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Trude ACB, Bunzl NB, Rehman ZN, Elbel B, Lau S, Talal LA, Weitzman BC. "I Don't Want an App to Do the Work for Me": A Qualitative Study on the Perception of Online Grocery Shopping From Small Food Retailers. J Acad Nutr Diet 2024; 124:804-822. [PMID: 38103594 DOI: 10.1016/j.jand.2023.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Small food retailers often stock energy-dense convenience foods, and they are ubiquitous in low-income urban settings. With the rise in e-commerce, little is known about the acceptability of online grocery shopping from small food retailers. OBJECTIVE To explore perceptions of the role of small food retailers (bodegas) in food access and the acceptability of online grocery shopping from bodegas among customers and owners in a diverse New York City urban neighborhood with low incomes. DESIGN In-depth interviews were conducted with bodega owners and adult customers between May and July 2022. PARTICIPANTS/SETTING Bodega owners who either had (n = 4) or had not (n = 2) implemented a locally designed online grocery system. Customers (n = 25) were recruited through purposive sampling and were eligible if they purchased at bodegas (>once per month), had low income (household income ≤130% of the federal poverty level or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program [SNAP] participants), and owned smartphones. ANALYSES PERFORMED All interviews were transcribed and analyzed in MAXQDA (Verbi Software, Berlin, Germany), using grounded theory. RESULTS To owners and customers, bodegas were seen as good neighbors providing culturally appropriate foods and an informal financial safety net. Their perceptions concerning food cost and availability of healthy foods in bodegas diverged. Although most perceived online grocery from bodegas as a positive community resource, they also believed it was not suited to their own community because of the bodega's proximity to customers' homes and the low digital literacy of some community members. Customers reported social norms of pride in not using online grocery shopping. Owners and customers believed the service would more likely be used if government benefits such as SNAP allowed payment for online orders. Both suggested improved outreach to increase program awareness and uptake. CONCLUSIONS Online grocery shopping from small food retailers may be acceptable in urban communities with low income and was perceived as a community resource. However, important barriers need to be addressed, such as social norms related to pride in not using online grocery services, digital literacy, program awareness, and allowing SNAP payment for online orders from bodegas.
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Lewis EC, Williamson S, Xie Y, Poirier L, Oladimeji AT, Igusa T, Gittelsohn J. Design of a Mobile App Interface That Engages Community Members in a Food System Pilot Study. Nutrients 2024; 16:1723. [PMID: 38892656 PMCID: PMC11175050 DOI: 10.3390/nu16111723] [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: 04/13/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Supermarkets are scarce in many under-resourced urban communities, and small independently owned retail stores often carry few fresh or healthy items. The Baltimore Urban food Distribution (BUD) mobile application (app) was previously developed to address supply-side challenges in moving healthy foods from local suppliers to retailers. In-app opportunities for consumers to indicate demand for these foods are crucial, but remain absent. We sought to understand community members' perspectives on the overall role, function and features of a proposed consumer-engagement module (BUDConnect) to expand the BUD app. A series of initial high-fidelity wireframe mockups were developed based on formative research. In-depth interviews (n = 20) were conducted and thematically analyzed using ATLAS.ti Web. Participants revealed a desire for real-time crowd-sourced information to navigate their food environments safely and effectively, functionality to help build community and social networks among store owners and their customers, opportunities to share positive reviews and ratings of store quality and offerings, and interoperability with existing apps. Rewards and referral systems resulting in the discounted purchasing of promoted healthy items were suggested to increase adoption and sustained app use. Wireframe mockups were further refined for future development and integration into the BUD app, the program and policy implications of which are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma C. Lewis
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (S.W.); (L.P.); (J.G.)
| | - Stacey Williamson
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (S.W.); (L.P.); (J.G.)
| | - Yutong Xie
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;
| | - Lisa Poirier
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (S.W.); (L.P.); (J.G.)
| | - Ayoyemi T. Oladimeji
- Department of Civil and Systems Engineering, Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; (A.T.O.); (T.I.)
| | - Takeru Igusa
- Department of Civil and Systems Engineering, Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; (A.T.O.); (T.I.)
| | - Joel Gittelsohn
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (S.W.); (L.P.); (J.G.)
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Lu I, Sheppard B, Chapman L, Barnes L, De Marco M. Evaluation of a Sparkling Water Promotion Intervention on Sales at Convenience Stores in the Southeastern US. JOURNAL OF NUTRITION EDUCATION AND BEHAVIOR 2024; 56:310-320. [PMID: 38466245 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2024.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study investigated the feasibility of in-store signage promoting sparkling water and the impact of this signage on sparkling water sales in convenience stores. DESIGN We conducted a randomized control trial. SETTING Convenience stores in North Carolina. PARTICIPANTS Twenty-four convenience stores in neighborhoods with a higher proportion of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-eligible households. INTERVENTION(S) The 24 eligible stores were randomized to receive the in-store signage promoting sparkling water or to the control condition of no change. One poster was hung on the beverage cooler doors in front of the sparkling water selections at each of the 12 participating stores. Weekly sales data and fidelity checks were collected. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) The primary outcome measure was sales of total water, and the subanalysis was sales of sparkling water. ANALYSIS T tests were conducted to assess changes in total water and sparkling water sales between intervention and control stores. RESULTS In-store signage did not significantly increase sales of sparkling water, or all water, during the intervention. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Signage alone may not be enough to impact healthy beverage purchasing, and signage should be paired with other promotional components to increase healthy beverage purchases in convenience stores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Lu
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC; Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.
| | - Brett Sheppard
- Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Leah Chapman
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC; Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Lee Barnes
- Institute for Social Innovation at Fielding Graduate University, Santa Barbara, CA
| | - Molly De Marco
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC; Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
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Lewis EC, Pei P, Gittelsohn J. Food access narratives as told by consumers and retailers engaging in a COVID-19-stricken urban food system: A brief report. J Public Health Res 2023; 12:22799036231204355. [PMID: 37822994 PMCID: PMC10563484 DOI: 10.1177/22799036231204355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Small food retail ("corner") stores in many underserved urban settings face challenges to stocking healthy, affordable foods. The food supply chain is considered one of the most important sectors of the economy and has suffered recent negative impacts due to the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, from farm to consumer. As part of the larger Baltimore Urban food Distribution (BUD) Study, we examine corner store owner and consumer perceptions of the impact of COVID-19 on navigating an urban food environment using a brief, reflective, semi-structured oral interview framed as "storytelling." Open-ended responses are documented, transcribed, and analyzed for key themes. Presently, we discuss initial key findings in hopes of helping to ensure sufficient value added for corner store owners and consumers who will interact with the BUD mobile application as part of a full-scale trial being implemented in Baltimore, Maryland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma C Lewis
- Human Nutrition, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Penny Pei
- Human Nutrition, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Joel Gittelsohn
- Human Nutrition, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Madlala SS, Hill J, Kunneke E, Lopes T, Faber M. Adult food choices in association with the local retail food environment and food access in resource-poor communities: a scoping review. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1083. [PMID: 37280606 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15996-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a growing body of research on local retail food environments globally in both urban and rural settings. Despite this, little research has been conducted on adult food choices, local retail environments, and healthy food access in resource-poor communities. The purpose of this study is therefore to provide an overview of the evidence on adult food choices (measured as dietary intake) in association with the local retail food environment and food access in resource-poor communities (defined as low-income communities and/or households). METHODS We searched nine databases for studies published from July 2005 to March 2022 and identified 2426 records in the primary and updated search. Observational studies, empirical and theoretical studies, focused on adults ≤ 65 years, published in English peer-reviewed journals, examining local retail food environments and food access, were included. Two independent reviewers screened identified articles using the selection criteria and data extraction form. Study characteristics and findings were summarized for all studies and relevant themes summarized for qualitative and mixed methods studies. RESULTS A total of 47 studies were included in this review. Most studies were cross sectional (93.6%) and conducted in the United States of America (70%). Nineteen (40.4%) studies assessed the association between food choice outcomes and local retail food environment exposures, and evidence on these associations are inconclusive. Associations of certain food choice outcomes with healthy food retail environments were positive for healthy foods (in 11 studies) and unhealthy foods (in 3 studies). Associations of certain food choice outcomes with unhealthy retail food environment exposures were positive for unhealthy foods in 1 study and negative for healthy foods in 3 studies. In 9 studies, some of the food choice outcomes were not associated with retail food environment exposures. A healthy food store type and lower food prices were found to be major facilitators for healthy food access in resource-poor communities, while cost and transportation were the main barriers. CONCLUSIONS More research is needed on the local retail food environment in communities in low- and middle-income countries to develop better interventions to improve food choices and access to healthy foods in resource-poor communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samukelisiwe S Madlala
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa.
