Food Stamps and Obesity - Essay Example

Literature Review Obesity is a complex condition that is characterized by varying regional differences and environmental factors. Food stamps are just one of more than 70 ways aid programs that provide cash, food, medical care and other social services to the less fortunate and low-income Americans. One in eight Americans relies on food stamp programs. Since low income individuals are on the line to receive these benefits, the potential relationship between food stamps and obesity has become a growing area of research. For over three decades now the U.S.D.A has facilitated the provision of food stamps to the elderly, homeless or disabled recipients to purchase food. This has opened doors to Taco Bell, KFC and other fast food joints (Weimer 98). Alarmingly, this has brewed conflict between the anti-hunger reformists on one side and nutritionists / food reformers on the other. Controlling for the socioeconomic status, women who receive the food stamps have recorded a higher estimate in obese numbers than women that don’t benefit from the same. Nevertheless there has been no realization of any probable correlation between food stamps benefit and obesity in low-income men. Studies have been unable to show a similar consistent relationship in children. Several hypotheses explain a correlation between food stamps and obesity in adults. This review suggests a conceptual framework connecting the food stamp program and obesity relationship. It is important to note that correlation is not causation despite this fact numerous surveys have reflected that obesity and food stamps benefits are strongly related. Food stamps programs have made a considerable effort in battling with hunger but through its expansion in the country it has equally influenced the rates of obesity .More than 40% of women in the U.S.A in the low-income category are obese, the rate is gets higher in the woman populace that participates in the food stamps program (Vosti & Sumner 207). Researchers have consequently been trying to decipher whether this is caused by the provision of food stamps or rather if there is a correlation between obesity and food stamps. It is rightfully assumed that the women susceptible to obesity are the ones that are most riveted in accruing the food stamps benefits. A major contributing factor is that the supermarkets in these poor neighborhoods make junk food available these unhealthy consumption habits choices underwrite an obesity epidemic that affects mostly the poor (Ver & Riaston 90). Research seeks to discern the effect of the food environment on their consumption choices noting the range of non-nutritious commodities available with food stamps, from potato chips, candy, cola and even gum. The number of supermarkets has been increased in an effort to reduce the budget that the low income families put in food expenses, to influence the shopper’s decision in food that is more nutritious and impact the weight status of those receiving the food stamps . Food stamps do offer the ability for benefiters to access even healthier commodities that non-recipients find difficult to obtain like fruits. In spite of this, it is not utterly clear if these efforts actually lead to better food choices and ultimately lower obesity rates. Supermarkets generally stock high quality fruits and vegetables as well as devote considerable shelf space for junk food. . Interestingly, one can fill up on 1200 calories of potato chips and biscuits for 1$ but get only 250 calories from carrots in the same dollar. But if you are hungry what are you most likely to buy? (Ver & Riaston 90). There have been efforts to encourage food stamps benefiters to reduce their consumption on high calories diets and improving it by expanding their food expenses on farmer’s produce commodities. In this vein, to strengthen this practice, the farmer’s markets have been increased and discounting produce purchased by food stamps holders. In addition, the holders have been barred from purchasing some types of food commodities with the food stamps (Michael 45). In New York for instance, in order to influence better choices in low calorie food consumption and overall diet quality, the food stamps holders were prevented from buying sodas and other sugary drinks using their benefits (Marylyn 31). Should the restrictions imposed on the benefits of food stamps be loosened? The reality is that we have failed to come up with a proper plan of action in feeding the less capable and increasing access to fast food joints is not an amicable solution; a middle ground need is to be established. The state funds should be utilized to help the poor with restraint and prudence. Food stamps that propel the fan of obesity rates do not pass the prudence test (Huang 32). The food stamp program should be oriented to cope with the causes it brings. The government could limit the use of the food stamps to grocery stores therefore encouraging consumption of the more healthy foods. Furthermore, able bodied recipients should be pushed to work as a condition to receive aid. . How inevitable are the links between poverty, food insecurity and obesity? Access to healthy