A lack of healthy options could lead to poor diets and to diet-related conditions such as obesity or diabetes . If low-income households in food deserts can only purchase food at higher prices, they may be more prone to food insecurity—not having enough food for active, healthy living.
Do poor people live in food deserts?
The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that 23 million people, including more than 6 million children, live in food deserts that are more than a mile from a supermarket. Of these, 11 million live in households with incomes at or below 200 percent of the poverty line .
How does poverty affect food choices?
Low income is associated with a poor quality dietary intake [1, 2]. Compared to those with higher income, lower income individuals consume fewer fruits and vegetables, more sugar-sweetened beverages and have lower overall diet quality [1, 2].
Why do poor neighborhoods have unhealthy food?
A lack of access to healthy food options has been identified as an important driver of disparities in diet quality. Current economic conditions foster a food environment that places the poor at the highest risk for unhealthful diets, obesity, and obesity-related diseases, stress the researchers.
Why food deserts are a problem?
In food deserts, healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, peas, beans, meat, and fish are often expensive or unobtainable. The lack of access to healthy foods in these communities translates to health disparities and high rates of chronic disease ( 4 , 5, 6 ).
Why do poor families encounter higher food prices?
Low-income households may face higher food prices for three reasons: (1) on average, low-income households may spend less in supermarkets –which typically offer the lowest prices and greatest range of brands, package sizes, and quality choices; (2) low-income households are less likely to live in suburban locations ...
How do food deserts cause obesity?
Study results also showed that the individuals who live in food desert are at an elevated risk for obesity. Together, these findings suggest that Americans who either do not have enough to eat or live in areas without access to stores that sell affordable nutritious foods are at greater risk for obesity.
How does poverty affect health?
Residents of impoverished neighborhoods or communities are at increased risk for mental illness, 22 , 23 chronic disease, 17 , 24 higher mortality, and lower life expectancy . Some population groups living in poverty may have more adverse health outcomes than others.
How poverty affects health and nutrition?
Poverty leads to financial constraints that in turn lead to the consumption of cheap, high-energy staple foods, primarily carbohydrates, and fats rather than nutritionally dense food . Through the consumption of carbohydrates and fats, energy levels spike; but nutritional quality becomes compromised.
What are the effects of poor nutrition?
- Decreased energy levels. ...
- Reduced immunity. ...
- Disrupted sleep quality. ...
- Affected mood. ...
- Increased risk of memory problems.
Why are poor neighborhoods food deserts?
Some neighborhoods in the United States, particularly those in low-income areas, have been dubbed “food deserts” because residents do not live near supermarkets or other food retailers that carry affordable and nutritious food .
How can we improve food deserts?
- Establish bus stop farmers markets. ...
- Support community gardens. ...
- Improve public transportation options. ...
- Implement dollar store restrictions. ...
- Consider food co-ops, nonprofits, and government-run supermarkets. ...
- 10 Humble Food Hacks to Get You Through Hard Times.
How do food deserts affect kids?
As a consequence, children growing up in families trapped in food desert zip codes are at risk of becoming obese and developing early hypertension and full-blown high blood pressure that can lead to type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Food deserts originated with the urban White flight of the 1960s and 1970s.
How do food deserts affect the economy?
Counties with high rates of food deserts also tend to have higher per capita expenditure at fast food restaurants . (Among full service restaurants, the pattern is reversed: there is more per-capita spending in places with fewer food deserts.)
Do poor people spend more on food?
Despite the prevailing higher prices, surveys of household food expenditures show that low- income households typically spend less than other households, on a per unit basis, for the foods that they buy . Low-income households may realize lower costs by selecting more economical foods and lower quality items.
Why are food deserts in urban areas?
The steady suburbanization of major food retailers is contributing to the emergence of urban “food deserts,” areas within city centers where low-income people have poor access to vegetables, fruits, and other whole foods.
How much do poor families spend on food?
In 2020, households in the lowest income quintile spent an average of $4,099 on food (representing 27 percent of income), while households in the highest income quintile spent an average of $12,245 on food (representing 7 percent of income).
How does poverty affect obesity?
Although higher income inequality was associated with lower obesity rates, a higher percentage of poverty was associated with higher obesity rates . A higher percentage of Hispanic population was associated with lower obesity rates.
How do food deserts influence obesity and type 2 diabetes in the United States?
They often have to travel long distances to reach a grocery store which is not always possible because they might not own a car. Under such circumstances, the lack of access to healthy food puts them at higher risk for becoming overweight, obese, and experiencing health problems such as diabetes .
How does poverty affect access to healthcare?
Nearly 70% of the uninsured popula- tion is poor or near-poor. The uninsured tend to forego preventative care and to wait until an illness is severe before seeking medical care . The proportion of poor children not re- ceiving any health care in a given year is twice that of higher-income children.
How does lack of access to healthcare affect health?
The consequences of being uninsured are significant and include use of fewer preventive services, poorer health outcomes, higher mortality and disability rates, lower annual earnings because of sickness and disease, and the advanced stage of illness (i.e., many are “sicker” when diagnosed).
