Final Summary

I found that obesity rates increase the economic status decreases.  This was along the lines of my theory, but I was surprised to find that the difference in the ratios between men of higher and lower class and the ratio of women of higher and lower class were so different.  Male obesity rates are generally equal, but across the board (all majority, minority groups), women of lower income had more instances of obesity.  I found one study that blames this on not knowing what is poor nutrition, they are lazy or to busy to cook, to tired after work to exercise or have no access to gyms or good food.  I wasn't surprised at this finding, I got a boat load of food at McDonald's yesterday for $6 and in 10 minutes.  It is easy, fast and cheap, something that people with less money, or working multiple jobs may need.

Update

I have begun researching how economic status may lead to obesity.  It is becoming clear that those with less money have higher obesity levels.  i am going to continue researching on reasons this may be the case.

Strategy/Plan for Research

I chose the secondary analysis for my research method.  I would really like to find out how food price and socioeconomic status can lead to obesity.  There are many websites about the raise in obesity but I will use the CDC and obesity statistics for information and statistics.  I will look only at how prices and money effect obesity, not ethnicity.  I will also look at food pricing to prove why there is an obesity gap.  I will also factor in the ability for upper class to attend the gym by looking at those studies.  There are many websites and a lot of research done in this field, as it is a national problem, so there are many sources that I can use to compare and learn more about a persons socioeconomic states and its relevance to a persons weight.

Suggested Research Method

I have chosen archival (secondary analysis) to evaluate how obesity has grown, and what has caused it.  I will look at research and findings through the years to see the yearly changes.  

Bloomberg

Because of all the news about this recently, I figured I would comment on it.  This NY Times article explains the drink ban Bloomberg has enacted, or he tried to enact.  The day before the enactment, a New York supreme court justice decided it was unconstitutional.  This ban was Bloomberg's attempt to create a healthier lifestyle for New Yorkers.  This quote from the article "New York City is not about wringing your hands; it’s about doing something,” he said. “I think that’s what the public wants the mayor to do.”  In New York they want action against this national problem and Bloomberg offered one.  This may not be as effective as the mayor hopes, but it is a step toward a healthier community.  On the other hand, what right does the mayor have to decide who gets to drink and eat what.  

National Threat

This CNN article begins with a eye opening story about a governor that sat down at a staff meeting and the chair broke.  He couldn't even say how much he weighed at the time because his scale stopped at 280.  He went to the doctor and found out he has Type 2 diabetes.  He was going to die in the next 10 years if he did not change.  His weight was literally killing him.  He lost 120 pounds and is now a spokes person for obesity awareness.  THe article explains, "An estimated two of every three American adults, and more than one in six children and adolescents are considered overweight or obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The rates have been on the rise since the late 1980s after being relatively constant in the '60s and '70s, said Dr. Cynthia Ogden, an epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention." This shows that through changes in society throughout the past few years has increased rates of diabetes. 

Looking at these statistics also reminds be about this article on Yahoo a few days ago.  It is believed that because of woman's decrease in housework,   they have burned less calories (by going into the workforce) and therefore gained weight. Although I don't believe women  should step back into the 60's I think it is interesting that this change in society has had this type of impact. 
  

Michelle Obama

With all the hype about her Oscar's presentation I thought I would talk about the first ladies initiative to reform the nations eating habits.  This article speaks about the success of her movement "Let's move!"  Although the second half of the article is more about the first lady's presidential life, the first illustrates something new.  According to the article there has been a drop in obesity.    It seems like maybe a new society change is happening in America, one in which moving and eating better are becoming "in."
My favorite quote from the article is "If we could fry water in Mississippi, we would, we would do that," Roberts, who grew up in Pass Christian, Mississippi, said. "Food is a culture."  Although I agree that food is culture (think Italy: spaghetti and pizza, Ireland: potato, and France: croissants), I don't  think that this is an excuse to "fry water."

CDC Obesity Epidemic

              This CDC video explains how the obesity epidemic has expanded and what it can lead to.  Obesity has grown for a majority of  external reasons.  Our environment has changed so much in the past few years, we have much more access to food when ever we want it, and less walking or biking to get there.  Almost everyone has a car and if they don't they have ready access to a bus or rail line.  It is usually to unsafe to play outside and it is easier to sit in front of a computer screen.  Our society has changed and that has led to the rise of this.  Our foods are more caloric and fast food, both cheap and fast, is horrible for you.  
               What is most striking is that there is no real answer to the epidemic   It is not something that we can get a vaccine for and Congress cannot pass a bill to prevent it.  Each person has to do it themselves.  We can try to help by lowering the price of good food and restricting the size of soft drinks (thanks Bloomberg)  but there is no real answer without public help.

Portion Distortion

According to this article, out portions have grown substantially in the past few years. This has led to a huge obesity problem.  120 million Americans are overweight or obese!  Due to portion distortion, we could be putting on an extra 10 pounds a year by simply eating all the food on out plate 3 meals a day.  Another problem is that we eat all of it.  People don't bring extra food home, they try to eat it all.  I do this a lot.  I don't want to have to lug the food home, and it is never as good re-heated.  According to the article there are many ways to manage your plate.  I think that the best ones are "slow down" and "share a meal".  Slow down is probably my favorite.  How many times have you finished eating and realized your stuffed, way beyond the necessary limits. If you eat slower you can avoid this feeling.  The other good idea is share a meal.  You can get a couple of appetizers and share a meal.  Then you will also have extra room for dessert also.

Then and Now

I think that this image is very telling about Obesity in the United States.  Its really interesting how 
the two actors, portraying the same character, can be so different.  In the  book, Augustus 
Gloop is described as a fat kid that loves filling his face with sweets. In just 34 years the idea of
the  most obese kid they could find changed so drastically.  The  norm has  changed just as 
much.  If we were to see the 1971 Augustus today, we may just think of him as  a built athlete, in 
that time he was the over indulgent "fat kid". 

This chart is also startling.  in 1991, no state had more than 20-24 percent obesity.  Only 4 states had 15-19 percent obesity. No we have nothing under 15-19 percent obesity.  In just 12 years our country has multiplied its rates.  This cannot just be the times.  Things have changed over the years that have set this into effect.  how can our society have changed so drastically in 12 years?

Why obesity?

I choose Obesity in the United States for my blog because it seems to be a growing issue.  My parents have always talked about how they grew up seeing fewer cases of obesity then they do mow.  I am interested in what has happened that spurred this growth.  I also think that this will also allow me to look into other projects / studies to see what may have changed (examples:  growth of technology / portion distortion / instant gratification).