EXPLORING MEDIATORS OF FOOD INSECURITY AND OBESITY: A REVIEW OF RECENT LITERATURE
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3334290/
One in seven American households experience food insecurity at times during the year, lack of money and other resources hinder their ability to maintain consistent access to nutritious foods. Low-income, ethnic minority, and female-headed households exhibit the greatest risk for food insecurity, which often results in higher prevalence of diet-related disease. The food insecurity-obesity paradox is one that researchers have explored to understand the factors that influence food insecurity and its impact on weight change. The aim of this inquiry was to explore new evidence in associations of food insecurity and obesity in youth, adult, and elderly populations. A literature search of publication databases was conducted, using various criteria to identify relevant articles. Among 65 results, 19 studies conducted since 2005 were selected for review. Overall, the review confirmed that food insecurity and obesity continue to be strongly and positively associated in women. Growing evidence of this association was found in adolescents; but among children, results remain mixed. Few studies supported a linear relationship between food insecurity and weight outcomes, as suggested by an earlier review.
New mediators were revealed (gender, marital status, stressors, and food stamp participation) that alter the association; in fact, newer studies suggest that food stamp participation may exacerbate obesity outcomes. Continued examination through longitudinal studies, development of tools to distinguish acute and chronic food insecurity, and greater inclusion of food security measurement tools in regional and local studies are warranted.
Food Insecurity Is Associated with Obesity among US Adults in 12 States
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4584410/
A redesigned food insecurity question that measured food stress was included in the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System in the Social Context optional module. The objective of our study was to examine the association between food stress and obesity using this question as a surrogate for food insecurity. Our analytic sample included 66,553 adults from 12 states. Food insecurity was determined by response (always/usually/sometimes) to the question,“Howoften in the past 12 months would you say you were worried or stressed about having enough money to buy nutritious meals?” T tests were used to compare prevalence differences between groups, and logistic regression was used to examine the association between food insecurity and obesity. Among the 12 states, the prevalence of obesity was 27.1% overall, 25.2% among food secure adults, and 35.1% among food insecure adults. Food insecure adults had 32% increased odds of being obese compared to food secure adults. Compared with food secure adults, food insecure adults had significantly higher prevalence of obesity in the following population subgroups: adults ages ≥30 years, women, non- Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks, adults with some college education or a college degree, a household income of <$25,000 or $50,000 to $74,999, and adults with none or two children in their households. One in three food insecure adults were obese.
Food insecurity was associated with obesity in the overall population and most population subgroups. These findings are consistent with previous research and highlight the importance of increasing access to affordable healthy foods for all adults.
Poverty and obesity: the role of energy density and energy costs
http://seriecientifica.org/sites/def...rtyobesity.pdf
Many health disparities in the United States are linked to inequalities
in education and income. This review focuses on the relation
between obesity and diet quality, dietary energy density, and
energy costs. Evidence is provided to support the following points.
First, the highest rates of obesity occur among population groups
with the highest poverty rates and the least education. Second,
there is an inverse relation between energy density (MJ/kg) and
energy cost ($/MJ), such that energy-dense foods composed of
refined grains, added sugars, or fats may represent the lowest-cost
option to the consumer. Third, the high energy density and palatability
of sweets and fats are associated with higher energy intakes,
at least in clinical and laboratory studies. Fourth, poverty and food
insecurity are associated with lower food expenditures, low fruit
and vegetable consumption, and lower-quality diets. A reduction
in diet costs in linear programming models leads to high-fat,
energy-dense diets that are similar in composition to those consumed
by low-income groups. Such diets are more affordable than
are prudent diets based on lean meats, fish, fresh vegetables, and
fruit. The association between poverty and obesity may be mediated,
in part, by the low cost of energy-dense foods and may be
reinforced by the high palatability of sugar and fat.
This economic
framework provides an explanation for the observed links between
socioeconomic variables and obesity when taste, dietary energy
density, and diet costs are used as intervening variables. More and
more Americans are becoming overweight and obese while consuming
more added sugars and fats and spending a lower percentage
of their disposable income on food.
Strong nutrition education can lead to healthier food choices among low-income families
https://www.sciencedaily.com/release...1209104918.htm
Well-designed nutrition education programs can lead to healthier food choices among low-income families who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), according to a study.