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Jillian Hill
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ernesta Kunneke
- Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Tatum Lopes
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Chemical Pathology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Mieke Faber
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
- Centre of Excellence for Nutrition, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
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Brimblecombe J, Miles B, Chappell E, De Silva K, Ferguson M, Mah C, Miles E, Gunther A, Wycherley T, Peeters A, Minaker L, McMahon E. Implementation of a food retail intervention to reduce purchase of unhealthy food and beverages in remote Australia: mixed-method evaluation using the consolidated framework for implementation research. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2023; 20:20. [PMID: 36803988 PMCID: PMC9938595 DOI: 10.1186/s12966-022-01377-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adoption of health-enabling food retail interventions in food retail will require effective implementation strategies. To inform this, we applied an implementation framework to a novel real-world food retail intervention, the Healthy Stores 2020 strategy, to identify factors salient to intervention implementation from the perspective of the food retailer. METHODS A convergent mixed-method design was used and data were interpreted using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). The study was conducted alongside a randomised controlled trial in partnership with the Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation (ALPA). Adherence data were collected for the 20 consenting Healthy Stores 2020 study stores (ten intervention /ten control) in 19 communities in remote Northern Australia using photographic material and an adherence checklist. Retailer implementation experience data were collected through interviews with the primary Store Manager for each of the ten intervention stores at baseline, mid- and end-strategy. Deductive thematic analysis of interview data was conducted and informed by the CFIR. Intervention adherence scores derived for each store assisted interview data interpretation. RESULTS Healthy Stores 2020 strategy was, for the most part, adhered to. Analysis of the 30 interviews revealed that implementation climate of the ALPA organisation, its readiness for implementation including a strong sense of social purpose, and the networks and communication between the Store Managers and other parts of ALPA, were CFIR inner and outer domains most frequently referred to as positive to strategy implementation. Store Managers were a 'make-or-break' touchstone of implementation success. The co-designed intervention and strategy characteristics and its perceived cost-benefit, combined with the inner and outer setting factors, galvanised the individual characteristics of Store Managers (e.g., optimism, adaptability and retail competency) to champion implementation. Where there was less perceived cost-benefit, Store Managers seemed less enthusiastic for the strategy. CONCLUSIONS Factors critical to implementation (a strong sense of social purpose; structures and processes within and external to the food retail organisation and their alignment with intervention characteristics (low complexity, cost advantage); and Store Manager characteristics) can inform the design of implementation strategies for the adoption of this health-enabling food retail initiative in the remote setting. This research can help inform a shift in research focus to identify, develop and test implementation strategies for the wide adoption of health-enabling food retail initiatives into practice. TRIAL REGISTRATION Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN 12,618,001,588,280.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Brimblecombe
- Department of Nutrition Dietetics and Food, Monash University, Level 1 264 Ferntree Gully Rd, Notting Hill, Victoria, 3168, Australia. .,Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Royal Darwin Hospital Campus, Building 58 Rocklands Drive, Tiwi, NT, 0810, Australia. .,School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Public Health Building, Level 4, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia.
| | - Bethany Miles
- grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Department of Nutrition Dietetics and Food, Monash University, Level 1 264 Ferntree Gully Rd, Notting Hill, Victoria, 3168 Australia
| | - Emma Chappell
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Royal Darwin Hospital Campus, Building 58 Rocklands Drive, Tiwi, NT 0810 Australia ,grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Public Health Building, Level 4, Herston, QLD 4006 Australia
| | - Khia De Silva
- Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation, 70 O’Sullivan Cct, East Arm, NT 0828 Australia
| | - Megan Ferguson
- grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Department of Nutrition Dietetics and Food, Monash University, Level 1 264 Ferntree Gully Rd, Notting Hill, Victoria, 3168 Australia ,Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Royal Darwin Hospital Campus, Building 58 Rocklands Drive, Tiwi, NT 0810 Australia ,grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Public Health Building, Level 4, Herston, QLD 4006 Australia
| | - Catherine Mah
- grid.55602.340000 0004 1936 8200Dalhousie University, 5850 College Street, Second Floor, PO Box 15000, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2 Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7 Canada
| | - Eddie Miles
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Royal Darwin Hospital Campus, Building 58 Rocklands Drive, Tiwi, NT 0810 Australia
| | - Anthony Gunther
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Royal Darwin Hospital Campus, Building 58 Rocklands Drive, Tiwi, NT 0810 Australia
| | - Thomas Wycherley
- grid.1026.50000 0000 8994 5086Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), University of South Australia, North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia 5000 Australia
| | - Anna Peeters
- grid.1021.20000 0001 0526 7079Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC Australia
| | - Leia Minaker
- grid.46078.3d0000 0000 8644 1405School of Planning, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1 Canada
| | - Emma McMahon
- grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Department of Nutrition Dietetics and Food, Monash University, Level 1 264 Ferntree Gully Rd, Notting Hill, Victoria, 3168 Australia ,Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Royal Darwin Hospital Campus, Building 58 Rocklands Drive, Tiwi, NT 0810 Australia
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Grigsby-Duffy L, Cameron AJ, Backholer K, Sacks G. Food industry perspectives on potential policies targeting unhealthy food and beverage price promotions in Australian supermarkets. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:1423. [PMID: 35883174 PMCID: PMC9322738 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13812-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Current supermarket price promotions are likely to encourage unhealthy diets, leading some governments to recently endorse restrictions on price promotions for unhealthy food and beverages. However, little is known about the likely industry response to policy action in this area. The aim of this study was to understand how potential government policies targeting food and beverage price promotions in supermarkets are perceived by food industry stakeholders in Australia. Twelve semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with current and former employees of major food manufacturers and food retailers as well as other industry experts with experience related to price promotion practices in the Australian supermarket setting. Data were analysed deductively based on Lewin's organisational change theories and inductively to highlight forces that might drive or restrain change.From an industry perspective, forces likely to create industry opposition to implementation of price promotion policy included: fear of losing competitive advantage; potential financial loss for food retailers and their suppliers; a perception that restrictions on price promotions for unhealthy products will not impact health; and a perception of increased financial cost to consumers. Forces perceived to drive implementation of a policy that would benefit public health included: mandatory regulation; extensive compliance monitoring; support for promoting healthy products; consumer education; and sufficient lead time and support from retailers for implementation. These forces, and the way in which they interact, need to be actively considered as part of efforts to change the healthiness of food and beverage price promotions in supermarkets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lily Grigsby-Duffy
- Global Obesity Centre (GLOBE), Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220 Australia
| | - Adrian J Cameron
- Global Obesity Centre (GLOBE), Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220 Australia
| | - Kathryn Backholer
- Global Obesity Centre (GLOBE), Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220 Australia
| | - Gary Sacks
- Global Obesity Centre (GLOBE), Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220 Australia
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Gupta A, Alston L, Needham C, Robinson E, Marshall J, Boelsen-Robinson T, Blake MR, Huggins CE, Peeters A. Factors Influencing Implementation, Sustainability and Scalability of Healthy Food Retail Interventions: A Systematic Review of Reviews. Nutrients 2022; 14:294. [PMID: 35057476 PMCID: PMC8780221 DOI: 10.3390/nu14020294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this systematic review of reviews was to synthesise the evidence on factors influencing the implementation, sustainability and scalability of food retail interventions to improve the healthiness of food purchased by consumers. A search strategy to identify reviews published up until June 2020 was applied to four databases. The Risk of Bias in Systematic Review tool was used. Review findings were synthesised narratively using the socio-ecological model. A total of 25 reviews met the inclusion criteria. A number of factors influenced implementation; these included retailers' and consumers' knowledge and preferences regarding healthy food; establishing trust and relationships; perceived consumer demand for healthy food; profitability; store infrastructure; organizational support, including resources; and enabling policies that promote health. Few reviews reported on factors influencing sustainability or scalability of the interventions. While there is a large and rapidly growing body of evidence on factors influencing implementation of interventions, more work is needed to identify factors associated with their sustainability and scalability. These findings can be used to develop implementation strategies that consider the multiple levels of influence (individual, intrapersonal and environmental) to better support implementation of healthy food retail interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adyya Gupta
- Global Obesity Centre, Institute for Health Transformation, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia; (L.A.); (C.N.); (E.R.); (J.M.); (T.B.-R.); (M.R.B.); (C.E.H.); (A.P.)
| | - Laura Alston
- Global Obesity Centre, Institute for Health Transformation, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia; (L.A.); (C.N.); (E.R.); (J.M.); (T.B.-R.); (M.R.B.); (C.E.H.); (A.P.)
