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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Latetia V. Moore, MSPH and Ana V. Diez Roux, MD, PhD. School of Public Health Department of Epidemiology, Univeristy of Michigan, Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health, 1214 S University, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, 7346153047, lvmoore@umich.edu

Limited evidence exists on how the location of various food stores is related to the availability of healthy foods. We examined if GIS derived densities of supermarkets and of various smaller stores in areas without supermarkets is related to the availability of healthy foods reported by residents in a survey.

Survey questions rating the availability of produce and lowfat products in neighborhoods were aggregated into a healthy food availability score for 5774 residents of North Carolina, Maryland, and New York. Densities of supermarkets and smaller stores per square mile were computed for 1 mile around each respondent's residence using kernel estimation. The number of different store types in the area represented diversity in the food environment. Linear regression was used to examine associations of store densities and diversity with reported availability adjusted for site.

Black and poor respondents reported lower availability of healthy foods than white and wealthier respondents (18.3% lower 95% CL -21.4, -15.1 and 26.3% lower 95% CL -33.7, -18.8, respectively). Reported availability was 3.4% higher for every additional supermarket per square mile in the neighborhood (95% CL 2.9, 3.9). In areas without supermarkets, having smaller stores in the neighborhood was weakly negatively associated with availability (0.5% lower, 95% CL -0.8, -0.2). The effect of having many different types of smaller stores in the neighborhood on reported availability varied by site.

The presence of a supermarket within 1 mile of a residence is associated with greater reported availability of healthy foods.

Learning Objectives: After reviewing this poster, the participant (learner) will be able to

• Recognize that reported availability in healthy foods in neighborhoods differs significantly by income and race/ethnicity.
• Discuss the impact the presence of a supermarket has on reported availability of healthy foods.
• Discuss the effect of having a variety of smaller stores in the neighborhood on the availability of healthy foods.

Keywords: Food and Nutrition, Access

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation