Easy Access Doesn't Always Equal Better Food Choices
By: Jen Mueller,
DailySpark Blogger
7/26/2011 6:00 PM
: 29 comments
: 7,562 Views
Does having easy access to supermarkets affect people's food choices? You'd think that if you have good access to things like fruits and vegetables, you're less likely to go for fast-food or other convenience items that have a long shelf life. But a new study says that income and proximity to fast food restaurants actually matter more than proximity to supermarkets in the battle against obesity.
The study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, looked at the diets of over 5,000 men and women in big U.S. cities over a 15-year period. "The researchers found that living near fast-food restaurants was associated with a greater consumption of fast food, especially, in this case, among low-income men. But the scientists also found that easy access to supermarkets was not linked to a greater consumption of healthful foods such as fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy products, lean meats and whole grains."
Other studies have found similar results- living close to a supermarket doesn't mean you eat more fruits and vegetables. Why not? Well, when you enter a supermarket, you still have to make choices about what to purchase. It's easy to assume people will choose healthy foods if they have access to them. But if you're surrounded by unhealthy, cheaper, pre-packaged foods when you walk in the door, that might end up being what fills your cart.
Many stress that a comprehensive plan of education is what's needed. It's not just about moving fast-food restaurants away from people or adding more fruits and vegetables to the front of the supermarket. What's important is educating people about how to make healthy choices, while at the same time making those choices more affordable, especially in low-income areas. It's also important that people of all income levels have access to a wide variety of healthy foods. I know where I live, the selection at grocery stores varies widely depending on where you go.
Solutions could involve government or private subsidies for healthy foods, community outreach, and more. If you can't afford to buy produce at the store, why not try growing your own? I've recently discovered that growing some of my own veggies is not only cost-effective, it's easy.
What do you think? Do you have other suggestions for how to deal with this issue?
The study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, looked at the diets of over 5,000 men and women in big U.S. cities over a 15-year period. "The researchers found that living near fast-food restaurants was associated with a greater consumption of fast food, especially, in this case, among low-income men. But the scientists also found that easy access to supermarkets was not linked to a greater consumption of healthful foods such as fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy products, lean meats and whole grains."
Other studies have found similar results- living close to a supermarket doesn't mean you eat more fruits and vegetables. Why not? Well, when you enter a supermarket, you still have to make choices about what to purchase. It's easy to assume people will choose healthy foods if they have access to them. But if you're surrounded by unhealthy, cheaper, pre-packaged foods when you walk in the door, that might end up being what fills your cart.
Many stress that a comprehensive plan of education is what's needed. It's not just about moving fast-food restaurants away from people or adding more fruits and vegetables to the front of the supermarket. What's important is educating people about how to make healthy choices, while at the same time making those choices more affordable, especially in low-income areas. It's also important that people of all income levels have access to a wide variety of healthy foods. I know where I live, the selection at grocery stores varies widely depending on where you go.
Solutions could involve government or private subsidies for healthy foods, community outreach, and more. If you can't afford to buy produce at the store, why not try growing your own? I've recently discovered that growing some of my own veggies is not only cost-effective, it's easy.
What do you think? Do you have other suggestions for how to deal with this issue?
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Comments
I occasionally buy produce at Costco, and find the quality is quite good, as the quality of their fresh meats and fresh and frozen seafood. They have begun introducing organic choices, which is even better. - 7/27/2011 12:39:35 PM
Discount stores often have low grade fruit and vegetables. They don't last as long. When you shop smart, plan meals around shopping then chances are better for better food choices and potential better food. For everyone! Thanks for sharing - 7/27/2011 12:12:33 PM
- 7/27/2011 12:01:37 PM
In addition to the access problem, we have been conditioned by years of advertising, etc to believe that it is too difficult to cook from scratch. There ARE good buys of basic foods out there. We THINK we don't have time to cook and that we need over processed foods that thave been transported for long distances.
I've learned that most anything can be made from scratch for less than over processed junk. - 7/27/2011 10:21:36 AM
1) Lived in Portland, OR for a bit in an apartment across the street from a supermarket. We used to walk over there almost daily to buy fresh veggies and fruit (straight up the highway from CA), although the rest of the choices in the store WERE somewhat limited. There were plenty of fast food places all along the street too, but that market was great. We ate great healthy homemade meals 99% of the time.
2) We now live in northern NJ near several good supermarkets that all have strengths and weaknesses when it comes to selection and price. There are lots of fast food places here too. But, what I find interesting is that the local Walmart, which sells some food, never stocks any lo-fat, lo-cal versions of items (except milk) - only full fat, total calorie choices, so I don't buy much there. We still try to eat as many fresh veggies and fruit as possible, but price has become a big issue.
Bottom line is that, yes, if fast food places are more easily accessible, people will tend to eat that food more frequently, and no, we don't need the government to get involved in yet another area of our lives. As far as growing your own, I'm all for it. Look at Detroit, which is turning into small plot, inner city farms. Every community should have some land set aside for people to grow their own food.
- 7/27/2011 10:02:25 AM
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