Introduction
Staying fit, exercising frequently, and eating healthily on a consistent basis are crucial aspects to succeeding in sports. As a varsity athlete, I became more aware of the types of foods I was consuming each day, and I watched the amount of money my family and I spent to ensure that I was eating the right foods with the most efficient energy. As I became more immersed in ensuring I was consuming the best foods, I began to notice the overwhelming amount of overweight and obese people prevalent just in my city. Obesity is defined as “a condition characterized by the excessive accumulation and storage of fat in the body” (“Obesity”), and “obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States” (Obesity: Facts, Figures, Guidelines). Over the past several years, obesity prevalent in the United States has risen exponentially, and today, men, women and children across the nation suffer from the disease and its effects. Obesity is a huge concern in our nation today; according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, the United States has the highest obesity rates in the world with one-third of the nation suffering from obesity and another one-third suffering from being overweight (Levine). The population of obese people is only growing, and one begins to question: Why is obesity growing so rapidly and what is causing it?
Many factors could potentially play into the recent rise in obesity such as the increase in fast-food restaurants around the United States as well as their cheap prices compared to more expensive organic, fresh fruits and vegetables. Low-income working families typically are attracted to the fast food and processed foods in grocery stores rather than the organic foods because of the price differences. Low-income working families are defined as “those earning less than twice the federal poverty line, and in 2011, the low-income threshold for a family of four with two children was $45,622” (U.S. Low-Income Working Families Increasing). Additionally, “in 2010, 15.1% of Americans lived in poverty based upon family income census data, and the number of people rose to 46 million after the recent economic downturn” (Levine). Just like obesity, the poverty rates in the United States are startling. Clearly, both obesity and poverty are growing in today’s society, and the question begins to arise if they are related. Do low-income adults suffer the most from obesity in the United States, but more specifically, do low-income adults in a large and growing city such as Charlotte, North Carolina suffer the most from obesity? If so, how do we as a nation help prevent obesity in cities and ultimately provide healthier and affordable options? This investigation examines the statistics of the number of obese people in the United States versus Charlotte, North Carolina, the number of low-income families prevalent in the United States versus Charlotte, and the connection between the two by discussing the rise in the fast-food industry, its prices compared to organic foods, the availability of fresh foods, and studies conducted by others, ultimately discussing is there a correlation between obesity and low-income among adults in Charlotte, North Carolina?
Obesity in the United States vs. Charlotte, North Carolina
Obesity is considered an epidemic in the United States. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, over one in three adults are considered obese, and about one in six children and adolescents ranging from the ages 2-19 are considered obese (“Overweight & Obesity Statistics”). The data was then broken down, and the data analyzed obesity prevalent in different races and ethnicities within adults. Among non-Hispanic white adults, more than one in three people are considered to be obese, among non-Hispanic black adults, almost half are considered to be obese, and among Hispanic adults, about one in two are considered obese. In children, the results appeared to be about the same with higher obesity rates found in non-Hispanic black youth and Hispanic youth rather than non-Hispanic white youth (“Overweight & Obesity Statistics”). The study also found that obesity was higher in adult women, having obesity rates at 40% as compared to men at about 35% (“Overweight & Obesity Statistics”). Overall, all across the United States, the obesity rates in men, women, and children has significantly increased, and obesity has become extremely prevalent in today’s society.
In North Carolina, the obesity statistics are startling as well. According to The State of Obesity: Better Policies for a Healthier America, North Carolina contains the 16th highest obesity rate among adults in the nation, and right now the obesity rate in North Carolina is 31.8% (“North Carolina”). This data was broken down by race: the white population makes up 28.1%, of the obesity rate, the black population makes up 40.2%, and the Latino population makes up 31.2% (“North Carolina”). Additionally, according to The State of Obesity: Better Policies for a Healthier America, following the trend of the United States, the obesity rates in North Carolina are up from 20.9% in 2000 and from 12.3% in 1990 (“North Carolina”). The study also found that many children suffer from obesity in North Carolina; in high school students it was found that in 2015, 16.4% of students suffered from obesity (“North Carolina”).
In Charlotte, North Carolina, according to Charlotte’s city data, the population consists of 842,051 people. 43.1% of this number are white, 34.1% are black, and 13.8% are Hispanic (“Charlotte, North Carolina”). Charlotte is a growing, busy, and clearly diverse city, but the Charlotte’s city data found the city has an obesity rate of 24.2% (“Charlotte, North Carolina”). According to the Healthy Weight, Healthy Child Initiative, broken down by race, 5.8% of the obesity rate consists of the white population, 13.2% consists of the African American population, and 11.6% consists of the Hispanic population (Healthy Weight, Healthy Child Initiative). Additionally, racial disparity in relation to obesity was found in the State of the County Health Report, saying for every white person who reports obesity in Charlotte, there are 1.3 African Americans who suffer from obesity as well (“Health Statistics and Epidemiology,” 3).
