Association of Food Environment Characteristics with Health Outcomes in Counties with a High Proportion of Native American Residents

Abstract

ABSTRACT American Indians are disproportionately affected by nutrition-related chronic conditions. It is critical to understand Native American food environments that contribute to disparities in nutrition-related conditions. Data from the USDA Food Environment Atlas were used to examine the associations between food environment characteristics, diabetes, obesity, and food insecurity. Counties with the highest percentage of Native American residents had fewer grocery stores and more food insecurity and obesity than counties with fewer Native Americans residents. Future studies may consider evaluating policies or interventions that impact the food environment to assess the effects on obesity and food security outcomes among Native Americans.