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Bennett R, Keeble M, Zorbas C, Sacks G, Driessen C, Grigsby-Duffy L, Adams J, Burgoine T, Backholer K. The potential influence of the digital food retail environment on health: A systematic scoping review of the literature. Obes Rev 2024; 25:e13671. [PMID: 38104965 DOI: 10.1111/obr.13671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The digital food retail environment (defined in this study as a digital platform, app or website where food can be purchased by individuals for personal consumption) is an emerging component of the wider food system. We aimed to systematically search and review the literature to understand the potential influence of the digital food retail environment on population diets and health. METHODS Four databases (across health, business, and marketing) and grey literature were searched using terms relating to "food and beverages," "digital," and "purchasing." Identified studies were included if they examined any aspect of the digital food retail environment where outcomes were examined with a health-related focus and were published before September 2023. All study designs were included (quantitative, qualitative, observational, and experimental). Reviews and conference abstracts were excluded. RESULTS We identified 21,382 studies, of which 57 articles were eligible for inclusion. Of the 57 included studies, 30 studies examined online grocery retail, 22 examined online food delivery platforms, and five examined meal kit subscription services. Of the 30 studies examining online grocery retail, six studies reported that customers believed they purchased fewer unhealthy food and beverages when shopping online, compared with shopping in-store. Nevertheless, customers also reported that their ability to choose healthy foods and beverages was reduced when shopping online due to difficulty in product comparison. Studies that examined online food delivery platforms primarily found that they promoted unhealthy foods and beverages more often than healthy options, through extensive use of marketing practices such as price discounts and images, and that unhealthy food offerings on these platforms dominate. Meal kit subscription services offered mostly healthy meals, with studies suggesting that these types of services may help individuals alleviate some of their "mental load" and stress related to cooking meals for their families. CONCLUSIONS The literature describing the digital food retail environment was found to be diverse, with different aspects having potential to impact health in different ways. Some evidence suggests that online grocery retail and meal kit subscription services may have positive population dietary impacts, whereas online food delivery platforms appear likely to promote unhealthy food purchasing. However, the current evidence base is fragmented, with many knowledge gaps. Further research is required to understand the influence of the digital food retail environment on population diets and how these environments can be designed to support healthy food choices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Bennett
- Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Matthew Keeble
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Box 285 Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Christina Zorbas
- Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gary Sacks
- Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christine Driessen
- Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lily Grigsby-Duffy
- Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jean Adams
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Box 285 Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Thomas Burgoine
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Box 285 Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Kathryn Backholer
- Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
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Maganja D, Davies T, Sanavio L, Louie JCY, Huffman MD, Trieu K, Wu JHY. Current food labelling practices in online supermarkets in Australia. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2023; 20:105. [PMID: 37749593 PMCID: PMC10521447 DOI: 10.1186/s12966-023-01504-3] [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: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Food product labelling can support consumer decision-making. Several food product labels (nutrition information panels (NIPs), ingredients lists, allergen declarations and country-of-origin) are mandated for physical product packaging in Australia, with a voluntary front-of-pack nutrition labelling system, Health Star Ratings (HSRs), also available. However, labelling requirements are not explicitly extended to online settings and the extent to which this information is available in these increasingly important food environments has not been assessed. METHODS Data from all individual food product pages was collected from the online stores of the two dominant supermarket retailers in Australia using automated web scraping in April-May 2022 (n = 22,077 products collected). We assessed the proportion of pages displaying NIPs, ingredients, allergens, country-of-origin and HSRs after excluding products ineligible to display the respective label. We also assessed whether HSRs were differentially available for higher- (healthier) and lower-scoring (less healthy) products, with HSR scores drawn from a comprehensive Australian food composition database, FoodSwitch. A manual inspection of randomly selected product pages (n = 100 for each label type per supermarket), drawn from products displaying the relevant label, was conducted to assess whether the labels were immediately visible to users (i.e. without scrolling or clicking). Differences in labelling prevalence and visibility were compared using chi-squared tests. RESULTS Across both supermarkets, country-of-origin labelling was almost complete (displayed on 93% of food product pages), but NIPs (49%), ingredients (34%) and allergens (53%) were less frequently displayed. HSRs were infrequently displayed (14% across both supermarkets) and more likely to be applied to higher-scoring products (22% on products with ≥ 3.5HSR v 0.4% on products with < 3.5HSR, p < 0.001). One supermarket was far more likely to make NIPs (100% v 2%, p < 0.001), ingredients (100% v 19%, p < 0.001) and allergens (97% v 0%, p < 0.001) information immediately visible, though the other made HSRs more apparent (22% v 75%, p < 0.001). Both supermarkets displayed country-of-origin labels prominently (100% v 86%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Food product labelling varies in online supermarkets in Australia overall and between supermarkets, while the design of online stores resulted in differences in labelling visibility. The near-complete display of country-of-origin labels and differential application of HSRs to higher-scoring products may reflect their use as marketing tools. Our findings highlight an urgent need for food labelling regulations to be updated to better account for online retail food environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damian Maganja
- The George Institute for Global Health, The University of New South Wales, Level 5, 1 King St, Newtown, Sydney, NSW, 2042, Australia.
