Title: Toxic Food Environment | Obesity Prevention Source | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Headings: Toxic Food Environment
Toxic Food Environment
How Our Surroundings Influence What We Eat
Food Environment Research by Setting
Families
Worksites
Schools
Neighborhoods
Societal Influences that Shape Food Choices and Obesity Risk
Food Marketing
Government Food Policy and Pricing
Social Networks and Norms
The Bottom Line: The “Toxic Food Environment” Is a Complex Problem That Needs a Multifaceted Fix
References

Content: Not surprisingly, a recent review of published studies found a strong association between the availability of fruits and vegetables at home and whether children, adolescents, and adults eat these foods. ( 8) Eating meals as a family has also been linked with increased child and adolescent intake of fruit and vegetables and other healthy foods. ( 9) Increased frequency of family meals has been linked with lower BMI in some studies ( 10 – 12) but not in others. ( 13)
Low-income families face additional barriers to healthy eating that may contribute to the higher rates of obesity seen in lower-income groups. ( 14) One roadblock is that healthy foods, such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, are more expensive than less healthful foods, such as refined grains and sweets, and may be too expensive for low-income families. ( 15) Another is time: It takes longer to prepare healthful meals than to buy convenience foods or fast food. But people in lower-income households, often single parents working full time and taking care of children, may have less time for meal preparation and other household chores. ( 1, 15, 16)
Worksites
Employed adults in the U.S. spend about one-quarter of all of their time at work. ( 17) Worksites often provide easy access to unhealthy foods in vending machines and limited access to healthier options, such as fruits and vegetables. (