3. The Food Environment: Why Healthy Eating Is So Hard
In many parts of the U.S., especially in low-income neighborhoods, people live in food deserts where access to fresh, healthy foods is limited. Fast food and highly processed snacks are often the most affordable and accessible options. Research shows that living near a fast-food restaurant increases the likelihood of obesity, particularly for children. The food environment — where unhealthy options are more available than nutritious ones — makes it harder to make healthy choices.
