FOOD MATTERS TO PEOPLE

MASSACHUSETTS FOOD SYSTEM PLAN

CONNECTICUT

NEWHAMPSHIRE

NEWYORK

RHODEISLAND

VERMONT

131,219

548,285

16,535

743,159

215,888

158,080

1,503,085

71,372

463,490

10,172

670,850

494,919

722,023798,552BOSTON

LAWRENCE

LYNN

QUINCY

PITTSFIELD

NEWBEDFORD

GREENFIELD

WORCESTER

AMHERST

BROCKTONSPRINGFIELD

BARNSTABLE

LOWELL

Berkshire

Bristol

Dukes

Essex

Barnstable

Hampshire

MiddlesexFranklin

Hampden

Nantucket

Norfolk

Plymouth

SuffolkWorcester

2010 Massachusetts Population: 6,547,629

0 20 4010Miles

Massachusetts is home to 6.5 million people. Between 2000 and 2010 the population grew by 200,000 people.

The Commonwealth is becoming more diverse. People of color accounted for the majority of the population growth between 2000 and 2010. The total number of white residents actually decreased over that time, by more than 200,000 people, while the population of color grew by more than 400,000. Statewide, the population of color has increased 6 percentage points, from 18% in 2000 to 24% in 2010. Younger Massachusetts residents are more diverse than older generations.

As we grow and become more diverse, our food system must grow and adapt to meet the nutritional needs and cultural flavors of our population.

FOOD FOR GROWTH

The food we consume helps determine our health and well-being.

Obesity is an epidemic in the United States today that can lead to heart disease, diabetes, and other fatal conditions such as cancer.1 Massachusetts has a relatively low rate of obesity, ranking third lowest of the 50 states in 2013.2 Still, over 34% of adults are overweight and 24% are obese.3 In the past ten years, the percentage of adults in Massachusetts with diabetes has increased 28%.4

There are different rates of these conditions among communities across the state, and there are some clear disparities in health outcomes by race and ethnicity. Obesity rates are higher for Hispanic and Black populations. In Massachusetts in 2011, Black adults were 43% more likely to be obese, and Latino adults were 40% more likely to be obese than White adults.4

HEALTH DISPARITIES

68% 71% 70% 76%

85% 90%

8% 8% 7%

6%

5% 4%

14% 13%

13% 10%

5% 3%

6% 5% 7% 6% 4% 3% 4%

2% 1% 1% 3% 3%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Under 16 16-18 19-29 30-49 50-64 65+ AGE COHORTS

Other Race or Multiracial Asian Black or African American Latino or Hispanic White

MASSACHUSETTS POPULATION COMMUNITIES OF COLOR RESIDENTS BY AGE AND RACE

OBESITY DIABETES HYPERTENSION

Sources:U.S. Census 2010, MassGIS

Sources:U.S. Census 2010, U.S. Census 2000, MassGIS

Sources:American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample, 2007-2011

Sources:Massachusetts Department of Public Heath Prevention and Wellness Trust Fund Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 3-year average 2008-2010

Sources:Massachusetts Department of Public Heath Prevention and Wellness Trust Fund Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 3-year average 2008-2010

Sources:Massachusetts Department of Public Heath Prevention and Wellness Trust Fund Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 3-year average 2005, 2007, 2009

Sources:1. Centers for Disease Control, Overweight and Obesity, Causes and Consequences, www.cdc.gov/obesity/adult/causes/index.html2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Prevalence of Self-Reported Obesity Among U.S. Adults by State and Territory, BRFSS, 20133. Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Health Survey Program, A Profile of Health Among Massachusetts Adults, 20134. Massachusetts Department of Health and Human Services, Mass In Motion, Obesity Statistics