As some suggested a correlation with obesity, I'd like to highlight another correlation. Recent findings showed that obesity can be an side-effect of stress. [

As some suggested a correlation with obesity, I'd like to highlight another correlation. Recent findings showed that obesity can be an side-effect of stress. [There is a genetic component to it, such that people who can compensate detrimental effects of stress to the brain, become obese as a side-effect. People who can't, don't become obese but have detrimental effects to their brain. They're fucked both ways. :-( But this is merely a second hand recitation of what I heard a scientist say. Grain of salt, blah blah.] Nevertheless, the biggest source of stress is socio-economic stress. It's way more stressful than any "direct" stress. Trying to find some of the relevant resources: * http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db50.htm http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db50.htm shows correlation between socio-economic status and obesity * http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2831158/ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2831158/ Linkage between obesity and some dopamine pathways are also known since 2001. My own speculation: The location where mortality of women is highest produce the highest socio-economic stress to women. Additional speculation: This ought to happen in high or in low income areas and may be linked with income inequality within the community.