Unhealthy Habits Can Lead up to Diabetes

Diverse groups in American society are often the most marginalized and therefore the most vulnerable to issues that undermine the fair and uncomplicated pursuit of health and wellbeing. One of those issues is the lack of access to affordable healthy food and, in many cases, the inaccessibility to food in general. Areas where affordable and healthy foods are largely unavailable are called food deserts and the members of the diverse groups that live in such areas or that have access to very little food at all often develop a sense of food insecurity. One of the groups that is increasingly impacted by food deserts and food insecurity is the nation’s elderly population which is, by most standards, defined as those individuals aged 65 and older. The following paper investigates this phenomenon by addressing the elderly population of Ada County, Idaho as representative of this diverse and often disenfranchised population. The paper investigates the issue of food deserts and food insecurity that threaten the health and wellbeing of the elderly in the context of the various elements of social determinants of health that contribute to their development and persistence. The paper also includes proposals for individual and population-based strategies to improve access to healthy and affordable food by this population as well as improve the health and wellbeing of its members.

For centuries, the United States has been seen as a food and food-product paradise; with a constant bombardment of daily specials, “two-for-one” deals, and never ending combo options oozing from every corner of the food-scape. For many Americans, over indulgence is a frequent occurrence-studies show more than 50% of adults say they eat out at least once a week (“58% Eat at A Restaurant”, 2013). Even in this scene of gluttony, the poverty stricken and systematically oppressed find themselves in food deserts across The States; that’s more than 45 million Americans without access to healthy, reasonably priced foodstuffs. Of this group of 45 million, the African American community holds the seat for the highest poverty rate among various racial and ethnic groups at an astounding 26.2% in 2014 (DeNavas-Walt, 2015).

The existence of food deserts is an issue of both public health and social justice (Schafft, Jensen and Hinrichs 153). Schafft et al. made this point with reference to the state of Pennsylvania. Utilizing data from Pennsylvania, Schafft et al. studied the relationship between residences in a food desert (whose definition was established through a proximity-based model utilizing distance from large grocery stores as a criterion) and found that schoolchildren living in food deserts were more likely to be both poor and obese. Schafft et al. utilized these findings to reach the conclusion that the

Obesity is a problem in different areas throughout the world; obesity is a major problem in the United States of America. The food industry in the U.S. has changed. Food is cheaper and easier to access, but food is lower in quality and is massively produced (Kenner, 2008). Food is no longer as hard to come by as it once was and is not as expensive, but healthy food is more expensive and, most of the time, requires trips to the grocery store. In American society today, American are busy and have minimal time to exercise, cooking, or even go to the grocery store. The lower socioeconomic classes are notably affected as a result of individuals and families of lower socioeconomic classes often can’t afford healthy food from local grocery stores

Individuals who live in low-income areas have to rely heavily on fast food and cheap food from convenience stores because it is the only food close and affordable to them. People in poor neighborhoods are, “Confronted with a high concentration of poor diet choices” and, “End up eating a less healthy diet” because, “Few markets” offer, “Fresh fruit and vegetables” (Cortright 1). Even if

This overwhelming statistic contributes to the 17% of children that have obesity in the United States. More specifically in Texas, 19.1% of children are considered obese. Furthermore, Texas is tied for the rank of 11 for the highest obesity rates among the United States. Looking at the Brazos County every one in seven person is obese. This statistic accounts for the one half of the population is overweight or obese. In lower-income areas such as parts of the Brazos Valley, obesity rates tend to be higher compared to higher income areas. reveal to have higher obesity rates. This is because majority of low-income families have less access to healthy food and opportunity for physical activity. Lower income neighborhoods offer a higher accessibility to unhealthy food sources. In a study done on low-income areas of Los Angeles, it was shown that a greater number of fast-food restaurants congregate the low income areas of Los Angeles compared to the higher income areas of Los Angeles (Hilmers, et al., 2015). Results for similar studies done on the amount of convenience stores in certain areas show that “Low-income zip codes have 30% more conveniences stores” compared to middle-income zip codes (Hilmers, et al., 2015). Convenience stores tend to carry large amounts of snack food, a variety of beverages, and little produce. Low-income areas also reveal that the portion of recreational facilities in

