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A 2009 study of rural food deserts found key differences in overall health, access to food, and the social environment of rural residents when they were compared to urban dwellers. [25] Rural residents report overall poorer health and more physical limitations, with 12% rating their health as fair or poor, compared to 9% of urban residents. [ 25 ]
According to the USDA, in 2015, about 19 million people, around 6% of the United States population, lived in a food desert, and 2.1 million households both lived in a food desert and lacked access to a vehicle. [25] However, the definition and number of people living in food deserts is constantly evolving as it depends on census information. [28]
Studies on food deserts and type 2 diabetes mellitus demonstrate that areas with limited access to nutritious food are associated with an increased prevalence of type 2 diabetes. [44] [45] [46] Studies show that food insecurity can impact the health of elderly adults including lower BMI, limited activity and malnutrition. [47]
A longitudinal study of food deserts in JAMA Internal Medicine shows that supermarket availability is generally unrelated to fruit and vegetable recommendations and overall diet quality. [59] In a 2018 article in Guernica, Karen Washington states that factors beyond physical access suggest the community should reexamine the word food desert itself.
Food swamps are often determined by a disproportionate ratio of fast food to supermarkets. A food swamp is an urban environment with few grocery stores but several non-nutritious food options such as corner stores or fast-food restaurants. One definition gives a general ratio of four unhealthy options for each healthy option. [1]
Equity in both the decision-making process and the distribution of resources is the core of the food justice movement and can be achieved through government policies. One possible course of action to combat food deserts may be in mandating that corner stores and such in food deserts provide some variation of fruits and vegetables.
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Section 301 of the Food Desert Oasis Act instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to report to congress no later than December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2016 on changes in the health of the residents of designated food desert zones. In addition the Secretary of the Treasury must report to congress the effect Title I (sections 101, 102, 103 and ...