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Publication Date: April 2008
Publisher: UCLA Center for Health Policy Research
Author(s): Susan H. Babey; Allison L. Diamant; Theresa A. Hastert; Harold Goldstein
Research Area: Health
Keywords: fast food; diabetes; California
Type: Brief
Coverage: California
Abstract:
People living in neighborhoods crowded with fast-food and convenience stores but relatively few grocery or produce outlets are at significantly higher risk of suffering from obesity and diabetes.
The authors of this report correlated the responses of nearly 40,000 Californians surveyed in the 2005 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) with the Retail Food Environment Index (RFEI) to determine the prevalence of obesity and diabetes. The Retail Food Environment Index (RFEI) is a ratio of the total number of fast-food restaurants and convenience stores compared to grocery stores and produce vendors near a person's home.
The authors found that Californians living in communities with many fast food restaurants  rather than grocery stores and other outlets providing more nutritious choices  were more likely to have diabetes and/or be obese.
The authors also found that although low-income communities are often hit hardest by this phenomenon, the health correlation is seen across all geographic regions, income levels and ethnicities.