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Vaillancourt C, Ahmed M, Kirk S, Labonté MÈ, Laar A, Mah CL, Minaker L, Olstad DL, Potvin Kent M, Provencher V, Prowse R, Raine KD, Schram A, Zavala-Mora D, Rancourt-Bouchard M, Vanderlee L. Food environment research in Canada: a rapid review of methodologies and measures deployed between 2010 and 2021. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2024; 21:18. [PMID: 38373957 PMCID: PMC10875887 DOI: 10.1186/s12966-024-01558-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Numerous research methodologies have been used to examine food environments. Existing reviews synthesizing food environment measures have examined a limited number of domains or settings and none have specifically targeted Canada. This rapid review aimed to 1) map research methodologies and measures that have been used to assess food environments; 2) examine what food environment dimensions and equity related-factors have been assessed; and 3) identify research gaps and priorities to guide future research. A systematic search of primary articles evaluating the Canadian food environment in a real-world setting was conducted. Publications in English or French published in peer-reviewed journals between January 1 2010 and June 17 2021 and indexed in Web of Science, CAB Abstracts and Ovid MEDLINE were considered. The search strategy adapted an internationally-adopted food environment monitoring framework covering 7 domains (Food Marketing; Labelling; Prices; Provision; Composition; Retail; and Trade and Investment). The final sample included 220 articles. Overall, Trade and Investment (1%, n = 2), Labelling (7%, n = 15) and, to a lesser extent, Prices (14%, n = 30) were the least studied domains in Canada. Among Provision articles, healthcare (2%, n = 1) settings were underrepresented compared to school (67%, n = 28) and recreation and sport (24%, n = 10) settings, as was the food service industry (14%, n = 6) compared to grocery stores (86%, n = 36) in the Composition domain. The study identified a vast selection of measures employed in Canada overall and within single domains. Equity-related factors were only examined in half of articles (n = 108), mostly related to Retail (n = 81). A number of gaps remain that prevent a holistic and systems-level analysis of food environments in Canada. As Canada continues to implement policies to improve the quality of food environments in order to improve dietary patterns, targeted research to address identified gaps and harmonize methods across studies will help evaluate policy impact over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Vaillancourt
- École de Nutrition, Centre de Nutrition, Santé et Société (NUTRISS), Université Laval, 2425 Rue de L'Agriculture, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Mavra Ahmed
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Sara Kirk
- School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University, 6230 South Street, Kjipuktuk (Halifax), NS, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Marie-Ève Labonté
- École de Nutrition, Centre de Nutrition, Santé et Société (NUTRISS), Université Laval, 2425 Rue de L'Agriculture, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Amos Laar
- Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 13, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Catherine L Mah
- School of Health Administration, Dalhousie University, 5850 College Street, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Leia Minaker
- School of Planning, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3T1, Canada
| | - Dana Lee Olstad
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Monique Potvin Kent
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, 600 Peter Morand Crescent, Ottawa, ON, K1G 5Z3, Canada
| | - Véronique Provencher
- École de Nutrition, Centre de Nutrition, Santé et Société (NUTRISS), Université Laval, 2425 Rue de L'Agriculture, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Rachel Prowse
- Division of Community Health and Humanities, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 300 Prince Philip Drive, St. John's, NL, A1B 3V6, Canada
| | - Kim D Raine
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 11405 87 Ave Northwest, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1C9, Canada
| | - Ashley Schram
- School of Regulation and Global Governance (RegNet), ANU College of Asia & the Pacific, The Australian National University, 8 Fellows Road, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, 2600, Australia
| | - Daniela Zavala-Mora
- Science Library, Université Laval, 1045 Avenue de La Médecine, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Maryka Rancourt-Bouchard
- École de Nutrition, Centre de Nutrition, Santé et Société (NUTRISS), Université Laval, 2425 Rue de L'Agriculture, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Lana Vanderlee
- École de Nutrition, Centre de Nutrition, Santé et Société (NUTRISS), Université Laval, 2425 Rue de L'Agriculture, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada.
