From Food Desert to Food Oasis: The Potential Influence of Food Retailers on Childhood Obesity Rates

Few studies have examined the influence of the food environment on obesity rates among very young, low-income consumers. This research contributes to this growing literature by examining the relationship between modifications to the retail environment and obesity rates for low-income, preschool-aged...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Howlett, Elizabeth (Author) ; Davis, Cassandra (Author) ; Burton, Scot (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Springer 2016
In: Journal of business ethics
Year: 2016, Volume: 139, Issue: 2, Pages: 215-224
Further subjects:B Social Responsibility
B Childhood obesity
B Low-income
B Food environment
B Food deserts
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Summary:Few studies have examined the influence of the food environment on obesity rates among very young, low-income consumers. This research contributes to this growing literature by examining the relationship between modifications to the retail environment and obesity rates for low-income, preschool-aged children. Based on data combined from various secondary sources, this study finds that changes in the retail environment are significantly related to obesity rates. More specifically, the authors find a positive relationship between the number of convenience stores in the retail environment and obesity rates among low-income, preschool-aged children. Results also show that the percent change in grocery stores and supercenters and club stores in the retail environment is negatively related to the obesity rates of low-income, preschool-aged children [i.e., as grocery stores and supercenters/club stores increase (decrease), obesity decreases (increases)].Further, the percent change in supercenters and club stores mediates the positive relationship between participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and obesity rates.
ISSN:1573-0697
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal of business ethics
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1007/s10551-015-2605-5