The United States is facing a serious food crisis that highlights two contrasting problems, common obesity and continuing hunger. Statistics show that 71% of Americans are either overweight or obese, yet still, over 47 million Americans, including one in five children, struggle with food insecurity. This inconsistency shows the problems of America’s food culture, where excess and shortage coexist. Understanding the factors that contribute to these issues is very important to finding solutions that can better public health and reduce inequality of food.
One huge factor influencing America’s unhealthy food culture is social class status. Income and employment often rule access to nutritious healthy food, since healthier options, like fresh produce and organic products, tend to be more expensive. Families with lower incomes rely on cheap, more processed foods that are higher in calories but lower in nutritional value. Also, food leave areas with limited access to affordable, healthy food are common in low-income neighborhoods, further contributing to unhealthy eating habits and higher obesity rates.
Race and disability are also very important factors that can form food access and dietary habits in America. Studies show that minority communities are extremely affected by food insecurity and often facing, extensive barriers that limit their ability to access good healthy meals. People with disabilities can go through similar struggles. Limited movement/reliance on government assistance can restrict disabled people’s food choices. These social inequalities create an uneven playing field in which excluded groups are more vulnerable to both hunger and diet-related health issues.
One more issue, the quality of food available in the United States. Artificial ingredients, genetically modified foods, and heavily processed products rule grocery store shelves often marketed as convenient or affordable options with pretty colors. These products are frequently packed with unhealthy fats, sugars, and preservatives which feeds(no pun intended) into obesity and other health risks. Unhealthy food combined with aggressive marketing tactics from major food corporations, americans are often led to prioritize great convenience over proper nutrition. In order to label these issues requires, not only improved food access but also greater awareness about the long-term effects of poor dietary choices.
Resources
Food Security in the U.S. – Key Statistics & Graphics | Economic Research Service. (n.d.). https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/key-statistics-graphics#:~:text=In%202023%3A,with%20adults%2C%20were%20food%20insecure
Food Insecurity – Healthy People 2030 | odphp.health.gov. (n.d.). https://odphp.health.gov/healthypeople/priority-areas/social-determinants-health/literature-summaries/food-insecurity#:~:text=It%20may%20be%20influenced%20by,is%20limited%20or%20not%20available.&text=In%202020%2C%2028.6%20percent%20of,national%20average%20of%2010.5%20percent
Hunger in America | Feeding America. (n.d.). Feeding America. https://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america#:~:text=More%20than%2047%20million%20people,including%201%20in%205%20children
Fuhrman, J. (2018). The hidden dangers of fast and processed food. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 12(5), 375–381. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827618766483
Research!America. (2024, June 21). National Survey Shows Affordability and Access to Nutritious Foods is a Challenge for Many Americans – Research!America. https://www.researchamerica.org/press-releases-statements/national-survey-shows-affordability-and-access-to-nutritious-foods-is-a-challenge-for-many-americans/#:~:text=Americans%20cited%20the%20top%20five,genetically%20modified%20foods%20(41%25)
