Engage Southeast North Carolina

Identifying Issues... Crafting Solutions... Taking Action

Healthy Foods and Nutrition

A critical component to a healthy life is nutrition. In 2006, the two most common estimated preventable causes of death among N.C. adults were tobacco (37 percent) and diet/physical inactivity (35 percent)[1]. Together these causes of death make up 72% of the state’s preventable causes of death[1]. Additionally, inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption and no leisure time physical activity often lead to obesity and overweight[2]. Promoting consumption of healthy foods and increasing access of healthy foods are important ways to address the issues of obesity and chronic disease. Unfortunately food insecurity is present across our region, meaning that many individuals lack the consistent access to adequate food.18% of the Southeastern population lack access to healthy foods.

The good news is there are a number of regional initiatives and programs such as Feast DownEast, that are helping to educate individuals about local food sources while trying to increase access to healthier foods.

Please explore the map below and the links to the side to find local farmers markets in your area, and to learn more about initiatives that address food insecurity in our Region and State.

[1] State Center for Health Statistics, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, (2007)

[2] North Carolina Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey, State Center for Health Statistics, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, (2009)

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