The Contextual Effect of the Local Food Environment on Residents’ Diets: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

TLDR

The study examined how the local food environment relates to residents’ reported intake of recommended foods and nutrients. Researchers estimated participants’ dietary intakes from food frequency questionnaires and geocoded supermarkets, grocery stores, and restaurants to census tracts. Black Americans’ fruit and vegetable intake rose 32% per additional supermarket in a tract (RR = 1.32; 95% CI = 1.08–1.60), whereas White Americans’ intake increased 11% with at least one supermarket (RR = 1.11; 95% CI = 0.93–1.32), indicating the local food environment is linked to recommended diets.

Abstract

Objectives. We studied the association between the local food environment and residents’ report of recommended dietary intake. Methods. Recommended intakes of foods and nutrients for 10 623 Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities participants were estimated from food frequency questionnaires. Supermarkets, grocery stores, and full-service and fast-food restaurants were geocoded to census tracts. Results. Black Americans’ fruit and vegetable intake increased by 32% for each additional supermarket in the census tract (relative risk [RR] = 1.32; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.08, 1.60). White Americans’ fruit and vegetable intake increased by 11% with the presence of 1 or more supermarket (RR = 1.11; 95% CI = 0.93, 1.32). Conclusions. These findings suggest the local food environment is associated with residents’ recommended diets.