Food Stores In Small Cities Increase Obesity In Women

By Devaki

Friday, March 12, 2010, 15:13

The availability of supermarkets, rather than the lack of them, increases the risk of obesity for low-income women living in small cities, says a new study.

A study done by the public health science experts in Kansas, found that there is a link between the availability of food stores and obesity, especially for the low-income women.

The limited availability of grocery stores did not contribute to an increased risk of obesity in metropolitan or rural areas. But the food stores affects the obesity of the people in the micropolitan cities, where the number of people is very less.

"This study was one of the first to look at supermarket availability across the urban-rural continuum. The findings suggests that the policies to increase healthy-food availability may need to differ depending on urban influence," says David Dzewaltowski, the department head of kinesiology in a University in Kansas.