Low-income in the United States vs. Charlotte, North Carolina
Various studies and research have shown that households require an income of about twice the federal poverty level to acquire basic needs such as electricity, food, water, shelter, etc. “In the United States, there are 89,876,073 families with 71,993,495 children” (“Demographics”). Although the data collected was based off of low-income children, the children’s status comes from their guardian’s status, ultimately analyzing the number of low-income adults prevalent. According to the National Center for Children in Poverty, 43% of the children in the nation live in families that contain a low income status (“Demographics”). According to this data broken down by race, 30% of non-Hispanic white youth live in low-income families, 63% of non-Hispanic black children live in low-income families, and 61% of Hispanic children live in low-income families (“Demographics”).
“In North Carolina, there are 1,199,020 families with 2,241,346 children” (“Demographics”). According to the National Center for Children in Poverty, 49% of children in North Carolina live in families that contain a low income status (“Demographics”), and according to this data broken down by race, 34% of non-Hispanic white children live in low-income families, 67% of non-Hispanic black children live in low-income families, and 77% of Hispanic children live in low-income families (“Demographics”).
As stated earlier, there are 842,051 people living in Charlotte, North Carolina. According to Charlotte’s city data, 15.8% of people in Charlotte live in poverty. 8.4% of White, non-Hispanic people live in poverty, 20.2% of Black residents live in poverty, and 27.6% of Hispanic residents live in poverty (“Charlotte, North Carolina”). According to The Charlotte Observer, poverty in Charlotte has almost doubled since 2000, and roughly three times as many African American and Hispanic residents live in poverty than White residents in the city (Observer). Additionally, according to The Charlotte Observer, seventy of the seventy-nine poverty tracks in Charlotte are major-minority, and four of North Carolina’s ten most severely distress neighborhoods have been identified as in Charlotte (Observer).
Correlation
Based off of the data above, it is evident that both obesity and families that classify as low-income has increased and both are prevalent in today’s society. It is also clear that low-income as well as obesity is especially prevalent in the black population and the hispanic population throughout the United States and in Charlotte, North Carolina. The graph below displays the rates of obesity broken into certain ethnic groups vs the number of low-income adults within certain ethnic groups in the United States.
The above graph indicates a correlation between obesity and low-income families. It is shown that higher percentages of low-income adults have higher rates of obesity. It is also shown that specific races such as the black and hispanic populations contain higher rates of obesity and low-income. This is true in Charlotte, North Carolina as well, as shown in the graph below.
Just like the correlation in the United States, the above graph indicates a correlation between obesity and low-income adults in Charlotte, North Carolina. The graph again shows racial disparity with higher levels of obesity and low-income among the black and hispanic populations. The higher levels of low-income in both populations prevalent in the United States and in Charlotte may be due to society. Currently, both cultures struggle with breaking out of the cycle of a low-economic status. Many factors may contribute to an individual having a low-income status such as a lack of a quality education and a low-paying job. Although low income and obesity is more prevalent among the black and hispanic populations, ultimately the correlation between obesity and low income proves an obvious problem in all races, and there are many factors that may play into the correlation between low income and obesity. One factor could be the prices of fast foods in comparison with organic foods as fast-food prices have shown they are cheaper than organic and healthier foods.
Today, it appears as if fast-food restaurants are around every corner. “In 2016, there were 186,977 franchised quick service restaurants in the United States, and it is a number that has grown by almost 28 thousand from about a decade ago” (Jaaskelainen). The increased number of fast food restaurants has made it extremely easy for people to buy and eat fast food, and so has the prices. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, it was discovered that healthier diet habits such as diets consisting of fruits, vegetables, fish, and nuts, cost notably more than unhealthy diets. Healthier diets cost about $1.50 more per day than less healthier diets, ultimately meaning a healthier diet costs about $550 more per year for just one individual (Eating Healthy vs. Unhealthy Diet). Buying organic and fresh foods are expensive; according to the Business Insider, an organic chicken costs around $9.54, organic eggs cost around $4.79 per dozen, organic peanut butter costs around $4.99 per jar, etc. (Elkins). When money is tight in a household, an adult or family simply cannot afford the extra money healthy food requires, and they end up eating the easier way meaning going to one of the many fast food restaurants available in America. According to the Savings Experiment Staff at Aol, an average fast food meal costs about $5-$7 per person, making it $28 for a family of four (Staff, Savings Experiment). Although a family can still buy relatively healthy foods that are non-organic, organic foods often contain fewer pesticides, are fresher because of the little to no preservatives, and often they are richer in certain nutrients. Ultimately organic foods are healthier and the best way to ensure a family stays healthy and fit.
