Reference no: EM133714488

Assignment:

Food Desert Statistics

Obesity is a big problem in the United States. Studies show that certain racial groups are more affected by obesity than others. These problems may be worse in certain communities because access to affordable and nutritious food is difficult. This is especially true for those living in low-income communities of color and rural areas with limited access to grocery stores. These areas are often called "food deserts."

Residents of food deserts may rely more on convenience stores and fast food restaurants since access to grocery stores is limited. These convenience stores and fast food restaurants don't typically sell the variety of foods needed for a healthy diet such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fresh dairy and lean meat products. If they do sell them, they often cost more than they cost at grocery stores. This puts those who live in food deserts at a financial and nutritional disadvantage.

Studies show that:

• Of all U.S. households, 2.3 million (2.2 percent) live more than a mile from a supermarket and do not have access to a vehicle. An additional 3.2 percent live between a half-mile to a mile from a supermarket with no vehicle access.

• 23.5 million people live in low-income areas more than one mile from a supermarket.

• Low-income census tracts have half as many supermarkets as wealthy tracts.

• 8 percent of African Americans live in a census tract with a supermarket, compared to 31 percent of whites.

• Low-income zip codes have 30 percent more convenience stores, which tend to lack healthy items, than middle-income zip codes.

• Residents in 20 percent of rural counties live more than 10 miles from a supermarket.

• For every additional supermarket in a census tract, produce consumption increases for 32 percent of African Americans and 11 percent of whites.

Choose three of the following questions to answer. Then report your answers to the class:

• Why might healthy, affordable food be difficult to obtain in certain areas?
• In which types of areas/communities do you think food deserts are most prevalent: urban, rural or suburban?
• How do you think living in a food desert could affect a person/family's food choices?
• Other than grocery stores/supermarkets, where else could you purchase food?
• How might food options in convenience stores or fast food establishments be less healthy and/or more expensive?
• How could living in a food desert relate to food insecurity (hunger)? Conversely, how could it relate to obesity?