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
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