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Laframboise NA, Seabrook JA, Matthews JI, Dworatzek PDN. Sixty Percent of Foods Advertised in Grocery Store Flyers are Not In-line with Canada's Food Guide. CAN J DIET PRACT RES 2022; 83:1-7. [PMID: 35014540 DOI: 10.3148/cjdpr-2021-035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate foods advertised in discount and premium grocery flyers for their alignment with Canada's 2007 Food Guide (CFG) and assess if alignment differed by food category, season, page location, and price.Methods: Weekly flyers (n = 192) were collected from discount and premium grocery chains from each of 4 seasons. Health Canada's Surveillance Tool was used to assess food items as in-line or not in-line with CFG.Results: Of 35 576 food items, 39.7% were in-line with CFG. There were no differences in proportions of foods not in-line in discount versus premium flyers (60.9% and 60.0%, respectively). Other Foods and Meat & Alternatives were advertised most (28.0% and 26.3%, respectively; P < 0.001). Milk & Alternatives were the least advertised food group (10.3%). Vegetables & Fruit (19.6%), Grains (21.6%), Milk & Alternatives (20.6%), and Meat & Alternatives (20.2%) were promoted least in Fall (P < 0.001). A higher proportion of foods advertised on middle pages were not in-line (61.0%) compared with front (56.6%) and back (58.8%) pages (P < 0.001). Not in-line foods were more expensive ($3.49, IQR = $2.82) than in-line foods ($3.28, IQR = $2.81; P < 0.001).Conclusions: While there was no difference in healthfulness of foods advertised in discount versus premium flyers, grocers advertised more foods not in-line with CFG. Government policies to improve the food environment should consider grocery flyers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie A Laframboise
- School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Brescia University College, Western University, London, ON
| | - Jamie A Seabrook
- School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Brescia University College, Western University, London, ON
- Department of Paediatrics, Western University, London, ON
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Western University, London, ON
- Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON
- Human Environments Analysis Laboratory, London, ON
| | - June I Matthews
- School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Brescia University College, Western University, London, ON
| | - Paula D N Dworatzek
- School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Brescia University College, Western University, London, ON
- Schulich Interfaculty Program in Public Health, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University 1285 Western Road, London, ON N6G 1H2
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Hendriksen A, Jansen R, Dijkstra SC, Huitink M, Seidell JC, Poelman MP. How healthy and processed are foods and drinks promoted in supermarket sales flyers? A cross-sectional study in the Netherlands. Public Health Nutr 2021; 24:3000-3008. [PMID: 33843554 PMCID: PMC9884785 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980021001233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate to what extent promotions in Dutch supermarket sales flyers contribute to a healthy diet and whether there are differences between supermarket types. DESIGN A cross-sectional study investigating promotions on foods and beverages (n 7825) in supermarket sales flyers from thirteen Dutch supermarket chains (8-week period), including ten traditional, two discount and one organic supermarket chain(s). Promoted products were categorised by food group (e.g. bread), contribution to a healthy diet (yes/no), degree of processing (e.g. ultra-processed), promotion type (temporary reduction in price, volume-based promotions or advertised only) and percentage discount of price promotions. Differences between supermarket chains in the degree of healthiness and processing of products and the types of price promotions were investigated. RESULTS In total, 70·7 % of all promoted products in supermarket sales flyers did not contribute to a healthy diet and 56·6 % was ultra-processed. The average discount on less healthy products (28·7 %) was similar to that of healthy products (28·9 %). Less healthy products were more frequently promoted via volume-based promotions than healthy products (37·6 % v. 25·4 %, P < 0·001). Discount supermarket chains promoted less healthy (80·3 %) and ultra-processed (65·1 %) products more often than traditional supermarket chains (69·6 % and 56·6 %, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The majority of promoted products via supermarket sales flyers do not contribute to a healthy diet. As promotions are an important determinant of food purchasing decisions, supermarkets do not support healthy choices. Future studies should identify barriers that withhold supermarket chains from promoting more healthy foods in supermarket sales flyers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Hendriksen
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Romy Jansen
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sanne Coosje Dijkstra
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marlijn Huitink
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jacob C Seidell
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maartje P Poelman
- Chair group Consumption and Healthy Lifestyles, Wageningen University and Research, 8130, 6700 EW Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Dickins TE, Schalz S. Food shopping under risk and uncertainty. LEARNING AND MOTIVATION 2020; 72:101681. [PMID: 33071356 PMCID: PMC7548066 DOI: 10.1016/j.lmot.2020.101681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
During the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic panic buying of food was reported by the media. Panic buying has received little attention within behavioural science. In this paper we suggest that optimality models of foraging under risk and uncertainty would be a fruitful place to begin developing useful and testable hypotheses about this behaviour. In making this case we relate panic buying to a general increase in foraging effort, which we characterize as an increase in purchasing and spending. We note two risks during the pandemic – that of food security and that of predation, where predation is understood as a perceived threat to life due to infection risk. Food security was effectively solved early on in the pandemic, whilst perceived threat to life has remained but diminished to some limited extent. We relate panic buying to food caching as a method of buffering risk and make six predictions about how this behaviour should present under food insecurity and perceived threat to life.
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Affiliation(s)
- T E Dickins
- Department of Psychology, Middlesex University, London UK
| | - S Schalz
- Department of Psychology, Middlesex University, London UK
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Martínez-García A, Trescastro-López EM, Galiana-Sánchez ME, Pereyra-Zamora P. Data Collection Instruments for Obesogenic Environments in Adults: A Scoping Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:E1414. [PMID: 31010209 PMCID: PMC6518267 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16081414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The rise in obesity prevalence has increased research interest in the obesogenic environment and its influence on excess weight. The aim of the present study was to review and map data collection instruments for obesogenic environments in adults in order to provide an overview of the existing evidence and enable comparisons. Through the scoping review method, different databases and webpages were searched between January 1997 and May 2018. Instruments were included if they targeted adults. The documents were categorised as food environment or built environment. In terms of results, 92 instruments were found: 46 instruments measuring the food environment, 42 measuring the built environment, and 4 that characterised both environments. Numerous diverse instruments have been developed to characterise the obesogenic environment, and some of them have been developed based on existing ones; however, most of them have not been validated and there is very little similarity between them, hindering comparison of the results obtained. In addition, most of them were developed and used in the United States and were written in English. In conclusion, there is a need for a robust instrument, improving or combining existing ones, for use within and across countries, and more sophisticated study designs where the environment is contemplated in an interdisciplinary approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Martínez-García
- Department of Community Nursing, Preventive Medicine and Public Health and History of Science-University of Alicante. Campus de Sant Vicent del Raspeig. Ap. 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain.
| | - Eva María Trescastro-López
- Department of Community Nursing, Preventive Medicine and Public Health and History of Science-University of Alicante. Campus de Sant Vicent del Raspeig. Ap. 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain.
| | - María Eugenia Galiana-Sánchez
- Department of Community Nursing, Preventive Medicine and Public Health and History of Science-University of Alicante. Campus de Sant Vicent del Raspeig. Ap. 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain.
| | - Pamela Pereyra-Zamora
- Department of Community Nursing, Preventive Medicine and Public Health and History of Science-University of Alicante. Campus de Sant Vicent del Raspeig. Ap. 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain.
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