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Started 1 year ago by News
Latest reply from Snarf

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News
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Just Deserts: 6 Ways to Bring Good Food to Poor NeighborhoodsPrevious ArticleNext Article
SARAH PARSONS
May 8, 2012

As I noted in last week’s column, the connection between poverty and obesity cannot be denied. Studies show that low-income children are much more likely to be overweight than their wealthier counterparts and that more than one-third of adults who earn less than $15,000 a year are obese, while fewer than 25 percent of those who earn more than $50,000 a year are significantly overweight.

READ MORE: http://www.good.is/post/just-deserts-6-ways-to-bring-good-food-to-poor-neighborhoods/

Posted 1 year ago #
rus

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http://volokh.com/2012/04/19/studies-undermine-food-desert-obesity-link/

The two studies used relied on different methodologies but reached the same conclusion: The relative availability of different types of food in a neighborhood has little observable effect on the obesity rate.

Posted 1 year ago #
TomOver
lovecause.org
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rus said:
http://volokh.com/2012/04/19/studies-undermine-food-desert-obesity-link/

The two studies used relied on different methodologies but reached the same conclusion: The relative availability of different types of food in a neighborhood has little observable effect on the obesity rate.

From a commenter at the NY Times site :

"This doesn't seem like a very comprehensive study. Its disappointing to see so much news without a comprehensive analysis of the issue.

"Are they taking into account the price of goods? Do they rank the type of grocery stores available? More urban supermarkets have much higher prices for HEALTHY foods compared to suburban markets - while less healthy goods are cheaper in urban communities than suburban communities.

"Just because there is a corner store and supermarket doesn't mean there is quality food access. Just b/c McDonalds has a salad, it doesn't mean that salad has any nutritional value (iceberg lettuce). And corner stores may have produce - but are much more expensive than candy, soda, and junk food that many prefer to eat and can get more for their dollar.

"They fail to account for barriers such as transportation access. For some real impact analysis you should look at the Food Trust (as quoted above in article) and the Reinvestment Fund in Philly."

Posted 1 year ago #
News
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THE ECOLOGY OF OBESITY
by Michael Shellenberger and Ted Nordhaus
03/29/2013

Starting in the mid-nineties, ecologically-minded Americans increasingly came to see farmers markets as a way to bring healthy foods to poor neighborhoods, support local organic agriculture, and even address global warming. During the Bush years, major health philanthropies joined these efforts, making new grocery stores their highest priority in combating obesity, which was disproportionately affecting the poor.

READ MORE: http://www.newgeography.com/content/003605-the-ecology-obesity

Posted 1 month ago #
tdziemia
GV/Schumacher
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I don't believe in food deserts.

I believe in nutritional education.

Thirty years ago I lived in an low income urban area (West Philly) on $400/mo without a car. I schlepped groceries from my local supermarket, and on weekends from a more distant market (Philly's one and only Italian Market) by bus. I cooked and ate healthfully, despite having obese parents who did not serve as the best role models. I taught my kids how to et healthfully. One of them lives in a similar neighborhood today, and also has no trouble eating healthfully on low income.

I am as liberal as anyone, but this stuff is total nonsense. If people stop buying the s--t that constitutes 90% of the items sold in grocery stores, and start buying healthy stuff, the laws of supply and demand will guarantee that stores in those "food deserts" will wake up and smell the coffee ... and the brown rice ... and the fresh vegetables, and will change.

Posted 1 month ago #
Snarf
Dystopia
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Yep. Less excuses please.

Posted 1 month ago #