Fisher-Hoch SP, Rentfro AR, Salinas JJ, Pérez A, Brown HS, Reininger BM, et al. (2010). Socioeconomic Status and Prevalence of Obesity and Diabetes in a Mexican American community, Cameron County, Texas, 2004-2007. Prev Chronic Dis 2010;7(3).http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2010/may/09_0170.htm. Accessed Feb. 10, 2014.
They began by randomly selecting people between the ages of 35 and 64, taking into consideration that 65 is the point of eligibility for Medicare. They then asked these volunteers to fast for ten hours, overnight before coming in for an examination. In the examination they searched for certain medical indicators such as BMI, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose and insulin. They also interviewed the volunteers for information such as whether they had insurance. Other information, such as income, was also gathered.
The study focused on two main socioeconomic groups in Brownsville, the first quartile and the third quartile with the first being the poorer of the two. According to the study, " people in the first quartile had annual household incomes of $17,830 or less, and people in the third quartile had annual household incomes of $24,067-$31,747."
The main takeaway of the article is the large number of undiagnosed diabetes cases and the correlation between lower economic status and an increase in diabetes cases. It all goes back to the inability to have health care that many lower income people face. Undiagnosed diabetes can lead to many medical complications, such as amputation, that would make it even more difficult for these people to work.
A very pressing issue in this sweet-tooth crazed culture we call America. While I don't find it hard to believe that lower economic status increases risk for diabetes instigating the indirect dietary choices that come with what food and method of dining one can and cannot afford, I don't thin it is in and of itself the cause and would be curious to see what other corollaries could be mapped out.
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