Summary of Living in a ‘Food Swamp’ Can Increase Stroke Risk, Says Study:
This study found that people who live in a food swamp, an area with easy access to unhealthy food, are more likely to suffer from a stroke than people who live in neighborhoods with fewer unhealthy stores and restaurants. To reduce the risk of stroke, it is suggested to limit fast food intake to one to three meals per week and to have healthy snacks and foods available at home. Meal prepping is another way to limit fast food intake and avoid the risks associated with food swamps.
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Food Swamps: What They Are and How They Can Increase Your Risk of a Stroke
What is a Food Swamp?
A food swamp is an area that is saturated with unhealthy food options like fast-food restaurants, full-service restaurants, and convenience stores with junk food. Research published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that these areas can be particularly dangerous for those living in them, as they are more likely to suffer from a stroke than those living in neighborhoods with fewer unhealthy stores and restaurants.
The Study
In a study set to be presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2023, researchers used data from the University of Michigan’s Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to create a retail food environment index (RFEI). This index relies on ratios of how much healthy and unhealthy food is available in certain neighborhoods. Healthy food was considered to be options available at grocery stores, specialized food stores, and farmer’s markets. Unhealthy options were more along the lines of fast-food restaurants, full-service restaurants, and junk food-filled convenience stores.
The results showed that people who live in an area with easier access to unhealthy food—a food swamp—were 13% more likely to suffer from a stroke than people who lived in neighborhoods with fewer unhealthy stores and restaurants.
Implications of the Study
Lead author of the study and a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City, Dixon Yang, MD, said that this research “highlights the potential importance of an area’s retail food options as a structural factor affecting stroke, especially since most participants resided in areas with 6 times the amount of relative unhealthy to healthy food choices.” He also noted that “it’s important to raise awareness that a person’s neighborhood and food environment are potentially important factors affecting their health, especially among people who may have difficulty in reaching optimal cardiovascular health targets.”
Tips for Avoiding the Risk of a Food Swamp
Jesse Feder, CPT, RD, from My Crohns and Colitis Team, suggests limiting yourself to one to three fast food meals in a week if possible. He also recommends going to the grocery store and buying healthy snacks and foods to have around the house. This way, you won’t want to waste what you already bought and you will be more likely to snack on healthier things if they are in front of you at home. Finally, he suggests meal prepping as a great way to limit fast food intake and avoid the risks associated with food swamps.
Conclusion
Living in a food swamp can put you at an increased risk of a stroke. The best way to avoid this risk is to limit your fast food intake, buy healthy snacks and foods to have around the house, and meal prep ahead of time. By being mindful of your food choices, you can avoid the risks associated with food swamps and maintain your health and well-being.
