The Relationship Between Poverty and Obesity

Is obesity about poverty and cheap food? Or lack of moral fibre? I will be elaborating an essay on the points written by Zoe Williams (2011) balanced arguments, on whether there is a link between obesity, poverty and or lack of inner strength. I will be presenting for and against arguments relating the issue.

In the UK as well as in other developed countries, obesity is becoming a growing problem this puts pressure on health services and affects individuals’ ability to work, and contribute to the economy. The government feels the pressure to act by taxing unhealthy foods and drinks, and by setting up educational campaigns, (Stephen Adams, 2011).

In the article Williams (2011) is arguing that the cost of unhealthy food is available at a very low cost, making this more accessible for people to buy. Christmas is seen as a special occasion where the prices for things such as food must cost an incredibly special amount of money. People from deprive areas often have to substitute the real Christmas meal for things like a waffle and wafer thin turkey ham; which contains large amount of salt, that often reminds people of meat, and it only costs £1.90 per head, (Williams 2011).

Furthermore, Abdularhman El-Sayed (2010) also argues that the real reason for the obesity epidemic is down to poverty and cheap food. He describes a study conducted by one university of Glasgow which found that deprived neighbourhoods are twice as likely of becoming obese compare to residents in more affluent neighbourhoods, (El-Sayed 2010).

Moreover El- Sayed states that Kebabs, chips, crisps, puddings, and fizzy drinks are the most calories dense and the cheapest in deprived areas. Researches about the causes of obesity in rich countries have found tha...

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... right time. It is understandable that many people who reach the obesity stage may well be too overweighed to lose it just through exercise and diet alone. If drastic measures, like for example having a bypass is going to change someone’s life for all the good reasons then there should be no opposition to that, having in mind that for all this treatments to work successfully the person should be treated as an individual alone.

Works Cited

"This is not rocket science. Poor health is a well-known feature of deprivation. Mothers are not daft and they do know fat and crisps are bad for children but they can't afford the alternative. The Government has to give them the means. Initiatives are not going to change anything unless you've got the cash in your pocket. If you buy a salad at Sainsbury's, it's still very expensive.

(Bob Holman) as cited in SIRC (2004)