Understanding Neighborhood Food Environments
7.17.11 Two new reports provide strong evidence that the availability of fast food restaurants near schools increases adolescents' consumption of sodas and low-nutrient foods.This report from UCLA's Center for Health Policy Research describes the impact on adolescents. link
Commentary from the Los Angeles Department of Public Health titled Food Deserts or Food Swamps? accompanied a study published this month in the Archives of Internal Medicine that provides solid evidence that the low price - and ubiquitous availability - of fast foods, sodas, and snacks influences dietary quality more than the availability of supermarkets. One key implication is that health promotion strategies focused on neighborhood environments must improve the affordability of nourishing foods if eating behavior is expected to improve.
Read Food Deserts or Food Swamps? link