Obesity Linked to…the Lunch-Line?

I think in a way this proves what many people have been saying for a long time. That obesity is directly related to poverty. Of course, this doesn’t rule out the exception, there is obesity among the wealthy. But strong tendencies that can be proven by research scream for attention.

Researchers in Illinois found that correlation when they were looking for something else. The University of Illinois at Chicago study was trying to find out if city dwellers were less likely to be obese than rural folk. The idea behind this was that people in the city are more mobile and health related messages are more visible. But what the research found was that there was no measurable difference.

What they did find, though, is that the rate of obesity was higher among populations with lower income and educational attainment – by that they mean college graduates.

Here’s what got me thinking when I read this report, a large portion of the obesity rate is among children who live in poverty, and who therefore eat school-provided breakfast and lunch. What are we feeding our kids on the lunch-line?

Latinos and blacks are the most affected. So it isn’t sprawl, say the researchers. Heathjockey.com quoted Paul Metaxatos, UIC research assistant professor:

“Ambitious land use policies to address obesity may have little success with the low-income ethnic minorities who are most in need of assistance. Those in marginal, transportation-disadvantaged communities would benefit from better access to medical help, better food markets, and information about lifestyle modifications.”

I’m hoping this study doesn’t get shelved like so many others.