Studies show that poverty is linked to obesity. In the British study, Poverty and Obesity, from the Social Issues Research Center, Bob Holman, who quit academia to work on projects in socially deprived areas, says... "This is not rocket science. Poor health is a well known feature of deprivation. Mothers are not daft and they do know fat and crisps are bad for children but they can't afford the alternative. The government has to give them means. Initiatives are not going to change anything unless you've got the cash in your pocket. If you buy a salad at Sainsbury's, it's still very expensive."
This is not even to mention the stress and insecurity that effect the emotions of living in poverty. As far as fruits and vegetables go I still have half a tub of spinach and some chard but only half a jar of applesauce, no money, and it is still 3 days till payday. Fruits and vegetables are suppose to be the big fat bottom of my food pyramid. At times like these, which come way too often, I am much more likely to take any food that is offered to me such as left over muffins or birthday cake at work. I have plenty of rice and lentils on hand but fresh fruits and vegetables are perishable and more expensive than starch. Planned diet rules can go out the window at times like this.
The emotional anxiety of poverty also takes its toll. When I did the yoga exercise recently to deal with negative emotions, most of mine, sorrow, rage and fear, relate directly to my seeming inability to make a decent living. Not for lack of education. I have a Masters degree. It's not stupidity. I graduated with highest honors. I'm just working for a low budget non-profit for $10 an hour. Constrained by lack of money I can not live where I want, I can not do what I want, and a few days before pay day, I can not even eat what I want. Plus, if someone offers me a cookie or some Macaroni and cheese at a time like this... I am likely to take it.
This is not even to mention the stress and insecurity that effect the emotions of living in poverty. As far as fruits and vegetables go I still have half a tub of spinach and some chard but only half a jar of applesauce, no money, and it is still 3 days till payday. Fruits and vegetables are suppose to be the big fat bottom of my food pyramid. At times like these, which come way too often, I am much more likely to take any food that is offered to me such as left over muffins or birthday cake at work. I have plenty of rice and lentils on hand but fresh fruits and vegetables are perishable and more expensive than starch. Planned diet rules can go out the window at times like this.
The emotional anxiety of poverty also takes its toll. When I did the yoga exercise recently to deal with negative emotions, most of mine, sorrow, rage and fear, relate directly to my seeming inability to make a decent living. Not for lack of education. I have a Masters degree. It's not stupidity. I graduated with highest honors. I'm just working for a low budget non-profit for $10 an hour. Constrained by lack of money I can not live where I want, I can not do what I want, and a few days before pay day, I can not even eat what I want. Plus, if someone offers me a cookie or some Macaroni and cheese at a time like this... I am likely to take it.
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