Identifying Food Deserts and People with Low Food Access, and Disparities in Dietary Habits and Health in Korea

This study aims to identify the regions and people with low food access (LFA) for Korea at the national level and to examine disparities in food consumption, dietary behavior, and health outcome for those regions and people. Based on the distance to the nearest grocery store from residence, the regions and people with LFA are identified through geographical information system (GIS) analysis. To examine disparities between the regions and people with LFA and without LFA, a consumer survey is conducted and data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and Community Health Survey are analyzed. This study found that there exists a serious access to food issue in Korea, especially for the aged. Moreover, there also exist significant disparities between the regions and people with and without LFA in the distance and one-way travel time to the grocery store that is mainly visited, frequency of offline/online grocery shopping, availability of various foods, dietary habits such as eating regularly, eating nutritionally balanced foods, and eating sufficient fruit/vegetable/whole grains, the acquisition and utilization of food-related information, and health outcomes. This study suggests that, to resolve such a serious food access problem, assistance policies, such as mobile grocery stores and lunch-box delivery, need to be activated in countries similar to Korea since this problem could potentially deteriorate the national medical finances as well as the regional and individual disparities.

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Understanding Access to Healthy Foods and Grocery Shopping Patterns Among Community Residents in Underserved Neighborhoods in Tampa, Florida

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzaa043_045 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 194-194

Author(s):

Heewon Gray ◽

Jessica Berumen ◽

Sharonda Lovett ◽

David Himmelgreen ◽

Dipayan Biswas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Access ◽

South Florida ◽

Farmers Markets ◽

Grocery Stores ◽

Grocery Shopping ◽

Healthy Foods ◽

Community Partners ◽

Farmers Market ◽

Community Residents ◽

Access To Healthy Foods

Abstract Objectives It is widely accepted that low-income and racial/ethnic minority neighborhoods are disproportionately affected by diet-related adverse health outcomes. Access to healthy foods has also been shown to be a determinant of more optimal dietary intake and health. This study aimed to conduct a survey to examine grocery shopping patterns and food access among community residents in underserved neighborhoods; the study was conducted in partnership with community organizations. Methods A survey was administered cross-sectionally. Twenty-seven questions adapted from previous research regarding grocery shopping patterns and food access were included. Community residents aged ≥18 years in East Tampa, a designated Florida Community Redevelopment Area (CRA), were recruited at community events/meetings, and an online version of the survey was distributed through the email listserv of community partners. A total of 126 residents participated; the majority was African American, female, and ≥35 years of age. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. GIS mapping was subsequently used to examine the residents’ accessibility to grocery stores within the neighborhoods. Results The majority (58%) of the participants reported that they usually buy most of their groceries at supermarkets, followed by large chain stores (41%), farmers markets (11%), and discount stores (10%). There were 4 major stores in the neighborhoods identified as preferred grocery stores. Most participants indicated that they use cash (52%) or EBT card (30%) for grocery shopping, and 33% regularly get food from food pantries. Most residents use their own cars (76%) for transportation and indicated that it takes ≤30 minutes (87%) to get their groceries. Ninety participants (71%) indicated that a new supermarket nearby would help them get food easier, followed by a new farmers market. In an open-ended question, some reported that mobile food trucks or delivery services would make it easier to get the foods. A specific location for a new supermarket was identified by each participant. Conclusions Community residents demanded a new supermarket or farmers market with better variety of fresh produce. The results of this study have been discussed with the community partners and the CRA advisory committee. Funding Sources University of South Florida, College of Public Health Internal Faculty Awards.

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New Neighborhood Grocery Store Increased Awareness Of Food Access But Did Not Alter Dietary Habits Or Obesity

Health Affairs ◽

10.1377/hlthaff.2013.0512 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 33 (2) ◽

pp. 283-291 ◽

Cited By ~ 247

Author(s):

Steven Cummins ◽

Ellen Flint ◽

Stephen A. Matthews

Keyword(s):

Food Access ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Grocery Store

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Are Online Grocery Stores Being Designed to Support Consumer Nutrition Information Needs? Results from a Marketplace Survey (P04-151-19)

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzz051.p04-151-19 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Kelly Olzenak ◽

Lisa Harnack ◽

Joeseph Redden ◽

Simone French ◽

Nancy Sherwood

Keyword(s):

Information Needs ◽

Fresh Produce ◽

Grocery Store ◽

Grocery Stores ◽

Grocery Shopping ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Research Award ◽

