scholarly journals Childhood Obesity: Is the Built Environment More Important Than the Food Environment?

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 117955652093212
Author(s):  
Wenes Pereira Reis ◽  
Mark Ghamsary ◽  
Caroline Galustian ◽  
Henrik Galust ◽  
Patti Herring ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Grocery Stores ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Perceived Safety ◽  
Fast Food Restaurants ◽  
Parents Education

Obesity continues to be a health burden to society and new efforts may be needed to combat this epidemic. This study aims to investigate the contribution of parents education and level of income, food environment (grocery stores and fast food restaurants), and built environment (perceived safety, availability/quantity of parks) on childhood obesity. This cross-sectional observational study explored whether parents education and income level, built environment, and food environment can affect children with obesity. Participants were selected from 3 separate elementary schools located in an urban community with higher risk to have children with obesity in Montclair, California. Children living in families with low incomes have 2.31 times greater odds to be affected by obesity than children living in higher income homes. Children whose parents did not feel safe in their neighborhoods had odds of obesity 2.23 times greater than those who reported their neighborhoods as safe. Age also appeared to be a risk factor, and the odds of children affected by obesity among children 8 to 9 years was 0.79, and the odds of being affected by obesity among children 10 to 11 years of age was 0.36, when compared to children 6 to 7 years old. Findings suggest that low family income, perceptions of neighborhoods as unsafe, and young age are associated with higher body mass index (BMI) percentiles among children living in poor neighborhoods in Montclair, California.

scholarly journals Local Retail Food Environment and Consumption of Fruit and Vegetable among Adults in Hong Kong

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 2247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ting Zhang ◽  
Bo Huang
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Grocery Stores ◽  
Fruit Consumption ◽  
Retail Food Environment ◽  
Convenience Stores ◽  
Fast Food Restaurants ◽  
Retail Food

Outside of western countries, the study of the local food environment and evidence for its association with dietary behavior is limited. The aim of this paper was to examine the association between the local retail food environment and consumption of fruit and vegetables (FV) among adults in Hong Kong. Local retail food environment was measured by density of different types of retail food outlets (grocery stores, convenience stores, and fast food restaurants) within a 1000 m Euclidean buffer around individual’s homes using a geographic information system (GIS). The Retail Food Environment Index (RFEI) was calculated based on the relative density of fast-food restaurants and convenience stores to grocery stores. Logistic regressions were performed to examine associations using cross-sectional data of 1977 adults (18 years or older). Overall, people living in an area with the highest RFEI (Q4, >5.76) had significantly greater odds of infrequent FV consumption (<7 days/week) after covariates adjustment (infrequent fruit consumption: OR = 1.36, 95% CI 1.04–1.78; infrequent vegetable consumption: OR = 1.72, 95% CI 1.11–2.68) in comparison to the lowest RFEI (Q1, <2.25). Highest density of fast food restaurants (Q4, >53) was also significantly associated with greater odds of infrequent fruit consumption (<7 days/week) (unadjusted model: OR = 1.34, 95% CI 1.04–1.73), relative to lowest density of fast food restaurants (Q1, <13). No significant association of density of grocery stores or convenience stores was observed with infrequent FV consumption regardless of the covariates included in the model. Our results suggest that the ratio of fast-food restaurants and convenience stores to grocery stores near people’s home is an important environmental factor in meeting fruit and vegetable consumption guidelines. “Food swamps” (areas with an abundance of unhealthy foods) rather than “food deserts” (areas where there is limited access to healthy foods) seems to be more of a problem in Hong Kong’s urban areas. We advanced international literature by providing evidence in a non-western setting.

scholarly journals Associations between Fast-Food Restaurants Surrounding Kindergartens and Childhood Obesity: Evidence from China

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (17) ◽  
pp. 9334
Author(s):  
Chenyang Wang ◽  
Zhiping Zhen ◽  
Nan Zhao ◽  
Chenlin Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity ◽  
Fast Food Restaurants ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Urban And Rural Areas ◽  
Definition Of

