FoodWeb: Networks of American Health

Abstract

There is no doubt that access to quality, nutrient-dense diets varies greatly across the United States of America. This disparity is likely due to a number of factors, including those of social, economic, and demographic nature. As a nation dedicated to the overall health and wellbeing of its citizens, the United States prioritizes understanding food environments and the elements that impact them. Previous work has suggested that both unemployment and poverty are directly responsible for food insecurity, while other variables, such as low income, food taxes, and race correlate with obesity. Furthermore, poverty was found to be correlated with race, food insecurity, and unemployment. Despite the evidence supporting these claims, there is widespread disagreement within both the academic and political communities on various accounts: what factors are most significant in shaping food environments; which of these elements, if any, should be included in health policies; and whether or not the government should be able to cross traditional boundaries in their attempts to address concerns regarding health. Here, we will attempt to alleviate some of this discord by examining several relevant variables and evaluating the magnitude of their significance. The current study aims to confirm and continue the research completed by Dharmasena, Bessler, and Capps in their 2016 study of food environments, using the same variables and the causal relationships previously determined between them. Furthermore, additional data was added to the initial set in order to augment analysis and results. With the evaluation of the studied data as reference, suggestions were made on possible approaches to developing health policies for the greatest access and widespread impact. Racial data was found to be a consistent predictor of food behavior, and policies designed around increasing accessibility and lowering the cost of healthy food options were suggested in order to improve food security for different demographic groups.