Packaged Foods ◽

Online Stores ◽

Nutrition Facts Panel

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to describe the availability of nutrition-related information and features on leading online grocery store websites. Methods This study was a cross-sectional design. A systematic protocol was followed to assess availability of nutrition-related features on twelve online grocery shopping websites. The availability of nutrition facts panel and ingredient statement information for 26 food products across a variety of food categories was assessed along with the availability of additional nutrition-related features such as the ability to filter food search results by nutrition attributes. Means, frequencies, and percentages were calculated. Results Common nutrition-related search filters available on the store websites included organic (10 of 12 stores), gluten free (nine of 12 stores), low in fat (six of 12 stores), and sugar-free/no sugar added (five of 12 stores). Nutrition facts panel information was available on the websites for 42%-100% of the packaged food and 33%-58% of the fresh produce items. Foods with available ingredient information ranged from 25%-100% for packaged foods to 50%-58% for the fresh produce items. Conclusions Nutrition facts panel and ingredient statement information may be less available online for packaged foods than in physical stores where all packaged products must have labels. However, this information was sometimes available online for produce items even though labeling is not required on ‘unpackaged’ foods like fresh produce. Many online stores included nutrition-related features not available or feasible to provide in physical stores. Online grocery shopping marketplaces have the potential to support shoppers in making healthful food purchase decisions. Funding Sources This research was supported by a University of Minnesota Division of Epidemiology and Community Health J.B. Hawley Research Award.

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Designing Online Grocery Stores to Support Healthy Eating for Weight Loss

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980021000896 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-33

Author(s):

Lisa Harnack ◽

Joseph Redden ◽

Simone French ◽

Nancy E. Sherwood ◽

Gabrielle Rivera ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Healthy Eating ◽

Research Team ◽

Grocery Store ◽

Grocery Stores ◽

Grocery Shopping ◽

Planning Tool ◽

Shopping Cart ◽

Online Stores ◽

Meal Planning

Abstract Objectives: This study aimed to identify features to include in online grocery stores to support healthful food purchasing by those striving to lose weight. Design: A Value Proposition Design Approach was used to gain shopper insights, devise potential online grocery store features, and obtain feedback on these features. Setting: Telephone interviews were conducted to gain insight into shoppers’ needs and perceptions. Results were used by the research team to identify potential online grocery shopping features that may support healthful purchase decisions, and interviews were conducted with a different sample of shoppers to gather feedback on features. Participants: Insight (n=25) and feedback (n=25) interviews were conducted with convenience samples of adults trying to lose weight. Results: Participants were primarily female, white, college educated, and with obesity or overweight. Online grocery features devised by the research team based on findings from the insight interviews included a: 1) shopping cart nutrition rating tool; 2) healthy meal planning tool; 3) interactive healthy eating inspiration aisle; and 4) healthy shopping preference settings option. Findings from the feedback interviews indicated that the healthy meal planning tool, healthy shopping preference settings option and shopping cart nutrition rating tool features were positively rated by most participants. Conclusions: There are multiple features grocers should consider including in their online stores to attract and support customers striving to eat healthy for weight loss.

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Healthy Stores Initiative Associated with Produce Purchasing on Navajo Nation

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzz125 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (12) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Onagh W MacKenzie ◽