- Deakin Rural Health, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
- Research Unit, Colac Area Health, Colac, VIC 3250, Australia
| | - Cindy Needham
- Global Obesity Centre, Institute for Health Transformation, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia; (L.A.); (C.N.); (E.R.); (J.M.); (T.B.-R.); (M.R.B.); (C.E.H.); (A.P.)
| | - Ella Robinson
- Global Obesity Centre, Institute for Health Transformation, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia; (L.A.); (C.N.); (E.R.); (J.M.); (T.B.-R.); (M.R.B.); (C.E.H.); (A.P.)
| | - Josephine Marshall
- Global Obesity Centre, Institute for Health Transformation, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia; (L.A.); (C.N.); (E.R.); (J.M.); (T.B.-R.); (M.R.B.); (C.E.H.); (A.P.)
| | - Tara Boelsen-Robinson
- Global Obesity Centre, Institute for Health Transformation, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia; (L.A.); (C.N.); (E.R.); (J.M.); (T.B.-R.); (M.R.B.); (C.E.H.); (A.P.)
| | - Miranda R. Blake
- Global Obesity Centre, Institute for Health Transformation, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia; (L.A.); (C.N.); (E.R.); (J.M.); (T.B.-R.); (M.R.B.); (C.E.H.); (A.P.)
| | - Catherine E. Huggins
- Global Obesity Centre, Institute for Health Transformation, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia; (L.A.); (C.N.); (E.R.); (J.M.); (T.B.-R.); (M.R.B.); (C.E.H.); (A.P.)
| | - Anna Peeters
- Global Obesity Centre, Institute for Health Transformation, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia; (L.A.); (C.N.); (E.R.); (J.M.); (T.B.-R.); (M.R.B.); (C.E.H.); (A.P.)
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Boys KA, Haynes-Maslow L, McGuirt JT, Ammerman AS, Van Fleet EE, Johnson NS, Kelley CJ, Donadio VE, Fleischhacker SE, Truesdale KP, Bell RA, Jilcott Pitts SB. Perceived barriers and facilitators to participating in the North Carolina Healthy Food Small Retailer Program: a mixed-methods examination considering investment effectiveness. Public Health Nutr 2021; 24:6555-6565. [PMID: 34509178 PMCID: PMC11148602 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980021003955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The North Carolina Legislature appropriated funds in 2016-2019 for the Healthy Food Small Retailer Program (HFSRP), providing small retailers located in food deserts with equipment to stock nutrient-dense foods and beverages. The study aimed to: (1) examine factors facilitating and constraining implementation of, and participation in, the HFSRP from the perspective of storeowners and (2) measure and evaluate the impact and effectiveness of investment in the HFSRP. DESIGN The current analysis uses both qualitative and quantitative assessments of storeowner perceptions and store outcomes, as well as two innovative measures of policy investment effectiveness. Qualitative semi-structured interviews and descriptive quantitative approaches, including monthly financial reports and activity forms, and end-of-programme evaluations were collected from participating HFSRP storeowners. SETTING Eight corner stores in North Carolina that participated in the two cohorts (2016-2018; 2017-2019) of the HFSRP. PARTICIPANTS Owners of corner stores participating in the HFSRP. RESULTS All storeowners reported that the HFSRP benefitted their stores. In addition, the HFSRP had a positive impact on sales across each category of healthy food products. Storeowners reported that benefits would be enhanced with adjustments to programme administration and support. Specific suggestions included additional information regarding which healthy foods and beverages to stock; inventory management; handling of perishable produce; product display; modified reporting requirements and a more efficient process of delivering and maintaining equipment. CONCLUSIONS All storeowners reported several benefits of the HFSRP and would recommend that other storeowners participate. The barriers and challenges they reported inform potential approaches to ensuring success and sustainability of the HFSRP and similar initiatives underway in other jurisdictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn A Boys
- Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics, North Carolina State University, 4306 Nelson Hall, Campus Box 8109, Raleigh, NC27695-8109, USA
| | - Lindsey Haynes-Maslow
- Department of Agricultural & Human Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Jared T McGuirt
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA
| | - Alice S Ammerman
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Erin E Van Fleet
- Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics, North Carolina State University, 4306 Nelson Hall, Campus Box 8109, Raleigh, NC27695-8109, USA
| | - Nevin S Johnson
- Department of Public Health, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Casey J Kelley
- Department of Public Health, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Victoria E Donadio
- Department of Public Health, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | | | - Kimberly P Truesdale
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ronny A Bell
- Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy, Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
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Zhu S, Mitsinikos C, Poirier L, Igusa T, Gittelsohn J. Development of a System Dynamics Model to Guide Retail Food Store Policies in Baltimore City. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13093055. [PMID: 34578934 PMCID: PMC8465929 DOI: 10.3390/nu13093055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Policy interventions to improve food access and address the obesity epidemic among disadvantaged populations are becoming more common throughout the United States. In Baltimore MD, corner stores are a frequently used source of food for low-income populations, but these stores often do not provide a range of affordable healthy foods. This research study aimed to assist city policy makers as they considered implementing a Staple Food Ordinance (SFO) that would require small stores to provide a range and depth of stock of healthy foods. A System Dynamics (SD) model was built to simulate the complex Baltimore food environment and produce optimal values for key decision variables in SFO planning. A web-based application was created for users to access this model to optimize future SFOs, and to test out different options. Four versions of potential SFOs were simulated using this application and the advantages and drawbacks of each SFO are discussed based on the simulation results. These simulations show that a well-designed SFO has the potential to reduce staple food costs, increase corner store profits, reduce food waste, and expand the market for heathy staple foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyao Zhu
- Department of Civil and Systems Engineering, Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; (C.M.); (T.I.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-517-775-9441
| | - Cassandra Mitsinikos
- Department of Civil and Systems Engineering, Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; (C.M.); (T.I.)
| | - Lisa Poirier
- Global Obesity Prevention Center, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (L.P.); (J.G.)
- Center for Human Nutrition, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Takeru Igusa
- Department of Civil and Systems Engineering, Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; (C.M.); (T.I.)
- Global Obesity Prevention Center, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (L.P.); (J.G.)
| | - Joel Gittelsohn
- Global Obesity Prevention Center, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (L.P.); (J.G.)
