Changes in neighbourhood food store environment, food behaviour and body mass index, 1981-1990

Objective: This paper examines trends in the neighbourhood food store environment (defined by the number and geographic density of food stores of each type in a neighbourhood), and in food consumption behaviour and overweight risk of 5779 men and women. Design: The study used data gathered by the Stanford Heart Disease Prevention Program in four cross-sectional surveys conducted from 1981 to 1990. Setting: Four mid-sized cities in agricultural regions of California. Subjects: In total, 3154 women and 2625 men, aged 25-74 years. Results: From 1981 to 1990, there were large increases in the number and density of neighbourhood stores selling sweets, pizza stores, small grocery stores and fast-food restaurants. During this period, the percentage of women and men who adopted less healthy food behaviours. The percentage who were obese increased by 28% in women and 24% in men. Conclusion: Findings point to increases in neighbourhood food stores that generally offer mostly pattern changes that may have a substantial impact on obesity, such as larger increases in portion sizes during the 1980s.