Data: Higher Income, Education Can Translate Into Less Fat For Women

DETROIT (WWJ) - Obesity is an epidemic in this country.

It's likely to remain in that dire state unless there is a radical change.

Researchers from George Washington University say a new framework is needed to fix the obesity problem a model that integrates health care in the clinic with resources in the community to promote better nutrition and physical activity for people.

Bill Dietz is one of the researchers and says the best way to accomplish this is with an integrator.

"One of the key elements of this model is the need for an integrator, somebody or some institution that's a go-between medical systems and community systems," said Dietz.

While there are many social and economic factors that appear to create an environment more susceptible to obesity - it appears that women within a higher income bracket have a buffered-layer against obesity.

According to a findings by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for Health Statistics higher income women are less likely to have obesity than low-income women.

There is no significant relationship between obesity and education among men. Among women, however, there is a trend—those with college degrees are less likely to have obesity compared with less educated women.

Obesity-related conditions include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer, some of the leading causes of preventable death notes the CDC.  The key to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight isn't short-term dietary changes; it's about a lifestyle that includes healthy eating and regular physical activity.

About 79 million adults in the United States now suffer from obesity.