UConn Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health

Food deserts or neighborhoods with limited access to affordable, nutritious food have been identified as one possible driver of the nation's obesity epidemic. However, a new study by the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at the University of Connecticut suggests that living in a food swamp – defined as a neighborhood where fast food and junk food outlets inundate healthy alternatives – is a stronger predictor of high obesity rates.

This new study is the first to compare food swamps to food deserts, and measure their association with obesity rates using national, county-level data. Importantly, the results show that food swamps are distinct from food deserts. This has policy implications for local communities interested in stemming rising obesity and promoting health equity.

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