- Center for Human Nutrition, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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11
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Madlala SS, Hill J, Kunneke E, Faber M. Adult food choices in association with the local retail food environment and food access in resource-poor communities: a scoping review protocol. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e044904. [PMID: 34404696 PMCID: PMC8372818 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-044904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The local retail food environment influences dietary patterns and food choices, as suggested in the literature. The lack of access to healthy food within this environment may result in unhealthy food choices which may lead to obesity and the development of non-communicable diseases. Evidence suggests that resource-poor communities may have unhealthy food environments, therefore, preventing residents from making healthy food choices. A systematic scoping review will be conducted to provide an overview of the evidence on adult food choices in association with the local retail food environment and food access in resource-poor communities. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This protocol for the scoping review was developed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines and the framework process by Arksey and O'Malley. Observational studies, published from July 2005 to January 2021, will be searched and screened. Keywords and medical subject headings (MeSH) terms will be used to search several multidisciplinary databases. Two independent reviewers will screen identified articles using the selection criteria and extract data using the PRISMA-ScR checklist. Descriptive numerical and thematic analysis will be performed to evaluate and categorise quantitative and qualitative data. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval will not be required for the review, as data from published studies will be used. The results of this scoping review will form part of a PhD thesis that will be submitted to the University of the Western Cape, South Africa. The review findings will also be presented at conferences and published in a peer-reviewed journal. OPEN SCIENCE FRAMEWORK REGISTRATION NUMBER: https://osf.io/shf93.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samukelisiwe Sthokozisiwe Madlala
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jillian Hill
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ernesta Kunneke
- Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Mieke Faber
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
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12
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Mandracchia F, Tarro L, Llauradó E, Valls RM, Solà R. Interventions to Promote Healthy Meals in Full-Service Restaurants and Canteens: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients 2021; 13:1350. [PMID: 33919552 PMCID: PMC8073122 DOI: 10.3390/nu13041350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Out-of-home eating is increasing, but evidence about its healthiness is limited. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to elucidate the effectiveness of full-service restaurant and canteen-based interventions in increasing the dietary intake, food availability, and food purchase of healthy meals. Studies from 2000-2020 were searched in Medline, Scopus, and Cochrane Library using the PRISMA checklist. A total of 35 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 6 non-RCTs were included in the systematic review and analyzed by outcome, intervention strategies, and settings (school, community, workplace). The meta-analysis included 16 RCTs (excluding non-RCTs for higher quality). For dietary intake, the included RCTs increased healthy foods (+0.20 servings/day; 0.12 to 0.29; p < 0.001) and decreased fat intake (-9.90 g/day; -12.61 to -7.19; p < 0.001), favoring the intervention group. For food availability, intervention schools reduced the risk of offering unhealthy menu items by 47% (RR 0.53; 0.34 to 0.85; p = 0.008). For food purchases, a systematic review showed that interventions could be partially effective in improving healthy foods. Lastly, restaurant- and canteen-based interventions improved the dietary intake of healthy foods, reduced fat intake, and increased the availability of healthy menus, mainly in schools. Higher-quality RCTs are needed to strengthen the results. Moreover, from our results, intervention strategy recommendations are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Floriana Mandracchia
- Functional Nutrition, Oxidation, and Cardiovascular Diseases Group (NFOC-Salut), Healthy Environment Chair, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43201 Reus, Spain; (F.M.); (L.T.); (R.M.V.); (R.S.)
| | - Lucia Tarro
- Functional Nutrition, Oxidation, and Cardiovascular Diseases Group (NFOC-Salut), Healthy Environment Chair, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43201 Reus, Spain; (F.M.); (L.T.); (R.M.V.); (R.S.)
- Institut d’Investigació Sanitaria Pere Virgili, 43204 Reus, Spain
| | - Elisabet Llauradó
- Functional Nutrition, Oxidation, and Cardiovascular Diseases Group (NFOC-Salut), Healthy Environment Chair, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43201 Reus, Spain; (F.M.); (L.T.); (R.M.V.); (R.S.)
| | - Rosa Maria Valls
- Functional Nutrition, Oxidation, and Cardiovascular Diseases Group (NFOC-Salut), Healthy Environment Chair, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43201 Reus, Spain; (F.M.); (L.T.); (R.M.V.); (R.S.)
| | - Rosa Solà
- Functional Nutrition, Oxidation, and Cardiovascular Diseases Group (NFOC-Salut), Healthy Environment Chair, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43201 Reus, Spain; (F.M.); (L.T.); (R.M.V.); (R.S.)
- Institut d’Investigació Sanitaria Pere Virgili, 43204 Reus, Spain
- Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, 43204 Reus, Spain
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13
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Lynch M, Graham M, Taylor K, Mah CL. Corner Store Retailers' Perspectives on a Discontinued Healthy Corner Store Initiative. INTERNATIONAL QUARTERLY OF COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATION 2021:272684X211004930. [PMID: 33823687 DOI: 10.1177/0272684x211004930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Making fresh fruits and vegetables (FFV) more widely available has been a prominent focus of healthy retail interventions and may have an important role in improving food access and diet quality at the population level. 'Healthy retail' interventions in corner/convenience stores (CS) are increasingly being adopted by public health practitioners to address the diet-related risk factors, improve food access at the community level, and change food retail environments. Private sector retailers are integral to the success of public health retailing interventions, making their perspectives and experiences critical. There is a particular need for greater evidence from retailers in settings where evaluations of these interventions have yielded null or mixed results. Through semi-structured interviews with 8 CS retailers (7 from urban settings and 1 from rural) in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, this study aimed to describe experiences and critical factors regarding the feasibility and sustainability of a healthy CS program that was not sustained following the pilot testing phase, with a specific focus on the sale of FFV. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the interview data, which indicated that retailers faced two dominant challenges with selling FFV in CS: both relate to how these stores are embedded in the larger local and global food system. We join others in arguing that efforts and support for retail interventions aiming to increase the availability of FFV in CS need to address the structure and relations of the food system, as an upstream determinant of CS retailer interest and motivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan Lynch
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marketa Graham
- Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention Unit, Ottawa Public Health, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Krystal Taylor
- Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention Unit, Ottawa Public Health, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Catherine L Mah
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,School of Health Administration, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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14
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Gore R, Patel S, Choy C, Taher M, Garcia-Dia MJ, Singh H, Kim S, Mohaimin S, Dhar R, Naeem A, Kwon SC, Islam N. Influence of organizational and social contexts on the implementation of culturally adapted hypertension control programs in Asian American-serving grocery stores, restaurants, and faith-based community sites: a qualitative study. Transl Behav Med 2020; 10:1525-1537. [PMID: 31260065 PMCID: PMC7796718 DOI: 10.1093/tbm/ibz106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypertension affects a third of U.S. adults and is especially high among Asian American groups. The Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health for Asian AmeRicans (REACH FAR) project delivers culturally adapted, evidence-based hypertension-related programs to Bangladeshi, Filipino, Korean, and Asian Indian communities in New York and New Jersey through 26 sites: ethnic grocery stores, restaurants, and Muslim, Christian, and Sikh faith-based organizations. Knowledge of the implementation mechanisms of culturally adapted programs is limited and is critical to inform the design and execution of such programs by and in community sites. We applied four categories of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research-intervention and individuals' characteristics, inner and outer setting-to analyze factors influencing implementation outcomes, that is, site leaders' perceptions about adopting, adapting, and sustaining REACH FAR. We conducted semistructured interviews with 15 leaders, coded them for implementation outcomes, and recoded them to identify contextual factors. Our findings show that REACH FAR resonated in sites where leaders perceived unhealthy diet and lifestyles in their communities (intervention characteristics), sites had historically engaged in health programs as a public-service mission (inner setting), and leaders identified with this mission (individuals' characteristics). Site leaders strived to adapt programs to respond to community preferences (outer setting) without compromising core objectives (inner setting). Leaders noted that program sustainability could be impeded by staff and volunteer turnover (inner setting) but enhanced by reinforcing programs through community networks (outer setting). The findings suggest that to facilitate implementation of culturally adapted health behavior programs through community sites, interventions should reinforce sites' organizational commitments and social ties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radhika Gore
- NYU School of Medicine, Department of Population Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shilpa Patel
- NYU School of Medicine, Department of Population Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Catherine Choy
- NYU School of Medicine, Department of Population Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Md Taher
- NYU School of Medicine, Department of Population Health, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Sara Kim
- Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sadia Mohaimin
- NYU School of Medicine, Department of Population Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ritu Dhar
- NYU School of Medicine, Department of Population Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Areeg Naeem
- NYU School of Medicine, Department of Population Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Simona C Kwon
- NYU School of Medicine, Department of Population Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nadia Islam
- NYU School of Medicine, Department of Population Health, New York, NY, USA
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15
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A Model Depicting the Retail Food Environment and Customer Interactions: Components, Outcomes, and Future Directions. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17207591. [PMID: 33086537 PMCID: PMC7589434 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17207591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The retail food environment (RFE) has important implications for dietary intake and health, and dramatic changes in RFEs have been observed over the past few decades and years. Prior conceptual models of the RFE and its relationships with health and behavior have played an important role in guiding research; yet, the convergence of RFE changes and scientific advances in the field suggest the time is ripe to revisit this conceptualization. In this paper, we propose the Retail Food Environment and Customer Interaction Model to convey the evolving variety of factors and relationships that convene to influence food choice at the point of purchase. The model details specific components of the RFE, including business approaches, actors, sources, and the customer retail experience; describes individual, interpersonal, and household characteristics that affect customer purchasing; highlights the macro-level contexts (e.g., communities and nations) in which the RFE and customers behave; and addresses the wide-ranging outcomes produced by RFEs and customers, including: population health, food security, food justice, environmental sustainability, and business sustainability. We believe the proposed conceptualization helps to (1) provide broad implications for future research and (2) further highlight the need for transdisciplinary collaborations to ultimately improve a range of critical population outcomes.
