Comparing Sugary Drinks in the Food Retail Environment in Six NYC Neighborhoods

Abstract

Obesity is a national public health concern linked to numerous chronic health conditions among Americans of all age groups. Evidence suggests that discretionary calories from sugary drink consumption have been a significant contributor to excess caloric intake among both children and adults. Research has established strong links between retail food environments and purchasing habits of consumers, but little information exists on the sugary drink retail environment in urban neighborhoods. The objective of this assessment was to compare various aspects of the sugary drink retail environment across New York City (NYC) neighborhoods with disparate self-reported sugary drink consumption patterns. In-store retail audits were conducted at 883 corner stores, chain pharmacies, and grocery stores in 12 zip codes throughout NYC. Results showed that among all beverage types assessed, sugary drinks had the most prominent presence in the retail environment overall, which was even more pronounced in higher-consumption neighborhoods. In higher- versus lower-consumption neighborhoods, the mean number of sugary drink varieties available at stores was higher (11.4 vs. 10.4 varieties), stores were more likely to feature sugary drink advertising (97 vs. 89 %) and advertising at multiple places throughout the store (78 vs. 57 %), and several sugary drinks, including 20-oz Coke® or Pepsi®, were less expensive ($1.38 vs. $1.60). These results, all statistically significant, indicate that neighborhoods characterized by higher levels of sugary drink consumption expose shoppers to sugary drinks to a greater extent than lower-consumption neighborhoods. This builds upon evidence documenting the association between the environment and individual behavior.

Transforming Life: A Broad View of the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease Concept from an Ecological Justice Perspective

“…Shelf-space and orientation within supermarkets and convenience stores in our neighborhood would likely be set up in such a way as to direct us to energy-dense, low nutrient foods [318,319,320,321,322]. Also inside, in-store marketing may direct us to a significant variety of (relatively) low-priced, high-sugar beverages [323]. On the other hand, healthier staples such as low-fat dairy products may be less available and more expensive [324].…”

Targeting population nutrition through municipal health and food policy: Implications of New York City’s experiences in regulatory obesity prevention

“…This research identified drinks as prominent characteristics the limited availability of healthy foods and beverages, coupled with cost and quality concerns, the ubiquity of unhealthy foods and other unhealthy foods, and high consumption of sugary beverages. [51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60] Within the IOTF framework, identifying potential points of intervention (issue 2) and instruments with which to respond (issue 3) are underpinned by the choice to view obesity as an issue amenable to successful local government intervention. Kingdon conceptualizes this as the differentiation between condition and problem, subject to a "perceptual interpretative element".…”

Examination of the Relationship between In-Store Environmental Factors and Fruit and Vegetable Purchasing among Hispanics

“…Research conducted among adolescents found that frequent exposure to alcohol promotions in stores was associated with a 50% increase in the likelihood of ever drinking [ 27 ]. Additionally, a study conducted in New York City found that stores were more likely to display sugary drinks promotions in neighborhoods with higher intakes of sugar-sweetened beverages compared to stores in neighborhoods with lower intakes of sugar-sweetened beverages [ 28 ]. Lastly, among low-income public housing residents, higher counts of alcohol print promotions and lower counts of low-calorie food print promotions in stores and restaurants were associated with higher dietary fat intake [ 29 ].…”