Obesity subject to urban influence
Researchers at Kansas State University have discovered a link between the availability of supermarkets and increased risk of obesity.New findings published in the journal Obesity suggests that diet plans and healthy eating initiatives aimed at low-income women living in small cities should be tailored according to geographic location.
"Policies to increase healthful food availability may need to differ depending on urban influence," said lead author of the report, David Dzewaltowski.
"By examining the number of stores within a one to three-mile radius of these women's homes, we were able to get a more accurate and realistic assessment of supermarket availability."
The study indicated that the presence of small grocery and convenience stores could be associated with greater obesity rates in urban areas.
According to the most recent national statistics, in 2006, just under a quarter of adults (aged 16 or over) in England were classified as obese.
