Feds to Fund Study of Obesity / Food Stamp Link
The Department of Agriculture has given an MTSU economics professor $120,000 to study the effects the federal Food Stamp Program has on obesity:Historically, poverty has been associated with a decrease in food consumption, he said, but with the institution of the Food Stamp Act in 1964, poverty no longer had to mean a reduction in food consumption.Since 1964, Baum said, the prevalence of obesity has dramatically increased, particularly among the individuals eligible for the Food Stamp Program.
"I think the federal government is interested in this because obesity is increasing health expenditures," Baum said, "and the federal government roughly pays for half of the health care in the country with Medicare and Medicaid.
"As medical expenses are increasing, it is a big concern for the government," he said. ...
Additionally, low-income families often overeat when food is available, and over time the body can learn to compensate for periodic food shortages by storing calories as fat.
As general manager of Jr's Foodland on East Main Street, Eric Habel says most of his customers, including those on Food Stamps, purchase the store's fresh meats.
Blog post #4813 in category
Politics
posted 13 April 05
Correlation does not prove causation. I think it almost self-evident that low-income families are among the most likely to consume a junk food heavy diet with what money they do contribute to their sustinence. Additionally, un or underemployed individuals would tend to be less active than most of their gainfully employed counterparts.
Posted by AnonCon on Thursday at 1:48 AM
"Additionally, un or underemployed individuals would tend to be less active than most of their gainfully employed counterparts."
All the more reason to kick them off of food stamps and get them gainfully employed.
Hey I got an idea. Pull the plug on food stamps and welfare then promptly provide them a job at twice the minimum wage.
SEALING the Mexican border!
But the whimpering Dems would never let it happen.
Posted by Marc on Thursday at 2:43 AM