Why is there a direct correlation between food insecure
states and obesity and how can we correct it?
In the film, A Place
At The Table, it was stated that Mississippi was one of the top states for
food insecurity in America as well as being one of the top states for obesity.
One would think that if a child or a family were starving, they would not have
a problem with obesity. That is not the case because of the types of food that
are provided and that families can afford. They usually can afford food that is
cheaply made, highly processed, and unhealthy. Fruits and Vegetables are a
commodity.
If a family income was over a certain limit, they could not
qualify for food stamps. For instance, in 2017, a family of four living in
Mississippi with an annual income over $31,590 could not qualify for food
stamps. When that number is budgeted out into categories other than food such
as car payments, house payments, medical bills, etc, it does not leave a lot of
extra money for food, healthy food.
This makes it difficult for a family to buy food, especially
healthy foods such as fresh produce. Not only are there food deserts where the
nearest grocery store with fruits and vegetables are far away, but also the
prices for these products are very expensive. In the film, they interviewed a
mother who struggled to feed her children. She said that she knows her children
are at risk for health problems but cannot afford to feed them healthy foods.
They snack on inexpensive cookies and chips that are 35 cents a bag. It’s
inexpensive and tastes good.
Families should take advantage of food banks that are
available in their neighborhoods. A peer
in our class mentioned that his family had to live off of food from food banks,
but still managed to eat healthy and even cook meals for themselves. They took
different ingredients offered and made them into meals for their family. A lot
of it is desire and effort. Yes, parents come home from work tired and worn
out, but if eating healthy is a goal, one can put effort in to strive and reach
for it. Sometimes you have to lose your pride and accept help from others. It
is okay to be helped! Especially when you are benefiting you family.
This issue leads to families, especially growing children to
be poorly nourished and to begin to rack up a long list of health problems.
This puts them at risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease and other health
issues. The portion of the film where the little boy was getting a check up at
the doctor’s office really hit me hard. It showed a nine year old boy who was
obese and on his way to type 2 diabetes and who knows what kind of other health
issues. The nurse asked him if he had trouble breathing when he was outside
running around, playing with other children. He said yes. That was a hard thing
to hear and imagine being in his shoes. Thinking back to my childhood, I was
very active. I was always outside playing with my two older brothers and our
neighbors. To know that there are children out there who have trouble playing outside
because of their health is heartbreaking! Something so simple and fun for one
person can be completely different and difficult for another person.
This can lead to a vicious cycle of poor eating habits,
which makes it difficult for children to run around outside and play without
feeling physically exhausted and have trouble breathing. Because they don't
have the same enjoyment out of getting exercise while playing outside, they
revert back to indoor activities. These activities include watching television,
playing video games, and eating junk food. It's a cycle that is crippling
children not only in just Mississippi, but also across America. Food insecurity
is taking away from a crucial part of children’s’ childhoods.
Besides food being an issue with children, the ability to
remain active is a difficulty in children across America. Some families cannot
afford to enroll their children on sports teams or day camps, so they sit at
home in front of the boob tube. Fortunately enough, there are non-profit
organizations that offer sports camps that send children to camp on
scholarship, for a discounted no price at all. I was fortunate enough to work
as a coach for a non-profit organization for the past 4 summers called Run To
Win Outreach.
Run To Win Outreach is a non-profit faith based organization
that seeks to empower young children with their abilities to play sports, make
friends, and explore their beliefs. These camps are run weekly in the summer.
Each week there are a couple different sports at different locations, led by a
team of coaches. The founders of the company are aware of money insecurity and
are very generous and kind enough to send many children to camp every summer on
scholarship or for free. Working at these camps have also been an eye opener
for me. It is such a blessing to be in the presence of children who are
grateful to be there and experience a sports camp.
Starting kids off young and teaching they good habits about
food and staying active can be beneficial to their childhood and adult life. It
instills healthy habits in them that will carry on throughout their life. By
doing research in your area, you can learn about which programs near you can
send your child to camp for free or on scholarship. All it takes is effort and
desire to want the best for you child, and to take action. For some families,
this comes easier for them. For others, unfortunately it isn’t always a walk in
the park. How bad do you want it?
Reflecting back on my childhood, I did not realize how truly
blessed I have been with parents who provided enough for my family to live a
comfortable life. We lived close to grocery stores with fresh produce, in which
our fridge was fully stocked with vegetables and healthy foods to eat. I was able
to be a part of sports and had the opportunity to stay active. I was able to go
to a small private school where most of my peers lived in similar situations as
myself. Coming to college and being introduced to all kinds of backgrounds,
beliefs, and differences has been an eye opener for me. Not everyone had an
east life or upbringing. Peers in this J-Term class have been so brave enough
to share their not so easy up bringing with food and money security. I have
teammates that have opened up to me about their struggles growing up with a
lower income family. It has truly been an eye opener and I have learned to not
take things for granted. Not everyone has an easy upbringing. It is important
to be knowledgeably and aware of how other people are brought up. By
understanding ones upbringing, you understand them more as a whole, as the
person they are to this day.
Julia Berenson
Word Count: 1204
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