By Cristina McNealy The Effects of Unhealthy and Healthy Foods In Low Income Communities.

By Cristina McNealy

The Effects of Unhealthy and Healthy FoodsIn Low Income Communities

Why Low-Income and Food Insecure People are Vulnerable to Overweight and Obesity

•Limited resources and lack of access to healthy, affordable foods.•Fewer opportunities for physical activity. •Food deprivation and overeating. •More exposure to marketing of obesity-promoting products like fast food restaurants.

Healthy Food is expensive•Most people in low income communities will like to eat healthy but it can be expensive .

Healthy Food in Richer Communities VS Low Income Communities• When buying, healthy food, especially fresh food, poorer

quality of food is in lower income communities, which reduces the chances of these items to be purchased.

Richer Communities Low Income Communities

Income Status

• There is a higher level of Obesity in lower income levels.

• The more Obese the higher the medical cost.

How Can Unhealthy Food in Low Income Communities Effect Middle and Upper class communities

• Medical coverage for low income communities can be very expensive for tax payers. The more obese low income people are, the higher the medical coverages and the more taxes that’s being deducted from working class checks. If there was more resources for healthy and good quality of food, the medical expenses will decrease in low income communities which can result in less taxes being taking out of working class checks.

Creating Access to Healthy Food

• A food desert is a geographic area where affordable and nutritious food is difficult to obtain, particularly for those without access to an automobile.

• There are many food deserts in low income communities.

Who can get involved•Retailers such as grocery stores and supermarkets should offer a range of quality foods and prices that make healthy choices affordable.•Producers and Distributers can add value by helping with the movement of healthy food in low income communities and food desserts. •Marketers can add value by marketing healthier foods in low income communities.•Businesses such as non-profit organizations, colleges and universities, local governments and many more.

Thank You