Abstract-Hollis S.
Access to and quality of food greatly affects the development of diabetes. Diabetes is a disease where the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, resulting in high blood glucose levels. It can also occur when the body does not respond appropriately to insulin (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2017). An unhealthy diet significantly increases the risk of type 2 diabetes. However, what people eat largely depends on what they have access to. Those who are food-insecure and those who do not have access to healthy foods are much more likely to develop diabetes. Locations with higher rates of food-insecurity have higher rates of diabetes. Low income communities tend to not have access to healthy food, and they are at higher risk of diabetes. Certain racial populations more likely to be food-insecure also have higher prevalence rates of diabetes. Although there is no cure for diabetes, improving high risk populations’ access to healthy foods, educating children about nutrition, and creating policies to make the nation’s food system more equitable would all immensely help decrease the rates of diabetes in the U.S.
Access to and quality of food greatly affects the development of diabetes. Diabetes is a disease where the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, resulting in high blood glucose levels. It can also occur when the body does not respond appropriately to insulin (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2017). An unhealthy diet significantly increases the risk of type 2 diabetes. However, what people eat largely depends on what they have access to. Those who are food-insecure and those who do not have access to healthy foods are much more likely to develop diabetes. Locations with higher rates of food-insecurity have higher rates of diabetes. Low income communities tend to not have access to healthy food, and they are at higher risk of diabetes. Certain racial populations more likely to be food-insecure also have higher prevalence rates of diabetes. Although there is no cure for diabetes, improving high risk populations’ access to healthy foods, educating children about nutrition, and creating policies to make the nation’s food system more equitable would all immensely help decrease the rates of diabetes in the U.S.