the federally-reimbursed school meals programs (FRAC, 2010). This means that the food served in U.S. public school have an impact on the health status of the students that attend these schools. Competitive foods are known to be energy-dense and nutrient poor. The only result from energy- dense and nutrient poor foods is fat. An increase of fat will lead to obesity.

         The distribution of competitive foods has a larger impact on low-income families. “If students from families with limited budgets eat less healthy competitive foods instead of a free or reduced-price school meal that meets nutrition standards, they lose out nutritionally in a much bigger way than their more affluent peers who make the same kind of choices” (FRAC, 2010, pp. 4). The pressure from peers may contribute to the obesity factor as well. Students are well aware of those who eat school lunches and those that do not. The Food Research and Action Center have found Children from low-income families must choose between spending money they can afford and singling themselves out by forgoing competitive foods (2010).

The FRAC is doing a great job of researching low income families and the issues that they face with food. Obesity and poverty are being looked at more and more closely as research has proven they have a strong correlation. It is also interesting that other research contradicts what the FRAC is saying. This is going to be an ongoing issue until a solution has been created.

References

Food Research and Action Center(2010). Competitive Foods. Retrieved from http://frac.org/newsite/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/cnr05_competitivefoods.pdf