Strong evidence for the inverse relationship between socioeconomic status and obesity with other negative health characteristics is supported through overwhelming literature in the psycho-sociological community. Variables such as age, gender, and race cause disparity in comparison of good health and socioeconomic status. Verification through research studies supports three possible explanations for the association between socioeconomic status and health. Health influences socioeconomic status, socioeconomic status influences health, or a common factor or factors influence both health and socioeconomic status (Stunkard MD, A. J., 1993, p. 1036).
             Socioeconomic status is measured by education, income, and occupational status. These three components affect SES differently in relation to obesity trends. Education provides the individual with the opportunity to seek out healthy lifestyle choices, gives him a feeling of control over their health, and shows them to be more likely to pass on healthy lifestyle habits to their children. Income limits the food an individual can buy and the amount the time they spend participating in leisurely activities. Low-status jobs determine autonomy of the individual and thereby affects the level of time-management allowed to make healthy lifestyle decisions (Wardle, J. et. al. (2002), p. 1299).
             A research study conducted by Elizabeth Goodman in 1999 surveyed 15,112 students with a mean age of 16+/-1.7 years and submitted inquiries for their height, weight, household income, parental education information, and incidence of depression. For these variables the Population Attributable Risk was calculated for depression and obesity in relation to education and income. Population attributable risk (PAR) is a concept that has been developed to determine the population-level or public health impact of an exposure on an outcome. For depression, the adjusted PAR for income was 26%, and the PAR for educ...