The prevalence of obesity among preschool children has risen dramatically due to the influx of Western fast food in China. In this study, we aimed to provide clear evidence on the associations between fast-food restaurants and childhood obesity. We collected and combined three unique cross-sectional datasets: physical fitness data, geographic information, and the financial data of each kindergarten. The two-stage least squares were used for empirical analyses. The final data including 75,730 children were from 785 kindergartens in 82 cities and 23 provinces in China in 2018. The mean age of participants was 4.94 ± 0.87; 34,249 (45.2%) females and 41,481 (54.8%) males. The number of fast-food restaurants within 1, 2, and 3 km radii had a significant and positive correlation with obesity, and this correlation decreased as the radius increased. Furthermore, the distance to the nearest fast-food restaurant had a significant and negative correlation with obesity. Western fast-food restaurants contributed more to obesity than the broader definition of fast-food restaurants. There was marked heterogeneity between urban and rural areas. Our findings documented that fast-food restaurants had a significant and positive association with childhood obesity, thus the restriction of fast-food restaurants surrounding kindergartens might be considered.

scholarly journals Nutrition Environment Scores of Local Food Retailers and Proximity to Study Participants' Residence in Rural South (P04-157-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Goodman ◽  
Jessica Thomson ◽  
Alicia Landry
Keyword(s):  
African American Women ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Grocery Store ◽  
Grocery Stores ◽  
Fast Food Restaurant ◽  
Convenience Stores ◽  
Food Retailers ◽  
Fast Food Restaurants ◽  
Study Participants

Abstract Objectives An 18-month, two-arm, randomized, controlled trial designed to evaluate the comparative impact of two home visiting programs on gestational weight gain, postpartum weight loss, and diet was conducted with rural, Southern, African American women. Although nutrition education was an experimental treatment component, the intervention was not effective at improving participants’ poor diets. To better understand the dietary choices made by these women, an examination of the food environment was conducted in the towns in which they resided. Methods Food retailers were measured with the Nutritional Environment Measures Surveys (NEMS). ArcGIS was used to geocode study participants’ residence and food retailers and to compute driving distances between participants’ residence and food retailers. Participants’ diet quality was measured with Healthy Eating Index (HEI). Associations among food retailers’ type and NEMS score, driving distances between residences and food retailers, and HEI total and component scores were examined. Results Significant differences between types of food retailers were found for % of maximum NEMS scores: grocery stores (60%), full service restaurants (42%), fast food restaurants (36%), and convenience stores (26%). Participants were closer to convenience stores (mean = .4 miles) and fast food restaurants (mean = .5 miles) than to full service restaurants (mean = 1.1 miles) and grocery stores (mean = 1.6 miles). Three-fourths of participants lived within ½ mile of a convenience store and two-thirds lived within ½ mile of a fast food restaurant, while 6% lived within ½ mile of a grocery store. Only 19% shopped at their closest grocery store while two-thirds traveled a greater distance to shop at a larger national chain grocery store. The mean distance to the closest grocery store was 1.6 miles as compared to 4.2 miles for the store where most of the food was purchased. The refined grains HEI score was negatively correlated with distances to the closest convenience store, fast food restaurant, and full service restaurant. Conclusions The food environment of these rural, Southern, African American women provided numerous, convenient opportunities for unhealthy eating. Funding Sources US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service.

scholarly journals How Food Environment Impacts Dietary Consumption and Body Weight: A Country-wide Observational Study of 2.3 Billion Food Logs

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim Althoff ◽  
Hamed Nilforoshan ◽  
Jenna Hua ◽  
Jure Leskovec
Keyword(s):  
Food Consumption ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Food Access ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Grocery Stores ◽  
Predominantly Black ◽  
Fast Food Restaurants ◽  
Relative Change

IMPORTANCE An unhealthy diet is a key risk factor for chronic diseases including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Limited access to healthy food options may contribute to unhealthy diets. However, previous studies of food environment have led to mixed results, potentially due to methodological limitations of small sample size, single location, and non-uniform design across studies. OBJECTIVE To quantify the independent impact of fast food and grocery access, income and education on food consumption and weight status. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Retrospective cohort study of 1,164,926 participants across 9,822 U.S. zip codes logging 2.3 billion consumed foods. Participants were users of the MyFitnessPal smartphone application and used the app to monitor their caloric intake for an average of 197 days each (min 10, max 1,825 days, STD=242). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcomes were relative change in consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, fast food, and soda, as well as relative change in likelihood of overweight/obese body mass index (BMI), based on food consumption logs. Food access measures for each zip code were computed from USDA Food Access Research Atlas and Yelp.com, and demographic, income and education measures were based on Census data. Genetic Matching-based approaches were used to create matched pairs of zip codes. RESULTS Access to grocery stores, non-fast food restaurants, income, and education were independently associated with healthier food consumption and lower prevalence of overweight/obese BMI levels. Substantial differences were observed between predominantly Black, Hispanic, and White zip codes. For instance, within predominantly Black zip codes we found that high income was associated with a decrease in healthful food consumption patterns across fresh fruits and vegetables and fast food. Further, high grocery access had a significantly larger association with increased fruit and vegetable consumption in predominantly Hispanic (7.4% increase) and Black (10.2% increase) zip codes in contrast to predominantly White zip codes (1.7% increase). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Policy targeted at improving access to grocery stores, access to non-fast food restaurants, income and education may significantly increase healthy eating, but interventions may need to be adapted to specific subpopulations for optimal effectiveness.

