Food Deserts and

Unhealthy Lifestyles
in Low-Income
African American
Communities

Aysia Goss

Capstone-7

Overview

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 The presence of food deserts, or parts of the country vapid of fresh fruit, vegetables, and

other healthful whole foods which are usually found in impoverished areas, in African American

communities have proven to very dangerous to the health and livelihood of the individuals that

live in these communities. There are many factors that have attributed to the introduction and

unfortunate continuance of food deserts in Black American communities, however the ones that

have most directly and most significantly contributed to this health crisis are the lack of

government and corporate involvement in these areas, the lack of health education, and the

promotion of unhealthy lifestyle for the youth and adults in these communities. While these three

factors are very crucial to understand in order to evaluate solutions to this problem, more abstract

concepts must be taken into consideration such as cultural, environmental, and deep rooted

historical elements. Furthermore, the negative side effects of food deserts must be examined

before even beginning to determine a solution. The most significant side effects seen as a result

of the presence of food deserts in these communities are obesity, diabetes, and other nutrition

related diseases such as hypertension. These are problems that are difficult to eradicate on a large

scale due to the severity and prolonged presence of obesity and diabetes seen throughout the

African-American community as a whole. By taking all these factors into consideration, steps

can be taken towards eradicating food deserts in low-income African American communities in

addition to the negative side effects that have plagued these areas for years. Furthermore, once a

solutions can be found for African American communities, the same plan can be modeled for

nutrition deprived areas all over the world.

Causes

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 Over the past few decades, there has been a sharp in the prevalence of food related

diseases and obesity within low-income, African American communities. Many people within

and apart from this community are aware of the pressing health issues that have plagued and

continued to poison the African American community for years now. However, there has been

little to no effort to attempt fix these problems. This increasingly dangerous issue that harms the

wellbeing of low-income African American neighbourhoods can be heavily attributed to the lack

of government involvement, promotion of unhealthy lifestyles, and health education.

Racial and ethnic health disparities have become a prominent issue in national debates

about healthcare and civil rights. Health disparities have been demonstrated in chronic and

infectious diseases and in maternal and child health (Plescia).The fact that many low income

communities are also food deserts plays a big part in the deterioration of health in many of its

residents. The lack of supermarkets and healthy food options create a toxic environment in which

food related diseases, specifically obesity and diabetes, are bound to manifest themselves in the

bodies of people who reside in low income communities (Rabi).

In many African American communities, a more unhealthy, sedentary lifestyle is

promoted. Often times, the people in these communities are forced, usually in covert ways, to

partake in unhealthy eating habits due to the high concentration of fast food and other small

grocery stores with little to no healthy options and the very small amount of supermarkets and

organic food shops in these area. According to the Public Reference Bureau, there is a direct

link between access to supermarketswhich are usually the least expensive sources of food

and healthier dietary intake. It is easy for one to deduce that individuals living near stores

stocking such products tend to eat more healthy foods. In addition, black children are twice as

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likely to see fast food and high-calorie, low-nutrition food and beverages calories than white

children due to unprincipled advertising in and around these neighbourhoods. For this, the idea

that unhealthy, sugary, fatty foods are not exactly bad for your health and wellbeing is engrained

into the minds of these young, impressionable children which is why a large percentage of

African American youth and adults face food related health issues such as obesity and diabetes.

Promotion of healthier lifestyles in low income/black communities is significantly less

prevalent than in more affluent communities. Fast food and liquor are more readily available and

promoted in this African American communities as opposed to their more affluent counterparts

(Lee). In these affluent areas, it is proven that more organic and wholesome foods and

lifestyles are promoted and encouraged. However, since for long periods of time this is the only

lifestyle the people in these low income/minority communities are familiar with, it is more

difficult to break this chain

In addition, it is imperative that these low income, black communities receive

adequate education and funding (mainly federal) to be able to encourage a better and healthier

lifestyle. According to a special report done by The State of Obesity, a national health journal, it

is shown that providing increased education about healthy choices helps African American youth

pursue a more healthy lifestyle. Not only this, but it is stated that developing partnerships and

sustained programs for the people in these communities will help further educate the individuals

subsequently reducing the prevalence of food related diseases within this community. In doing

so, leaders will be engaged and will take ownership of the long-term success of this important

initiative. This will also create models where local, state and national organizations form lasting

collaborations, access to ongoing resource and a shared set of priorities and goals. Local health

leaders have a strong interest in partnering with national and state groups because they recognize

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the expertise and resources those groups provide. By getting local and federal leaders involved

in the implementation of a stronger health education program, the reduction of food related

diseases will be greatly aided.

