Affluent Also
Targeted by Obesity Epidemic
May 03, 2005
According to recent report, the poor are most likely
to be fat, but the more prosperous are closing the gap.
Obesity is growing fastest among Americans who make
more than $60,000 a year.
The findings underline the whole complexity of the
rapidly growing obesity epidemic. Although obesity in
lower income groups has been taken as their inability
to afford healthy food, the fattening issue amongst
the wealthy has seen a dramatic rise.
Dr. Nieca Goldberg, a cardiologist with the American
Heart Association, says, "We're seeing that numbers
are evening up a lot. In fact, the greatest rise in
obesity was among people earning over $60,000 a year.
"And you have to think, 'Why is that happening?' And
actually, if you can think about what happens when you're
earning more money, you're working longer hours, spending
a longer time commuting, and at a computer, and also
you're eating out and ordering take-out food more."
The attempts to compare income and obesity are complicated
by cultural factors. Certain racial and ethnic groups
positively equate a man's girth with wealth. However,
not withstanding these complications, Goldberg concerns,
"Obesity…increases your risk of diabetes, heart disease,
high blood pressure, and also for young people, there
are a lot of psycho-social issues, like self-esteem,
isolation, so that it really affects our lives and we
need to stop it."
Source: http://www.cbsnews.com
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