Americans struggle every day trying to stay healthy by eating the right foods. Availability, cost, confusion, time constraints, and taste concerns are the main reasons that eating more nutriously is a problem. Data taken from 2011 to 2012 concluded that more than two-thirds of adults were overweight or obese (68.6 percent).
In some areas in America, healthy food just isn't available. This is very apparent in low-income black neighborhoods, such as in Athens, Georgia. "Thirteen out of Athens' 30 census tracts are labeled as food deserts, meaning that more than 33 percent of residents in those tracts live more than a mile from a grocery store, significantly limiting access to healthy foods" (cite) A mile may not seem like much, but without a car, carrying food home becomes a problem. It's not likely that a person living in one of these food deserts is going to ride the bus home with ten grocery bags, especially if they're elderly. …show more content…
Studies show that junk foods tend to cost less than fruits, vegetables and other healthful foods, whose prices continue to rise. Dr. Drewnowski, Director of the Center for Public Health Nutrition at the School of Public Health, conducted studies comparing the prices of foods sold at supermarkets in the Seattle area. The study showed that "energy dense junk foods, which pack the most calories and fewest nutrients per gram, were far less expensive than nutrient-rich, lower-calorie foods like fruits and vegetables" (cite) The prices of the most healthful foods surged 19.5 percent over the two-year study period, while the junk food prices dropped 1.8 percent.
In some areas in America, healthy food just isn't available. This is very apparent in low-income black neighborhoods, such as in Athens, Georgia. "Thirteen out of Athens' 30 census tracts are labeled as food deserts, meaning that more than 33 percent of residents in those tracts live more than a mile from a grocery store, significantly limiting access to healthy foods" (cite) A mile may not seem like much, but without a car, carrying food home becomes a problem. It's not likely that a person living in one of these food deserts is going to ride the bus home with ten grocery bags, especially if they're elderly. …show more content…
Studies show that junk foods tend to cost less than fruits, vegetables and other healthful foods, whose prices continue to rise. Dr. Drewnowski, Director of the Center for Public Health Nutrition at the School of Public Health, conducted studies comparing the prices of foods sold at supermarkets in the Seattle area. The study showed that "energy dense junk foods, which pack the most calories and fewest nutrients per gram, were far less expensive than nutrient-rich, lower-calorie foods like fruits and vegetables" (cite) The prices of the most healthful foods surged 19.5 percent over the two-year study period, while the junk food prices dropped 1.8 percent.