Impacting Environmental Health: Community Analysis

Improved Essays
Community Factors Impacting Environmental Health

The Summerlyn community is located near the Five Corners district. According to the National Association of Realtors, “the population is 32,355 with the median age of 30. 77053 's median household income is $44,879, and the average household net worth is $343,291” (National Association of Realtors, Move, Inc., 1995-2015). The majority of this area consist of residential housing. The Summerlyn community is located in a quiet neighborhood. The neighborhood encourages children to be active with a neighborhood park. Within walking distance are several schools. Located nearby are also several fast food restaurants. Transportation is a necessity in this community if one wants to live a healthy lifestyle. Approximately ninety-six percent of the residents of the 77053 zip code are either black or Hispanic.
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Studies show that areas that minority communities might not have the same access to super markets an nonminority communities. In 77053 zip code there are few small supermarkets with limited selection of fresh fruits and vegetables. The closest restaurants are all fast food restaurants. In the first picture you can see a Shipley Donuts, Pizza Hut, and Jack in the Box. Residents in this area do not have many food choices. Kimberly Morland from the University of North Carolina concluded that “poor and minority communities may not have equal access to the variety of healthy food choices available to nonminority and wealthy communities.” In order for one to eat healthy in this community it is important to have transportation. Within 10 miles options drastically increase. You will find many healthy food options in the Pearland area. The Pearland Community is predominately white. Within the Pearland community there are many larger supermarket and healthier restaurants to choose from. Not being near healthy food options increases the likelihood of obesity in our community. According to National Institute of Health, fast food restraunts contribute to the issue of obesity (National Institute of Health, 2012). It would be important for the community to establish restruants that offer healthy food options. Have largers supermarkets with more variety of fresh fruits and vegetabels woule give residents the option to eat healthier meals. A family in this community who does not have a personal vehicle is more likely to eat at the food establishments in their surrounding area. To encourage children and adults to be healthy their should be a vaieriy of food options. According to the Houston Department of Health and Human Services, “Obesity is a significant problem in Houston” (HDHHS, 2012) The Summerlyn community is helping to fight obesity by having a play area available for children. The play area is surrounded by a trail which can used for walking or bike riding. It is important for children to have an area to be active. In many areas children to not have a safe place to play outside, and are more likely to be inside playing video games. Children who are sedentary are more likely to become obese. Having an area that is safe and open to the community encourages children and adults to be more active. When children are active they are less likely to become obese. This community encourages a healthy lifestyle by providing this amenity to children and adults. Obesity in children will continue to be a problem in Houston if more areas fail to provide an environment for children and adults to be active. In the Summerlyn community several schools are within walking distance.

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