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Category: Urban planning

Explore our comprehensive collection of health articles in this category.

How Does Urbanization Affect Diets During the Nutrition Transition?

5 min read
Urbanization is a global megatrend, with more than half the world's population living in cities. This massive demographic shift dramatically accelerates the nutrition transition, fundamentally changing what people eat and how they acquire food. These changes have profound and often contradictory impacts on human health, contributing to both a decline in undernutrition and a rapid rise in obesity.

How Does Urbanization Contribute to Obesity?

4 min read
Studies have found that residents in urban areas are at a higher risk of becoming obese compared to those in rural areas. This phenomenon occurs because urbanization contributes to obesity by altering physical activity patterns, shifting dietary habits, and increasing psychosocial stress. A complex interplay of environmental factors transforms urban centers into 'obesogenic environments' that promote weight gain.

What is a food desert and how does it impact communities?

4 min read
According to the USDA, nearly 19 million people in the United States live in low-income, low-access areas, often defined as a food desert. These geographic areas, both urban and rural, are characterized by limited or non-existent access to healthy and affordable food options, with profound consequences for residents.

What are the main causes of food deserts?

5 min read
According to the USDA, millions of Americans live in food deserts, areas with limited access to affordable and nutritious food options. But what are the main causes of food deserts that lead to this pervasive issue? The problem is a complex web of interconnected factors, including economic disinvestment, systemic racism, and infrastructural failures.

Food Desert: The Term for Limited Healthy Food Access

5 min read
According to the USDA, nearly 19 million Americans live in low-income and low-access areas more than one mile or ten miles from a supermarket. This limited access to healthy food is not a random occurrence but a systemic issue that has a specific term used by researchers and policymakers.

What are the qualifications for a food desert?

2 min read
According to the USDA, millions of people live in geographic areas with limited access to affordable, nutritious food. Understanding what are the qualifications for a food desert involves examining specific criteria related to both income levels and proximity to supermarkets, which vary significantly between urban and rural settings.

What Does the BDA Do? Unpacking the Acronym's Many Meanings

5 min read
The acronym BDA is used across multiple, highly distinct fields, from business to urban planning and even emergency services. What does the BDA do, therefore, depends entirely on the context in which it is used, and a clear understanding of each is essential for proper comprehension.

Understanding the Elements of the Food System Plan

7 min read
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), transforming food systems is crucial for achieving sustainable development goals. A food system plan is a strategic framework that outlines the elements and activities related to food production, processing, distribution, and consumption to build a more sustainable and resilient future.