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The Political, Social And Economic Factors That Contribute To The Food Gap In The United States?

987 Words4 Pages

Food is a critical component of our overall well-being, and access to healthy and fresh food is essential for a healthy lifestyle. In the United States, however, access to healthy food is unequal, and a food gap exists between different socioeconomic groups. The food gap disproportionately affects lower-income individuals, leading to health issues such as obesity and diabetes. In this paper, I will discuss the political, social, and economic factors that contribute to the food gap in the US and examine the difficulties that low-income people face in accessing healthy food. The video "Jamie Oliver Shows School Kids How Chicken Nuggets are made" sheds light on the unhealthy and processed foods that are often consumed by children, contributing …show more content…

The government's policies play a critical role in shaping the food environment, and food access is a matter of social justice. The economic factors that contribute to the food gap are the cost of healthy food, the lack of supermarkets in lower-income neighborhoods, and the increasing cost of healthcare associated with diet-related diseases. In his article, "The Poor Get Diabetes," Mark Winne highlights the fact that supermarkets in lower-income neighborhoods close when the costs of maintaining them are no longer offset by acceptable profits. This happens when nearby residents have too little disposable income to spend more than the bare minimum on food. This situation leads to a lack of access to fresh and healthy foods, predisposing even those who have the money and time to travel to fall back on what remains: in many cases, fast food. This lack of access to healthy food leads to disproportionately high rates of obesity and diabetes in these …show more content…

In her article, "What's Natural About Our Natural Products," Marion Nestle argues that the food industry misleads consumers by using terms such as "natural" and "organic" to market their products. Consumers who are not aware of the differences between these terms may end up purchasing products that are not as healthy as they seem. This issue is particularly relevant for low-income individuals who may not have access to reliable sources of information about healthy eating.
One solution to this problem is to provide education on healthy eating habits. In "The Poor Get Diabetes," Mark Winne suggests that community-based education programs can play a vital role in addressing the food gap. By teaching people how to prepare healthy meals on a budget, these programs can empower individuals to make informed choices about their food. Additionally, educating people about the nutritional value of different foods can help them make healthier choices when grocery

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