Summary: This thematic map is the result of my study of potential food desert locations in Colorado as compared to obesity rates. The study was measured at the census tract level. Food desert locations were identified as having greater than twenty five percent persons below poverty and more than one mile away from a grocery store. Obesity rates greater than thirty percent were identified as well. These attributes were then overlayed to measure the relationships between potential food desert tracts and high obesity rates.

Data: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2016, ESRI grocery store locations 2014, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Methodology: Identify at risk areas (greater than 25%), identify food deserts by at risk areas and distance from grocery stores (buffer tool - one mile around grocery stores, erase tool - erase one mile buffer from at risk areas), spatial join obesity data, and finally compare food deserts to obesity.