Healthy behaviors such as a healthy diet and regular physical activity contribute to better short term health outcomes, long term health benefits, and the prevention of chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Factors affecting healthy behaviors related to diet and exercise include access to and availability of healthy foods and opportunities for exercise. Access is limited in populations that are low income, have limited grocery supermarkets, have a high fast-food concentration and lack of access to transportation. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Access Research Atlas indicators reveal all of Gallatin County is categorized as low income32 which can impact access to healthy foods.
Gallatin County is at a significant disadvantage when compared with residents in areas such as Boone, Kenton, Campbell, and Oldham counties that have little to no low-income areas and have much higher rates of grocery stores and full-service restaurants.
Food establishments33
Groceries – 2
Full-Service Restaurant – 4
Fast Food Restaurant – 2
Convenience Stores – 6
Famer’s Market – 0