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16
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Leak TM, Gangrade N, Setiono FJ, Mudrak E. Facilitators and Barriers to Preparing and Selling Whole Grain Snack Packs in New York City Corner Stores Participating in a Healthy Retail Program. JOURNAL OF HUNGER & ENVIRONMENTAL NUTRITION 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/19320248.2020.1785363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tashara M. Leak
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Navika Gangrade
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | | | - Erika Mudrak
- Cornell Statistical Consulting Unit, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
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17
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Winkler MR, Lenk KM, Erickson DJ, Caspi CE, Laska MN. Longitudinal Fruit and Vegetable Sales in Small Food Retailers: Response to a Novel Local Food Policy and Variation by Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17155480. [PMID: 32751326 PMCID: PMC7432731 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17155480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Small food retailers, including corner/convenience stores, pharmacies, gas-marts, and dollar stores, have historically stocked limited fruits and vegetables, though this may be changing. We examined increases in sales, customer purchasing, and stocking of fresh and/or frozen fruits and vegetables in small food stores over time and in relation to: (a) a local food policy (the Minneapolis Staple Foods Ordinance) and (b) neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES). We used longitudinal data (2014–2017) from 147 randomly-sampled stores in Minneapolis/St. Paul, USA, collected using interviewer-administered manager surveys (measuring sales and stocking) and customer intercepts/observations (measuring purchasing, n = 3039). The local policy required Minneapolis stores to meet minimum stocking standards for fresh/frozen produce and other healthy foods. No ordinance existed in St. Paul. Mixed regression models examined overall change over time and change by city and neighborhood SES. We observed significant increases over time (p < 0.05) in sales and purchasing of fresh fruit and in stocking of fresh fruit, frozen fruit, and frozen vegetables. We did not identify consistent statistical evidence for differential change in sales, purchasing, or stocking by city or neighborhood SES. Key study findings suggest limited differential effects of the local ordinance and/or neighborhood SES. However, findings also indicate significant time trends for some products, including consistent improvements in sales, customer purchasing, and stocking of fresh fruit. Given the ready-to-eat convenience of many fresh fruits and their broad appeal, fresh fruit appears a promising target for advancing the healthfulness of small food retailers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan R. Winkler
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; (K.M.L.); (D.J.E.); (M.N.L.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Kathleen M. Lenk
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; (K.M.L.); (D.J.E.); (M.N.L.)
| | - Darin J. Erickson
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; (K.M.L.); (D.J.E.); (M.N.L.)
| | - Caitlin E. Caspi
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Program in Health Disparities Research, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA;
| | - Melissa N. Laska
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; (K.M.L.); (D.J.E.); (M.N.L.)
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18
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Mah CL, Luongo G, Hasdell R, Taylor NGA, Lo BK. A Systematic Review of the Effect of Retail Food Environment Interventions on Diet and Health with a Focus on the Enabling Role of Public Policies. Curr Nutr Rep 2019; 8:411-428. [PMID: 31797233 PMCID: PMC6904419 DOI: 10.1007/s13668-019-00295-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Update the state of evidence on the effectiveness of retail food environment interventions in influencing diet and explore the underlying role of public policy, through a systematic review of population-level interventions to promote health in the retail food environment, including community and consumer environments. Diet-related outcomes included purchasing, dietary intakes, diet quality, and health including weight. We coded studies for enabling public policy levers underpinning the intervention, using two widely used conceptual frameworks. RECENT FINDINGS Of 86 articles (1974-2018), the majority (58 articles, 67%) showed at least one positive effect on diet. Thirteen articles (15%) discussed natural experiments, 27 articles (31%) used a design involving comparison groups including 23 articles (27%) specifically describing randomized controlled trials, and 46 (53%) were quasi-experimental (cross-sectional) evaluations. Across the "4Ps" of marketing (product, promotion, placement, and price), promotion comprised the greatest proportion of intervention strategies, especially in earlier literature (pre-2008). Few studies combined geographic access interventions with 4P strategies, and few used robust dietary intake assessments. Behavior change communication remains an intervention mainstay, but recent work has also incorporated environmental and social planning, and fiscal strategies. More recent interventions were multi-component. The retail food environment intervention literature continues to grow and has become more robust overall, with clearer evidence of the effect of interventions on diet-related outcomes, including consumer purchasing, dietary intakes, and health. There is still much scope for development in the field. Attention to enabling public policy could help to strengthen intervention implementation and evaluation in the retail food environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine L. Mah
- School of Health Administration, Dalhousie University, Sir Charles Tupper Medical Building, 5850 College Street, 2nd Floor, PO Box 15000, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2 Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, 5th Floor, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7 Canada
| | - Gabriella Luongo
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, 5th Floor, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7 Canada
| | - Rebecca Hasdell
- School of Health Administration, Dalhousie University, Sir Charles Tupper Medical Building, 5850 College Street, 2nd Floor, PO Box 15000, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2 Canada
| | - Nathan G. A. Taylor
- School of Health Administration, Dalhousie University, Sir Charles Tupper Medical Building, 5850 College Street, 2nd Floor, PO Box 15000, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2 Canada
| | - Brian K. Lo
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, 417 Savage Hall, Ithaca, NY 14850 USA
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19
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Middel CNH, Schuitmaker-Warnaar TJ, Mackenbach JD, Broerse JEW. Systematic review: a systems innovation perspective on barriers and facilitators for the implementation of healthy food-store interventions. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2019; 16:108. [PMID: 31752885 PMCID: PMC6868845 DOI: 10.1186/s12966-019-0867-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Due to their central position in the modern food system, food stores present a unique opportunity to promote healthy dietary behaviour. However, there is a lack of insight into the factors that impede or enhance the implementation of nutritional interventions in food stores. We applied a systems innovation and implementation science framework to the identification of such barriers and facilitators. METHODS We conducted a systematic literature review. A search string was developed to identify qualitative and quantitative articles on environmental nutritional interventions in the food store. Four databases were systematically searched for studies published between 2000 and 2018. Eligible publications described study designs or original studies, focused on stimulating healthier dietary behaviour through environmental changes in retail settings and contained information on the perceptions or experiences of retailers or interventionists regarding the implementation process of the intervention. Context-descriptive data was extracted and a quality assessment was performed. RESULTS We included 41 articles, of which the majority was conducted in the USA and involved single stores or a mix of single and multi-store organisations. We categorized barriers and facilitators into 18 themes, under five domains. In the 'outer setting' domain, most factors related to consumers' preferences and demands, and the challenge of establishing a supply of healthy products. In the 'inner setting' domain, these related to conflicting values regarding health promotion and commercial viability, store lay-out, (insufficient) knowledge and work capacity, and routines regarding waste avoidance and product stocking. In the 'actors' domain, no major themes were found. For the 'intervention 'domain', most related to intervention-context fit, money and resource provision, material quality, and the trade-offs between commercial costs and risks versus commercial and health benefits. For the 'process' domain, most factors related to continuous engagement and strong relationships. CONCLUSIONS This review provides a comprehensive overview of barriers and facilitators to be taken into account when implementing nutritional interventions in food stores. Furthermore, we propose a novel perspective on implementation as the alignment of intervention and retail interests, and a corresponding approach to intervention design which may help avoid barriers, and leverage facilitators. TRIAL REGISTRATION PROSPERO; CRD42018095317.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cédric N. H. Middel
- Athena Institute, Faculty of Science, VU University, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Joreintje D. Mackenbach
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jacqueline E. W. Broerse
- Athena Institute, Faculty of Science, VU University, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands
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20
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Robles B, Barragan N, Smith B, Caldwell J, Shah D, Kuo T. Lessons learned from implementing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education Small Corner Store Project in Los Angeles County. Prev Med Rep 2019; 16:100997. [PMID: 31737469 PMCID: PMC6849416 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2019.100997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Corner store conversions (CSCs) are a popular nutrition strategy among funders. CSCs often require major staff capacity, time, and resource investments to do well. CSC implementation in the real world is challenging (e.g., higher staffing needs).
