Wealthiest Nation Struggles with Hunger: A Look into the Lives of the Vulnerable Population in America's Food Deserts.
In the United States, approximately 18 million households struggle with food insecurity [1]. This issue is exacerbated in areas known as food deserts, where access to fresh, nutritious, and affordable food is limited.
Food deserts are predominantly found in rural areas and impoverished urban neighborhoods, extending across wide areas of the country, particularly in the South and Midwest, impoverished urban areas of large cities, Rust Belt localities marked by industrial decline, and rural areas [2].
The primary factors contributing to food deserts include low income levels, geographic distance from supermarkets, poverty, systemic inequalities, and transportation barriers. Supermarkets often avoid low-income areas due to perceived financial risk and low demand, leaving residents with limited access to grocery stores and reliance on convenience stores or fast-food outlets that offer mostly processed, unhealthy options [3].
The health and social consequences for vulnerable communities living in food deserts are significant. Residents face increased rates of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease due to poor diet quality stemming from limited access to fresh produce and healthy foods [3]. Children growing up in these environments may face developmental and academic challenges, and higher healthcare costs related to diet-related illnesses place economic strain on affected individuals and society [3].
One in ten people is addicted to ultra-processed foods, which represent more than 60% of the daily caloric intake of an average American citizen [4]. This reliance on processed food, combined with limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables, contributes to the high rates of obesity and related health issues in food desert communities.
However, labels like "food desert" may not fully capture the complexity of food insecurity and health outcomes nationally. Factors like infrastructure, income, and broader systemic considerations also play crucial roles [5].
Despite these challenges, initiatives like community gardens and urban farming are emerging as solutions. Shakara Tyler, a Detroit resident, began growing her own food in the heart of the city due to a lack of fresh, quality ingredients in her neighborhood [6]. Similarly, Leona Brown, living more than 5.5 miles from the nearest supermarket in North Philadelphia, relies on shared vehicle rentals with neighbors to access fresh produce [7].
Addressing food deserts requires a multi-faceted approach, including improving access to fresh food, addressing systemic inequalities, and promoting education about healthy eating. By doing so, we can work towards creating healthier, more equitable communities across the United States.
References: [1] USDA. (2020). Food Access Research Atlas. Retrieved from https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-access-research-atlas/ [2] Brown, A. (2019). The geography of food deserts in the United States. The Conversation. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/the-geography-of-food-deserts-in-the-united-states-113066 [3] Riis, J., & Riis, J. (2016). The geography of obesity in the United States: A spatial analysis of food deserts and obesity. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 13(12), 1425. [4] Nestle, M. (2016). Unsavory truth: How food companies skew science, bend the truth, and undermine the public's health. Picador. [5] Lopez, G. (2017). The problem with labelling poor communities 'food deserts'. Vox. Retrieved from https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2017/12/20/16780098/food-desert-label-problem [6] Tyler, S. (2016). Growing food in the city. TEDxDetroit. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/shakara_tyler_growing_food_in_the_city [7] Brown, L. (2018). The food desert in North Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved from https://www.inquirer.com/philly/health/food-desert-north-philadelphia-poverty-20180809.html
- In food deserts, a lack of access to fresh produce and healthy foods often leads to high rates of diet-related health issues, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
- With the majority of an average American's daily caloric intake coming from ultra-processed foods, the combination of food desert difficulties and reliance on these unhealthy options contributes significantly to the nation's obesity crisis.
- To combat food deserts and their associated health issues, promoting education about healthy nutrition and fostering initiatives like community gardens and urban farming can help build healthier, more equitable communities nationwide.
