Obesity Takes San Antonio

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they most definitely are not facing the health risks of being obese. The statistic, although listed on a reputable source, may not be as accurate as one thinks, especially when making a claim that obesity correlates to living in a poor neighborhood. The fact that obesity is calculated with such an inaccurate system disqualifies the claim to be 100% true.

Also, the claim includes the idea that the poorer neighborhoods of San Antonio are obese because of the easy access to fast food as well as the cheap prices of it. However, when calculated, fast food is significantly more expensive than having food at home that is from the grocery store, especially in the long run. For example, a meal at Whataburger is around 5-6 dollars (Whataburger). However, when food is purchased at a grocery store such as HEB, food is significantly cheaper and lasts much longer when portioned out. So, the idea that obesity among the poor is because of their access to fast food doesn’t make much sense with the fact that fast food prices aren’t as low as many think they are, especially with prices prices that are expected to climb. Also, nearly 25% of San Antonio’s population qualify for food stamps, so if they really needed cheap food, the food stamps would provide them with it rather than something as expensive as a 6 dollar meal, especially if it is a family with multiple members (Hunger). There definitely are poorer people and families that are obese and do not know how to manage their money in the smartest way, however this claim is a generalization and is difficult to determine with so many other factors of obesity involved.

Obesity is a case by case situation, and the claim that obesity is rampant in poorer neighborhoods may be true in some situations, but definitely not all. This claim is more of a blanket statement and fails to address specifically the other crucial factors that make up the people and situations involved in obesity such as their lifestyles (priorities, mainly) and ethnicity. Ethically, this claim adds to the already negative stereotype around those who are deemed “fat”, which is not helpful when there is already an extremely negative stereotype around those that are economically challenged/poor. This claim is true in a tiny, situational sense, but ends up being very misleading and creates a stereotype for people to create if they are less informed on the entirety of the obesity situation. There are too many factors of obesity to create a definitive correlation between being economically challenged and obesity.

Works Cited

“Community Profile: San Antonio, Texas.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 25 Oct. 2013, www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dch/programs/communitiesputtingpreventiontowork/communities/profiles/obesity-tx_sanantonio.htm.

“Demographics.” San Antonio EDF, San Antonio Economic Development Foundation, 2014, www.sanantonioedf.com/living/demographics/.

Gatineau, Mary, and Shireen Mathrani. “Briefing Papers :: Public Health England Obesity Knowledge and Intelligence Team.” National Obesity Observatory, National Obesity Observatory, Jan. 2011, www.noo.org.uk/noo_pub/briefing_papers.

“Hunger Facts.” San Antonio Food Bank, San Antonio Food Bank, safoodbank.org/hunger-facts/.

“Quickfacts .” United States Census Bureau , US Department of Commerce , 2010, www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/lnd110210/4865000.

“Relationship Between Poverty and Obesity « Food Research &Amp; Action Center.” Relationship Between Poverty and Obesity, Food Research &Amp; Action Center, frac.org/initiatives/hunger-and-obesity/are-low-income-people-at-greater-risk-for-overweight-or-obesity/.

“The State of Obesity.” Special Report: Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Obesity, State of Obesity, stateofobesity.org/disparities/.

“Whataburger Prices - Fast Food Menu Prices.” Fast Food Menu Prices, www.fastfoodmenuprices.com/whataburger-prices/.

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