Not only are the price differences a factor in obesity, but so is the accessibility, or inaccessibility, to organic and fresh foods. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, in North Carolina alone, there are 6,962 fast food restaurants (Hicken). Although access to fast food is not lacking across the state of North Carolina, many people live in areas that are classified as food deserts. “Food deserts are defined as parts of the country vapid of fresh fruit, vegetables, and other healthful whole foods, usually found in impoverished areas” (“USDA Defines Food Deserts”). This inaccessibility also is due to the lack of vehicles; many people living in food deserts often have a low-income and cannot afford to have a car or even to buy a bus ticket. This inaccessibility means in order to get to healthier options such as fruits and vegetables, people have to walk. The burden of finding fresh foods is hard and a task low-income families cannot afford or simply do not have time meaning many people end up eating fast food. A city like Charlotte, North Carolina struggles with food deserts; according to WBTV, in Charlotte, about 90,000 people do not have access to healthy foods, classifying them as living in a food desert, and this is a significant jump of about 20 percent from 2010 (Mack). West Charlotte is particularly bad with miles long without supermarkets that contain fresh foods. Ultimately, the increasing number of fast-food restaurants and their cheap prices along with the lack of supermarkets containing fresh foods are key reasons for why low-income families struggle with obesity, displaying a correlation between low-income and obesity.
Supporting Studies
Other studies conducted throughout the United States found a correlation between obesity and low-income. According to ProQuest, a study conducted by Sirin Yaemsiri found that food concern, the availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or the ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways is limited or uncertain, was positively associated with obesity among lower-income New Yorkers. The study used a random sampling method by dialing numbers to conduct a phone interview, and ultimately a study sample of 5,981 people were used. From the data collected, it was discovered that about one in four low-income people reported struggling with food concern, and one in four people reported to be obese (Yaemsiri). This study ultimately showed a positive correlation between obesity and low-income among adults living throughout the city of New York.
Another study conducted by Susan Babey, according to ProQuest, proved that low-income households had higher rates of obesity than high-income households. Adolescents, ranging from twelve to nineteen years old, in California were assessed through responses to the California Health Interview Survey where the researchers received 17,535 responses. From the study it was discovered that obesity was 70% higher where the adolescent’s family incomes were below the federal poverty line (Babey). Although the study included a broad range of ages including both children and adults, the study showed a positive relationship between obesity and low-income leading to the conclusion that there is, to some extent, a correlation.
Clearly, a correlation between obesity and low-income has been discovered and shown through other studies conducted in the United States. The studies sparked interest in researching the potential relationship between obesity and low-income among adults in Charlotte, and the studies explained above ultimately justified the research and correlation discovered in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Prevention Methods
Obesity is only a growing problem throughout the nation, and the cycle between low-income and obesity is hard to break. Although there will always be adults and families living in poverty or a low-income household, the nation can provide healthier, affordable, and accessible options to those who struggle to find better options than fast-food, helping to decrease the obesity rates across the nation including those in Charlotte, North Carolina. Currently there are a mix of programs that are helping low-income families gain healthy eating habits and access to affordable yet healthy foods.
One program in place across the nation is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the program offers “nutrition assistance to millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families and provides economics benefits to communities” (“Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program”). Households are required to apply for the program and if approved, receive a certain amount of money each month based off their household income. Again, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, with the money from the program, individuals can only buy healthy foods such as breads, cereals, fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, and dairy products at supermarkets and farmers’ markets. People are not authorized to buy any non-food items, vitamins, medicines, hot foods, or any type of alcohol (“Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program”). This program has helped thousands of people across the nation, helping the low-income population make good choices and fight obesity. According to Snap to Health, the average household receives about $256.11 a month, and the program helps about 45.4 million people in the United States (“SNAP: Frequently Asked Questions”). The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has proven to be a major program throughout the United States in providing healthy and affordable foods to low-income individuals, ultimately assisting in preventing obesity.
