Grocery Shopping Behaviors Among Low-Income Female Guardians and Its Impact on Childhood Weight

Grocery Shopping Behaviors among Low-Income Female Guardians and its Impact on Childhood Weight

12/7/2011

Introduction

Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic in most developed countries in the world. The number of obese children in the United States has tripled since 1980 ("Obesity statistics: Obesity," 2011). This problem is especially great in the United States where one-third of children are now obese or overweight (American Heart Association, 2011). There are numerous factors that predispose children to obesity including energy imbalance and genetics. Environmental factors, such as food access, neighborhoods, and stress, also have a significant impact on childhood obesity (Bellows & Roach, 2011).

Childhood obesity is a serious health concern that affects not only the individual child but also the country as a whole. Some of the health risks of obesity in childhood include high blood pressure and high cholesterol (Williams, Going, Lohman, Harsha, Snnivasan, Webber & Berenson, 1992), increased risk of impaired glucose intolerance (diabetes) (Lee, Herman, McPheeters & Gurney, 2006), breathing problems, joint problems, gastro-esophageal reflux, and social and psychological problems. Obese children are also at a greater risk for psychological effects including low self-esteem and lower perceived quality of life (“Basics about childhood obesity,” 2011). Obesity is a huge financial burden on the nation as a whole, costing $147 billion dollars per year in direct medical costs.  In addition to the health care costs, obesity lowers productivity rates and prevents many children from qualifying for the military (Reinberg, 2009).

Poverty greatly affects children’s intakes. Food costs and access determine the diets of low-income children. Poverty is no longer associated with underweight, in fact low-income and obesity often coexist in the same population (Bhattacharyaa, Currie & Haider, 2004). The low cost of high energy, low nutrient...