Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Walnut Creek: Health and Accessibility

By: Henry, Juven, Cinthia and Jasmin

Health stores: In Walnut Creek, there are lots of stores for keeping healthy. For example: sports stores, bicycle shops and vitamin shops. This shows that people in Walnut Creek work out and do outdoor activities.

Fast Food and Farmers' Markets: In Walnut Creek, the people have a lot of options for good food and vitamins, such as healthstores and farmers markets. Here in East Oakland, we rarely have farmers markets or health stores. The people in Walnut Creek don't seem to like to eat fast food because they know its not good for you.

Obesity and Physical Health: In comparison to Oakland, we didn't see much obesity in Walnut Creek. However, in Oakland there is. People that we interviewed don't really eat fast food and the people don't have a problem with obesity there. However, we didn't see any hospitals, but we did see an ambulance.

Accessibility: During our visit to Walnut Creek, we could see that there is lots of accessibility for people. For example, there were wheelchair ramps in every sidewalk we walked on and there was free bus transportation for people to go around between the BART (local train) and the downtown area.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've never been to Walnut Creek, but it sounds like the neighborhood is pretty nice. It's interesting that they have so many shops selling sports equipment, and the free shuttle shows that the people who own the stores (like Tiffany's) must want to help people get to their stores -- for free! I think most people must drive, though... even though they sell so many bikes there!

Samuel, Brisbane (Australia)

Anonymous said...

In your next post, could you tell me if you saw lots of different services for people with health issues, or people with disabilties? Like, in your next location, look to see if the stores are easy to get into if you're in a wheelchair. Also, are there senior centers or youth centers?

That's interesting that you didn't see many people who were overwieght. Do you think this is because they have more money to spend on gym memberships and bikes? What's it like in your neighborhood?

Sarah, England

redfishbluefish said...

Hi Henry, Juven, Cinthia and Jasmin! Great article - good observations! Just like Sarah, I am very interested in the fact that you observed far less obesity in Walnut Creek than in Oakland. You hinted that you knew the reason, when you said you noticed there were fewer fast food outlets and perhaps then less consumption of fast food.

I think you are on to something here: Maybe it's not that poorer people have less food to eat but that the food choices they can afford are of lesser quality. Maybe it's not so much about eating more food but eating the wrong food that makes them fat. Wealthy people don't ever seem to be fat.

What do you think? Every human body requires a good balance of nutrients to function well, regardless of their socio-economic status. If they don't have the right nutrients they get sick more often - can't function as well and therefore are limited in their ability to compete against those with greater advantages. They live sicker and die sooner. Do you agree?

My question is: do you think the access to quality, nutrition-rich food is a human right? If so, what do we do about it?

Cheers you guys. Keep researching.

Colleen

Anonymous said...

Dear: Sarah

Hi this is Juven, Jasmin, Henry, and cinthia thanks for your reponses . We did see people with disabilities but only one or two, and we didint see that many health clinics around..And we did not see no youth centers.