1. Reducing Adolescent and Childhood
Obesity in Trenton, New Jersey
By William Siegel
Rutgers University
New Brunswick, NJ
http://kids.britannica.com/comptons/art-55148/Trenton-NJ
Welcome Ms. Christina Szczepanski
The Reinvestment Fund
3. The Problem
Child obesity and overweight leads to a variety of
health concerns
In 2010, Trenton had a child obesity rate of 28%
compared to nationally 17%
Without intervention, obesity rates will only increase
over time especially in urban areas such as Trenton
Over the last 30 years obesity rates in children have
doubled while in adolescents it has tripled (CDC, 2010)
Cancer
Stroke
Diabetes
Cardiovascular disease
Joint disease
Sleep apnea
4. Psychological Effects
Obesity has a strong correlation to negative psychological
effects as well as bullying
Boys who are obese are 5 times more likely to be
“psychologically unhealthy” and girls 3 times (Sharma,
2010)
Obese children are 63% more likely to be bullied
compared to kids with healthy weights (Brooks 2010)
Obese children are 4 to 7 times more likely to attempt
suicide in their lifetime (Sharma, 2010)
5. Cause
One of the leading causes of obesity and overweight in children is poor
diet
Low-income urban areas often have no convenient way to buy fresh
produce for affordable prices
Limited Supermarket Access areas (LSA)
A study in Newark stated that “Cost and quality are reported as major
barriers to buying healthy foods” (RWJS, 2010)
"There’s food in these communities," said Alan Berube, research
director of the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program, in regards to
LSAs in Trenton. "It’s just expensive food, or not particularly healthy
food.”
6. Where and Who
Low-income urban areas often
have no convenient way to buy
fresh produce for affordable
prices
Limited Supermarket Access areas
(LSA)
Lower left shows a map of Trenton
Upper left shows portions of
Trenton considered LSA in blue
~4,800 Trenton residents have low
supermarket access (Smith, 2013)
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=map+of+trenton+nj
http://www.policymap.com/blog/2011/11/policymap-
featured-in-cdfi-fund-limited-supermarket-access-study-
project/
7. Plan
Build a 41’6” by 72’ commercial greenhouse off
Pennington Rd. in Trenton, New Jersey
Greenhouse will grow fruits and vegetables to be sold to
the local community for a low cost
Surplus of produce will be sold at minimum cost to local
schools
Once established and running sustainably, phasing more
commercial sized greenhouses will be an option
8. Paradigm: What makes this work?
Simple business
Brings the supply closer to the demand
Eliminates transportation costs
Eliminates high markup
Healthy choices will be easier for local residents to get a
hold of
Less decisions on parents part
Produce will be sold shortly after being grown
9. Paradigm: Why this Method?
Sustainability
Easily replicable
Puts no blame on children and adolescents for their size
Fulfills a need in the community
Improves health of residents
10. Budget and Expenses
Expense Cost Quantity Tax Total
Greenhouse $35,000 1 $2,450 $37,450
Land $190,000 1 $13,300 $203,300
Installation $6,000 1 $420 $6,420
Maintenance $15,000 NA $1,050 $16,050
Supply $6,000 1 $420 $6,420
Professional $14/h,
1,300 hours
2 NA $36,400
Employee $9/h,
1,040 hours
2 NA $18,720
Total $324,760
11. In Conclusion
Despite current and past efforts, obesity in children and
adolescents is still a problem
Limited Supermarket Access areas play a major role obesity
rates in low income urban areas
Health is closely related to what you eat
Introducing a hub for affordable fresh produce to the community
will change the way of life for those living in LSAs
Children are the future and an investment in their health is a
step towards a better future
12. Thank you for your time and consideration
You may call or email me to follow up and
ask any questions or comments at:
(908)-268-6766
billysiegel@rocketmail.com
13. References
(2010). Newark BMI data. Food Environment. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
http://www.rwjf.org/en/research-publications/find-rwjf-research/2010/01/new-jersey-
childhood- obesity-study.html
Barrett, Diane (2010). Maximizing the Nutritional Value of Fruits & Vegetables, 40-44
http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/files/datastore/234-780.pdf
Brooks, Megan (2010). Obese kids more apt to be bullied, study confirms. Reuters US
http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/05/03/us-obese-s-idUSTRE6421XQ20100503
Nash, Elizabeth (2011). Financing healthy food options. Limited Supermarket Access (LSA) Status. The Policy Map
http://www.policymap.com/blog/2011/11/policymap-featured-in-cdfi-fund-limited-supermarket-access-
study-project/
Sharma, Arya (2010). Obesity and suicidality in youth. Dr. Sharma’s Obesity Notes
http://www.drsharma.ca/obesity-and-suicidality-in-youth.html
Smith, Jim (2013). ENCOURAGING THE GROWTH OF URBAN AGRICULTURE IN
TRENTON AND NEWARK THROUGH AMENDMENTS TO THE
ZONING CODES: A PROVEN APPROACH TO ADDRESSING THE
PERSISTENCE OF FOOD DESERTS
http://www.vjel.org/journal/pdf/VJEL10204.pdf