Another method in preventing obesity is simply educating children early on about healthy eating habits and healthy eating benefits. In doing so, children could begin to recognize the ultimate benefits of healthy eating and start making healthier choices and carry their knowledge and choices into their adult lives. Currently, there is a program named CATCH, or the Coordinated Approach to Child Health, that is implemented in schools nationwide, teaching about healthy foods but also about the importance of physical activity. According to the Coordinated Approach to Child Health, their programs help children in over ten thousand schools and communities in pre-K schools, elementary schools, middle schools, and afterschool programs (“About”). The program also suggests activities and ways to incorporate physical activity into lessons to create a fun atmosphere that is associated with healthy habits. This program helps educate low-income children, but it helps children of all statuses in an effort to promote health and decrease obesity.
Additionally, the Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program is a program focusing on providing access to fruits and vegetables in communities that lack access to fresh foods. According to Wholesome Wave, healthcare providers give prescriptions to participating families where the family can redeem the prescription at farmers markets, purchasing fruits and vegetables. Participants may also receive a nutritional specialist to help guide them in making healthier decisions for them and their families, and participants may attend several checkups with the doctor who prescribed them the program to ensure their progress (“Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program”). Ultimately, it was found that “69% of program participants eat more produce and 47% decrease their BMI” (“How We Work”). The Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program proves to be an effective way to help combat obesity in low income households. According to the Rural Health Information Hub, over 13,000 people are involved in the program and no has the opportunity to access fresh fruits and vegetables (“Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program”). Ultimately, the program has helped many who previously struggled with the repercussions of unhealthy eating. With more advertising and raised awareness about this program, it could ultimately impact millions of lives across the nation in providing accessible and cheap healthy options to low income communities.
Other Factors
Although there is sufficient evidence that there is in fact a correlation between low-income and obesity in Charlotte, North Carolina, other factors should be taken into consideration such as genetics and choices that may contribute to a person’s obesity rather than their low-income status.
Although not as prevalent, genetics can cause obesity. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, Bardet-Biedl syndrome is a genetic disorder, and one effect of the disorder is abnormal weight gain (Bardet-Biedl syndrome). In addition, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, Prader-Willi syndrome is another genetic disorder that leads to chronic overeating and therefore obesity (Prader-Willi Syndrome). Along with these genetic disorders, according to the Research Chair in Obesity, there are fifty-six different genes that have been reported as related to obesity phenotypes (Etiology). Whether the people suffering from the genetic disorders are identified as having a high-income or low-income, they cannot help their weight. The obese population in the United States and therefore in Charlotte may partly be comprised of the people with genetic influences, influencing the collected data of the obese population being compared to the low-income population.
People’s choices also factor into obesity rates. A person may choose to consume unhealthy options such as fast food on a daily basis despite the fact that they have the money and ability to access and consume healthy options. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, a study conducted interviewed households in a Pittsburgh neighborhood before and after a supermarket opened and then compared their food purchases with other households in a Pittsburgh neighborhood with similar demographics and income but without a new store. It was found that improving access to healthy foods will not have a major impact on diets (McMaken). Ultimately, choices are an individual’s personal decision, and part of the obese population in the United States and in Charlotte may again be partly comprised of the people making the choice to consume unhealthy options, ultimately influencing the collected data.
Conclusion
There is clear evidence of a correlation between low income and obesity among adults in Charlotte, North Carolina. With high levels of low income, there are also high levels of obesity. This is true throughout the United States and in the state of North Carolina. It was also shown that higher levels of low income and obesity are more prevalent in the black and hispanic populations. Although society and culture may influence the racial disparity, more research should be conducted. Despite the racial disparity, each race shows a correlation between low income and obesity, and many factors may potentially play a role in this correlation such as the higher prices of healthier, organic items in comparison to the lower prices of fast food items. A low income household, when faced with the decision, will ultimately choose the lower prices because they are unable to afford the higher priced foods. Also, the inaccessibility in low income communities to healthier foods is another factor. While there are a plentiful amount of fast-food restaurants, there are a lack of supermarkets containing fresh foods in areas of poverty or low income. The burden of actively seeking out fresh foods in low income neighborhoods proves too much time for many, leading individuals to the easy accessibility and low prices of fast-food restaurants. With the correlation between low income and obesity, there are many prevention methods that are currently in place to help prevent obesity in individuals with a low income status such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that provides low income households with monthly benefits. In addition, there are programs designed to raise awareness about healthy eating to help children recognize the long-term benefits of eating healthily in hopes the ideas will translate into their individual lives.
However, it is important to note that some cases, obesity may not be due low income as some individuals suffer from diseases or simply choose to eat unhealthily despite their financial ability. In addition, there are many other factors that may play into obesity that should be taken into consideration such as a time-consuming job, lack of sleep, age, etc. These factors are limitations to the research as the statistics analyzed may have consisted of these individuals suffering from obesity rather than those simply classifying as having a low income status. With these limitations, more experiments that look solely into the low-income population should be conducted.