There are many other smaller factors that contribute to the bad healthy epidemic

plaguing the black community, the main factors have to do with the neglect of these issues in

these types of communities by many local and federal leaders. Not only this, but the lack of

education and promotion of healthy lifestyles strongly and negatively impacts the health of those

living in these communities from birth. It is imperative to remember these causes in order to

reach a nearly definitive solution.

Effects and Coping Efforts

The physical health of people in low income African-American communities has been

long neglected not only by the people in these areas but the people outside of them as well.

Because of this neglect, the people in these communities are forced to deal with the

consequences of this increasingly dangerous issue.

It is crucial to understand the basics of what a food desert is to understand the extent of

harm done to low-income African American communities. According to an online article from

John Hopkins University, "Food deserts"areas in which residents are hard-pressed to find

affordable, healthy foodare part of the landscape of poor, urban neighborhoods across the

United States (Brooks). As previously mentioned, low-income black communities all over

America struggle with finding ways to pursue a healthy lifestyle due to the circumstances under

which they are placed. These circumstances include lack of supermarkets, abundance of fast food

and other unhealthy establishments, as well as lack of health education and government

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intervention. As a result, people in these communities are basically forced to cope in any way

they can; otherwise, they will have to face the unfortunate consequences.

In order to make due with these consequences, some people in these areas create

community gardens in order to provide free, fresh produce; however, this comes with a price.

According to an article done by The State of Obesity, in larger southern cities, complete streets

policies have been incredibly important, while in both large and smaller communities, mayors

have worked to maximize community gardens and farmers markets. For example, Texas

Southern Universitys Houston location owns the property that contains hundreds of fruits and

vegetables which are open to public consumption. Not only this, but people all over the area are

encouraged to go and help grow the garden. According to the TSU website, this garden is

affiliated with the Houston chapter of Urban Harvest...who encourages community gardening as

a means of feeding the poor. Many people take part in these gardens, whether they are

consuming the food from this garden or helping plant fruits and vegetables. The TSU community

garden is a great model for other cities facing the same issues, however, it is difficult to receive

ownership of plots of land to start these gardens. For example, an article by Maria Guzman of

Public Radio International focuses on Lorenzo Herron, a 26-year-old Detroit native and urban

farmer. After more than three years of trying to purchase plots of land in Detroit, he has been

unsuccessful. He's not alone; there are dozens of cases of people attempting to buy land without

success. Herron says that the property he was interested in buying, for example, belongs to a

holding company in Florida (Guzman). Not only is it difficult to receive ownership of this land,

but Bureaucratic obstacles, a historically dysfunctional city government and land speculators

keep would-be farmers in Detroit from easily purchasing the abundance of neighborhood plots in

Detroit's so-called prime neighborhoods (Guzman). It can be seen that while community

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gardens seem to be an effective solution to food deserts in these low-income, black communities.

,it is difficult to receive the funds and official permission to do so.

One of the most significant consequences of these food deserts and lack of healthy

lifestyles in these communities are severe health issues that are difficult to get rid of. High rates

of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes are unfortunate problems that exist in these communities

due to the deep rooted issues of unhealthy eating and lifestyles. More than 75 percent of African

Americans are overweight or obese. This includes 69 percent of men and 82.0 percent of women

compared with 67.2 percent of Whites (including 71.4 percent of men and 63.2 percent of

women) (State of Obesity). Also, according to The American Diabetes Association (ADA),

diabetes is one of the most serious health problems that the African American community faces

today. Compared to the general population, African Americans are disproportionately affected

by diabetes. The ADA has provided programs and materials to address this growing epidemic;

however, many African-Americans who are actually affected by diabetes do not have access to

these resources.

