Rich People, Less Likely to Be Obese

Quality food is more expensive, this is a fact. And quality food means a higher nutritive value (proteins, minerals and vitamins), while the cheap junk food is rich in starches and oils, caloric bombs that are deposited in abundant fatty layers.

Now, a new research at the University of Washington showed a correlation between financial power and obesity level: those inhabiting chic neighborhoods with high property values are less prone to obesity than those living in under-privileged zones.

The information was gathered from 8 803 respondents by 74 postcodes in King County (Washington state). The researchers encountered for each 100 000-dollar rise in the average house price, "zip code area obesity" decreased by 2%.

Obesity levels were of 30% in the most deprived areas, but just around 5% in the most affluent postcodes, as property values were used to assess a neighborhood's life level. Previous researches gathered data from a broader geographical spread, revealing lower disparities.

This research found an obesity level which was 10 % higher for blacks compared to whites and people with low yearly gains had a 20% obesity rate, a number lowered to 15% for those with over $ 50 000 annual income.

"Obesity is an economic issue," said lead author Adam Drewnowski, director of the university's center for obesity research.
"Our research shows that geography, social class and economic standing all play huge roles in the obesity problem. Some of the most disadvantaged areas - those hardest hit by low income, low education and low property values - are also the ones most affected by the obesity epidemic."

A recent report revealed that obesity is still rising in the US last year, with 70 % of adults and about 25 million children obese or overweight. Poorer southern states were the most afflicted by the epidemic and Mississippi is the "leader", with 30 % of the adults being obese.