Well put!

Steve

Quoting "Heurtin-Roberts, Suzanne (NIH/NCI) [E]" <[log in to unmask]>:

> Obesity has been implicated as a risk factor (if not etiological factor)
> in a number of diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and
> diabetes.  These diseases disproportionately afflict the poor as well as
> ethnic minorities (sorry, but because of our history of slavery and
> racism in the US, we can not ignore race/ethnicity). Mortality and
> disability is higher among the poor and particular racial/ethnic groups
> from these diseases as well.
>
>
>
> Research points to a multicausal explanation for obesity in the US.
> Poor diet heavy on fat and sugar and low rates of physical activity are
> probably the most immediate causes.  (Here at the NIH we are looking at
> a number of "Energy Balance" programs-how much is put in versus what is
> expended).  Contextual factors such as availability of healthy foods
> (such as fresh produce) at affordable prices in one's community, how
> secure a neighborhood is for physical activity such as walking or
> playing ball and other sports are also important.  These contexts are,
> of course, directly related to economic and social inequality as well as
> racism.  However I think we would be making a grave mistake if we were
> to single out any one factor to emphasize at the expense of
> understanding another.  It is not a question of poverty or access to
> healthy foods or physical activity.  The world's just not that simple;
> all of these things need to be addressed.   It is certainly not only a
> question of poverty. (otherwise how would be explain Bill Clinton's
> health problems of recent years?)
>
>
>
> Is this emphasis on obesity resulting in the building of professional
> careers, travel to fancy meetings and seminars in very pleasant places
> and the amassing of personal wealth and prestige?  Sure, I guess so. But
> I don't think this is anymore true than other research areas, including
> research on social stratification and economic inequity.  And, the fact
> that it may result in significant gain for a small portion of the
> population in no way changes the situation that obesity is related to
> much disease and is not equally distributed throughout the population.
>
>
>
> Finally, I disagree that the poor aren't concerned about their weight or
> body fat content.  I've done lots of work with the "poor" (I certainly
> was one of them as a child) and I know many persons who have expressed
> such concern.  The cruel irony is that those in greatest need of obesity
> control are often those who have the fewest resources to do something
> about it.  And that, no question is directly related to poverty.
>
>
>
> I don't think that a concern with obesity and health in the US is at all
> frivolous.  I think it's of great importance to the whole population,
> but especially those who have the fewest resources at their disposal.
>
>
>
> Suzanne Heurtin-Roberts
>
> National Cancer Institute,
>
> National Institutes of Health
>
> Bethesda, MD 20892
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: Tom Carson [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2006 12:52 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [SDOH] Time Magazine:The Politics of Fat
>
>
>
> Is it not the case that focusing on diet simply increases the gradient
> in health because it is those with control in their lives who are most
> able not just financially, but also because they simply feel good enough
> to address taking better care of self.  So the more we focus on fat as
> the problem, the more we increase the gradient.
>
>
>
> The wealthier, better educated, and most particularly those feeling a
> mastery of life will make adjustments on both physical and spiritual
> dimensions and those with three jobs, no spouse and constantly in fear
> of being able to balance it all will do the things we all do with diet
> when we feel the weight of the worked is weighing on us - treat
> ourselves badly - in every way.
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Social Determinants of Health [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
> Deborah Lay
> Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2006 10:58 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [SDOH] Time Magazine:The Politics of Fat
>
>
>
> Dear Greta (or anyone out there),
>
> Do you have or know of any literature evidence of the response of low
> income people to "healthy eating"  messaging?  Any best practice
> evidence on what works in addressing obesity in low income populations.
> Anything about where or how resources should be invested to address
> nutrition related chronic disease prevention (such as obesity, heart
> disease, etc) to support health outcomes for this food access challenged
> group.
>
>
>
> We need evidence - because we can't advocate for health resources to be
> expended on this population specifically unless we can show that general
> healthy eating communications doesn't work for this specific sub-group.
> Obviously, it is clear that there is a difference but lifestyle changes
> are cheaper and the greater group that pays taxes would like to know
> that it is personal choice and lack of effort that makes poor people
> fat, sick, and mentally ill.
>
>
>
> Would appreciate anybody responding with some help which we can all use
> on the public health nutrition front who work with poor people.
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
>
>
>   Debs
>
>
>
> Deborah Lay, MSc., RD
> Public Health Nutritionist
> Durham Region Health Department
> 605 Rossland Rd. E., 2nd Floor
> Whitby, ON  L1N 6A3
> Tel: 1 800 841-2729 ext. 3114
> Fax:  905 666-6231
> Email: [log in to unmask]
>
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