HCHW T H eme Learning Ques T ions

In summary, external controls like sugar sweetened beverage taxes do not appear to be something which significantly reduces soda consumption. It may well do so and statistically surveys may indicate this is the case. But for the most part it appears that people stop or reduce soda consumption when they become personally motivated to do so, and when they have a support system that helps them find and choose better alternatives.

2. For those who live closer to stores with healthy options, convenience of fast foods, worry about higher costs for good food, actual higher costs, unfamiliarity of the food itself, and lack of knowledge in preparation are barriers.

The stuff that’s good for you is priced way higher than the stuff that’s bad for you. (Community Member, Tulsa, Oklahoma)

What are the trends around public demand for healthier foods and beverages, how is industry responding to those trends, and how can RWJF leverage those trends?

In all places we heard stories about ‘food deserts’ and how hard it was to access healthy foods. We also learned how even when more healthy choices were available, many did not know how to prepare them properly. We also heard many times how, for children, when healthy choices were available, the kids didn’t want to eat them, and/or didn’t have time to eat them.

Community organizations offering cooking classes were highly appreciated and used by communities all over. There appear to be several related issues:

1. Some live in food deserts where stores with more nutritious foods are miles away. Time, energy, lack of transportation, and cost of transportation make those stores inaccessible.

Some of us have to drive 40 miles to find fresh food. All we have here are gas stations, dollar, and liquor stores. (Community member, Cherokee Nation, OK)

I need convenience. Whatever gets us fed the fastest. (Foster parent, Tulsa, Ok)

We eat too much street food and fried things. And too big portions. I decided to make a change and lost a lot of weight. But how do I do that with my family? One thing I started doing was to just invite them for a walk after sharing a meal. I lost 30lb and my family is now getting curious how I did it. They started walking more and eating less and it’s working. (Patient at Indian Health Clinic, Tulsa, OK)

School meals look disgusting and the only “vegetable” kids are familiar with is pizza. People have to get familiar with what healthy foods are. (Stockton Parent)

3. Changes in systems are sometimes needed to make healthy eating attractive and easy. Healthy food often takes more time to prepare and more time to eat.

Do you know how many pounds of carrot sticks and celery and oranges I see dumped in the the trash everyday? Kids just won’t eat that stuff the government makes us feed them. (School cook in Boone County, West Virginia)