| | - Tazman Davies
- The George Institute for Global Health, The University of New South Wales, Level 5, 1 King St, Newtown, Sydney, NSW, 2042, Australia
| | | | - Jimmy C Y Louie
- The George Institute for Global Health, The University of New South Wales, Level 5, 1 King St, Newtown, Sydney, NSW, 2042, Australia
- Department of Nursing and Allied Health, School of Health Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, John St, Hawthorn, VIC, 3122, Australia
| | - Mark D Huffman
- The George Institute for Global Health, The University of New South Wales, Level 5, 1 King St, Newtown, Sydney, NSW, 2042, Australia
- Global Health Center, Cardiovascular Division, Washington University in St. Louis, 660 S. Euclid Ave, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Kathy Trieu
- The George Institute for Global Health, The University of New South Wales, Level 5, 1 King St, Newtown, Sydney, NSW, 2042, Australia
| | - Jason H Y Wu
- The George Institute for Global Health, The University of New South Wales, Level 5, 1 King St, Newtown, Sydney, NSW, 2042, Australia
- School of Population Health, The University of New South Wales, Samuels Building, Samuel Terry Ave, Kensington, NSW, 2033, Australia
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Geurden B, Cant J, Beckers J. Food Accessibility in the Suburbs of the Metropolitan City of Antwerp (Belgium): A Factor of Concern in Local Public Health and Active and Healthy Aging. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:15754. [PMID: 36497829 PMCID: PMC9737850 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192315754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Population aging and declining birth rates are key demographic trends of the 21st century. While the overall life expectancy and healthy life years increase, the quality of life and functional capacity worsens due to non-communicable diseases strongly related to aging. Therefore, aging citizens are often vulnerable to food insecurity. The aim of this paper is to provide insights into the physical accessibility of fresh food and possible alternatives within the setting of an aging society in Antwerp (Belgium), a metropolitan city at the heart of the EU Reference Site 'Three Rivers Food Delta'. We demonstrate that a large number of the Antwerp suburban areas in which 15 to 25% of current inhabitants are already over 65 years old are confronted with problematic physical accessibility of food due to long walking distances to the nearest food shop. E-commerce has the potential to provide better access to fresh food. This is especially relevant for people with specific needs, such as health-related diets, dysphagia, and/or limited mobility. However, e-commerce introduces new inequalities, as those who would benefit the most from digital accessibility currently use it least. Hence, the organization of fresh food access requires a more thoughtful organization of the 'last mile' and possible alternatives to home delivery. This makes food accessibility an urgent factor of concern in public health and healthy aging in the Antwerp suburban areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart Geurden
- Centre for Research and Innovation of Care (CRIC), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
- Center for Gastrology and Primary Food Care, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Reference Site Three Rivers FoodDelta, EIP on AHA Reference Site Collaborative Network (RSCN), 1040 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jeroen Cant
- Research Group for Urban Development, Faculty of Design Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Joris Beckers
- Department of Transport and Regional Economics, Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
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Federal Food Assistance Program Participation during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Participant Perspectives and Reasons for Discontinuing. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14214524. [PMID: 36364785 PMCID: PMC9654117 DOI: 10.3390/nu14214524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aims to describe reasons for discontinuing participation and experiences participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) during the COVID-19 pandemic. We analyzed data from a cross-sectional online survey distributed to a national sample, restricted to (1) households that discontinued participating in SNAP (n = 146) or WIC (n = 149) during the pandemic and (2) households that participated in SNAP (n = 501) or WIC (n = 141) during spring 2021—approximately one year into the pandemic. We conducted thematic analyses of open-ended survey questions and descriptive statistics for Likert-scale items. Themes raised by respondents who discontinued participating in SNAP or WIC included difficulty recertifying and virus exposure concerns. Former WIC participants reported the program was not worth the effort and former SNAP participants reported failing to requalify. Respondents participating in WIC or SNAP during the pandemic mentioned transportation barriers and insufficient benefit value. WIC participants had trouble redeeming benefits in stores and SNAP participants desired improved online grocery purchasing experiences. These results suggest that enhancements to WIC and SNAP, such as expanded online purchasing options, program flexibilities, and benefit increases, can improve program participation to ensure access to critical nutrition supports, especially during emergencies.
