Figure 1From: The appearance of discretionary income: Influence on the prevalence of under- and over-nutritionEngel Curves. Poorer workers' increased earnings do not generate discretionary income until the total of income from earnings plus supplementation reaches poverty level. Past poverty level discretionary income appears until, at about three times poverty level income, all new money earned is available for discretionary spending. – not necessarily food, housing or other essential needs. (This figure is reproduced from Malnourished Children in the United States with permission).Back to article page