Obesity Rising Among The Rich

Obesity Rising In All Income Levels, Especially Among the Rich

(WebMD)  Obesity is on the rise across America, and earning a lot of money doesn't necessarily protect against it.

Previously, obesity was associated more with poverty than wealth, say University of Iowa researchers including Nidhi Maheshwari, MBBS, a graduate research assistant in epidemiology.

But during the past 30 years, obesity has grown at all income levels — especially among the richest Americans, say the researchers, who reported their findings in Washington at the American Heart Association's 45th Annual Conference on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention.

"There has been a perception that poor people are more likely to be fat," says Maheshwari, in a news release. "However, obesity is growing at a much faster rate in those with the highest incomes."


Thick Wallet, Thick Waistline?

Obesity is still most common among those with the lowest incomes — but not by much.

People earning the most money ($60,000 per year or more) had the biggest growth in obesity from the early 1970s to the turn of the century, say Maheshwari and colleagues.

"The fact is that obesity is increasing in all races, all income categories, and at a faster rate with people in higher incomes," says the University of Iowa's Jennifer Robinson, MD, MPH, in a news release.

"Obesity prevalence is now similar across all income categories, with obesity prevalence in the highest income group rapidly approaching that of the lowest income group," says Robinson, an associate professor of epidemiology who also worked on the study.


National Income-Obesity Statistics

Here are the income-obesity statistics for 1971-1974:

• Less than $25,000: 22.5 percent obese
  
  
• $25,000-$40,000: 16.1 percent obese
  
  
• $40,000-$60,000: 14.5 percent obese
  
  
• More than $60,000: 9.7 percent obese