Retail Food Environment around Schools in Barcelona by Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status: Implications for Local Food Policy

Childhood obesity is a relevant public health problem. The school food environment has been identified as an important factor for promoting healthy eating behaviors. This study assessed the availability of and proximity to unhealthy food stores around schools (n = 22) in the city of Barcelona and its association with neighborhood socioeconomic status (NSES). We conducted this cross-sectional study between 2019 and 2020. First, we identified all food retailers (n = 153) within a 400-m buffer around each school and identified those selling unhealthy food products. Then, we used Poison regression models to measure the association between NSES and the healthy food availability index (HFAI), adjusting for population density and distance. A total of 95% of the food establishments studied were classified as unhealthy (n = 146). In all, 90% of schools that had, at least, two unhealthy retailers in their proximity. There were significant differences in the mean distance to unhealthy establishments according to neighborhood SES and population density (p < 0.05). We found a positive association between schools located in higher SES neighborhoods and a higher availability and affordability of healthy food products (IIR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.45-1.91 p = 0.000). We found strong social inequalities in the supply of healthy foods in Barcelona. Local food policy interventions addressing retail food environment around schools should consider socioeconomic inequalities.

Automated summary

This study assessed the availability and proximity of unhealthy food stores around schools in Barcelona and its association with neighborhood socioeconomic status. The results showed that 95% of food establishments were classified as unhealthy and 90% of schools had at least two unhealthy retailers nearby. This highlights the significant social inequalities in the supply of healthy food in Barcelona, suggesting the need for policy interventions that address socioeconomic differences.