Hunger Obesity Paradox in America

Hunger-Obesity Paradox

​Hunger is a serious epidemic that affects millions of people worldwide. When thinking of hunger and how it affects those suffering, many people picture international children-haggard and gaunt, but few realize that hunger often looks very different. In first world countries, where most people have access to commercialized food, obese people are often the ones who are hungry. This discordant concept is known as the Hunger-Obesity Paradox. Many people that have inconsistent access to food rely on unhealthy, inexpensive food to survive.

​Research shows that one in six Americans go hungry. But what exactly is hunger? Hunger is a difficult concept to measure-it’s a physical sensation anyone can feel, and is hard to measure numerically. The term food insecurity is used to set quantifiable conditions to an abstract term. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, food insecurity is a lack of access to enough food for all household members. In 2015, 13% of all households were considered food insecure. Households with children reported food insecurity 6% more than those without. In urban cities, where this epidemic is most prevalent, one in four households with children is food insecure. The problem of widespread hunger is such an important issue because it severely impacts concentration, weakens the heart, and stunts long term growth.

​Obesity is another widespread problem that affects millions of people nationwide. According to the Center for Disease Control an individual is considered obese if his/her Body Mass Index (BMI) is in the 95th percentile for his/her age and height group. As of 2014, 38% of all adults were obese and 20% of all teenagers were obese. At this time, all states have an obesity rate above 20%. In 1985 not one state had an obesity rate above 15 percent. Although obesity rates have seemed to level off in the last few years, it is still a serious problem that must be reversed because of its long-term impacts on the heart, kidneys, and bones.

​High obesity rates are often closely correlated with low-income households. This statement seems contradictory because low-income households should have limited food sources, and therefore be underweight-not obese. However this intertwined relation between hunger and obesity is understood when their food options are evaluated. In modern America, a fast food restaurant can be found on every corner. Access to this cheap and extremely unhealthy food has never been easier. Meanwhile, access to more nutritious food can be more difficult. Non-processed and untreated foods can be fairly expensive and are only sold in specific locations. The solution for food insecure people is to rely on unhealthy food, because it often is their only option. The irony found in considering this paradox is the public’s opinion on it. Many people say that we must not have a hunger problem because of such a high obesity rate. They fail to see that the high obesity rate can be partly attributed to the hunger problem in America.

​In acknowledgment of the Hunger-Obesity Paradox in America, three federal programs were enacted. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is very similar to the food stamp program. It gives monthly funds to nearly 50