One dangerous side effect of a recession may be an upswing in obesity and poor overall health, according to recent reports.

Reuters recently discussed the prospect of Americans putting on "recession pounds" as they try to keep up with daily expenses and ride out the recession.

Basically, the concept revolves around the idea that as money grows tighter, people are less likely to spend money on healthy foods and are more likely to go with high-fat and high-sodium alternatives because they are cheaper.

"Things are going to get worse. Obesity is a toxic result of a failing economic environment," Adam Drewnowski of the University of Washington in Seattle told the wire service. He was also quoted as saying that studies have found that a ten percent increase in poverty levels can coincide with a six percent increase in obesity among adults - at a time when diabetes in the U.S. is up about ninety percent in the last decade.

One example of this phenomenon came late last year in the form of media reports noting that a leading fast food chain had seen its stock performing very well because of its dollar menu and other deals.

Drewnowski told Reuters that people can stay healthy and still save money by sticking with old-fashioned staples like ground beef, nuts, beans, soups, and much more.

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