August 2023 DEI Committee Blog

Finish your plate. 

There are starving kids in the world. 

Don't throw that away, I'll finish it. 

Phrases like these come to mind as I think about systemic issues in America related to food and nutrition. How hearing specific phrases over and over can seep into someone’s way of thinking and lead them away from their desired relationship with food. During the Monthly Meeting in August, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee had the opportunity to hear from Christina Nyquist, VP of Point32Health, as she led our discussion on nutritional equity. Nutritional equity is the fair distribution of food resources to all individuals. It is the understanding that food options should be nutritious and available to communities regardless of factors such as their socioeconomic status or geographic location. The committee took a deep dive to learn more about methods Christina and her colleagues are utilizing to bring awareness to barriers to nutritional equity. 

Based on statistics from 2018, over three-quarters of the population is classified as ‘overweight’ or ‘obese’ according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC)’s definitions. The CDC is among numerous health organizations that use Body Mass Index (BMI) to classify individuals. During the meeting members discussed the differences they have individually experienced with learning about and working healthily with their own BMIs including balancing: ethnicity, race, and family history. From 1999 –2000 through 2017 - March 2020, US obesity prevalence increased from 30.5% to 41.9%. Statistics further conclude that people of color experience higher rates of 'obesity,' and go on to underscore additional disparities not only in socioeconomic status but also in the criteria utilized for categorizing individuals.

Members discussed socioeconomic factors that impact their relationships with food: being raised in a single-parent home, being raised with siblings, and recognizing that meal preparation is among the biggest hindrances to nutrition for the middle and working classes. Members raised that individuals in working-class homes may lack storage and appliances for food or that not all of us have time between work, child care, and traveling to any of our responsibilities to focus as much time as we might wish on creating balanced nutritional choices. 

Another member inspired the group when they spotlighted their mother's success in reversing her diabetes. The group discussed that while diabetes is generally considered a chronic condition that cannot be completely reversed, it can be managed and even put into remission in some cases by making significant lifestyle changes.

This was just one bright spot during a conversation that highlighted how we can take better care of ourselves, our families, and our loved ones and be more knowledgeable about actions we can take to encourage nutritional equity: 

1. Strengthen and expand food assistance programs, such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), to reach more individuals and families in need. Provide access to nutritious, culturally appropriate foods and appliances.

2. Provide education on healthy eating, cooking skills, and nutritional literacy in communities that lack access to proper information.

3. Implement educational programs that promote healthy eating habits while respecting cultural traditions and differences.

To close the discussion, Christina shared that her organization is looking to push forward by working with advisory panels and other organizations in the nutritional and healthcare space to foster collaboration and create and implement holistic solutions.  

We welcome all WGR members to join DEI Committee Meetings on the third Tuesday of each month. Register here for the next meeting on September 16th from 11:30 - 1 p.m. Eastern Time. For more information on WGR’s DEI Committee, please reach out to dei.wgr@gmail.com.

DEI Committee Co-Vice Chair Rayven Davis authored this month’s blog.