BackgroundCross-country differences in dietary behaviours and obesity rates have been previously reported. Consumption of energy-dense snack foods and soft drinks are implicated as contributing to weight gain, however little is known about how the availability of these items within supermarkets varies internationally. This study assessed variations in the display of snack foods and soft drinks within a sample of supermarkets across eight countries.MethodsWithin-store audits were used to evaluate and compare the availability of potato chips (crisps), chocolate, confectionery and soft drinks. Displays measured included shelf length and the proportion of checkouts and end-of-aisle displays containing these products. Audits were conducted in a convenience sample of 170 supermarkets across eight developed nations (Australia, Canada, Denmark, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, United Kingdom (UK), and United States of America (US)).ResultsThe mean total aisle length of snack foods (adjusted for store size) was greatest in supermarkets from the UK (56.4 m) and lowest in New Zealand (21.7 m). When assessed by individual item, the greatest aisle length devoted to chips, chocolate and confectionery was found in UK supermarkets while the greatest aisle length dedicated to soft drinks was in Australian supermarkets. Only stores from the Netherlands (41%) had less than 70% of checkouts featuring displays of snack foods or soft drinks.ConclusionWhilst between-country variations were observed, overall results indicate high levels of snack food and soft drinks displays within supermarkets across the eight countries. Exposure to snack foods is largely unavoidable within supermarkets, increasing the likelihood of purchases and particularly those made impulsively.

Knowledge around geospatial technologies and learning remains sparse, inconsistent, and overly anecdotal. Studies are needed that are better structured; more systematic and replicable; attentive to progress and findings in the cognate fields of science, technology, engineering, and math education; and coordinated for multidisciplinary approaches. A proposed agenda is designed to frame the next generation of research in this field, organized around four foci: (1) connections between GST and geospatial thinking; (2) learning GST; (3) curriculum and student learning through GST; and (4) educators' professional development with GST. Recommendations for advancing this agenda are included.

One primary utility of animated maps is their ability to depict change over time and space; unfortunately, recent research suggests that humans frequently fail to perceive changes within dynamic graphics. However, different types of dynamic graphics include different manifestations of change. For example, an animated proportional-symbol map possesses different change properties than an animated choropleth map. This article examines issues of change on animated choropleth maps. We identify relevant limitations of the human visual system that pertain to animated map reading, including change blindness and foveal versus peripheral attention, and introduce methods to quantify the magnitude of change that separates individual scenes within choropleth animations. These methods are useful for measuring and describing changes that confront users of animated choropleth maps. We also characterize the transitional behaviours of enumeration units and discuss the influences of data classification and other cartographic controls on change within animated choropleth maps. RésuméUne des principales utilités des cartes animées est qu'elles permettent de suivre les changements en fonction du temps et de l'espace. Malheureusement, selon de récentes recherches, il arrive souvent que les humains ne perçoivent pas ces changements dans les graphiques dynamiques. De plus, chaque type de graphique dynamique inclut des manifestations différentes de l'évolution. Par exemple, les propriétés d'une carte animée avec symboles proportionnels sont différentes de celles d'une carte choroplèthe animée. Dans l'article, on examine les problèmes liés au changement dans les cartes choroplèthes animées. On définit les limitations pertinentes des systèmes visuels humains qui sont associées à la lecture de cartes animées, y compris la cécité au changement et l'attention fovéale/périphérique, et on présente des méthodes pour quantifier la magnitude du changement qui sépare des scènes individuelles dans des animations choroplèthes. Ces méthodes sont utiles pour mesurer et décrire les changements auxquels se heurtent les utilisateurs de cartes choroplèthes animées. On caractérise aussi les comportements transitionnels des unités de dénombrement et on parle des effets de la classification des données et d'autres mesures cartographiques sur les changements apportés aux cartes choroplèthes animées.

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Objective To explore potential differences in food shopping behaviors and healthy food availability perceptions between residents living in areas with low and high food access. Design A cross-sectional telephone survey to assess food shopping behaviors and perceptions. Data from an eight-county food environment field census used to define the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) healthier food retail tract and USDA ERS (United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service) food desert measure. Participants 968 residents in eight South Carolina counties. Main Outcome Measures Residents’ food shopping behaviors and healthy food availability perceptions. Analysis Linear and logistic regression. Results Compared to residents in high food access areas, residents in low food access areas traveled further to their primary food store (USDA ERS: 8.8 vs. 7.1 miles, p=0.03; CDC: 9.2 vs. 6.1 miles, p<0.001), accumulated more total shopping miles per week; CDC 28.0 vs. 15.4 miles, p<0.001) and showed differences in perceived healthy food availability (p<0.001) and shopping access (p<0.001). Conclusions and Implications These findings lend support to ongoing community and policy interventions aimed at reducing food access disparities.