The food insecurity-obesity paradox as a vicious cycle for women

The Food Insecurity-Obesity Paradox as a Vicious Cycle for Women: A Qualitative Study By Andrea S. Papan and Barbara Clow Atlantic Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health Halifax, NS, Canada October 2012 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We were privileged to have had the opportunity to carry out this important study of the relationship between obesity, food insecurity and chronic diseases in the lives of women in [...] The vicious cycle described by participants included experiences of poverty, often in childhood and as adults; food insecurity and nutritional deprivation caused by an inability to purchase healthy foods; weight gain in the context of food insecurity eventually becoming obesity; ongoing and increasing stress due to a myriad of factors including lone parenting and social isolation; reduction in wel [...] Acknowledging the heterogeneity of women’s experiences, and in particular the experiences of the women living in the same community and often with other associations, is an important part of our strategy to engage fully with sex- and gender-based analysis. [...] The women who participated were open, willing to discuss all the questions asked, and had very thorough knowledge of and ability to express what food insecurity meant to them and how it had affected their weight and health. [...] The direct feedback from participants to us and to our partners was excellent and many noted “relief”, being “thankful for having the chance to talk about these issues”, and even “a sense of release” in having a chance to discuss their obstacles and coping strategies in detail.