OBESITY IN MISSISSIPPI

More documents

Recommendations

Info

moving forward - Policy InitiativesPolicy Initiative No. 9Improve Access toSupermarkets/ProducePersons livingin “fooddesert”counties inrural Mississippiwere found tobe 23.4 percentless likelyto consumerecommendedamounts offruits andvegetables.THE CHALLENGEConsumption of fruits and vegetables is an important component of ahealthy diet. Only one in five Americans actually consumes the dailyrecommended level of five to nine servings of fruits or vegetables establishedby the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Studies have demonstrated arelationship between low income and a poor diet. According to the Centersfor Disease Control and Prevention, people with incomes of less than$15,000 are the least likely to consume fruits or vegetables. Additionally,many low-income neighborhoods lack healthy, affordable retail food options,and purchasing healthy food often involves transportation thatis inconvenient or unavailable to many residents.Upper- and middle-income neighborhoods have about three times asmany supermarkets per capita as do low-income neighborhoods, andoften fast food chains and corner stores are the only sources of food inlow-income neighborhoods. One of the barriers to healthy eating is thelack of convenient access to supermarkets and stores that have fresh fruitsand vegetables. Supportive policies related to economic development, landuse, water, and transportation can help. Strategies that increase access tohealthy foods include the following:•••••Subsidizing supermarkets that will locate in low-incomeneighborhoodsCreating economic stimulus programs and public privatepartnerships to promote the creation of farmers markets and theexpansion of retail grocery operations in low-income neighborhoodsDeveloping land-use policies and joint-use agreements that supportthe creation of community gardens in areas lacking supermarketsDeveloping transportation policies that ensure public transit canconveniently transport riders to supermarkets or farmers markets,and creating economic incentives for free or low-cost transportationCreating local zoning ordinances to support the development ofmixed-use neighborhoods and the creation of small markets thatoffer healthy foodsMississippi has thesecond lowest rateof fruit and vegetableconsumption in the nation.NATIONAL SUCCESSIn April 2003, Pennsylvaniapassed the nation’s firststatewide economicdevelopment initiative aimed atimproving access to markets thatsell healthy food in underservedrural and urban communities.The legislation was passedas a $2.3 billion economicstimulus package and $100million of these funds wereused for agriculture projects,including the development ofgrocery stores and farmersmarkets. During this time,Pennsylvania’s governor alsocreated an innovative new fundfor the Fresh Food FinancingInitiative, which supportedthe development of 10 newstores by offering an $80million financing pool for freshfood retailers that locate inunderserved communities. Theinitiative provides a range offinancing resources such aspre-development grants andloans, land acquisition andequipment financing, capitalgrants for project fundinggaps and construction, andpermanent financing. Thispioneering program resultedin more than 65 grocery storesbeing built in low-income areasacross the state, creating morethan 3,700 jobs, and supplyingspinach, tomatoes, and otherhealthy produce and foods tounderserved areas.34
A project funded by the POWER initiative<strong>MISSISSIPPI</strong>’S SUCCESSMayor Chip Johnson ofHernando, Mississippi, hasbecome a spokesperson for localgovernment officials interestedin improving the health ofcitizens. Under his leadership,Hernando is working towardthe development of a healthiercommunity by adding parksand other green spaces, as wellas recreational equipment andprograms. The city has alsoadopted design regulations thatmandate sidewalks in all newand renovated developmentsto reduce barriers to walkingfor exercise and transportation.Hernando has just completed around of sidewalk improvementsthat transformed old crumblingsidewalks into wide, safe, andaccessible pedestrian ways.The city is also part of theDeSoto Greenways project,seeking to one day connectthe city’s greenways andsidewalks to a countywideand regionwide network ofgreenways and blueways.1 in 5Americans consume thedaily recommended level of5-9 servings of fruits andvegetables.Hernando also participatedin the development of asuccessful local farmers marketand developed a communitygarden. Both are designed topromote local, fresh, healthyeating and are located withinwalking distance of the mostdisadvantaged residents.35
Page 1 and 2: OBESITY IN MISSISSIPPIa report comp
Page 3 and 4: TABLE OF CONTENTS4 | Introduction &
Page 5 and 6: Finding an AnswerOverweight adolesc
Page 7 and 8: A GROWING PROBLEMNationally, childh
Page 9 and 10: What is Mississippi Doing?Thanks to
Page 11 and 12: A project funded by the POWER initi
Page 15 and 16: Moving forwardWith the measurements
Page 33: A project funded by the POWER initi
Page 39 and 40: SEEKING ACTIONEach of Mississippi
Page 41 and 42: A project funded by the POWER grant
Page 48: Report compiled by theMississippi D

OBESITY IN MISSISSIPPI

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?