The Poverty and Diet Connection in America
A quick cheap meal has been part of the American life for years, families utilize the opportunity of fast-food establishments such as McDonald's, Wendy's and Burger King on the simple fact of convenience, cheap convenience. in some cases, especially with the increasing popularity of Sheetz, local gas stations are becoming a quick stop for a meal at a very low price. The sole purpose of these establishments is to provide a meal, at a price that is affordable for everyone and at a convenient location. The issue with "location", is that these fast food and quick marts, have taken over towns in bunches. for example, in Gettysburg, there is three times the amount of fast-food establishments then there is food marts. When this happens, people choose the cheap, easy meal, over the much healthier home cooked meal. In some cases, this is not a choice, but only solutions. With busy working parents, some families eat out or order in most of the nights. In moderation, these meals aren't a major issue, but when it's a persons main diet, this creates the obese America we live in today.
The golden arch, more commonly known as McDonald's, is the most popular fast food establishment to date. McDonald's feeds more than 46 million people a day, that's more than the population of Spain. There's not a city or relatively large town, that does not contain at least one large golden arch brightening the location. McDonald's is probably the front runner for a quick cheap meal, with double cheese burgers for a dollar, apple pies for ninety cents and any size drink for just a dollar as well. These are just some examples off the menu, the list goes on and on, more specifically the dollar menu. This menu, besides the all mighty Big Mac and Ronald McDonald, is what makes McDonald's so popular. anyone can grab some change off the shelf and go to their local McDonald's, and grab a burger, fries and a drink for just roughly three bucks. With this said, sure McDonald's is extremely cheap for the most part, and very convenient, do to so many of them on every corner, but is it healthy is the question? The famous Big Mac, contains 540 calories, with 10 grams of saturated fat, that's more than half of your daily value needed. Or try the lunch menu of a quarter pounder with fries and a soda, which combines for 1330 calories, that's easily more than enough calories for breakfast and dinner in ONE meal. with only two items on the entire McDonald's menu containing no sugar, McDonald's would have to be one of the worst choices for a persons source for meals a day. Unfortunately, these fatty foods are many people's common meals. McDonald's is not the only contributors for a cheap quick meal, with KFC, Burger King, Wendy's and Taco-Bell are big fast food enterprises that attract the middle class with cheap food choices. With this cheap, quick meal, that one buck that bought that burger, adds up to possible lifetime affects.
between 2003 and 2007, the obesity rate has increased 10 percent in people of the age of 10 and 17, but in the same time period,it increased 23 percent in low-income children. one study has shown that more than 60 percent of Americans are overweight or obese. With that said, counties with more than 35 percent of the poverty rate, have more than 145 percent the obesity rate than wealthier counties. With 46 million people living in poverty in America, according to the 2010 census, this is the most in 50 years. America, as a whole is one the wealthiest countries, but is also one of the most unhealthiest. Diabetes is a huge issue in America, and is actually not that much of one in other countries. The percent of diabetic people, especially type 2, is extraordinarily larger in people who's income is on or below the poverty line. Some studies show that one in every three children born in the year 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime. Many people have called the obesity problem in the U.S. an epidemic. One stat that can catch anyone's eye
is, if not changed in the near future, obesity will surpass smoking as the leading preventable cause of death in America. With these statistics, it is hard to deny that poverty has a direct link to obesity in America. But with all controversial topics, some often appease the idea. Below is a short video of Be Well: Obesity- Poverty and Food Deserts, a short documentary bringing poor diet and low income connections to light, this is one section of the six part documentary.
Food deserts are places of large population that are not exposed to fresh foods or markets, and are instead exposed to fast-food, processed and cheap food such as convenient stores, fast-food restaurants or even gas stations. Large cities are even consider a partial food desert, take Harrisburg,PA for example. Downtown Harrisburg, besides several fast-food establishments and mini marts, Harrisburg does not have a Giant food market. With this being said, these citizens are solely exposed to the unhealthy choices of processed foods. below is a food desert map of the U.S.
the large green blocks represent food desert areas, as you can see on the map, there is a large amount of food deserts on the western hemisphere, but although they are small blocks on the east, these blocks add up. One key factor around the west is harsh and border line, non-farm able land for these fresh foods. Unlike the west, the east is blessed with more farm able land, but it's what people do with it that dictates a food desert or a diverse cultural diet. Two big solutions have been purposed to eliminate food deserts, that is to create a local community garden, or hold farmer's markets. these strategies can create diverse cultural interactions and introduce new diets to those who were deprived for years. This can give many people a chance to not only learn about new foods, but learn how to grow their own vegetables and fruits. This can also eliminate the urge for unhealthy fast-food and be replaced with home cooked meals. Community based markets also provoke interaction with others, and can create a much stronger community, all with the sole purpose to introduce newer and better food choices.
Although these ideas can ultimately prevent obesity in low-income ares, it is often not utilized. and sometimes not possible due to other factors. We can only keep promoting the ideas and hope that these areas realize the opportunity that can be given to them. With this said, most families are still driving into to their nearest KFC to get a "Family Meal", that will satisfy everyone. All for a great cheap price, a price that we all can afford. the bigger price is what that easy meal is doing to that families body. Obesity, not just in the poverty areas, but as a national epidemic, is slowly but surely destroying us as a nation. We as the people of this country need to advocate healthy alternatives to the all mighty Big Mac's of America.
Below are three other advocacy articles that i felt were interesting and very informative
Sources:
James, Daniel J. "11 Facts About Food Deserts." Do Something. Do Something, 23 Dec. 2012. Web. 11 Nov. 2013.
Keansley, Jennifer M. "Fast Food Facts from the Super Size Me Web Site." Fast Food Facts from the Super Size Me Web Site. Swallow This, 12 May 2010. Web. 11 Nov. 2013.
"Fast Food Linked To Child Obesity." CBSNews. Ed. Michael G. Larson. CBS Interactive, 09 Sept. 2011. Web. 11 Nov. 2013.
