Explain how hunger and obesity often exist side by side in the same household (aka the poverty-obesity paradox).

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Ironically, hunger and obesity often exist side by side—sometimes within the same household or even the same person. That hunger reflects an inadequate food intake and obesity implies an excessive intake seems paradoxical, but research studies have confirmed the association. The highest rates of obesity occur among those living in the greatest poverty—the same people who live with food insecurity.
Unfortunately, many healthful food choices, such as fruits and vegetables, are not readily available in low-income or rural neighborhoods. Instead of supermarkets, these neighborhoods typically have corner stores that stock canned foods, sodas, and chips, but not fresh produce. Neighborhoods and communities characterized by limited access to nutritious and affordable foods are known as food deserts. Food deserts are more prevalent in low-income and African American communities. With limited access to grocery stores carrying varieties of fruits and vegetables, residents in these neighborhoods fall short of meeting dietary guidelines. Furthermore, fruits and vegetables tend to cost more than the energy-dense foods that foster weight gain. Foods such as doughnuts, pizzas, and hamburgers provide the most energy and satiety for the least cost. Quite simply, poor-quality diets deliver more kcalories, but fewer nutrients, for less money; high-quality diets deliver fewer kcalories, but more nutrients, for more money. The challenge, of course, is finding the foods that deliver the most nutrients for the least cost. Lowering the price of fruits and vegetables is one easy and effective way to improve diet quality.
Economic uncertainty and stress greatly influence the prevalence of obesity. People who are unsure about their next meal may overeat when food or money are available. Interestingly, food insecure people who do not participate in food assistance programs have a greater risk of obesity than those who do participate—illustrating that providing food actually helps to prevent obesity.