An interesting thing about our culture is that the United States suffers from an obesity epidemic, while countries in Africa suffer from starvation and lack of food. Our picture of hunger is bony children begging for food, cupboards with empty spaces, or maybe even exhausted and paled expressions on passing faces. Our picture of hunger is normally not super sized gas station sodas, family sized chip bags, or McDonald's hamburgers every night.
The United States may not have the same sized bodies as the people of Nigeria, but we share a similar problem. It's called malnutrition. If you think about it, income is the biggest determinant of body weight. Can you afford food? Can you afford the food you want to eat? What about the food you need to eat? The poorest population of 3rd world countries are too skinny, and the poorest people of 1st world countries are statistically too large. People within the lowest income percentile are trying to get their calories in the cheapest way, and more often than not, that comes from junk food. Dr. Chris Rangel writes, "Terrible dietary habits and obesity are certainly not limited to people poor enough to be eligible for food stamps but there is evidence that links food stamp use with greater rates of obesity." Getting the bulk of your calories from trans fats, refined grains, high fructose corn syrup, and enormous amounts of sodium will not lead to a healthy body or life. McDonald's is much cheaper than Panera, which is supposed to be considered clean eating. A giant bag of Doritos is cheaper than fresh vegetables. What gets you the best bang for your buck? From the article, "The Economics of Obesity" professor and obesity researcher Dr. Adam Drewnowski "found that he could buy well over 1,000 calories of cookies or potato chips. But his dollar would only buy 250 calories of carrots. He could buy almost 900 calories of soda… but only 170 calories of orange juice." It is not cheap or easy to eat fresh, organic, or gluten-free. The consistent consumption of junk foods leads to a lack of energy and heart and health problems, subsequently stunting these individuals hope for financial stability.
Another big part of eating healthy is based on the area you live. Obviously, the more populated areas are going to generate the most revenue for stores. You won't see a Walmart open in my town of 2,500 people. There are barely any businesses in areas with lower income groups, let alone grocery stores. Food availability determines an individual's eating choices. That one gas station is going to carry 79 cent super sized sodas and hot and ready pizzas, not turkey, strawberries, and fresh spinach.
It's a different world now. Things have changed. Our understanding of our culture and the people living in it need to change too.