There are several significant ways that people in low-income Black American

communities use to deal with the impending health issues in their communities. While some

people in these communities are able to garden or retrieve food from community gardens, others

are victim to food related diseases and health problems such as obesity, diabetes, and many

more.

Possible Solutions

By analyzing the research provided, there is no easy way to eliminate food deserts and

obesity in African American communities. Many of these issues stem from the long history of

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African-American cultural development and repression that have existed for numerous

generations. Therefore, there is no simple way to get rid of food deserts and unhealthy lifestyles

in these areas. However, while they may take a long time to fix, there are effective ways to

alleviate the severity of food deserts and the negative consequences that have plagued low-

income Black communities for years.

As previously established, food deserts are parts of the country vapid of fresh fruits,

vegetables, and other healthful whole foods, and are generally found in impoverished areas

(American Nutrition Organization). The effects of food deserts on the communities they infect

include many food related diseases; two of the most significant diseases being obesity and

diabetes. The solution to food deserts and its consequences may seem so simple and direct:

Build more supermarkets in these areas so that people have access to healthy foods . While, yes,

this logically seems like the best option, there are many other factors that have to be take into

consideration when creating solutions to help get rid of this issue. For example, the cultural and

environmental aspects, such as the stores that surround the community or foods that are

commonly eaten within it , are much more abstract concepts that are difficult to target and assess.

The increased number of supermarkets would undeniably be helpful, but due to the extensive

amount of time many African-Americans have spent in this unhealthy environment, it is

extremely difficult to wean them off of their unhealthy ways. Journalist Sarah Corapi explicitly

states that the problem of (resolving food deserts) may not lie solely with food accessibility; it

[is] due to peoples shopping and eating habits (Corapi). Furthermore, [supermarkets] are not

successful on their own...A range of other things that might make a difference to improve

peoples diet (must also be taken into consideration)...(in addition to) the culture around

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shopping and eating food (Corapi). The more deep, abstract aspects of food deserts must be

evaluated as well in addition to the more obvious elements.

With all this being said, it is crucial to develop a plan that can be tested to bring more

fresh food into areas afflicted by food deserts and more importantly educate these people on how

to lead a more healthy lifestyle. Solving this issue cannot be done through a one-time,

uninvolved process. In fact, it requires numerous steps as well as lots of analysis and trial to error

to create, while not definitive, an effective solution to relieve these communities of the burdens

placed upon them by food deserts. In an article called The Epidemic of Obesity in African

American Communities in the Californian Journal of Health Promotion, Dr. E.V. Wallace details

an outline of an extensive process that could potentially be the outline for getting rid of food

deserts and moreso the consequences of food deserts in many different predominantly Black

areas. The first and most important stage will be the needs assessment phase and will consist of

evaluating support from the local African American community and performing a needs

assessment and cultural assessment through focus groups, meetings with after school directors

and staff, and meetings with obese African American children. Additionally, the behavior

change strategies will ensure compatibility with the childs needs, empower the child, and

enhance the success of the child through behavior changes. The implementation phase includes

the following stages: (1) orientation and intake, (2) assessment, (3) goal setting, (4) prescription

for change, and (5) program change (Wallace). Furthermore, in order for this process to be

successful, changes in policy and the community environment are particularly important in

racial and ethnic minority communities because of the underlying social etiologies of most health

disparities. Community involvement is imperative to improving the overall health of African

American individuals in low-income neighbourhoods which starts with extensive education

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about food and health related things (Plescia). A crucial part of the success of this process is

community involvement and compliance.

