Comments LynneL has made

these are not the only factors

I lived and taught in the S. Bronx for three years.  There, like many places, there is both a high level of poverty and a high level of obesity.  Quality food WAS difficult to obtain; the produce aisles of the local Pathmark contained nothing I wanted to eat - spotty veggies, withered carrots, white tomatoes. But I think it's more than that.  But,like someone before me pointed out, if you care and take the time, you can eat right.  However, poor people spend a HUGE amount of time working (often two jobs) and they are under tremendous stress from many things: financials, child-rearing, violence, etc.  Sometimes an exhausted person turns to comfort foods too frequently.  I know I gained 25 pounds when I lived there, anyway.  I left for my health.  What if I didn't feel that I had the option/resources to leave?  

"Those who do nothing make no mistakes." - Peter Kropotkin