In the United States, in 2001, 34% of the population was overweight. (Townsend) Overweight and obesity appear to be problems linked to America's wealth and more than adequate food supply. In recent years, much attention has been paid to people becoming more physically fit and changing their diets to be healthier. Gastric bypass surgery has become a popular choice for people trying to overcome extreme obesity. The operation limits "food intake by creating a narrow passage from the upper part of the stomach to the wider lower part, thereby reducing the amount of food the stomach can hold and slowing the passage of food through the stomach”. (NIDDK) A focus on health and nutrition appears to be the solution to our nation's obesity problem. However, among the moderately food insecure population, 52% were overweight. (Townsend) Food insecurity exists when the availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or the ability to acquire acceptable foods in a socially acceptable manner is limited or uncertain. More than half of the U.S. population at risk of hunger is overweight. Why would obesity be more prevalent among this group of people with fewer resources? Diets and surgery do not solve the problems of economic groups with the most severe weight and nutrition problems. Surgery is expensive, and people with limited resources are unlikely to purchase expensive health foods when there are cheaper alternatives that satisfy hunger. The Dollar Menu at McDonald's is certainly cheaper than preparing a well-balanced meal. Another reason for obesity in low-income groups is a theory called the "food stamp cycle" hypothesis. Food stamps and most wages...... middle of paper ......urity and obesity among rural womenhttp://ruralwomenshealth.psu.edu/s05_colson-cbove.htmlTask ​​Force for the 'Bishops' Initiative on Children and Poverty. Community with children and the poor. Nashville, TN: Cokesbury, 2003. Townsend, Marilyn S., Janet Peerson, Bradley Love, Cheryl Achterberg, and Suzanne P. Murphy (2001). “Food insecurity is positively linked to overweight in women.” Journal of Nutrition, 131, 1738-1745. American Society for Nutritional Sciences. http://www.nutrition.org/cgi/content/full/131/6/1738U.S. Conference of Mayors – Seduxho USA. Hunger and Homelessness Survey 2004. 3-5,42http://www.usmayors.org/uscm/hungersurvey/2004/onlinereport/HungerAndHomelessnessReport2004.pdfWeil, Andrew. Eat well for optimal health. New York: Random House, 2000. Willet, Walter C. Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2001.