It was recently published (May 23, 2006) that older teens that live in poverty are overweight in most cases than the teens of the same age that live in wealthy families.
However the researches held in USA published in The Journal of the American Medical Association state that the people from all backgrounds are faced with weight gaining.
The impact of family income on teen's weight
All these facts appeared due to the 4 national surveys. The studies were based on the BMI (that measures height to weight). The scientists measured the height and weight of the teenagers. Also they asked their parents about their total income. The scientists managed to find out that teenagers aged 15-17 years who live in poverty are mostly overweight and they comprise 23% and only 14% of overweight teens are present in wealthy families.
 However the fact of weight gaining wasn’t noticed at the youth aged 12-14 years. The truth is that older teens have more possibilities and they are free in their choices especially in their food preferences.
But it should be mentioned that weight control can be achieved by the young people inrespective of their background.
Clues in the Data
The research held by Miech doesn’t unveil the facts why poverty causes weight gaining. Still he and his colleagues have managed to explain some clues in this data.
They found out that older teen aged from 15 to 17 and who live in poor families give the preference mostly to the sweet drinks, they live sedentary lifestyle and they often avoid breakfasts while the youth from wealthy families do it in rare cases.
Also the scientists state that more studies should be made in order to inquire more information.
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