Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. The disease is even evident in those who are unable to afford food. Government food programs provide economically disadvantaged individuals with programs like food stamps to aid their budgets for groceries.

In a recent paper written by Douglas Besharov, director of the American Enterprise Institute, he concluded “we are feeding the poor as if they are starving.”

His research found the use of food stamps increased food consumption by as much as 10 to 20 percent. He said 65 percent of Americans are overweight, and more than half those people are obese.

He estimates the rate of obesity among the poor is 5 to 10 percent higher. Besharov wrote that excess free or low-cost food is available to low-income families through federal food programs, despite the high rate of obesity.

“The intent of the food stamp program is to support a family food budget and promote the ability of a healthy diet,” said Earl Crow of the Story County Department of Health and Human Services.

Grace Marquis, assistant professor of food science and human nutrition, does not think food stamp aid allows poor families to access unhealthy food.

“The financial assistance is small per person, but makes a significant difference in people’s lives, allowing them to use their other resources to cover their basic needs — housing, utilities, transportation, health care, and others,” she said.

Crow said the only problem is that people don’t always make healthy choices when grocery shopping.

“We can’t physically go shopping with them to force consumption of healthy foods,” he said. There are guidelines on things like prepared food, alcohol and cigarettes. These items cannot be purchased using food stamps. Limits are also set on fast food because the stamps can not be used at restaurants.

Although food stamps are not accepted at fast-food restaurants, those meal options are often still appealing to low income families. The low cost and availability of these restaurants are easy for all levels of the population.

“Within those restaurants, choices can be made that will provide a better diet,” Marquis said. “Salads are available. Lower-fat items are available.”

Eating healthy takes thought and effort in grocery stores and restaurants, she said.

Another reason food stamp users may choose to buy prepackaged, less healthy food is because of the price. Fruits and vegetables are often expensive and don’t store well for long periods of time. Prepackaged food is often less expensive and more readily available, Crow said.

“This is true among the wealthy as well as the poor. All Americans make food choices every day — some choices are good, some are not,” Marquis said.

There are efforts to educate food stamp users about nutrition. Crow said a program on nutrition for families, called “Healthy Choices = Healthy Family,” was offered by the Story County ISU Extension. The Story County Extension office is seeking a new director to reinstate the program. Crow said programs are also offered to help families budget their money.

The problem of obesity affects all populations in the United States, Marquis said.

“More expansive nutrition education programs, the elimination of ‘junk food’ out of the schools so that children are taught good eating habits at a young age and examination of further ways that industry can be encouraged to promote what is healthy are needed,” she said.

— Universal Press International contributed to this story.