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Bronx Residents: Obese, But Still Hungry
By
Sabrina Jaszi
Published Mar 14, 2010
Modified Mar 14, 2010
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By
Sabrina Jaszi
Published Mar 14, 2010
Modified Mar 14, 2010
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Even though the Bronx has some of the highest obesity rates in the nation, it also has some of the hungriest people, according to recent study. The Times says the seeming contradiction can be explained through a redefinition of the word “hunger.” These days “food insecure” is the term used by researchers to describe low-income people who have high calorie diets with poor nutritional value. “Hunger and obesity are often flip sides to the same malnutrition coin,” said Joel Berg, executive director of the New York City Coalition Against Hunger. But what is the city doing about it?
“We tackle the challenge on three fronts — providing income supports, increasing healthy options and encouraging nutritious behavior,” said Linda Gibbs, deputy mayor for health and human services. To those ends, the city encourages farmers market patronage through food stamps incentives, lures grocery stores to poor areas with tax breaks and has begun running carts that sell cheap, fresh fruit. Thing is, many poor people work more, so they don’t have time to cook or exercise, according to one doctor, and figures confirm the programs aren't working.
According to Food Research and Action Center stats, almost 37 percent of respondents in the South Bronx’s congressional district said they didn’t have enough money to buy food at some point in the last 12 months—more than in any other district. According to the Times, Bronx residents are 85 percent more likely to be obese than Manhattanites.
Tagged
food insecurity
grocery store
hunger
nutrition
NY Coalition Against Hunger
obesity
South Bronx
the bronx
Sabrina Jaszi
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