Does low socioeconomic status play a significant role in the obesity epidemic? A national survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2010) estimated that more than two-thirds of Americans are now overweight or obese (body mass index over 30), and the percentage is rising. The Census Bureau (2011) reported that 46.2 million people in America currently live below the official poverty line. The official poverty rate in 2010 was 15.1%; up from 14.3% in 2009; this was the third consecutive annual increase in the poverty rate (Census Bureau, 2011). One might assume that obesity and poverty are unrelated, but this is not accurate. The correlation between poverty and obesity can be witnessed in the vast majority of low-income communities across the country. Low socioeconomic status influences eating patterns (food insecurity) and limits access to healthy, affordable food, linking poverty to the growing obesity epidemic; Solutions to reduce the risk of obesity in individuals with a low socioeconomic level include: changing the dynamics of low-income communities, and the second solution is to increase benefits and participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) (2012 ) stated that “obesity plagues low-income people in this country just like hunger and food insecurity” (para. 4). Due to predetermined budgets and the rising cost of food, individuals will sporadically reduce intake or omit meals to increase their food budget. This way or pattern of food consumption pushes people to overindulge when sustenance becomes obtainable, resulting in habitual ups and downs in food consumption that prom...... middle of paper ......., History, M., & Nelson, M. (2009). Neighborhood environments: Disparities in access to healthy foods in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 36(1), pages 74-81.e10.Pollan, M. (2006). The omnivore's dilemma. New York: Penguin Group.Census Bureau. (2011, December 14). Social, Economic and Housing Statistics Division: Poverty. Retrieved March 16, 2012, from the Census Bureau: http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/Farm and Food Policy Project. (2007, March). Making healthy food more accessible to low-income people. Retrieved from Farm and Food Policy Project: http://www.farmandfoodproject.org/Food Research and Action Center. (2012, February). A review of strategies to strengthen SNAP's role in improving nutrition and food security. Retrieved from the Food Research and Action Center: http://frac.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/SNAPstrategies.pdf