Obesity with Hunger?
 
Yes, it does exist and it's often referred to as the Paradox between Obesity and Hunger. Driven in part by the economics of buying food, struggling households often have to rely on cheaper, more calorically dense foods to increase their purchasing power. The presence of "food deserts" where there are no larger chain grocery stores and limited transportation to a nearby city or town further exacerbates the situation. Families, particularly food insecure families, are more likely to rely on fast food or corner market stores that often have limited selections for the bulk of their food.
 
Researchers from the University of Minnesota in a project called Eating Among Teens (EAT) found teenagers living in homes that struggle to afford food were more likely to be overweight or obese than other teenagers and were also more likely to eat more than the recommended proportion of fat in their diet. Read more here.

Here's the bright side: The federal Child Nutrition Programs can intercept at critical times and settings and provide children with access to free or low-cost, nutritious food to support healthy eating habits. All child nutrition programs follow nutritional guidelines from the United States Department of Agriculture. In this way, the programs can be effective ways to reduced the prevalence of childhood obesity. For instance, new research by Children's Health Watch shows that children who receive WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) are more likely to be in excellent or good health and have a healthy height and weight for their age. In addition to nutritional benefits, child nutrition programs often create opportunities for physical activity as seen with the Summer Food Service Program and its connection to local parks and recreation summer camps and other outdoor summer programs and activities.
 
Quick Facts
 
-For years 2005-2007, the average rate of Connecticut children under 18 who are food insecure is 13% and those children under 5 is 14.1%. -Feeding America 2009 

-One in four (26%) Connecticut high school students are obese or overweight. - 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Survey
 
-In one year, obesity-related health problems in Connecticut added $856 million in adult medical expenditures, including $665 million in Medicaid and Medicare costs. -Finkelstein, EA, et at.      

More facts from the Connecticut Commission on Children found here.
 
These are alarming figures when we consider the many programs and services CT has that promote, encourage, and provide resources for families finding it hard to meet their nutritional needs. For this reason, policy changes are necessary to provide further education and resources as well as expand eligibility guidelines for Child Nutrition Programs.
 
The upcoming Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2009 provides an opportunity for us to grow and strengthen all federal child nutrition programs to further supply low income households with the resources and access to take advantage of all they have to offer. To learn more about efforts and recommendations around Child Nutrition Reauthorization, please attend our forum on June 15th at Wexler Grant Community School in New Haven, CT. See below for more details.