Explain what is meant by social determinants of health and how they affect one's nutrition status.

Social determinants of health refer to social factors unique to an individual including income, employment status, education, reduced access to transportation and quality health care, location of residence, etc. that can have a great influence over one's health status. Individuals of lower socioeconomic status, unemployed individuals, individuals with no or low access to transportation or quality health care, and those living in poor neighborhoods tend to live in food deserts and have fewer opportunities to engage in health-promoting behaviors. These individuals tend to have poorer nutritional statuses.