scholarly journals Ultra-processed food consumption patterns among older adults in the Netherlands and the role of the food environment

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Gabriela M. Pinho ◽  
Jeroen Lakerveld ◽  
Marjolein C. Harbers ◽  
Ivonne Sluijs ◽  
Roel Vermeulen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Total Food Intake ◽  
Total Food ◽  
Fast Food Restaurants

Abstract Purpose To describe the patterns of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) consumption in the Netherlands; to test if exposure to the food environment is associated with UPFs consumption; and if this association differed across educational levels and neighbourhood urbanisation. Methods Cross-sectional study using 2015-data of 8104 older adults from the Dutch EPIC cohort. Proportion of UPFs consumption was calculated from a validated food-frequency questionnaire. Exposure to the food environment was defined as proximity and availability of supermarkets, fast-food restaurants, full-service restaurants, convenience stores, candy stores and cafés. Consumption of UPFs was expressed as both percentage of total grams and total kilocalories. Results The study population was aged 70(± 10 SD) years and 80.5% was female. Average UPFs consumption was 17.8% of total food intake in grams and 37% of total energy intake. Those who consumed greater amounts of UPFs had a poorer overall diet quality. Adjusted linear regression models showed that closer proximity and larger availability to any type of food retailer was associated with lower UPFs consumption (both in grams and kilocalories). Somewhat stronger significant associations were found for proximity to restaurants (β = − 1.6%, 95% confidence interval (CI) = − 2.6; − 0.6), and supermarkets (β = − 2.2%, 95%CI = − 3.3; − 1.1); i.e., Individuals living within 500 m from the closest supermarket, as compared to 1500 m, had 2.6% less calories from UPFs. No differences were found on analyses stratified for urbanisation and education. Conclusions Using various measures of exposure to the food environment, we found that exposure to restaurants and supermarkets was associated with somewhat lower consumption of UPFs.

Organisational Culture Dimensions And Employee Performance In Nigerian Fast Food Restaurants

GIS Business ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 1070-1096
Author(s):  
Friday Ogbu Edeh ◽  
Joy Nonyelum Ugwu ◽  
Isaac Monday Ikpor ◽  
Anthony Chukwuma Nwali ◽  
Chimeziem C. Gabriela Udeze
Keyword(s):  
Fast Food ◽  
Employee Performance ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Organisational Culture ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Market Culture ◽  
Culture Dimensions ◽  
Clan Culture ◽  
Fast Food Restaurants

This study investigates the effect of organisational culture dimensions on employee performance in Nigerian fast food restaurants using cross-sectional survey. Forty fast food restaurants were selected using simple random sampling. Nine hundred and twenty five employees were surveyed. Sample size of two hundred and seventy two was ascertained with Krejcie and Morgan. Method for data collection is questionnaire. Two hundred and thirty nine copies of questionnaire were retrieved out of two hundred and seventy two copies administered. Simple linear regression was used to analyse the hypotheses with the aid of IBM SPSS 20.0. This study found that organisational culture dimensions predicted with clan culture and market culture has a positive significant effect on employee performance. It concludes that organisational culture dimensions measured in terms of clan culture and market culture engenders employee performance through effectiveness and efficiency. One of the practical implications is that Nigerian fast food restaurant practitioners should clearly define their clan culture for newcomers to imbibe to enable them increase their performance.  

scholarly journals A Time-Based Objective Measure of Exposure to the Food Environment

