Access to Nutritious Foods
Consistent access, availability, and affordability of foods and beverages that promote well-being, prevent disease, and, if needed, treat disease.
Access to nutritious foods significantly influences overall well-being and contributes to health disparities within communities. Obtaining nutritious food from a variety of healthy sources is vital for maintaining optimal physical and mental health. Limited access to nutritious foods is associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, malnutrition, and heart disease.
Access to nutritious food is strongly related to someone’s overall health. A lack of fresh and healthy food can lead to poor diets, which increases the rate of obesity and other diet-related diseases like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, etc. (USDA). Every year, 70% of all deaths in the U.S. are due to chronic diseases (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023). Usually, these people do not have money to buy healthy food, or they do not have a grocery store near them. People call these regions food deserts. People living in food deserts turn to fast food, which is high in sodium, leading to high blood pressure, stroke, and eventually, death.
Community Resources
References
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Healthy eating tips from the CDC
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