Obese and Malnourished
An interesting article in the NYT zooms in on the South Bronx to illustrate the coexistence of hunger and obesity; a new phenomenon the article refers to as the "Bronx Paradox." Usually considered disparate concerns, several studies and survey data, including reports compiled by the Food Research and Action Center, show that there is more than meets the eye on this issue.
Researchers an other observers have pointed out that low income people may rely on less expensive, high-calorie foods, or may be unable to afford sufficient amounts of nutritious food. Large grocery stores are often unavailable in poorer neighborhoods, while fast food chains sell value-meals offering greater bang for the buck. Access to farmers’ markets is very limited, and transportation to other neighborhoods may be inconvenient and expensive. As a result, many families in low-income neighborhoods turn to their local convenience store for their food. The unavailability of safe playgrounds and parks, particularly in urban areas, only makes matters worse.
The convergence of problems may explain this, otherwise, paradoxical situation but, chief among them is poverty.
If you'd like to read more on this, take a look at these:
http://www.frac.org/html/publications/focus_obesity_poverty.htm
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