Diet And Perceptions Change With Supermarket Introduction In A Food Desert, But Not Because Of Supermarket Use

• DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2015.0667
• Publication Date: 2015-11-02T21:06:52Z
• Authors: Tamara Dubowitz; Madhumita Ghosh-D...; Deborah A. Cohen; Robin Beckman; Elizabeth D. Steiner; Gerald P. Hunter; Karen R. Flórez; Christina Huang; Christine A. Vaughan; Jennifer C. Sloan; Shannon N. Zenk; Steven Cummins; Rebecca L. Collins
• Keywords: Calorie; Consumption; Healthy food; Refined grains; Food group

Placing full-service supermarkets in food deserts—areas with limited access to healthy food—has been promoted as a way reduce inequalities food, improve diet, and the risk of obesity. However, previous studies provide scant evidence such impacts. We surveyed households two Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, neighborhoods 2011 2014, one which received new supermarket 2013. Comparing trends neighborhoods, we obtained multiple positive impacts from placement. In neighborhood found net changes overall dietary quality; average daily intakes kilocalories added sugars; percentage solid fats, sugars, alcohol. only outcome recipient specifically associated regular use was improved perceived food. did not observe differential improvement between fruit vegetable intake, whole grain consumption, or body mass index. Incentivizing locate deserts is appropriate. efforts should proceed caution, until mechanisms by stores affect diet their ability influence weight status are better understood.