Study questions theories on why poor children are at higher risk of obesity

"New research discounts a common theory on why poor children are more likely to be overweight than children from wealthier families. Iowa State University researchers say their analysis shows that a lack of food isn't necessarily to blame, although they're not sure why so many children from low-income families are overweight." (Source: "Study deflates theory about obesity in poor kids," Associated Press, Jan. 22, 2007.) "Previous research has suggested that poor children weren't getting nutritious food and instead ate junk food, or that they might have eaten well when money was available but would skip meals when cash was short. Such a cycle could slow their metabolism and cause them to gain weight." One of the researchers involved in the study said future research on childhood obesity should take a closer look at the family and how factors such as stress affect a child's weight. Some studies show that nearly one-third of American children ages 10 to 17 are overweight or obese, and that nearly 40% of those kids are from poor households.