As part of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) in Los Angeles County (LAC), corner store conversions (CSCs) were an integral part of a broader, more coordinated effort to improve nutrition and to prevent obesity in low-income populations. To date, little is known about this experience in LAC. The present study addresses this gap by describing lessons learned from implementing the SNAP-Ed Small Corner Store Project (SCSP) in this region. The project, which began in 2013, sought to scale CSCs in underserved communities of LAC, employing behavioral economics (e.g., prominently displaying healthy foods at checkout aisles or using in-store signage to promote healthy options) to encourage patron selection of healthier food items. Results from an assessment of the SCSP suggest that for CSCs to do well, careful considerations should be given to factors such as time (e.g., amount of staff time dedicated to the effort), staff capacity (e.g., # staff available to assist), and available resources that can be leveraged (e.g., support from community-based organizations). For some stores, inadequate food distribution or a lack of capital improvement infrastructure (e.g., refrigeration for fresh produce/storage of excess food that can be repurposed) were key barriers that required additional funding. Although local efforts that incentivize small businesses to undergo CSCs may initially nudge store owners to participate, increasing overall consumer demand for healthier food products (i.e., so as to help maintain sales volume) remains a key to sustaining store conversions long after SNAP-Ed resources are gone.
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Key Words
- CDPH, California Department of Public Health
- CSCs, Corner store conversions
- CX3, Communities of Excellence in Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Prevention
- Corner store conversions
- DPH, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
- LAC, Los Angeles County
- LHD, Local health department
- Obesity prevention
- PSEs, Policy, systems, and environmental change interventions
- Project assessment
- Project implementation
- SCSP, Small Corner Store Project in Los Angeles County
- SNAP-Ed, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education
- U.S., United States
- USDA, United States Department of Agriculture
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda Robles
- Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA 90010, USA
| | - Noel Barragan
- Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA 90010, USA
| | - Brenda Smith
- Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA 90010, USA
| | - Julia Caldwell
- Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA 90010, USA
| | - Dipa Shah
- Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA 90010, USA
| | - Tony Kuo
- Department of Epidemiology, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,Department of Family Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA.,Population Health Program, UCLA Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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21
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Anderson Steeves ET, McElrone M, Grier-Welch A, Zimmer MC, Daves P. Appalachian Store Owners' and Managers' Perspectives on the Role of Their Store in the Community and in Providing Healthier Food to the Community. Ecol Food Nutr 2019; 59:47-64. [PMID: 31530010 DOI: 10.1080/03670244.2019.1661839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Appalachian communities have lower access to healthier food sources like grocery stores. Through semi-structured interviews with owner/managers of convenience stores in Appalachian communities, this qualitative study explored perceived roles and business practices of small food retailers using a grounded theory approach. Five themes emerged including strong relationships between stores and customers, the role of the store in community, food and beverage stocking decisions, store owner/managers' perceived demand for healthier options, and federal food assistance program participation. The themes provide insight to store owner/manager perspectives on community-focused and business-focused priorities in Appalachian convenience stores and can inform healthy retail interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marissa McElrone
- Department of Nutrition, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | | | - Meghan C Zimmer
- Department of Nutrition, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Phillip Daves
- Haslam College of Business, Department of Finance, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
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22
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BeLue R, NDao F, McClure S, Alexander S, Walker R. The Role of Social Issues on Food Procurement among Corner Store Owners and Shoppers. Ecol Food Nutr 2019; 59:35-46. [PMID: 31475574 DOI: 10.1080/03670244.2019.1659789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We assessed corner store shopper and owner perceptions, barriers, and enablers related to food procurement in a sample of neighborhood corner stores where over 50% of families are SNAP eligible. DESIGN We conducted semi-structured interviews to identify inventory stocking, shopping and marketing approaches, and perspectives on healthy eating. PARTICIPANTS Five corner store owners and 20 corner store shoppers. RESULTS Corner store owners: 1) did not feel as though they belonged to the community where their corner store was located; 2) had difficulty in becoming authorized WIC retailers because of the perceived complexity of the process, and 3) stated tobacco products and hot food items are their best-selling items; fruits and vegetables were perceived as unmarketable. Corner store shoppers preferred shopping at local corner stores because: 1) lack of transportation made corner stores easier to access than full-service grocery stores; 2) hot foods are readily available and inexpensive; 3) some home kitchens lacked an oven or stovetop for meal preparation; 4) they need to shop daily for children or other family members. CONCLUSIONS Social issues such as housing quality, corner store owner sense of community, and acculturation should be addressed when considering food environment in limited resource communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhonda BeLue
- Department of Health Management and Policy, Saint Louis University College of Public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Fatou NDao
- Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Stephanie McClure
- Department of Health Management and Policy, Saint Louis University College of Public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Suzanne Alexander
- Department of Health Management and Policy, Saint Louis University College of Public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Renee Walker
- Joseph J. Zilber School of Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA
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23
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Nagourney EM, Goodman D, Lam Y, Hurley KM, Henderson J, Surkan PJ. Obese women's perceptions of weight gain during pregnancy: a theory-based analysis. Public Health Nutr 2019; 22:2228-2236. [PMID: 31134872 PMCID: PMC10260617 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980019000703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Revised: 12/27/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Excess gestational weight gain (GWG) in obese women is linked to adverse maternal outcomes and is particularly pervasive among African Americans, who have the highest obesity rates in the USA. A better understanding of culturally relevant attitudes and perceptions of GWG is needed to develop targeted interventions to prevent excess GWG among this group. DESIGN Using the constructs of Social Cognitive Theory, we explored attitudes and perceptions surrounding diet and exercise among low-income obese African-American pregnant women in Baltimore. We conducted twenty-one semi-structured in-depth interviews with pregnant adult women. SETTING Participants were recruited from a referral clinic for obese pregnant women at a large urban hospital in Baltimore, MD, USA. PARTICIPANTS Twenty-one low-income African-American adult females in the first two trimesters of pregnancy with BMI > 30·0 kg/m2. RESULTS Lack of knowledge was not the main obstacle to healthy behaviours during pregnancy. Rather, food cravings and fatigue, an unhealthy physical food environment, limited self-efficacy for controlling excessive GWG, and a lack of adequate emotional and informational support impacted women's agency. While digital technology was discussed as a vehicle to promote maintenance of a healthy weight in pregnancy, further research is needed to test how it can be used to empower women to engage in healthy behaviours during pregnancy. CONCLUSION Interventions to prevent excess GWG among African-American pregnant women should harness support from partners and family and must go beyond sharing of clinical knowledge to also include strategies that improve the food environment, diet quality and self-efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M Nagourney
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Dina Goodman
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Yukyan Lam
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Kristen M Hurley
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Janice Henderson
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Pamela J Surkan
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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24
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Mui Y, Ballard E, Lopatin E, Thornton RLJ, Pollack Porter KM, Gittelsohn J. A community-based system dynamics approach suggests solutions for improving healthy food access in a low-income urban environment. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0216985. [PMID: 31086409 PMCID: PMC6516673 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Little is known about the mechanisms through which neighborhood-level factors (e.g., social support, economic opportunity) relate to suboptimal availability of healthy foods in low-income urban communities. We engaged a diverse group of chain and local food outlet owners, residents, neighborhood organizations, and city agencies based in Baltimore, MD. Eighteen participants completed a series of exercises based on a set of pre-defined scripts through an interactive, iterative group model building process over a two-day community-based workshop. This process culminated in the development of causal loop diagrams, based on participants' perspectives, illustrating the dynamic factors in an urban neighborhood food system. Synthesis of diagrams yielded 21 factors and their embedded feedback loops. Crime played a prominent role in several feedback loops within the neighborhood food system: contributing to healthy food being "risky food," supporting unhealthy food stores, and severing social ties important for learning about healthy food. Findings shed light on a new framework for thinking about barriers related to healthy food access and pointed to potential new avenues for intervention, such as reducing neighborhood crime.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeeli Mui
- Center for Human Nutrition, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Ellis Ballard
- Social System Design Lab, Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Eli Lopatin