food spots and food prices are parts of the equation. Not surprisingly, out of the bottom 10 states in the U.s in the poverty list, 8 of them make the list of high obesity rates. In most states people are faced by lack of adequate and consistent nutrition such that when they get the food stamps they eat consume so much on their first purchase leaving a little less for the whole month (Currie 32). The calorie-rich, sugary, processed foods are what most of these food program benefiters buy if they don’t have enough money. This indicates a poverty-obesity link where research reiterates that foods calorically dense are cheaper than low calorie nutritious foods. This impedes healthy eating and even worsening the situation is that due to food insecurity binging results. The binging eating is likely to be largely contributing to obesity in food insecure women. This echoes the issues of food insecurity because how can we have an issue with food insecurity while a large portion of Americans are obese? Researchers have proposed in this light that food stamps ration be lightened and given twice a month (Daniel 12). On the nutrition front, rather than giving subsidy on the less healthy options, more time and money should be used on civic education to enlighten people on making better nutrition choices and work to make the healthy foods just as convenient and affordable as fast foods. The issue in question however is, does hunger really cause obesity? Many people especially older people have been diagnosed with diabetes which has led to increased risk in premature death and heart diseases among many other related maladies. These elements have been associated with the feeding practices of these people. Results show that most of this people are on food stamps. Diabetics causes a heavy burden on the national insurance, the estimate is way more on elderly diabetic patients than non- diabetics. In the light of this survey, medical professionals and policy makers are making attempts to come up with strategies that emphasize proper feeding and other behavioral modifications because dietary elements are a vital key in diabetes management. The United States has a diabetes association that recommends a diet rich with fruit, vegetables, low- fat dairy, low calories snacks, whole grains so that blood sugar can be regulated. Blood pressure can improve. The reduced cholesterol levels will ultimately reduce weight (Currie 9). The link between obesity and food stamps which is a cause of poverty is still a paradox. How can those with inadequate resources to purchase adequate food be obese? This clearly shows the fact that obesity is an unprecedented consequence of food stamps that seek to cancel out hunger. Nutritious and still affordable food remains an indispensable problem in poor neighborhoods. Statistics show that adults with low wages have an increased BMI and hence register more obese cases (Mullally 12). This poses the question; is it sensible for the government to enhance the purchase of food that contributes to increased healthcare costs? The structure of these supplemental nutritional assistance programs (food stamps) needs a critical look to better the eating habits and to consider the effect of food prices on consumer food choices and selections on the healthier diets. Due to the growth of food stamps provisions which are dramatically coupled with increasing obesity rates, a clear connection is restated. This review further confirms that obesity is exacerbated by food stamp participations. The hypothesis is intriguing but it must be validated by other prospective studies controlling for supplementary factors such as physical activity, lifestyle and demographic variables (Weimer 65). Work Cited. Mullally Corner. Likely Effects on Obesity from Proposed Changes to the U.S Food Stamp Program. Washington. Department Of Nutrition Report. 2008. Print Currie, J. Cole U.S Food And Nutrition Program; Can Food Stamps Help To Reduce Medicare Spending On Diabetes. Iowa. National Bureau of Economic Research Conference Report. 2003. Print. Currie, J.Cole .The Effects of Food Stamps on Choice of Dietary Quality. New York. The American Economic Review.2004 Print. Daniel A. Sumner, Stephen Vosti. Feeding Research: Does The Food Stamp Program Cause Obesity A Realist Review And A Call For Place-Based Research. American Economic Journal. 2007. Print. Huang, Basu.Projecting the Future Diabetes population Size and Related Costs for the U.S Diabetes Care. Washington. Public Medical Survey. 2009. Print. Kaushal Niema. Do Food Stamps Cause Obesity? Evidence from Immigrant Experience. Journal of Health economics. 2007. Print. Marylyn Townsend .Household Food Stamp Program Participation and Childhood Obesity. California. University Of California Press.2008. Print Michael, Correl. Getting Fat on Government Cheese. Washington. Corell Proof Journal. 2010. Print. Ver Ploeg & Riaston, Kevin. Food Stamps And Obesity: What Do We Know? Washington. Department Of Agriculture Economic Research Service Economic Information Bulletin. 2008. Print Weimer Jacobs. Factors Affecting Nutrient Intake of the Elderly. Washington. U.S. Department of Agriculture.1998. Print. Read More