The purpose of this literature review was to examine the dietary behaviors of low-income African Americans from a socio-ecological perspective. Based on 12 descriptive studies, dietary behaviors were the result of personal and environmental factors. Low-income African Americans were eating more fast foods because of the culture, social traditions, role expectations impact eating practices and pattern within peer groups, friends and family. (Robinson, 2008) Another research conducted by Amy and her friends tried to test a dietary intervention for high risk African Americans. They used telephone data and logistic regressions to identify the association of low-fat eating behaviors with personal and environmental behaviors. They found that education and low income were associated with high-fat eating behaviors in African American. (Eyler et al., 2004). Similarly, the study conducted by Weinrich and her friends on body mass index and intake of selected foods in African American men tested the relationship between selected dietary consumption and BMI. The sample was a community-based cohort of 204 African American Southern men who attended a prostate screening program. They found out 47% of them was obese and the majority of them ate chicken and fried fish. Few men ate vegetables. They concluded that, African American men need

There are many people who believe that obesity is a matter of personal responsibility. Many people think it is Americans are the ones who to blame and not the fast food industry. Many people may say that it is easy to blame obesity on what Americans eat. However, these people do not realize that many Americans cannot afford healthy foods. So, since fast foods are cheap and affordable, it may be why many people choose them. In the article “Physical activity and childhood obesity” Green, Riley, and Hargrove explain “a greater percentage of adolescents from families living in poverty are obese (23%), compared with those from families of a higher socioeconomic status (14%)” (915). Additionally, this statement demonstrates that although obesity may be caused by genes or psychological influences, the environment is the most important factor. When families are in poverty, they are not looking for what is healthy and what is unhealthy. They are looking for food to survive, and so many times fast food is the only option. Following this future, there is indication that obesity, extremely affects certain minority youth populations. The National Health and Nutrition Examination survey found that African American and Hispanic adolescents ages 12-19 were more likely to be overweight at 21 and 23 percent, respectively, as compared to non-Hispanic White adolescents (14%) (915). Furthermore, these statistics show that there is a strong relationship among race or ethnicity, poverty, and

Our team believes there are many factors that affect the ratios of food deserts and fast food densities which further cause chronic diseases. Our team has picked four different socioeconomic factors as antecedent variables, to test their relationships associate with the ratios of food deserts and fast food densities. The first socioeconomic factor is “Lack of Access” which is defined as the inability to access fresh, healthy produce, fruits and vegetables. The second socioeconomic factor is “Economic Disparities” which is defined as the differences of economic status between Jackson Heights (low income) and Bayside (affluent). The third socioeconomic factor is “Neighborhood Stability” which is defined as the safety of Jackson Heights and Bayside. The final socioeconomic factor is “Racial and Ethnic Disparities” which is defined as the percentages of ethnic groups and food intake behaviors within Jackson Heights and Bayside.

Fried chicken, mash potatoes and collard greens mixed with fatback meat was my family’s favorite Sunday meal. Soul food, as it has been called, is valued by many African American families. Given the worldwide obesity epidemic that appears to be affecting most ethnic groups, there is an appreciation that the causes of obesity among African American families and others must lie in the fundamental aspects of the food supply (Capers, C et al. 2011). In my opinion, African Americans in the United Sates are more likely to be obese because there is a large number of low-income families’ and many are uninsured. According to the Office of Minority Health, African American women have the highest rates of being obese compared to other groups in

