Obesity is an economic issue! Surprising? This comment itself is enough to leave one ponder on the link between obesity and social position. It is not just another research to create a hype of the epidemic prevailing mainly in the west - obesity.
Cuing up with the worries for the epidemic growing in leaps and bounds, researchers are all set to find ‘what else’ adds on to the list of obesity-leading culprits, besides food habits and other lifestyles of an individual.
They found that obesity rates among African-Americans are higher. This is also prevalent with those with annual incomes less than $15,000. The association between zip codes and property values seems considerably stronger.
Thus, the researcher discovered that their knowing more about the ‘geography of obesity’ will lead them with identifying the most vulnerable neighborhoods.
Surprisingly, but interestingly, obesity epidemic is considerably prevalent in areas hardest hit by low income, low education, and even low property values!
Unlike the previous studies based on federal maps - which showed only small differences in obesity in richer and poorer states - the new study reveals geography, social class, and economic standing’s overwhelming roles in the obesity problem.
