Recession 'will make people fatter'
Author: Simon Macsis
Category: Health
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Although seemingly two very different subjects, obesity and the recession are things which never seem to be off the news today.
It seems that the two may be linked, however, according to new research conducted in Germany which suggests that the issue of obesity is set to worsen as the recession takes hold.
A team of specialists at the University of Mainz have conducted an analysis of over 9,000 people and found that the global economic downturn may be having a direct impact on how overweight people are.
According to the experts, mounting levels of debt caused by financial troubles are causing many people to resort to comfort eating, which is in turn expanding waistlines.
Professor Eva Munster, who led the research, said medical health insurance customers affected by the downturn must resist the urge to eat fatty convenience food, as they may be putting their wellbeing at risk.
"The recent credit crunch will have health implications for private households. While income, education and occupational status are frequently used in definitions of socioeconomic status, levels of debt are not usually considered," she elaborated.
Professor Munster said the research involved splitting the 9,000 participants into two groups, one of which was made up of people who were in debt and the other consisting of individuals without money worries.
Of the 949 who were in debt, 25 per cent could be classed as medically obese, compared with only 11 per cent in the debt-free group.
These results can be backed up by other studies which had similar outcomes, the expert suggested.
She advised people with private health cover to steer clear of sweet, sugary foods which are often cheap and provide an energy boost, but are loaded with fats and calories.
Energy-dense foods such as sweets or fatty snacks are often less expensive compared to food with lower energy density such as fruit or vegetables.
As the proportion of UK men who are classed as obese increased from 13.2 per cent in 1993 to 23.1 per cent in 2005, professor Munster said it is more important than ever that people pay attention to their diet, regardless of money worries.
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Keywords: medical health insurance, private health cover
View Count: 276
Date Submitted: 8/26/2009
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