Poor dietary patterns and obesity are established risk factors for chronic disease, and they have been linked to low-income, minority, and rural neighborhoods. In the January 2009 issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, researchers reported that neighborhood disparities in access to food are concerning due to their potential to influence dietary intake and obesity .

Researchers from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis identified 54 relevant research studies published between 1985 and April 2008 in order to evaluate whether neighborhood differences in access to food influenced dietary patterns and obesity. They found that neighborhood residents who have better access to supermarkets and limited access to convenience stores tend to have healthier diets and lower rates of obesity. They also found limited evidence that less access to fast-food restaurants also contributed to healthier eating and lower obesity levels.

Lower-income and minority neighborhoods are more likely to be affected by poor access to supermarkets and a high density of fast-food restaurants. The researchers concluded that additional research is needed to identify effective policy actions and evaluate potential intervention strategies designed to promote more equitable access to healthy foods.

Source

Am J Prev Med. 2009;36:74-81.