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Vedovato GM, Ali SH, Lowery CM, Trude ACB. Giving Families a Voice for Equitable Healthy Food Access in the Wake of Online Grocery Shopping. Nutrients 2022; 14:4377. [PMID: 36297061 PMCID: PMC9609455 DOI: 10.3390/nu14204377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the views of families from low-income backgrounds about inequities in healthy food access and grocery purchase is critical to food access policies. This study explored perspectives of families eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on healthy food access in physical and online grocery environments. The qualitative design used purposive sampling of 44 primary household food purchasers with children (aged ≤ 8), between November 2020-March 2021, through 11 online focus groups and 5 in-depth interviews. Grounded theory was used to identify community-level perceived inequities, including influences of COVID-19 pandemic, SNAP and online grocery services. The most salient perceived causes of inequitable food access were neighborhood resource deficiencies and public transportation limitations. Rural communities, people with disabilities, older adults, racially and ethnically diverse groups were perceived to be disproportionately impacted by food inequities, which were exacerbated by the pandemic. The ability to use SNAP benefits to buy foods online facilitated healthy food access. Delivery fees and lack of control over food selection were barriers. Barriers to healthy food access aggravated by SNAP included social stigma, inability to acquire cooked meals, and inadequate amount of monthly funds. Findings provide a foundation for policy redesign to promote equitable healthy food systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela M. Vedovato
- Institute of Health and Society, Federal University of São Paulo, Santos 11015-021, SP, Brazil
| | - Shahmir H. Ali
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Caitlin M. Lowery
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Angela C. B. Trude
- Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, New York University Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, New York, NY 10003, USA
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Gillespie R, DeWitt E, Trude ACB, Haynes-Maslow L, Hudson T, Anderson-Steeves E, Barr M, Gustafson A. Barriers and Facilitators of Online Grocery Services: Perceptions from Rural and Urban Grocery Store Managers. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14183794. [PMID: 36145165 PMCID: PMC9502010 DOI: 10.3390/nu14183794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Online grocery shopping has expanded rapidly in the U.S., yet little is known about the retailer’s perceptions of online grocery services, which can aid in the expansion of services. Furthermore, many barriers to online grocery utilization persist across geographic areas, especially among Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)-authorized retailers. This study captured perceived barriers and facilitators of online grocery shopping for managers of SNAP-authorized retailers. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with managers (n = 23) of grocery stores/supermarkets in urban and rural areas across four different states: TN, KY, NC, and NY. Grocery store managers offering online ordering (n = 15) and managers from brick-and-mortar stores without online services (n = 8) participated in the interviews. Three primary themes emerged among managers offering online ordering: (1) order fulfillment challenges, (2) perceived customer barriers, and (3) perceived customer benefits. Among managers at brick-and-mortar locations without online services, four major themes emerged: (1) thoughts on implementing online shopping, (2) COVID-19 pandemic impacts, (3) competition with other stores, and (4) benefits of maintaining brick-and-mortar shopping. This study provides a deeper understanding of retailers’ experience and perceptions of online grocery services among stores authorized to accept SNAP benefits. This perspective is necessary to inform policies and enhance the evolving virtual food marketplace for SNAP customers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Gillespie
- Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-859-257-7793
| | - Emily DeWitt
- Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA
| | - Angela C. B. Trude
- Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Lindsey Haynes-Maslow
- Department of Health Policy & Management, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Travis Hudson
- Department of Nutrition, College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Elizabeth Anderson-Steeves
- Department of Nutrition, College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
- Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition, Omaha, NE 68154, USA
| | - Makenzie Barr
- Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA
| | - Alison Gustafson
- Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA
- College of Nursing, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA
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Moran AJ, Headrick G, Perez C, Greatsinger A, Taillie LS, Zatz L, Bleich SN, Rimm EB, Khandpur N. Food marketing practices of major online grocery retailers in the United States, 2019-2020. J Acad Nutr Diet 2022; 122:2295-2310.e2. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jand.2022.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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