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Subsidized Supermarkets Lower Obesity Risk for Low-Income Children

Opening more subsidized supermarkets in low-income areas can be an effective way to address obesity risk, especially among most at-risk Hispanic and Black children, an NYU Langone study found.

Some of New York City’s poorest neighborhoods often lack convenient places that offer affordable, nutritious foods. 

Source: Getty Images

By Sarai Rodriguez

- The establishment of subsidized supermarkets trimmed obesity risk among low-income children residing near those supermarkets, researchers at NYU Langone Health found, shining a light on how access to newer supermarkets can help remove healthy eating barriers.

Some of New York City’s poorest neighborhoods often lack convenient places that offer affordable, nutritious foods. 

The Food Retail Expansion to Support Health (FRESH) program was designed to establish and maintain grocery stores in underserved areas of New York City. The city offered a tax incentive to renovate or build nearly two dozen supermarkets in low-income neighborhoods as a part of the FRESH initiative.