Low-Income Families Face Childhood Obesity

Obesity is prevalent in low-income households in Tehran, and members of the capital’s poor families are more likely to be overweight, according to a recent study.

Data for the study was compiled from health care centers, relevant research by the Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, and recent studies by the Faculty of Nutrition at Tehran University of Medical Sciences.

The result presented a strong argument that low-income children and adolescents are more likely to be obese than their higher income peers.

Speaking to IRNA, Abdolreza Nourozi, a nutritionist and a faculty member at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, said the new study shows a drastic shift in trend. “In the past, obesity was commonly observed among the affluent living in the posh northern districts in Tehran, but this study suggests now it is more prevalent among the less-privileged,” he said.

Moreover, the number of overweight students has also grown in schools in poorer areas.

While the precise cause is still under study, Norouzi attributes it to the soaring prices of healthy foods, availability of unhealthy alternatives at affordable prices, and insufficient knowledge of obesity and associated risks.

“In recent years, we have seen increase in the price of good food whereas high-calorie food with abundant fat content is more affordable,” Norouzi said.

Citing international studies, Norouzi says obesity and related health risks are responsible for 17% of deaths among Iranians.

An estimated 70% of adults over the age of 20 in the sprawling capital are either obese or overweight.

A drop in the consumption of fruits and vegetables and physical inactivity, particularly in big cities are cited as the main causes of obesity among Iranians.