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 1180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Scully ◽  
Anne Moudon ◽  
Philip Hurvitz ◽  
Anju Aggarwal ◽  
Adam Drewnowski
Keyword(s):  
Food Environment ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Objective Measure ◽  
Mobility Patterns ◽  
Time Duration ◽  
Positioning Systems ◽  
Global Positioning ◽  
Fast Food Restaurants ◽  
Logistic Regressions ◽  
The Relationship

Exposure to food environments has mainly been limited to counting food outlets near participants’ homes. This study considers food environment exposures in time and space using global positioning systems (GPS) records and fast food restaurants (FFRs) as the environment of interest. Data came from 412 participants (median participant age of 45) in the Seattle Obesity Study II who completed a survey, wore GPS receivers, and filled out travel logs for seven days. FFR locations were obtained from Public Health Seattle King County and geocoded. Exposure was conceptualized as contact between stressors (FFRs) and receptors (participants’ mobility records from GPS data) using four proximities: 21 m, 100 m, 500 m, and ½ mile. Measures included count of proximal FFRs, time duration in proximity to ≥1 FFR, and time duration in proximity to FFRs weighted by FFR counts. Self-reported exposures (FFR visits) were excluded from these measures. Logistic regressions tested associations between one or more reported FFR visits and the three exposure measures at the four proximities. Time spent in proximity to an FFR was associated with significantly higher odds of FFR visits at all proximities. Weighted duration also showed positive associations with FFR visits at 21-m and 100-m proximities. FFR counts were not associated with FFR visits. Duration of exposure helps measure the relationship between the food environment, mobility patterns, and health behaviors. The stronger associations between exposure and outcome found at closer proximities (<100 m) need further research.

scholarly journals Frequency of Restaurant, Delivery and Takeaway Usage Is Not Related to BMI among Adults in Scotland

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Albalawi ◽  
Catherine Hambly ◽  
John R. Speakman
Keyword(s):  
Fast Food ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Outlets ◽  
Total Food ◽  
Frequency Of Use ◽  
Fast Food Restaurants ◽  
Widespread Belief ◽  
Individual Use

Background: The frequency of visits to restaurants has been suggested to contribute to the pandemic of obesity. However, few studies have examined how individual use of these restaurants is related to BMI using new technology of reminding to avoid memory error. Aim: To investigate the association between the usage of different types of food outlets and BMI among adults in Scotland. Method: The study was cross-sectional. Participants (n = 681) completed an online survey for seven consecutive days where all food purchased at food outlets was reported each day. We explored the relationship between BMI and usage of these restaurants using auto-reminder text system. Results: Body Mass Index (BMI) of both males and females was not related to frequency of use of Full-Service Restaurants (FSRs), Fast Food Restaurants (FFRs), delivery or takeaways, when assessed individually, or combined (TFO= Total Food Outlet). Conclusion: These data do not support the widespread belief that consumption of food out of the home at fast-food and full-service restaurants, combined with that derived from deliveries and takeaways, is a major driver of obesity in UK.

Moderation by Neighborhood Food Outlets on Relationships between Meal Sources and Diet

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 290-308
Author(s):  
Jessica L. Thomson ◽  
Alicia S. Landry ◽  
Tameka I. Walls ◽  
Melissa H. Goodman
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Grocery Store ◽  
Grocery Stores ◽  
Food Outlet ◽  
Added Sugars ◽  
Food Outlets ◽  
Food And Beverage ◽  
Fast Food Restaurants

Objectives: In this study, we tested for moderation by neighborhood food outlet presence on relationships between food outlet shopping or meal sources and dietary intake. Methods: We used generalized linear models to analyze parent-adolescent (12-17 years) dyad data from the 2014 Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health and Eating. Questions included food outlet presence in home (parent) and school (adolescent) neighborhoods (yes or no), shopping at food outlets (parent) (never, rarely, sometimes, often or always), and sources of food consumed away from and at home (weekly frequency). We captured food and beverage intakes via a dietary screener. Results: Relationships between adolescent added sugar intake and scratch cooked evening meals and meals away from home were found only when grocery stores and fast food restaurants, respectively, were present in adolescents' school neighborhoods. Shopping at fruit and vegetable (FV) markets and scratch cooked evening meals were associated with the largest increases in parent and adolescent FV intakes, respectively. Meals away from home at convenience stores were associated with the largest increases in parent and adolescent intakes of added sugars. Conclusions: Neighborhood grocery store and fast food restaurant presence moderated relationships between meal sources and dietary intake only in adolescents.

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