Fast Food Resturants in Minority Neighborhoods in relationship to Health Problems

Fast Food Restaurants and Health Problems in Minority Neighborhoods
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Dear Editor
I would like provide some perspective on the issue of fast food restaurants in minority neighborhoods such as Brownsville and Crown Heights in relation to health problems. Substantial health disparities in economically distressed areas have been attributed to many factors. One such factor is access to unhealthy foods. The accessibility to fast food restaurants in the minority neighborhoods has become a major role in driving the health disparities. They are attributed to the high carbohydrates, fats, and sugar which subsequently expose the individuals in these neighborhoods to higher risks of acquiring obesity and other nutritional-related illnesses.
Recent trends show that the more people eat from these fast food restaurants, they continue to gain energy from sugars and fats. Mostly, these are associated with the unfair distribution of healthy food sources within these neighborhoods. High prevalence of obesity within minority groups and low-income populations is greatly connected to the limited access to healthy food and the consequent availability of fast-food outlets within their neighborhoods. A close observation of the services offered by fast-food restaurants clearly indicates that they offer a restricted choice of healthy foods.
Basically, accessibility is a key determinant to what a person is likely to consume. When people gain access to healthy foods, the risks of health-related diseases such as being overweight and obese are minimized.

On the contrary, easy access to inappropriate sources or sources that provide limited options contributes to the excessive gain of bad weight. In general, the presence of fast-food restaurants in minority neighborhoods provides access to high-calories foods which leads to high caloric intake by their customers. Additionally, fast-food restaurants are known to provide affordable and easily accessible energy-dense foods. This is unlike in wealthy regions where a variety of healthy foods is availed. One study in the US indicates that the lower prevalence of obesity and lower BMI is associated with people living in areas that have many stores offering a variety of healthy foods.
In order to solve this problem within the minority communities, it’s important that fast-food adapt the calorie labeling policy to help consumers in making informed menu choices. Though few might use such information in making their food-choice decisions, the policy is important in helping fast-food restaurants to improve their menu offering promoting lower-calorie items. Another initiative that should be implemented is the partnership between the government and private businesses to introduce supermarkets within areas that are underserved with healthy food options. A study done in Pennsylvania found that including a supermarket within a minority neighborhood increased the availability and accessibility of healthy foods within the community. Further, government intervention is required to ensure that mobile markets are availed to bring a variety of healthy food within these neighborhoods. Additionally, direct incentives such as tax holidays, zoning allowances, and tax rebates should be extended to food retailers to allow them to operate in these neighborhoods favorably.
Implementing the proposed solutions is fundamental as it eliminates the disproportionate distribution of food which is the ultimate source of unhealthy eating behaviors within the minority neighborhoods which consequently increases the disease burden that not only affects the individuals or their families, but it affects the whole society at large. Equity and fairness will also be achieved as minorities start to receive healthy foods just as the rich within the larger society. Further, these propositions could help mitigate the neighborhood inequalities and promote healthy eating habits, optimal health, and vibrancy within the minority neighborhoods.
Sincerely,

References
Jiao, Moudon, Kim, Hurvitz, and Drewnowski, A. (2015). Health Implications of Adults’ Eating at and Living near Fast Food or Quick Service Restaurants. Nutrition and Diabetes, 5(7), 1-6.