Should you shop at a farmer’s market?

Check out this interesting graphic*.  It appears to show that the more farmer’s markets there are in a state, the lower the BMI of the people who live there.  (BMI is a measure used a lot healthcare as a proxy for body fat.)  It also shows that in states where people eat more fresh fruit, average BMI’s are lower too.  Finally, it points out the connection between higher BMIs and increasing incidence of Diabetes.

When you think about this, it makes sense.  In places where there is more demand for healthy, fresh foods, more farmer’s markets will spring up.  And people who are consciously thinking about their food choices regularly are generally more likely to make healthy food choices. 

So…an apple a day does keep the doctor away!

*The graphic came from the research division of a national EHR company called Practice Fusion.