Nearly a third of Texans are obese. A lack of access to healthy food options in some areas, particularly poor communities, compounds the problem. Options can often be limited to fast-food restaurants, convenience stores and other inexpensive, unhealthy choices. If a local economy cannot sustain a grocery store in an urban area it's referred to as a food desert.
The rate of obesity is higher among poor people, according to many studies. And because of increased obesity rates, those most likely to benefit from expanded government health care programs are also more likely to have higher costs associated with their care. Average health care spending for obese individuals was 41.6 percent higher than for those with healthy weight in 2006, according to a February 2011 report by the Texas Comptroller. And if health care trends of 2009 continued, according to the report, obesity costs for Texas businesses could reach $32.5 billion annually by 2030.
This map shows the percentage of food retailers that offer healthy options by census tract, as calculated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2011. To give a sense of the poverty level in the area, the CDC’s data is combined with estimates from the American Community Survey to show how many households received benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or were below the poverty line but did not receive SNAP benefits in 2010. For more information about hunger and the SNAP in Texas, check out this Tribune interactive.
Click the map to zoom in and get a closer look at urban areas.
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Comments (4)
Clinton Mac Giolla Bhrighde via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Thank you so much for publishing this data!
Adele Roberson
Contribution from CASSIE60
retired History Professor, Texas. Per Capita
2011 Income a year. This is the.
Republican real record for Texas job creations.
Remember, Rick Perry called it a "Miracle:'
Starr County Texas $7,069
Maverick County, Texas $8,758
Willacy County, Texas $9,421
Presidio County, Texas $9,558
La Salle County, Texas $9,692
Dimmit County, Texas $9,765
Hidalgo County, Texas $9,899
Brooks County, Texas $10,234
Zapata County, Texas $10,486
Bee County, Texas $10,625
Webb County, Texas $10,759
Cameron County, Texas $10,960
Duval County, Texas $11,324
Culberson County, Texas $11,493
Jack Lauren
It isn't just about the access to healthy food, it is also the emotional connection to food and the education to prepare and plan meals. I worked with low-income families for years, and we tried to jump start a healthy meal program, how to make healthy food for less, and even connected with local food banks and area grocery stores, but for some families we couldn't combat the emotional connections and lack of education they had with certain foods that were unhealthy for them. They grew up eating it, and they passed those poor eating habits on to their children. It was about their experience with food, if they didn't have experience learning how to prepare or eat healthy food, they didn't pass that on to their children. It was also about convenience. many families didn't prioritize making healthy meals, or didn't have the time due to their work situation and child care situations to set aside the time they needed to make meals or prepare for the week.We had several classes that tried to promote this, but so many families were stuck in their ways of poor eating choices because they were so emotionally connected to the food and it was hard trying to help them to adjust their lifestyles that allowed to make meal time important when it never had been for them throughout their lives. we found our program wasn't working or reaching enough families, and then we decided to just focus on the kids. And we made kids classes for cooking and eating healthy and got amazing results. Parents were so much happier and the children loved being more active in such a grown up place like the kitchen. You want to help low income families make better eating choices, you start by teaching their children how to eat healthy and make healthy food and you can start to plan the seeds of progress. Children really are our future.
Adele Roberson
http://thinkprogress.org/election/2012/08/24/739271/seniors-will-pay-60000-more-for-medicare-under-romneyryans-plan-report-finds/
REPORT: Seniors Will Pay $60,000 More For Medicare Under Romney/Ryan Plan
By Igor Volsky on Aug 24, 2012 at 9:53 am