PARTNERS | HEALTHY CITY  | HOW HEALTHY | VISION | SUMMIT | PRIORITIES | FUNCTIONS | CITY OF FALL RIVER

Like many American communities, the nutrition of those who live in Fall River is not as good as it could be. While most children and adults have enough to eat each day in terms of calories, many people consume a diet that is too high in processed grains and sugars and too high in saturated (animal) fats.

Total calories from these items often exceed the energy that is expended, resulting in long-term weight gain. When food is consumed away from home (i.e., restaurants), especially at "fast food" establishments, it generally consists of high fat/high sugar/high calorie items.

Consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and non-red meats, such as chicken and fish, is lower than both state and national averages. Fresh fruits and vegetables, while seasonably available at two of the City's farmers' markets, are often more expensive than many wish to pay.

The result of these conditions is a population that, though not malnourished, is often poorly nourished. Combined with the lack of regular physical activity, these factors account for higher-than-average rates of heart disease, diabetes and some cancers.
 

Five instant topic reports contain data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) organized by indicators such as smoking rates, binge drinking, overweight and obesity and activity.

A very complete report combining health status indicators from a variety of sources into one document that covers Fall River and Southeastern Mass.

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