World poverty is a problem that is seemingly impossible for us to solve.  But why is it such a terrible problem to begin with?  Some people might not be able to relate very well to the problem because they have always been blessed with a good life with enough to sustain them (or more), so when they hear about the problem of poverty they find it hard to empathize. 

So maybe this post about the top 5 facts on world poverty will help enlighten a few people and help them to gain a bit more empathy.  Here are a few things about the world’s problem on poverty. 

I mentioned before that obesity is actually linked to poverty, because of the poor quality of food available to those who cannot afford it.  In developed countries such as the UK, there are varying factors that contribute to the risk of obesity for the poor. 

The first problem is that people who are living in low-income households typically do not have a lot of choices regarding food.  First of all, low-income communities rarely have big supermarkets close by, and the high cost of commute is often too much.  On top of that, healthy whole foods are more costly than high fat, processed foods that have long shelf lives but are also high in calories. 

Kids workout video:

This phenomenon is so prevalent that social psychologists and economists have a word for it: “food desert”.  These communities experience “food deserts” not because they lack food, but because they lack good food.  Wholesome food is hard to come by, and there is junk food and processed food a plenty because they are cheap, have a long shelf life, and are made with substandard ingredients.  They have almost no nutritional value and are just high in sodium and cholesterol. 

One of the most affected of increased risks of obesity due to poverty are children.  Children who experience obesity are more prone to the health risks associated with it. 

Luckily, there are some free exercises for children if they need some help staying healthy and getting active.  Gym memberships are expensive and they are often subjected to a sedentary life due to lack of money. 

Public playgrounds
One solution to keep kids active for free is to use public playgrounds.  I have always lobbied for adding parks and playgrounds close to low income communities and so far, some of them have been successful.  Children naturally love to play, and climb, and jump, so expose them to playgrounds. 

What I like about playgrounds is that there is an element of natural play, which is exciting for children of all ages.  Instead of being forced to do physical activity that they do not like, public playgrounds give them an opportunity to battle obesity in a fun and cheap way. 

Street games
I find that nowadays, children do not really play on the streets any more.  I think we should bring back the different street games, from kick the can to hopscotch, which provide children in impoverished areas a way to interact with each other while also getting a bit of much needed exercise. 

Home exercises
If the above choices are not available, home exercises are always a good alternative for children who are at risk of obesity.  If they happen to have access to television or to the internet, they can follow along through many free exercise shows so that they will always have a choice to stay fit on the cheap. 

Children who are experiencing problems staying fit and are part of communities that are food deserts should be able to get as much exercise as they need for free. 

I regularly volunteer at a homeless shelter, giving out food and blankets and helping out with the poor.  Along with my time and experience, I also donate money to the organization to help them keep operating.  I have made friends with a number of people there, especially regulars who are in a tight spot. 

One day, one of my closest friends came up to me, asking me for help.  He was in trouble with the police and was in the middle of a criminal investigation.  He was accused of benefit fraud, for allegedly faking his information in order to receive housing benefit, despite being homeless. 

I referred him to Stuart Miller Solicitors, whom he called up and hired for his case.  He used his own savings to hire them, because he still had a job despite being homeless. 

Luckily for him, Stuart Miller Solicitors pushed through for him – they were able to prove his innocence by helping the police discover that it was actually my friend’s former landlord who had faked the documents for housing benefits.  He was using my friend’s name despite evicting him several months ago. 

While I am glad that my friend’s innocence was proven thanks to Stuart Miller Solicitor’s excellent work, I cannot help but think of how poverty is so interconnected with crime.  Some people are not as resilient as my friend, and will resort to poverty due to desperation. 

Some people simply have no other choice.  So why is it that poverty is so interconnected with crime?  Here are some theories:

Lack of Education

Among the poorer populations, education is hard to come by.  In other countries where free education is unavailable, the problem is even worse. 

Lack of education often leads to ignorance of the law as well – some people simply are not aware of the law and break them in the process. 

Wealth and inequality

In areas where the gap between the rich and the poor are so great, inequality often leads to crime.  If wealth is openly displayed and flaunted, feelings of bitterness and envy could push the poor into a life of crime.  Robbery and theft are the most common crimes that result out of the display of wealth and inequality. 

Depression and desperation

Many individuals who are pushed to the brink because of poverty will resort to crime due to desperation.  They have no other choice, and if they are to survive, they often have no other choice but to commit a crime. 

Poverty also leads to increased levels of depression, which in turn may lead to drug use.  Drug fueled crime is a big problem even in countries like the UK. 

If we could eliminate poverty in our society, many researchers agree that crime will also likely go down.  Satisfaction with life, dignity, and equality go a long way in preventing crime. 

Poverty is one of the world’s biggest problems.  It has been for a very long time and it still is today.  It is a pervasive issue that many politicians and humanitarians have debated on for ages, and with good reason.  For some reason, despite all of our best efforts (not just ours but the world over!),  we just can’t seem to get rid of the problem of world poverty.  But before we even begin to work on that problem, we should at first try to address the issue within our own borders. 

I can’t say that I have ever lived a life of poverty.  I have been fortunate enough to have never had to worry about losing the roof over my head. 

However I have seen many who suffer…and I can see that it affects entire families.  Most obviously, it affects their health. 

People Living in Poverty Have Little Choice with FoodDespite the fact that those who are unemployed or getting by on a low income in the UK get benefits to aid them, it is often that these people don’t get much choice what food they eat.  This is because they have to make do with what they can afford, or if not, then they have to make do with what they are given at the food banks.  And as a result…

MalnutritionThe first thing that happens of course is malnutrition.  Depending on what the family is able to eat, the malnutrition can range from slight to quite severe.  This can result in an unhealthy appearance—dark circles under the eyes, brittle nails, easily breakable hair, dull skin and hair…

But what most people don’t know is that it can also cause…

ObesityI often hear the comment “if they’re so poor, then why are they so fat?”  from people who have simply no clue why obesity is often linked to poverty.  Here’s a quick explanation: people who live in poverty have no choice what they eat, or if they do, then they have very little choice.  Often they get what they can afford or what they are given. 

So if they can only get their hands on the cheapest food, most often that will mean it is processed, with all sorts of additives and preservatives.  Often those processed foods are loaded with sugar and with fat.  This sort of food often has little to no nutritional value.  And it’s alright to eat once in a while, but eat it with regularity…and obesity is one of the most common outcomes (apart from a host of other problems). 

Pets are Affected TooPets are extensions of families and believe it or not… their health gets affected by poverty too.  They too get dull coats and dry noses.  If the family can’t afford wet and dry pet food, then often the pets will have to make do with the same food that the family does. 

So again… poverty is an issue that needs to be addressed.  Or at the very least, unemployment (and underemployment) should be an issue that should be addressed.  Families deserve to be able to eat properly and at least be able to maintain decent health.