Food deserts are a leading cause of obesity in low-income areas, and while initiatives are being created to solve this problem, more than a few initiatives are needed to change the obesity problem.Over Today, 60 million people in the world are obese. The socioeconomic status of Americans plays a major role in obesity rates across the country. People with higher incomes are less likely to be obese than those with lower incomes. One in seven preschoolers living in low-income areas is obese (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). A 2008 study showed that obesity is highest among American Indian, Alaska Native (21.2%), and Hispanic American (18.5%) children, and is lowest among white children ( 12.6%), Asian or Pacific Islander (12.3%), and Black (12.6%). 11.8%) children (Get America Fit). “Food deserts,” as defined by the CDC, are “areas where there is no access to fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat milk, and other foods that make up the full range of affordable food products.” a healthy diet” (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). In simpler terms, a food desert is a community with few or no grocery stores. Many reports show that neighborhoods with less access to neighborhood grocery stores have a higher risk of obesity and unhealthy diets, unlike neighborhoods where residents have better access to neighborhood grocery stores. The USDA estimates that 23.5 million people, including 6.5 million children, live in low-income areas that are more than a mile from a supermarket. Of the 23.5 million, 11.5 million are low-income individuals in families with incomes at or below 200% of the poverty line. Of the 2.3 million people living in low-income rural areas who...... middle of paper...... education session. If education on healthy choices is not promoted, the problem of food deserts and obesity will not be solved. .htmlhttp://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/02/20100219a.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/features/fooddeserts/http://frac.org/initiatives/hunger-and-obesity /why-are-low-income-and-food-insecure-people-vulnerable-to-obesity/http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/data.htmlhttp://www.getamericafit.org/statistics -obesity-in-america.htmlhttp://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=2&did=2403440211&SrchMode=1&sid=2&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1319645467&clientId=21210Access to food does not improve diet :Study :Fast food is the biggest factor in the obesity problemDaniela Hernandez. Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois: July 13, 2011. p. 16