Supermarket access key ingredient in obesity programs

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-05/aaop-sak042514.php

PUBLIC RELEASE DATE: 3-May-2014

Contact: Debbie Jacobson
American Academy of Pediatrics
Supermarket access key ingredient in obesity programs
Study shows children in an obesity intervention who lived closer to a supermarket ate more fruits and vegetables

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – Living close to a supermarket appears to be a key factor in the success of interventions to help obese children eat better and improve their weight, according to a study to be presented Saturday, May 3, at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Urban neighborhoods and rural towns without access to fresh, healthy and affordable food are known as food deserts. Instead of supermarkets and grocery stores, food deserts sometimes have only fast-food restaurants and convenience stores.

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