Īlthough food availability is clearly an important factor, accessibility of healthy foods may also be driven by other factors, such as price and quality. Proximity to a supermarket appears to be related to diet quality, even after controlling for other relevant variables. However, supermarkets are less likely to be located in lower income neighborhoods and areas with a high proportion of African-American residents. Thus, racial minority and lower income populations that may be at greater risk for obesity, cardiovascular disease, and cancer may find that availability of healthy foods is a barrier to consuming a healthy diet.Ī key factor in healthy food availability may be the accessibility of supermarkets as compared to smaller grocery and convenience stores. Availability of healthier foods likely has an impact on consumption for instance, when greater store shelf space is devoted to products such as low-fat milk and high fiber bread, increased consumption of these products is noted. However, healthy foods, including fruits, vegetables, low fat milk and high fiber bread tend to be less available in areas with a higher proportion of African-Americans and in lower income communities. Furthermore, increasing access to larger stores that can offer lower prices for healthier foods may provide another avenue for enhancing food environments to lower disease risk.Īvailability of healthy food in community stores may be an important consideration in developing food environments that support prevention of obesity, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Even among supermarkets, healthier foods are less available in certain neighborhoods, although, when available, the quality of healthier options did not differ, suggesting that targeting availability may offer promise for policy initiatives. Median household income was significantly associated with the NEMS healthy food availability score ( r=0.36, p0.05). Census data associated with store census tract (median household income and proportion African-American) were used to characterize store neighborhood and number of cash registers was used to quantify store size. The Nutrition Environment Measures Study-Store (NEMS-S) instrument, a standardized observational survey, was utilized to evaluate food stores (N=42) in a multi-site (Vermont and Arkansas) study in 2008. This study examined whether demographic factors of the store neighborhood or store size have an impact on the availability and price of healthy foods in sample of grocery stores and supermarkets. Availability and price of healthy foods in food stores has the potential to influence purchasing patterns, dietary intake, and weight status of individuals.

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