Food deserts are defined as areas of relatively poor access to healthy and affordable food. This phenomenon is thought to contribute to social disparities in diet and diet-related health outcomes, such as cardiovascular disease and obesity (Beaulac, Kristjansson, Cummins, 2009). The term “food desert” reportedly originated in Scotland in the early 1990s to describe poor access to an affordable and healthy diet (Beaulac, Kristjansson, Cummins, 2009). Although food deserts can mean a literal absence of retail food in a defined area, studies of food deserts more commonly assess differential accessibility to healthy and affordable food between socioeconomically advantaged and disadvantaged areas (Beaulac, Kristjansson, Cummins, 2009). In other words, food deserts can simultaneously be areas saturated by access to unhealthy food (e.g., fast-food, convenience stores) and nonfood (e.g., gas stations) venues, “characterized by calorie-dense, high-sugar foods” (Brown & Brewster, 2015). As such, people living in these areas are at a clear disadvantage to how they obtain food. Over the last decade, research on food deserts has become increasingly common. Despite the burgeoning interest, there was no systemic review until Beaulac, Kristjansson, and Cummins (2009). This article addresses the gap by assessing the evidence for food deserts, specifically in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas. Food deserts in these places are arguably of more concern because a process of “deprivation

In its study, Examining the Impact of Food Deserts on Public Health in Chicago, the Mari Gallagher Research and Consulting Group found that, “communities that have no or distant grocery stores, or have an imbalance of healthy food options, will likely have increased premature death and chronic health conditions ” Currently the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA's) Economic Research Service approximations that 23.5 million people live in food deserts. Essentially, lack of access to affordable and healthy food options inevitably impacts the overall health of the whole family. The healthcare system suffers financially as a result of chronic health diseases which are influenced by lifestyle choices. A study conducted by Koplan and Fleming in 2000 revealed that obesity alone is estimated to cost the United States health care system $100 billion per

Low-income residents with very little access to healthy food items are commonly known as “food deserts”. Definitions of this term may very but the phrase was first used in 1990 by researchers in the United Kingdom. “Food deserts” became a popular word in the United States by 2003 to describe certain areas of Mississippi that were nowhere near supermarkets. The United States Department of Agriculture recognized “food deserts” as regions with very little access to affordable and nutritious foods, predominantly communities with low incomes. The purpose of the study is to determine problem areas in the Puget Sound region, focusing on transportation and how they aid or interfere with this access. Potential “food deserts” are immediately identified based on transportation ability, low-income residents and health conditions surrounding the area. Limited access to purchase fresh and nutritious food items can lead to poor diets and adverse health effects such as obesity, diabetes and many others. Obesity is a leading health concern with conditions existing between gender, race and economic status. Identifying certain locations with low access to healthy foods can help to develop a strategy to get rid of food deserts. Projected populations in the Puget Sound region are expected to rise another 1.7 million people by the year 2040. With this estimated growth increases the need to act quickly in addressing the problem to combat food deserts now and in the future.

“Food Desert” refers to an area in a rural or even urban region with little or no access to big grocery stores that provides affordable and fresh food for people to have a healthy diet. These areas are mostly composed of low-income households who are often Hispanics and African-Americans (Ploeg and Breneman et al). They are often “trapped” in a geographical location where only small convenient stores, which do not have sufficient supply of all common, fresh and healthy food, are available. Currently, there are 13.6 Million Americans who have difficulties in accessing to super markets and large grocery stores. People living in such areas with limited access to grocery stores spend 19.5 minutes more to travel, comparing to the people living in non-food-desert areas (Ploeg and Breneman et al).

Researchers and public health experts are worried about obesity towards disadvantaged families because they’re limited to food budgets and choices. Studies analyze that most low-income individuals are far more likely to be obese. It is essential for the public to learn about why people who are struggling financially are most likely to become obese. It will benefit the public to understanding what is important and needed in our society in order to boost awareness of unhealthy food that deprived families or individuals consume. An economic approach will support how deprived individuals consume unhealthy food at a low-cost. A psychological approach will support how poor people use food as a sense of comfort through problematic times. Lastly, the angle of sociology will be used to portray lower-income neighborhoods and how obesity affects families in these neighborhoods in a sociological matter.