The current official poverty measure was developed in the early 1960s and only a few minor changes have been implemented since it was first adopted in 1965. The poverty threshold represents the cost of a minimum food diet in 1963 multiplied by three to allow for expenditures on other goods and services. It is updated annually based on the consumer price index to account for inflation. Family resources are defined as before-tax money income.
In North Carolina, two-thirds of all adults (65.7%) are overweight or obese. People in poor and low-income households are at risk for obesity because they have limited resources to purchase and often lack of access to healthy, affordable foods. They have fewer opportunities for physical activity, high levels of stress and limited access to health care. Food deprivation may lead to overeating once food becomes available which can also cause weight gain. Low-income youth and adults are exposed to disproportionately more marketing and advertising for obesity-promoting products.
Source: Food Research and Action Center