Government and supermarket intervention is crucial in helping get rid of food deserts and

the negative impact they have had on low-income Black communities. Kenneth Hecht of

California Food Policy Advocates Public says that private entities have implemented a variety

of market-based approaches to address food access issues in inner cities. Most have the potential

to succeed, but only in certain circumstances. In particular, large-scale undertakings, like

supermarkets and independent markets, require such high levels of capital and large parcels of

land that they are unlikely to succeed in low-income, urban environments (Hecht).This is true,

however, with the use of federal grants and funding, these market-based approaches can succeed

in urban and low-income communities. Having the state or even federal government provide the

funds necessary to bring about food markets to low-income urban communities is crucial in

being able to even start getting rid of food deserts and the negative side effects that come with it

such as obesity and diabetes. This begins with pushing this health agenda at the local, state, and

eventually national government level in order to accomplish food desert eradication. The

presence of stores selling healthy, affordable food makes it possible to eat five a day and

consume a healthful diet. This is particularly important for low-income people of color given the

vast disparities in health that exist in areas including obesity, diabetes, and other diet-related

diseases (Treuhaft). It is equally important for supermarket or health food chains such as HEB,

Whole Foods, and many more to do their part in helping provide healthier eating options for

people in these communities. Supermarket interventions is increasing food access by

encouraging supermarkets to locate to underserved communities, usually through packages of tax

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incentives, and creating programs through these stores is a very important step to reversing the

unhealthy lifestyles causes mainly by food deserts in Black communities.

Global Aspect

These possible solutions to help eliminate or alleviate the consequences and presence of

food deserts in African American communities can be applied not only to areas in the United

States but to other nations as well. While it is not possible for supermarkets to be placed in every

nutrition deprived area of the world, efforts to create sources of healthy food in global food

deserts such as many African and Southern Asian villages as well as more impoverished areas of

South America such as Brazil should be enforced. Over the years, commercials of large

organizations asking for donations to feed impoverished African villages can be seen on millions

of peoples televisions, however, hunger is still a huge issue in many of these areas. Therefore,

more effort should be taken to ensure that these areas are able to feed their people, whether that

be through large agricultural efforts funded by domestic or international governments, or other

organizations coming to their aid. Concepts such as community gardens can definitely be helpful

in helping get rid of food deserts and nutritional food deprived areas all over the world.

Conclusion

In conclusion, getting rid of food deserts and its negative consequences is not a simple

process. Various factors must be taken into consideration whether they be direct and physical,

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such as the lack of supermarkets, or abstract, such as cultural and environmental factors. It is of

utmost importance that the root of the issue are a top priority in trying to get rid of food deserts ,

which are lack of federal involvement, promotion of unhealthy lifestyles, and lack of health

education. Either way, federal, corporate, and community involvement is crucial in even

beginning to get rid of food deserts in low-income Black communities.

Works Cited

American Diabetes Association

American Nutrition Organization

Andrews, L. T. (2014, May). Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Obesity. Retrieved September 12,

2017.

Brooks, K. (2014, Spring). Research shows food deserts more abundant in minority

neighborhoods. Retrieved September 28, 2017.

Corapi, S. (2014, February 3). Why it takes more than a grocery store to eliminate a food

desert. Retrieved October 2, 2017.

Guzman, M. (2016, March 30). Black farmers in Detroit are growing their own food. But they're

having trouble owning the land. Retrieved September 28, 2017.

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Lee, M. (n.d.). The Neglected Link Between Food Marketing and Childhood Obesity in Poor

Neighborhoods. (2008) Public Reference Bureau. Retrieved August 24, 2017.

Plescia, Marcus, Harry Herrick, and LaTonya Chavis. Improving Health Behaviors in an

African American Community: The Charlotte Racial and Ethnic Approaches to

Community Health Project. American Journal of Public Health 98.9 (2008): 1678

1684. PMC. Web. 24 Aug. 2017.

Rabi, Doreen M et al. Association of Socio-Economic Status with Diabetes Prevalence and

Utilization of Diabetes Care Services. BMC Health Services Research 6 (2006): 124.

PMC. Web. 25 Aug. 2017.

Treuhaft, S., & Karpyn, A. (2010, July). The Grocery Gap: Who Has Access to Healthy Foods

and Why It Matters. Retrieved October 9, 2017.

Wallace, E. V. (2006). The Epidemic of Obesity in African American Communities...

Californian

Journal of Health Promotion, 4(1). Retrieved October 13, 2017.

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