In today’s economy lots of us are dealing with mounting debts and shrinking incomes. But beyond the stress to your bank account, it has been found that if you are carrying too much debt, your health and particularly your weight may be impacted.
This according to the findings of a new cross sectional study out of the University of Mainz in Germany that appears in the early online edition of BMC Public Health.
The research team evaluated data on more than 9.000 subjects, 949 who were in debt and filled out a questionnaire that reported a full 25% of those who were in debt also met criteria for obesity.
By contrast, of the 8,318 subjects intended to represent a cross section of the general population, questioned in a 2003 telephone survey, only 11% could be categorized as obese.
These numbers held even after taking into account income level and other socioeconomic factors (age, sex, education) and health issues (depression, smoking) of the subjects.
Socio-economic status is usually measured using education, income and job status; the amount of household debt isn’t usually a part of the mix.
Over-indebtedness is defined as when the level of debt is no longer manageable, a state that’s become all-too-familiar for too many households.
The team found that over-indebtedness was linked to an increased prevalence of overweight and obesity that was unexplained by traditional definitions of socioeconomic status. Still, it’s important to note that because of the design of the study, cause and effect can’t be absolutely confirmed.
“Our survey has shown that there is an increased probability that a private individual who is over-indebted will be overweight, that is, clinically obese, irrespective of whether the other cited socio-economic factors apply,” points out lead researcher Eva Munster, a professor out of the Institute of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine. “We’ve shown that debt can be associated with the probability of being overweight or obese, independent of these factors.”
The team also speculates that obese or overweight people are more likely to lose their jobs, and job loss is the most likely cause of falling into debt.
When it comes to financial hard times, Munster and her team believe that there are lifestyle changes that come with increased debt, things like comfort eating, poorer food choices (energy dense foods like sweets and snacks are less expensive as a rule) and being less active during the day.
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As Debt Increases So Do Our Waistlines Continued…
Lots of times people aren’t aware of cheaper but still good-for-you foods, so they see no choice but to put unhealthy things into their bodies. Not to mention the tremendous stress load people in debt are dealing with each and every day. What’s more, the level of indebtedness affects everyone in the house, adults and kids.
At the end of 2008, credit card debt in America had reached the astonishing $972.73 billion mark, a rise of 1.12% from the year before.
In light of this latest work on debt and health, and the potential for debt to drive more of us to pack on the pounds. If you’re struggling with debt, don’t let this rob you of your health, do all you can to stay healthy. Look for lower cost, healthy foods, be sure to stay active both to burn calories and help with the added stress.