- Reservoir Hill Improvement Council; Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Rachel L. J. Thornton
- Center for Child and Community Health Research, Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Keshia M. Pollack Porter
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Institute for Health and Social Policy, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Joel Gittelsohn
- Center for Human Nutrition, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
- Global Obesity Prevention Center (GOPC) at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
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25
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Barnhill A, Palmer A, Weston CM, Brownell KD, Clancy K, Economos CD, Gittelsohn J, Hammond RA, Kumanyika S, Bennett WL. Grappling With Complex Food Systems to Reduce Obesity: A US Public Health Challenge. Public Health Rep 2019; 133:44S-53S. [PMID: 30426872 PMCID: PMC6243440 DOI: 10.1177/0033354918802793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite 2 decades of effort by the public health community to combat obesity, obesity rates in the United States continue to rise. This lack of progress raises fundamental questions about the adequacy of our current approaches. Although the causes of population-wide obesity are multifactorial, attention to food systems as potential drivers of obesity has been prominent. However, the relationships between broader food systems and obesity are not always well understood. Our efforts to address obesity can be advanced and improved by the use of systems approaches that consider outcomes of the interconnected global food system, including undernutrition, climate change, the environmental sustainability of agriculture, and other social and economic concerns. By implementing innovative local and state programs, taking new approaches to overcome political obstacles to effect policy, and reconceptualizing research needs, we can improve obesity prevention efforts that target the food systems, maximize positive outcomes, and minimize adverse consequences. We recommend strengthening innovative local policies and programs, particularly those that involve community members in identifying problems and potential solutions and that embrace a broad set of goals beyond making eating patterns healthier. We also recommend undertaking interdisciplinary research projects that go beyond testing targeted interventions in specific populations and aim to build an understanding of the broader social, political, and economic context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Barnhill
- 1 Global Food Ethics and Policy Program, Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Anne Palmer
- 2 Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, US
| | - Christine M Weston
- 3 Center for Health Services and Outcomes Research, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kelly D Brownell
- 4 World Food Policy Center, Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Kate Clancy
- 2 Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, US
| | - Christina D Economos
- 5 Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joel Gittelsohn
- 6 Center for Human Nutrition, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ross A Hammond
- 7 Center on Social Dynamics & Policy, The Brookings Institution, Washington, DC, USA
- 8 Department of Public Health and Social Policy, Washington University, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Shiriki Kumanyika
- 9 Department of Community Health & Prevention, Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Wendy L Bennett
- 10 Division of General Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- 11 Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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26
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Houghtaling B, Serrano EL, Kraak VI, Harden SM, Davis GC, Misyak SA. A systematic review of factors that influence food store owner and manager decision making and ability or willingness to use choice architecture and marketing mix strategies to encourage healthy consumer purchases in the United States, 2005-2017. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2019; 16:5. [PMID: 30642352 PMCID: PMC6332888 DOI: 10.1186/s12966-019-0767-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Altering food store environments is a promising approach to encourage healthy product purchases by consumers to improve their diet quality and health. Food store owners and managers are intermediaries to ensure that environmental changes are enacted. Despite their role as gatekeepers to implement and sustain healthy food environment changes, no systematic review has been published that examines food store owner and manager (retailer) data. Thus a review of retailer information available within the expansive United States (US) food environment literature was the purpose of this research. Methods The PRISMA protocol was used. A search strategy, including published articles from years 1980–2017, was applied to six databases to locate relevant articles that addressed the perspective of food store retailers in the US. Data were extracted, organized, and agreed upon between two authors based on pre-designed constructs: (1) a social-ecological model to capture factors that influence retailer decision making; and (2) a marketing-mix and choice-architecture framework to examine perspectives of applied (or the prospective application of) strategies at the store-level. Study quality was assessed using quality criteria checklists for qualitative and quantitative research. Results Thirty-one articles met inclusion criteria and most studies (n = 22) were qualitative and conducted in urban food stores (n = 23). Multiple social-ecological factors influenced retailer decision making and ability or willingness to use marketing-mix and choice-architecture strategies to improve consumers’ healthy choices to support dietary quality. These factors included: conflicting training outcomes to enhance retailers’ knowledge and skills (individual, n = 9); the importance of trust (interpersonal, n = 8); views about marketing-mix and choice-architecture strategies in the food environment (n = 25); consumer demand or demographics (community, n = 19); supplier and food store management variables (systems or sectors, n = 18); local and federal policy (n = 8); and support for community health (norms/values, n = 8). Conclusions Research partnerships can support favorable business and public health outcomes to align with retailers’ business models and available resources. A participatory and translational approach to food environment research will likely maximize public health impact. Urban and rural food store retailers are important actors for future research to inform the feasibility of store retailers to apply MMCA strategies that are profitable and promote health. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12966-019-0767-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bailey Houghtaling
- Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, 337 Wallace Hall, 295 West Campus Drive, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, VA, 24061, USA.
| | - Elena L Serrano
- Family Nutrition Program, Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Vivica I Kraak
- Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Samantha M Harden
- Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - George C Davis
- Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Sarah A Misyak
- Family Nutrition Program, Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
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27
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Ross A, Krishnan N, Panchal J, Brooks JK, Lloyd E, Lee THJ, Gittelsohn J. Formative Research for an Innovative Smartphone Application to Improve Distribution of Healthy Foods to Corner Stores in Baltimore City. Ecol Food Nutr 2018; 58:3-22. [PMID: 30522356 DOI: 10.1080/03670244.2018.1553778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
We sought to collect information about the operations of wholesalers and store owner perceptions of smartphones to plan for and create a smartphone application that will facilitate the distribution of healthy foods to corner stores. In-depth interviews were conducted with wholesalers, corner store owners, distributors, and food environment experts in Baltimore City, Maryland, which included providing feedback for a mockup of the app. Store owners that were comfortable with smartphones liked the idea of the app because it was economically practical, culturally suitable, simple and easy to use, and provided a large variety of items at a fair or low price. We found that barriers to uptake among corner store owners would be high delivery costs, no foreign language capability, and a complicated user interface. This work will inform future projects that will utilize mHealth technology to improve distribution of healthier foods in food deserts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Ross
- a Center for Human Nutrition , Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , MD , USA.,b Department of Health, Behavior, and Society , Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Nandita Krishnan
- a Center for Human Nutrition , Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Janaki Panchal
- a Center for Human Nutrition , Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Jennifer K Brooks
- a Center for Human Nutrition , Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Emily Lloyd
- a Center for Human Nutrition , Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Ting-Hsuan Joyce Lee
- a Center for Human Nutrition , Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Joel Gittelsohn
- a Center for Human Nutrition , Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , MD , USA
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28
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Healthy Diets in Rural Victoria-Cheaper than Unhealthy Alternatives, Yet Unaffordable. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:ijerph15112469. [PMID: 30400654 PMCID: PMC6266685 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15112469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Rural communities experience higher rates of obesity and reduced food security compared with urban communities. The perception that healthy foods are expensive contributes to poor dietary choices. Providing an accessible, available, affordable healthy food supply is an equitable way to improve the nutritional quality of the diet for a community, however, local food supply data are rarely available for small rural towns. This study used the Healthy Diets ASAP tool to assess price, price differential and affordability of recommended (healthy) and current diets in a rural Local Government Area (LGA) (pop ≈ 7000; 10 towns) in Victoria, Australia. All retail food outlets were surveyed (n = 40). The four most populous towns had supermarkets; remaining towns had one general store each. Seven towns had café/take-away outlets, and all towns had at least one hotel/pub. For all towns the current unhealthy diet was more expensive than the recommended healthy diet, with 59.5% of the current food budget spent on discretionary items. Affordability of the healthy diet accounted for 30⁻32% of disposable income. This study confirms that while a healthy diet is less expensive than the current unhealthier diet, affordability is a challenge for rural communities. Food security is reduced further with restricted geographical access, a limited healthy food supply, and higher food prices.
