The Importance of a Multi-Dimensional Approach for Studying the Links between Food Access and Consumption

Abstract

Research on neighborhood food access has focused on documenting disparities in the food environment and on assessing the links between the environment and consumption. Relatively few studies have combined in-store food availability measures with geographic mapping of stores. We review research that has used these multi-dimensional measures of access to explore the links between the neighborhood food environment and consumption or weight status. Early research in California found correlations between red meat, reduced-fat milk, and whole-grain bread consumption and shelf space availability of these products in area stores. Subsequent research in New York confirmed the low-fat milk findings. Recent research in Baltimore has used more sophisticated diet assessment tools and store-based instruments, along with controls for individual characteristics, to show that low availability of healthy food in area stores is associated with low-quality diets of area residents. Our research in southeastern Louisiana has shown that shelf space availability of energy-dense snack foods is positively associated with BMI after controlling for individual socioeconomic characteristics. Most of this research is based on cross-sectional studies. To assess the direction of causality, future research testing the effects of interventions is needed. We suggest that multi-dimensional measures of the neighborhood food environment are important to understanding these links between access and consumption. They provide a more nuanced assessment of the food environment. Moreover, given the typical duration of research project cycles, changes to in-store environments may be more feasible than changes to the overall mix of retail outlets in communities.

What are the main barriers to healthy eating among families? A qualitative exploration of perceptions and experiences of Tehranian men

“…Our results regarding multifaceted barriers leading people to unhealthy eating echo the findings of several previous studies which portray the broad range of factors and processes underlying the daily food choices of people (Devine et al, 1999;Furst, Connors, Bisogni, Sobal, & Falk, 1996;Krebs-Smith & Kantor, 2001;Newcombe et al, 2012;Rose, Bodor, Hutchinson, & Swalm, 2010;Sobal & Bisogni, 2009). The food choice model suggests "that the personal food system" be cognitive processes that guide individuals' eating behaviors in particular settings (Furst et al, 1996;Sobal & Bisogni, 2009).…”

Three Essays on Obesity: Food Environment, Attitudes toward Food, and Cash Transfers

“…Based on the economic conceptual framework proposed by Rose et al (2010) that accounts for the idea that food environment influences food purchases, I modified it to include food intake and BMI, the final health and diet outcomes influenced by the food environment. In this framework I included other variables affecting dietary intake and BMI as well, such as physical activity.…”

“…Tastes and preferences are influenced mainly by social acceptability of the characteristics of the food in the stores, the promotional effect of products within stores, and the socio-demographic characteristics of individuals. Rose et al (2010) emphasized the use of food cost instead of food price because the first accounts for the real opportunity cost of food incurred by people, which includes food price and the resources spent in travelling the distance to the outlet and buying food that people implicitly include in the maximization of their utility. Distance travelled depends on vehicle ownership or transportation means, and on some dimensions of the food environment indicated by the number and type of food outlets (or their in-store characteristics) and their location relative to places such as home, school, or work.…”

Developing a Framework of Food Choice Determinants among Construction Workers in South Africa

“…In a related study by [15], it was found that environmental influences (including location and accessibility to shops) determine food choice and consumption. Other factors were indicated to be social acceptability, promotional or advertising effects, cost and availability of foods.…”

“…A multitude of studies have dwelt on food choice determinants, for instance, [16], which had a broad scope and employed qualitative methods; [1], [5] and [15], which only reviewed existing literature. However, it appears that there is little empirical research investigating the structure and relativity of these determinants.…”