By Pooja Toshniwal Paharia Reviewed by Susha Cheriyedath, M.Sc. Jun 4 2026 A nationwide study reveals how US neighborhoods became increasingly dominated by restaurants and fast-food outlets, leaving millions with limited access to healthy food retailers, especially outside urban centers. Study: Changes in Neighborhood Foodscapes From 2003 to 2023 by Area Rurality in the United States . Image Credit: Ministr-84 / Shutterstock A recent study published in the  American Journal of Public Health