Urban Food Deserts: Causes and Measures

In many major cities in developed countries, so-called 'food deserts' are becoming increasingly prevalent, where residents of low-income neighbourhoods struggle to access shops selling fresh fruit, vegetables, and quality groceries at affordable prices. Large supermarket chains have withdrawn from these less profitable areas, and the remaining convenience stores and fast-food outlets primarily stock processed food. As a result, obesity rates and chronic disease incidence in these areas are significantly higher than in other neighbourhoods. What are the causes of the spread of urban food deserts, and what measures can be taken to address this problem?