The childhood obesity epidemic is a growing public health concern worldwide. Many European countries and the United States are facing a widening gap in socioeconomic status and its effects on a widely overweight population of children (Bambra, Hillier, Moore, & Summerbell, 2012). With prevalence rates as high as 14.4% in children ages 2 to 4 years old living in low income families in 2010, it is hard to overlook the correlation between the elements (Pan, May, Wethington, Dalenius, & Grummer-Strawn, 2013). In various studies, childhood obesity has been linked to adult obesity and various chronic illnesses associated with increased body mass index. A low socioeconomic status during childhood has been attributed to adult obesity, again providing
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It has also been found that children living in a home where the head of household has a college degree are less likely to be obese than children living in homes where the head of household has a lower educational level (Ogden et al., 2010). Childhood obesity cannot be narrowed down one key influential factor however there is evidence linking socioeconomic status to the epidemic with other lifestyle factors …show more content…
Food insecurity is defined by the US department of agriculture as “limited or uncertain availability of nutritional and safe foods or ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways (Morrissey, Jacknowitz, & Vinopal, 2014).” When a family has a tight budget, they will aim to buy foods that are cheaper and more calorie dense rather than the more expensive fruits and vegetables which would be a healthier choice (Morrissey et al. 2014). The results from the study by Morrissey et al. (2014) found that children who live in areas where fruits and vegetables are more expensive, have a higher correlating BMI than children living in areas where fresh fruit and vegetable prices are lower. While a technical definition is important for the term “food insecurity,” one study referred to by Frey (2014) simply asked people how many of them face difficulties or obstacles when trying to acquire food for their families. Putting this phrase into simpler terms may change the answers people have when asked about food insecurity and can unveil that this phenomenon occurs in every community (Frey, 2014). These findings were consistent with the previous studies done on this topic and further substantiate the argument that socioeconomic status has an influence on the incidence of childhood
It has also been found that children living in a home where the head of household has a college degree are less likely to be obese than children living in homes where the head of household has a lower educational level (Ogden et al., 2010). Childhood obesity cannot be narrowed down one key influential factor however there is evidence linking socioeconomic status to the epidemic with other lifestyle factors …show more content…
Food insecurity is defined by the US department of agriculture as “limited or uncertain availability of nutritional and safe foods or ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways (Morrissey, Jacknowitz, & Vinopal, 2014).” When a family has a tight budget, they will aim to buy foods that are cheaper and more calorie dense rather than the more expensive fruits and vegetables which would be a healthier choice (Morrissey et al. 2014). The results from the study by Morrissey et al. (2014) found that children who live in areas where fruits and vegetables are more expensive, have a higher correlating BMI than children living in areas where fresh fruit and vegetable prices are lower. While a technical definition is important for the term “food insecurity,” one study referred to by Frey (2014) simply asked people how many of them face difficulties or obstacles when trying to acquire food for their families. Putting this phrase into simpler terms may change the answers people have when asked about food insecurity and can unveil that this phenomenon occurs in every community (Frey, 2014). These findings were consistent with the previous studies done on this topic and further substantiate the argument that socioeconomic status has an influence on the incidence of childhood