The Impact Of Junk Food Availability In Increasing Scarcity Of Good Quality Food

Research Paper Proposal

Abstract

This research is focused on the impact of junk food availability on the increasing scarcity of good quality food. The research will provide data about the conditions of low-income neighbourhoods and the effect junk food availability has on obesity. The research will be backed up by studies done on this topic and will provide a potential solution to the problem.

Introduction

Problem Statement

The increasing availability of junk food gives rise to the development of food deserts. The people who live in areas that have more junk food available are the most affected by the adverse effects of food deserts. The issues created by junk food mostly affect low-income neighbourhoods, and the people are left with no choice but to compromise on food quality, which in turn creates health concerns.

Purpose Of Research

With the increasing promotion of junk food, people are more attracted towards junk food. This motivates junk food industries to focus their market on these areas where there is more consumption. This increase in junk food availability gives rise to food deserts. The number of food deserts is greater in low-income areas because people accept junk food as an option rather than buying quality groceries, meat, and cereals, which are higher in cost. This research is focused on the adverse effects that increasing junk food availability has on some food deserts.

Literature Review

The research is focused on the impacts of the junk food industry on an increasing number of food deserts. We have used four resources for research that we will use to provide our argument.

The first study focuses on the availability of ethnic food stores, giving rise to food deserts. This research provides a hypothesis that the availability of healthy food options changes people’s choices, and the lack of proper quality supermarkets affects the provision of healthy food. The study collects data from West Huntsville, which is a suburban neighbourhood in Alabama. These areas have a more diverse population, with 69% African American and 9% Hispanic. These populations have less monthly income, and the right quality foods are negligible in these neighbourhoods. The reason provided for food deserts in this area is the availability of affordable markets and grocery stores.

The second research is focused on the relation of obesity with food deserts. The target area of this research is the rural population of Pennsylvania and, more specifically, the schools of these rural areas. This research uses a geographical data information system to find the prevalence of obesity in areas where quality foods are scarce. The study analyses school children’s body mass index data of areas that are more economically challenged and have poor-quality food resources.

The third resource we will use is focused on urban inequality that originates food deserts in Philadelphia. It focuses on the relationship between urban development, an organized system of delivery of quality food items, and the density of the population, which gives rise to quality food scarcity. There is a need for redefining the structure of urban areas.

The last resource is about the relation of obesity with various aspects of the food environment. It surveyed some people from the US population. The United States Department of Agricultural Food Plans linked food desert conditions with the individual conditions and status of neighbourhoods. The study focuses on some factors that play a role in obesity prevalence. The food store density within a limited population is significantly related to the obesity status of that area.

Methodology

• Statistical data from different neighbourhoods will be collected
• The availability of good quality food items and groceries will be analyzed.
• The data will be compared with the consumption of junk food and obesity ratio.
• The survey will be conducted to find people’s responses to the availability of quality food.
• Consensus will be provided based on the data collected from the neighbourhood and people’s responses.

Works Cited

Bukenyaa①, James O. “The Importance of Ethnic Food Stores in Identifying Food Deserts: A Case Study of Huntsville, Alabama.” Journal of Food Distribution Research 49.1 (2018).

Chen, Danhong, Edward C. Jaenicke, and Richard J. Volpe. “Food environments and obesity: household diet expenditure versus food deserts.” American journal of public health 106.5 (2016): 881-888.

Deener, Andrew. “The Origins of the Food Desert: Urban Inequality as Infrastructural Exclusion.” Social Forces 95.3 (2017): 1285-1309.

Schafft, Kai A., Eric B. Jensen, and C. Clare Hinrichs. “Food deserts and overweight schoolchildren: evidence from Pennsylvania.” Rural Sociology 74.2 (2009): 153-177.