Carmen V George ◽

Rafael Pérez-Escamilla ◽

Jessica Lasky-Fink ◽

Emily M Piltch ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Access ◽

Grocery Store ◽

Grocery Stores ◽

Fruit And Vegetable ◽

Navajo Nation ◽

Household Level ◽

Trading Posts ◽

Convenience Stores ◽

Multiple Logistic Regression Modeling ◽

The Impact

ABSTRACT Background American Indians and Alaska Natives experience diet-related health disparities compared with non-Hispanic whites. Navajo Nation's colonial history and remote setting present unique challenges for healthy food access. Objective This study aims to understand the impact of the Healthy Navajo Stores Initiative (HNSI) on fruit and vegetable purchasing on Navajo Nation. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 692 customers shopping at 28 convenience stores, trading posts, and grocery stores on Navajo Nation. Individual- and household-level sociodemographic data and food purchasing behaviors were collected. Descriptive and bivariate analyses for customers’ individual- and household-level characteristics were conducted using chi-squared tests. The impact of individual-, household-, and store-level factors on fruit and vegetable purchasing was assessed using multiple logistic regression modeling. Results Store participation in the HNSI was significantly associated with customers’ purchase of produce. Customers experienced 150% higher odds of purchasing produce if they shopped in participating stores, compared with nonparticipating stores (P < 0.001). Store type was strongly associated with customers’ purchase of fruits or vegetables. Customers shopping at a grocery store had 520% higher odds of purchasing produce than did customers shopping at convenience stores (P < 0.001). Customers shopping at trading posts had 120% higher odds of purchasing fruits or vegetables than did customers shopping at convenience stores (P = 0.001). Conclusions Our findings reveal increased produce purchasing at stores participating in the HNSI. Customers were significantly more likely to purchase fruits or vegetables in stores enrolled in a healthy store intervention than in nonenrolled stores, after controlling for quantity of produce stocked and store type. Customers shopping in grocery stores and trading posts were significantly more likely to purchase produce than customers shopping in convenience stores. These findings have implications for food access in rural tribal communities.

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The Consequences of Living in a Small-town Food Desert: Mixed Methods Evidence from a Quasi-Experiment

Social Currents ◽

10.1177/2329496520928428 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (6) ◽

pp. 563-581

Author(s):

Colin Campbell ◽

Mónica María Calderón Pinedo ◽

Willa Midgette ◽

Justin Vieira

Keyword(s):

Food Access ◽

Small Town ◽

Past Research ◽

Social Consequences ◽

Grocery Store ◽

Food Desert ◽

Grocery Stores ◽

The Social ◽

Unhealthy Diet ◽

Depth Interviews

Past research finds that living in a food desert is associated with an unhealthy diet and poor health; however, more recent studies of urban food deserts suggest that these findings may be spurious. In this article, we leverage the flooding and subsequent closing of the only grocery store in a small town to examine the effects of living in a small-town food desert. Using difference-in-difference methods, we find that opening a grocery store in a small-town food desert is not associated with changes in diet, but we find that opening a grocery store in a food desert is associated with improved food access. Findings from in-depth interviews shed further light on how residents of a small-town food desert decide where to shop and how routine activities provide access to a range of nonlocal grocery stores. Moreover, we find that the absence of a grocery store negatively affects social relationships. While the findings add to growing skepticism about food desert effects on diet, the findings reveal important food desert effects on food access and also the social consequences of living in a food desert.

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Designing Online Grocery Stores to Support Healthy Eating for Weight Loss

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzaa043_051 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 200-200

Author(s):

Lisa Harnack ◽

Simone French ◽

Joseph Redden ◽

Nancy Sherwood ◽

Gabrielle Rivera ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Design Thinking ◽

Grocery Store ◽

Grocery Stores ◽

Grocery Shopping ◽

University Of Minnesota ◽

Support Tool ◽

Planning Support ◽

Menu Planning ◽

Research Award ◽

Healthful Food

Abstract Objectives To begin development of online grocery store design features that could support healthful food purchasing by shoppers who are trying to lose weight, using a Value Proposition Design approach to product development. Methods One-on-one interviews were conducted with adults who reported they were trying to lose weight (n = 25) to gain insight into their shopping needs and perceptions. Interview results were used to identify four potential online grocery shopping features that could support healthful food purchase decisions. Prototypes were developed for each feature, and one-on-one interviews were conducted with a different sample of adults who reported trying to lose weight (n = 25) to gather feedback on the prototypes. Results Based on customer needs identified through insight interview, the following four potential online grocery store features were devised and prototyped by the research team: 1) Nutritional quality rating of shopping cart items purchased, with suggestions for improvement provided; 2) Menu planning support tool to provide menu and recipe suggestions tailored to individual preferences; 3) An interactive virtual grocery aisle designed as a fun way to discover healthy products and meal ideas; and 4) A healthy shopping preference option to opt into a shopping experience that prioritizes the display and advertising of foods that align with the shopper's health and nutrition goals. Results from feedback interviews indicated that the menu planning support tool and the healthy shopping preference option were both highly positively rated and believed to be effective in helping support healthy food choices by most participants. Conclusions Further development and evaluation work is warranted for the online grocery store features found to be most highly rated. This study illustrates application of a design thinking approach to developing nutrition promotion related products/programs. Funding Sources University of Minnesota JB Hawley Faculty Research Award.

