Cost of obesity.
Rising health issues related to poor diets such as high rates of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension are public health concerns. The direct and indirect cost of obesity is as high as $147 billion annually in the United Sates (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2006). In 2006, obese patients spent on an average $1,429 more for their medical care than did people within a normal weight range, that is a 42 percent higher cost for people who are obese. Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers increased spending due to obesity from 6.5 percent in 1998 to 9.1 percent in 2006 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2006).
Convenience stores:
Convenience stores are small store that stocks a variety of everyday items like groceries, soft and alcoholic beverages and tobacco products (Walker, Keane, & Burke, 2010). Individuals who are located far away from food stores tend
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Distance.
Some communities have limited access to nutritious food because they live far from food stores and do not have access to any means of transportation (USDA_ERS, 2009). In 2007, 2.2 percent of all household in the U.S live more than a mile away from a food store and lack access to a vehicle. Furthermore, 3.2 percent of all households in the US live between one half to one mile from a food store and do not have access to a vehicle (US Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service, 2009).
A study conducted in New York City, investigated the likelihood of eating healthy diets like fruit and vegetables based on living close a food store. The study also looked at fruits and vegetable consumption trend in neighborhoods that have limited or no access to food stores. On the other hand, individuals living in close proximity to food stores were more likely to consume fruits and vegetables than people living in neighborhoods without food stores or located far from a food store (Hosler, Rajulu, Fredrick, & Ronsani, 2008).
FOOD STAMP