A divided cityscape representing the impact of segregation on health and diet.

Segregation and Health: Unpacking the Obesity Connection

Nico Varela in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"How neighborhood segregation impacts access to healthy lifestyles and drives obesity rates in minority communities."

Obesity is a pressing public health challenge in the United States, with significant disparities among different racial and ethnic groups. While approximately 36.5% of U.S. adults are considered obese, this number varies considerably: 11.7% among Asian adults, 34.5% among Whites, 42.5% among Hispanics, and 48.1% among African Americans. This difference highlights the complex factors contributing to obesity, one of which is residential segregation.

Residential segregation, the separation of different racial and ethnic groups into distinct neighborhoods, is more than just a demographic pattern. It directly affects the socioeconomic well-being of minority populations. Segregated communities often face challenges such as substandard housing, unsafe environments, under-resourced schools, and high unemployment rates. These conditions create significant barriers to healthy lifestyles.

Segregation concentrates poverty and limits access to essential resources, it also fosters 'obesogenic' food environments. Residents in these areas often have limited access to exercise facilities and healthy food options, while being surrounded by fast food outlets and convenience stores offering unhealthy choices. This combination of factors makes it difficult for individuals to maintain a healthy weight and increases the risk of obesity.

How Does Segregation Create Barriers to Healthy Living?

A divided cityscape representing the impact of segregation on health and diet.

Segregation impacts health through several interconnected factors. Neighborhood conditions, concentrated poverty, and residents' socioeconomic status all play a role. Segregated areas often lack private investment in healthy food suppliers, leading to fewer grocery stores with fresh produce. Additionally, recreational facilities that promote physical activity are scarce due to limited tax bases and competition for social services funding.

Residential segregation isn't a one-size-fits-all issue. It affects different racial and ethnic groups in unique ways. For African Americans, the impact of segregation is often compounded by concentrated poverty and historical racial discrimination. While housing discrimination also affects Hispanic and Asian populations, understanding the specific dynamics of segregation within these communities requires a closer look at factors like immigrant social networks and preferences.

Isolation: Limits opportunities for contact between groups, reinforcing disparities.
Concentration: Spatially restricts minority populations to small areas, impacting resource access.
Dissimilarity: Creates uneven distribution of resources and opportunities across different neighborhoods.

Research consistently demonstrates that residential segregation is linked to higher obesity rates, particularly among Hispanics. Studies show that Hispanics living in highly segregated areas have significantly higher odds of being obese compared to those in less segregated areas. Much of the research examining the impact of segregation on health has often focused on limited perspectives, such as dissimilarity and isolation indices.

Moving Forward: Addressing the Obesity-Segregation Connection

The connection between residential segregation and obesity demands multi-faceted intervention strategies. Government policies should support initiatives that lower prices for healthy food options in segregated areas. Communities should push for improving access to healthy foods and recreational amenities within segregated neighborhoods is crucial. Tailored approaches that consider the unique needs and challenges of specific racial and ethnic groups are essential for effective obesity reduction programs. By addressing the root causes of health disparities, we can create more equitable and healthier communities for all.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1123/jpah.2017-0352, Alternate LINK

Title: The Impacts Of Residential Segregation On Obesity

Subject: Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

Journal: Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Publisher: Human Kinetics

Authors: Chia-Yuan Yu, Ayoung Woo, Christopher Hawkins, Sara Iman

Published: 2018-11-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is residential segregation and how does it affect communities?

Residential segregation separates racial and ethnic groups into distinct neighborhoods, impacting their socioeconomic well-being and health. It affects access to resources and creates environments that hinder healthy lifestyles. It can lead to substandard housing, unsafe environments, under-resourced schools, and high unemployment rates. These conditions create significant barriers to healthy lifestyles. This often concentrates poverty and limits access to essential resources, while fostering 'obesogenic' food environments.

Why is segregation linked to obesity?

The research indicates that residential segregation significantly contributes to higher obesity rates, particularly among Hispanics and African Americans. Studies show that these groups living in highly segregated areas have significantly higher odds of being obese compared to those in less segregated areas. The consequences of segregation extend beyond physical health. It reinforces social disparities, limiting opportunities and creating an uneven distribution of resources, impacting public health.

What factors contribute to the negative health impacts of segregation?

What actions can be taken to address the connection between segregation and obesity?

Addressing the obesity-segregation connection requires multi-faceted intervention strategies. Government policies should support initiatives that lower prices for healthy food options in segregated areas. Communities should improve access to healthy foods and recreational amenities within segregated neighborhoods. Tailored approaches that consider the unique needs and challenges of specific racial and ethnic groups are essential for effective obesity reduction programs. By addressing the root causes of health disparities, we can create more equitable and healthier communities for all.

How does segregation specifically impact different racial and ethnic groups?

Segregation impacts different racial and ethnic groups uniquely. For African Americans, the impact is often compounded by concentrated poverty and historical racial discrimination. While housing discrimination also affects Hispanic and Asian populations, understanding the specific dynamics of segregation within these communities requires a closer look at factors like immigrant social networks and preferences. This includes Isolation, Concentration, and Dissimilarity.