Life In A Food Desert: How Lack Of Healthy Food Affects Mental Health
Throughout the United States, millions of people live in what are known as food deserts. These are areas without large grocery stores or markets that offer nutrient-rich foods. Food deserts can exist in rural areas or urban areas, and living in one can significantly affect a person’s physical and mental health and well-being. Below, we’ll discuss food deserts, how they often affect low-income communities, and programs that aim to end food deserts.
What is a food desert according to the US Department of Agriculture?
A food desert is an area with few or no large grocery stores, supercenters, or supermarkets. According to the United States Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service, food desert census tracts tend to be characterized by higher rates of vacant or abandoned homes, low populations, low educational levels, higher unemployment, and lower incomes. These can be rural or urban food deserts, and some people may be surprised at how close they live to a food desert.
When there are food deserts, where do people obtain nutritious food?
When a person lives in a food desert, it can be challenging to find nutritious food options. Some people end up relying on fast food restaurants or corner stores, which may limit their food choices. Many of these stores do not have fresh fruits and vegetables, stocking more processed foods instead. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 60% of the foods Americans consume are processed, and food deserts likely play a role in these statistics.
Consuming lots of ultra-processed foods has been linked to poor health outcomes. People who live in a food desert often want to find more nutritious foods, but this may require traveling more than a mile by bus to get to a grocery store.
How many food deserts are there in the United States?
A report from 2021 shares estimates of how many people in the United States live in food deserts. It’s a range based on how food deserts are defined.
What are the effects of food deserts on mental health?
According to research published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, food insecurity is associated with poorer sleep and poorer mental health outcomes. Also, individuals living with mental health challenges may feel less able to work, which can affect their financial stability and worsen food insecurity.
Some people may also experience low self-esteem and other mental health challenges as a result of food insecurity. Those who go to school or work without nutritious food yet see others eating nourishing food there may feel isolated. Even if people offer them food, they may feel embarrassed to accept it, and anxiety, depression, or loneliness could result.
Mental health support options
For people who are living with food insecurity, it may be helpful to connect with a mental health professional. There are places that offer the opportunity to connect with a licensed counselor or social worker, sometimes on a sliding scale. These professionals may be able to offer information on new food programs in the community, including those that accept SNAP or other benefits. They may also be able to offer mental health support for stress or any underlying mental health conditions a person may be experiencing.
Another option that may be more viable for many is online counseling. Online therapy tends to be more affordable than traditional in-person therapy. It allows individuals to connect with a licensed therapist from home or anywhere they have an internet connection, which may be helpful for those who live in an area with limited public transportation or not enough care providers. Online therapy sessions can take place via audio, video, or live chat. Individuals can also reach out to their therapist 24/7 through in-app messaging, and their therapist will respond as soon as they are able. This option may be useful if someone experiences emotional challenges between therapy sessions.
What does the literature say about online therapy?
Many peer-reviewed studies support the effectiveness of online therapy in many cases. For example, one study suggests that online therapy can be effective for treating social anxiety disorder, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and substance use disorder, among others.
If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at (800) 662-4357 to receive support and resources. Support is available 24/7.
Takeaway
Frequently asked questions
Below are some common questions related to food deserts.
What is food apartheid vs. a food desert?
Some people prefer to use the term “food apartheid” instead of food desert. The University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability reports that many activists believe that the term food apartheid better recognizes structural injustices experienced by people in low-income communities.
How can cities end food deserts?
Eliminating food deserts typically involves educating the public about them. Many people may not be aware that food deserts exist, even if they only live a few miles from one.
In cities, where most food deserts exist, communities can use a number of approaches to eliminate food deserts. One approach that has been used in Baltimore is to allow residents to order nutritious food and pick it up at a local site, such as a library. Another program, which was used in Pennsylvania, involved a Fresh Food Financing Initiative. This initiative used both public and non-public funds for nutritious food projects in low-income communities.
What happens to your brain when you eat non-nutritious food?
When someone eats non-nutritious food, the brain tends to release dopamine as part of the reward system. The brain may eventually create more dopamine receptors as a result. A person may then desire more of that food in order to get the same reward, even though the food is not providing the nutrients they need.
Can a lack of food cause depression?
A lack of fiber and protein may increase a person’s risk of depression. Food security and nutritious foods may decrease the risk of depression.
How does poor nutrition affect the brain?
Non-nutritious foods high in sugar and fat may lead to inflammation of neurons. High consumption of these foods may also prevent new neurons from forming, which can influence how the brain functions and increase risk of depression.
What is the US Department of Agriculture doing about food insecurity?
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) operates the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program as one approach to reducing food insecurity. This program helps child nutrition programs add local foods to the National School Lunch program, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the Summer Food Service Program.
What is considered a food desert?
The term “food desert” generally refers to an area where residents have limited access to nutritious, nourishing food options. Often, food deserts are lower-income communities in which healthy food choices are unavailable or too expensive for residents to access. People who live in a physical environment where nutritious food isn’t readily available often develop eating habits that primarily consist of high-calorie foods with little nutritional value.
Which best describes a food desert?
“Food desert” is no longer an official term. The United States Department of Agriculture now refers to these areas as “low-income and low-access areas.” These are often low-income neighborhoods or low-income census tracts where economic factors lead residents to opt for unhealthy foods.
In many cases, the only available food in a low-income area with poor city planning is from fast food outlets, convenience stores, and liquor stores. Food availability for nutrient-rich options, especially fresh fruits and vegetables, tends to be limited, especially if the nearest supermarket requires reliable transportation and is not within walking distance of residents’ homes.
Why are food deserts a problem?
Food deserts are a problem because they tend to contribute to adverse health outcomes. Many individuals who live in food deserts don’t get the nutrients their brains and bodies need to function optimally. Poor nutrition, in turn, can lead to outcomes like chronic disease, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, pregnancy complications, and more. Understanding food deserts and their impacts can be crucial to addressing them effectively. While some initiatives, such as SNAP benefits, can improve food insecurity, they don’t fully alleviate the issues associated with food deserts.
Who suffers the most from food deserts?
Those who tend to suffer the most from food deserts are generally those with lower incomes. People who live in food deserts but have higher incomes are often able to have nutritious food delivered or travel to other areas with better food access and options like farmers markets and fresh produce.
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