Lack of access to health food has long been blamed for the rise of obesity in low income neighborhoods. We are often reminded of the abundance of McDonald's, Wendy's, KFC's and Chinese food carry outs compared to the scarcity of green grocers.
But a new study out of the University of North Carolina has found that simply building super markets isn't enough to improve diets. The study tracked 5,000 adults, ages 18-30 in Birmingham, Chicago, Minneapolis and Oakland for 15 years. Researchers found that those who lived in food deserts and had access to large grocery stores did not necessarily eat a healthier diet.
A food desert is defined as an area with limited access to affordable and nutritious food, typically found in low income communities. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 23 million Americans live in such a place and as a result eat more fatty, cheap food.
While proximity to fast food restaurants increases one's consumption of fast food, proximity to grocery stores does bring increases to consumption of fruits and vegetables. For one thing, grocery stores also sell plenty of cheap, fatty and processed foods.
Penny Gordon-Larsen, an author of the study and associate professor at University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, says that multiple approaches are needed to effect positive changes in people's dietary habits. "Dietary behaviors are complex. There needs to be attention to the quality and costs of foods offered, promotion of healthier food items [and] educational efforts."
Obesity experts are calling for a comprehensive plan to improve what people are eating that involves programs such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. The program provides year round vouchers to low income women for fresh fruits and vegetables.
Education is equally important in the voucher program as the money. In a 2010 study, educating voucher recipients of the program was key to helping them make better choices in the super market.
