FUEL the Community: Battling the Hunger-Obesity Paradox

FUEL the Community

In the United States, hunger and obesity often coexist within the same individual.  This concept, known as the “Hunger- Obesity Paradox” seems almost counterintuitive.  How can the same individual be hungry and obese at the same time?

William Dietz, MD, PhD first described this phenomenon in the journal of Pediatrics in 1995.  As an example, he described one of his young female patients who was severely obese.  She lived with her mother on an extremely limited income.  They often purchased low cost, high fat food items to stave off hunger when money was scarce.

Dietz suggested that the Hunger-Obesity Paradox may be explained by intakes of high calorie density/ low nutrient density foods combined with irregular access to healthful foods.  Indeed, numerous other studies have confirmed this paradoxical relationship and stressed the need to improve access to healthful foods to low income individuals who experience food insecurity.

Obesity rates are at an all time high in the United States with over 69% of adults currently classified as overweight or obese.  Due to this epidemic— for the first time ever in American history— children born today are expected to live a shorter life expectancy than their parents.  Obesity has been associated with cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cancer, systemic inflammation, osteoarthritis, overall mortality rate and countless other chronic conditions.

These physical manifestations can then affect other areas of well-being including mental health.  For example, obesity is associated with an increased rate of depression.  Researchers speculate that this may be due to the fact that obesity contributes to systemic inflammation, HPA-axis (brain) dysregulation, and insulin resistance which can induce changes in brain function in a way that increases the risk for depression.

Research suggests that the way a person eats can affect the way he/ she acts and feels.  Diet can affect several behavioral problems and psychological conditions such as autism, attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, dementia, antisocial behavior, and depression.  It is important to note that a poor diet can negatively affect multiple aspects of health and well-being, even in the absence of obesity.  Our community is suffering.  Something must be done.

In the fall of 2017, the Furman University Department of Health Sciences will be launching a new initiative called “FUEL the Community.”   Furman Health Science majors will work directly with local non-profit agencies to provide health and nutrition education as well as healthy cooking demonstrations and recipes to individuals in need.  Local homeless shelters will strive to serve healthier meals to the men, women, and children they serve.

FUEL the Community is an extension of a six year research program that has been conducted at Furman.  Over 150 Furman employees and spouses have learned how to conform most of their meals to the FUEL plate which is ½ vegetables and/or fruits, ¼ whole grains or potatoes, and ¼ lean proteins.  The results of the FUEL Plate Dietary Intervention suggest that this simple eating guide can 1) improve nutrient intake, 2) facilitate weight management, and 3) improve health outcomes associated with chronic disease.

With the assistance of Furman University and Loaves and Fishes, over 12 nonprofit organizations will begin implementing the FUEL plate healthy eating guidelines this fall.  These organizations include all of the Miracle Hill Adult Ministries (Greenville Rescue Mission homeless shelter for men, Shepherd’s Gate homeless shelter for women and children, Renewal Addiction Recovery Center for Women, Overcomers’ Addiction Recovery Center for Men, Spartanburg Rescue Mission, and Cherokee County Rescue Mission), Greenville Free Medical Clinic, Greer Free Clinic, Greer Food Relief food pantry, Project Hope soup kitchen, North Greenville Crisis Ministry, and Our Lady’s Pantry community wellness pantry.

Low income members of our community do not have adequate access to healthful foods or the knowledge and skills how to use them.   Together, we can make a difference.

 

Cited works:

Dietz WH, Does hunger cause obesity? Pediatrics. 1995; 95:7667.

Luppinoo FS, et al. Overweight, Obesity, and Depression. Archives of General Psychiatry. 2010; 220-229.

Olshansky, SJ, et al. A Potential Decline in Life Expectancy in the United States in the 21st Century. New England Journal of Medicine. 2005; 1138-1145.

Scheier LM, What is the Hunger-Obesity Paradox? Journal of American Dietetic Association. 2005; 883.

Sanchez-Villegas, A, et al. Mediterranean Diet and Depression. Public Health Nutrition. 2006; 1104-1109.

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