2
Links Between Poverty and Obesity Through the Life Course into Young Adulthood
Introduction
One of the most serious public health concerns in the United States today has been the rapid
increase in overweight and obesity among children and adolescents. Between 1999 and 2000
approximately 15% of children ages 6 to 11 were overweight, compared to just 4% in 1971 to 1974. The
statistics are just as alarming for adolescents. Between 1999 and 2000 approximately 15% of adolescents
age 12 to 19 were overweight, compared to just 6% in 1971 to 1974 (Ogden et al. 2002).
This issue is of concern because being overweight and obese at these ages has many negative
consequences. Overweight children are likely to become overweight adults (Dietz 1998; Serdula et al.
1993; Whitaker et al 1997; Reilly et al 2003), and are at increased risk for a number of negative health
outcomes as adults (e.g. type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, stroke,
osteoarthritis and some types of cancer), including death (Pi-Sunyer 1991). Although researchers note
that childhood obesity may not result in health risk as adults (Wright et al. 2001), there are negative
psychosocial and health outcomes that affect overweight children and adolescents. Overweight children
and adolescents may endure prejudice and suffer from low self-esteem (Dietz 1998; Reilly et al. 2003).
They may also experience hypertension and high cholesterol levels (both cardiovascular risk factors) and
abnormal glucose tolerance (Dietz 1998; Reilly et al. 2003). Overweight adolescents complete fewer
years of education, are less likely to marry, and have a lower household income as adults, independent of
their family’s socioeconomic status (Gortmaker et al. 1993; Sobal and Stunkard 1989).
The current focus of obesity research has been to connect the sudden rise in obesity to lifestyle,
diet, genetics, and the changing environment. However, there is also evidence that suggests that food
choices and diet quality, which are related to weight status, are influenced by social and economic
resources (Drewnowski and Specter 2004). In fact, in the U.S., the highest rates of obesity occur among
Convention