Food Insecurity and Obesity

A workshop study by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academys on the relationship between Food Insecurity and Obesity revealed several links between poverty and obesity.

Prior to 2008, 10-12% of the population in the United States were food insecure.  After 2008 that number spiked to 15% with that number staying consistant since the Late 2000s recession began.

The study concluded that energy (calorie) dense foods are cheaper and more widely available than nutrient dense foods.

Those who live in home with low food security have more than twice the rate of diabetes.

Food Insecurity is also related to lower academic scores, higher rates of stress, and negative psycho-emotional outcomes.

Lower education levels also are related to higher levels of Obesity.

The study concluded that obesity and economic opprotunity showed some degree of correlation