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"Treat everybody right": Examining foodways to improve food access

Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development ◽

10.5304/jafscd.2021.103.012 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Alex Hill

Keyword(s):

Customer Service ◽

Food Access ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Grocery Store ◽

Grocery Stores ◽

Resident Perceptions ◽

New Findings ◽

Wide Range ◽

Big Box ◽

A Chain

Detroit is regularly assumed to be a “food desert” despite contradicting evidence. With fruits and vegetables available at each of Detroit’s 70 independent, full-line grocery stores, there remains a lack of understanding among media and academics of residents’ perception and preferences for food access. A baseline study was initiated during the summer of 2014 to understand residents’ own perceptions of food access and to assess the socio-cultural foodways utilized by residents. A total of 207 Detroit residents participated in focus groups and interviews to discuss food provisioning. Residents identified a wide range of food access points, from home gardens and fishing to specialty meat markets and big-box stores. However, 60% of residents reported that their primary grocery store was a chain supermarket outside the city limits. Residents highlighted “customer service” and in-store treatment as key factors in choosing where to shop for food. These new findings present contradictions to assumptions about food access in Detroit and similar cities. The findings point to a significant opportunity to leverage geo-ethnographic methods in order to focus on resident perceptions and preferences to improve food access.

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Reducing private car demand, fact or fiction? A study mapping changes in accessibility to grocery stores in Norway

European Transport Research Review ◽

10.1186/s12544-021-00500-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lillian Sve Rokseth ◽

Eva Heinen ◽

Espen Aukrust Hauglin ◽

Tobias Nordström ◽

Bendik Manum

Keyword(s):

Grocery Store ◽

Sustainable Urban Development ◽

Walking Distance ◽

Grocery Stores ◽

Grocery Shopping ◽

Main Mode ◽

Private Car ◽

Mode Of Transport ◽

Car Driving ◽

Over Time

Abstract Background Travel surveys show that the amount of private car driving in Norway has increased significantly since the mid-1980s. Private car driving has for a long time been the main mode of transport for retail and service trips, and grocery shopping trips represent over 60% of the retail and service travels. Despite the growing number of studies addressing accessibility to daily destinations, to the best of the authors’ knowledge there are no studies examining these issues over time. Methods This paper aims to investigate changes in accessibility to grocery stores over time and use two counties in Norway as examples. Based on GIS data at a detailed level, distances from dwellings to nearest grocery store has been examined. Findings The results from the spatial analyses reveal significant changes from 1980 to 2019: The share of the population living within 500-m from a grocery store has decreased from 55% to 34% in one of the counties examined and from 36% to 19% in the other. This indicates that the share of people living within walking distance to a local grocery store has nearly halved. With such changes in accessibility to grocery stores, increased car driving for grocery shopping should not come as a surprise. Contrary to the frequent statements about sustainable urban development and active transportation, it seems that Norway still is developing as a country that in the future will be more and not less dependent on private cars.

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Strategies to reduce risk perception among grocery shoppers in the US: A survey study

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0251060 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. e0251060

Author(s):

Jie Li ◽

Leslie J. Verteramo Chiu ◽

Miguel I. Gómez ◽

Nelson L. Bills

Keyword(s):

Risk Perception ◽

Perceived Risk ◽

Online Survey ◽

New York State ◽

Grocery Store ◽

Survey Study ◽

Grocery Stores ◽

Grocery Shopping ◽

Preventive Actions ◽

The Us

During the COVID-19 lockdown in the US, many businesses were shut down temporarily. Essential businesses, most prominently grocery stores, remained open to ensure access to food and household essentials. Grocery shopping presents increased potential for COVID-19 infection because customers and store employees are in proximity to each other. This study investigated shoppers’ perceptions of COVID-19 infection risks and put them in context by comparing grocery shopping to other activities outside home, and examined whether a proactive preventive action by grocery stores influence shoppers’ perceived risk of COVID-19 infection. Our data were obtained via an anonymous online survey distributed between April 2 and 10, 2020 to grocery shoppers in New York State (the most affected by the pandemic at the time of the study) and Washington State (the first affected by the pandemic). We found significant factors associated with high levels of risk perception on grocery shoppers. We identified some effective preventive actions that grocery stores implement to alleviate anxiety and risk perception. We found that people are generally more concerned about in-store grocery shopping relative to other out-of-home activities. Findings suggest that a strict policy requiring grocery store employees to use facemasks and gloves greatly reduced shoppers’ perceived risk rating of infection of themselves by 37.5% and store employees by 51.2%. Preventive actions by customers and businesses are critical to reducing the unwitting transmission of COVID-19 as state governments prepare to reopen the economy and relax restrictions on activities outside home.

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