Jon HillPresident of Monterey Peninsula Unified School District Board of Trustees

TIFFANY tovarCal State University Monterey Bay

Obesity in the United States: The Relationship between Low-Income and Childhood Obesity

Rhetorical TimingChildhood obesity in the United States has nearly tripled in the past thirty years (Child Defense Club, 2012). Children living in low-income neighborhoods were nine times as likely to be overweight as those living in well-off neighborhoods (Child Defense Club, 2012).

Awareness

Factors of Childhood ObesityLack of physical activity. (U.S Department of Health and Human Services)Schools are eliminating physical education classes and sports.

Lack of Poor NutritionOliver (2013) stated children are eligible for free meals if they come from families with incomes at or below 130% of the poverty level. Some schools provide unhealthy food to their students.

Lack of EducationLow-income families have barriers when it comes to access to resources and programs about obesity. Parents are not educated on what a healthy lifestyle is.Low-income parents may lack the time and resources necessary to purchase and prepare healthy foods.

EffectsImmediate Effects- cardiovascular disease, bone and joint problems, and high blood pressure(Obesity Society, 2001)Long Term Effects- type 2 diabetes, cancer, and heart disease(Obesity Society, 2001)Greater chance of being bullied (Obesity Society, 2001)Emotional and physiological problems- depression, eating disorders, and negative body image. (Obesity Society, 2001)

Nutrition PoliciesWe teach students good nutrition and then sell them junk food--what a double message!" (Martin, Sara, and Judy Stewart, 2013)

Physical Education Classes and SportsSchools should emphasize physical education classes and sports to all students to provide a healthy lifestyle.

Resources and ProgramsEducate parents on how to eliminate unhealthy food

Prepare more home cooked meals

How to encourage physical activity

Monitor television time

ReferencesChild Health USA 2010. (2010). Retrieved from: http://www.mchb.hrsa.gov/chusa10/hstat/hsa/pages/219oo.html

Kumanyika & Grier . (2006). Targeting interventions for ethnic minority and low-income populations. Retrieved from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16532664

Obesity Society. (2001). Childhood Overweight. Retrieved from: http://www.obesity.org/resources-for/childhood-overweight.htmMartin, Sara, and Judy Stewart. "Should schools allow the sale of junk food? (Debate)." NEA Today Mar. 2002: 21. Student Resources In Context. Web. 15 Oct. 2013.

Raj, M. & Kumar, K. (2010).Obesity in children & adolescents. Retrieved from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3028965/

U.S Department of Health and Human Service. Childhood Obesity. Retrieved from: http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/child_obesity/

Thank You