In 2004, National Geographic explorer Dan Buettner coined the term “Blue Zone.” A blue zone is a country or specific area where people live to be one hundred years of age or more. Currently, the only blue zone in the United States is Loma Linda, California. However, more of America will never become a blue zone unless serious changes are made.
Loma Linda is home to Seventh-Day Adventists. This lifestyle consists of regular physical exercise, a plant-based diet and deep connections with religious beliefs, which allows them to live longer than the average American. The next closest US city to becoming a blue zone is Boulder, Colorado.
These two cities are both full of healthy restaurants, grocery stores and activities along with cleaner air due to the increased walkability of the city. The number of parks also increased, leading to callisthenic workout sets and accessibility to walks and running increasing throughout the city. Having more choices to eat healthy changes dietary habits for the better, leading to decreased health risks.
Despite these example cities, the rest of America does not follow in Boulder’s or Loma Linda’s footsteps. Instead, American cities and towns are bustling with cheap fast food chains like McDonald’s and Burger King. Greasy, fatty and synthetic foods line every street as a quick food option. Grocery stores are piled high with genetically modified and processed foods for customers to load up on.
Then there are food deserts. A food desert is a city or town where the majority of its residents struggle to find healthy foods due to a lack of grocery stores. Camden, New Jersey, is filled with gyms, sidewalks and convenience stores. Although it is easy to remain fit, it’s almost impossible to keep up with proper nutrition.
Low-income areas like Camden face more challenges than choosing convenience over health. They have no choice due to a lack of resources. With more and more US cities falling into endless fast food convenience cycles, and more detrimental issues of that being the only choice, Americans will continue to face chronic illnesses.
If more Americans consume healthier foods and create routines for physical health, more Americans could live longer, happier lives. An increased demand for healthier foods could also, in the long term, decrease their costs. AS for food deserts, the government needs to take serious action, or even some faith in humanity. Grocery stores and healthy food stores could employ thousands of people, creating more funds. Without change, America will never come anywhere close to becoming a blue zone.