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29
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McDaniel PA, Minkler M, Juachon L, Thayer R, Estrada J, Falbe J. Merchant Attitudes Toward a Healthy Food Retailer Incentive Program in a Low-Income San Francisco Neighborhood. INTERNATIONAL QUARTERLY OF COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATION 2018; 38:207-215. [PMID: 29914334 DOI: 10.1177/0272684x18781788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
In low-income urban communities across the United States and globally, small stores frequently offer processed foods, sodas, alcohol, and tobacco but little access to healthy products. To help address this problem, the city of San Francisco created a healthy food retailer incentive program. Its success depends, in part, on retailers' willingness to participate. Through in-person interviews, we explored attitudes toward the program among store owners or managers of 17 nonparticipating stores. Eleven merchants were uninterested in the program due to negative past experiences trying to sell healthier products, perceived lack of customer demand, and fears that meeting program requirements could hurt profits. Six merchants expressed interest, seeing demand for or opportunity in healthy foods, foreseeing few difficulties in meeting program requirements, and regarding the assistance offered as appealing. Other municipalities considering such interventions should consider merchants' perspectives, and how best to challenge or capitalize on retailers' previous experiences with selling healthy foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia A McDaniel
- 1 Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Meredith Minkler
- 2 Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Lisa Juachon
- 3 Community Organizing Department, Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ryan Thayer
- 3 Community Organizing Department, Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jessica Estrada
- 4 San Francisco Department of Public Health, Community Health Equity & Promotion Branch, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer Falbe
- 5 Department of Human Ecology, Division of Human Development and Family Studies, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
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30
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Whelan J, Millar L, Bell C, Russell C, Grainger F, Allender S, Love P. You Can't Find Healthy Food in the Bush: Poor Accessibility, Availability and Adequacy of Food in Rural Australia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:E2316. [PMID: 30347893 PMCID: PMC6210532 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15102316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Revised: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
In high-income countries, obesity disproportionately affects those from disadvantaged and rural areas. Poor diet is a modifiable risk factor for obesity and the food environment a primary driver of poor diet. In rural and disadvantaged communities, it is harder to access affordable and nutritious food, affecting both food insecurity and the health of rural residents. This paper aims to describe the food environment in a rural Australian community (approx. 7000 km² in size) to inform the development of community-relevant food supply interventions. We conducted a census audit of the food environment (ground truthing) of a local government area (LGA). We used the Nutrition Environment Measurement tools (NEMS-S and NEMS-R) to identify availability of a range of food and non-alcoholic beverages, the relative price of a healthy compared to a less healthy option of a similar food type (e.g., bread), the quality of fresh produce and any in-store nutrition promotion. Thirty-eight food retail outlets operated at the time of our study and all were included, 11 food stores (NEMS-S) and 27 food service outlets (NEMS-R). The mean NEMS-S score for all food stores was 21/54 points (39%) and mean NEMS-R score for all food service outlets was 3/23 points (13%); indicative of limited healthier options at relatively higher prices. It is difficult to buy healthy food beyond the supermarkets and one (of seven) cafés across the LGA. Residents demonstrate strong loyalty to local food outlets, providing scope to work with this existing infrastructure to positively impact poor diet and improve food security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill Whelan
- School of Medicine, Global Obesity Centre, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia.
| | - Lynne Millar
- Australian Health Policy Collaboration, Victoria University, Melbourne 3000, Australia.
- Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), The University of Melbourne and Western Health, St Albans 3021, Australia.
| | - Colin Bell
- School of Medicine, Global Obesity Centre, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia.
| | - Cherie Russell
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia.
| | - Felicity Grainger
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia.
| | - Steven Allender
- School of Health and Social Development, Global Obesity Centre, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia.
| | - Penelope Love
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia.
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia.
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31
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Martinez O, Rodriguez N, Mercurio A, Bragg M, Elbel B. Supermarket retailers' perspectives on healthy food retail strategies: in-depth interviews. BMC Public Health 2018; 18:1019. [PMID: 30115043 PMCID: PMC6097300 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-018-5917-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Excess calorie consumption and poor diet are major contributors to the obesity epidemic. Food retailers, in particular at supermarkets, are key shapers of the food environment which influences consumers' diets. This study seeks to understand the decision-making processes of supermarket retailers-including motivators for and barriers to promoting more healthy products-and to catalogue elements of the complex relationships between customers, suppliers, and, supermarket retailers. METHODS We recruited 20 supermarket retailers from a convenience sample of full service supermarkets and national supermarket chain headquarters serving low- and high-income consumers in urban and non-urban areas of New York. Individuals responsible for making in-store decisions about retail practices engaged in online surveys and semi-structured interviews. We employed thematic analysis to analyze the transcripts. RESULTS Supermarket retailers, mostly representing independent stores, perceived customer demand and suppliers' product availability and deals as key factors influencing their in-store practices around product selection, placement, pricing, and promotion. Unexpectedly, retailers expressed a high level of autonomy when making decisions about food retail strategies. Overall, retailers described a willingness to engage in healthy food retail and a desire for greater support from healthy food retail initiatives. CONCLUSIONS Understanding retailers' in-store decision making will allow development of targeted healthy food retail policy approaches and interventions, and provide important insights into how to improve the food environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Martinez
- Department of Population Health, NYU School of Medicine, 227 E 30th St, 6th Floor, Office 626, New York, NY 10016 USA
| | - Noemi Rodriguez
- Department of Population Health, NYU School of Medicine, 227 E 30th St, 6th Floor, Office 626, New York, NY 10016 USA
- NYC College of Technology of the City University of New York, New York, 11201 USA
| | - Allison Mercurio
- Department of Population Health, NYU School of Medicine, 227 E 30th St, 6th Floor, Office 626, New York, NY 10016 USA
| | - Marie Bragg
- Department of Population Health, NYU School of Medicine, 227 E 30th St, 6th Floor, Office 626, New York, NY 10016 USA
| | - Brian Elbel
- Department of Population Health, NYU School of Medicine, 227 E 30th St, 6th Floor, Office 626, New York, NY 10016 USA
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32
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Ross A, Krishnan N, Ruggiero C, Kerrigan D, Gittelsohn J. A mixed methods assessment of the barriers and readiness for meeting the SNAP depth of stock requirements in Baltimore's small food stores. Ecol Food Nutr 2017; 57:94-108. [PMID: 29283673 DOI: 10.1080/03670244.2017.1416362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
We sought to understand Baltimore corner store owners' awareness of and readiness for the then-approved Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program depth of stock requirements and assess potential barriers and solutions. In-depth interviews and stocking observations were conducted in 17 corner stores in low-income food deserts of Baltimore City. Corner store owners conveyed little to no awareness of the pending depth of stock changes. Only two stores were currently ready for the requirements. Low customer demand, high amounts of potential spoilage, and unfair pricing at the wholesaler were identified by store owners as barriers to stocking required foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Ross
- a Global Obesity Prevention Center , Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , MD, USA.,b Department of Health, Behavior, and Society , Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , MD, USA
| | - Nandita Krishnan
- a Global Obesity Prevention Center , Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , MD, USA
| | - Cara Ruggiero
- a Global Obesity Prevention Center , Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , MD, USA
| | - Deanna Kerrigan
- b Department of Health, Behavior, and Society , Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , MD, USA
| | - Joel Gittelsohn
- a Global Obesity Prevention Center , Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , MD, USA
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Store-directed price promotions and communications strategies improve healthier food supply and demand: impact results from a randomized controlled, Baltimore City store-intervention trial. Public Health Nutr 2017; 20:3349-3359. [PMID: 28222818 PMCID: PMC5725746 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980017000064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Objective Small food store interventions show promise to increase healthy food access in under-resourced areas. However, none have tested the impact of price discounts on healthy food supply and demand. We tested the impact of store-directed price discounts and communications strategies, separately and combined, on the stocking, sales and prices of healthier foods and on storeowner psychosocial factors. Design Factorial design randomized controlled trial. Setting Twenty-four corner stores in low-income neighbourhoods of Baltimore City, MD, USA. Subjects Stores were randomized to pricing intervention, communications intervention, combined pricing and communications intervention, or control. Stores that received the pricing intervention were given a 10–30% price discount by wholesalers on selected healthier food items during the 6-month trial. Communications stores received visual and interactive materials to promote healthy items, including signage, taste tests and refrigerators. Results All interventions showed significantly increased stock of promoted foods υ. control. There was a significant treatment effect for daily unit sales of healthy snacks (β = 6·4, 95% CI 0·9, 11·9) and prices of healthy staple foods (β = −0·49, 95% CI −0·90, −0·03) for the combined group υ. control, but not for other intervention groups. There were no significant intervention effects on storeowner psychosocial factors. Conclusions All interventions led to increased stock of healthier foods. The combined intervention was effective in increasing sales of healthier snacks, even though discounts on snacks were not passed to the consumer. Experimental research in small stores is needed to understand the mechanisms by which store-directed price promotions can increase healthy food supply and demand.
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