Snacking in Children: The Role of Urban Corner Stores

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Childhood obesity is higher among ethnic minorities. One reason may be the limited access to affordable, healthy options. The disparate prevalence of urban corner stores in low-income and high-minority communities has been well documented. There are no data, however, on what children purchase in these environments before and after school. The purpose of this study was to document the nature of children's purchases in corner stores proximal to their schools. METHODS: This was an observational study from January to June 2008. Participants were children in grades 4 through 6 from 10 urban K-8 schools with ≥50% of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals. A total of 833 intercept surveys of children's purchases were conducted outside 24 corner stores before and after school. The main outcomes were type and energy content of items purchased. RESULTS: The most frequently purchased items were energy-dense, low-nutritive foods and beverages, such as chips, candy, and sugar-sweetened beverages. Students spent $1.07 ± 0.93 on 2.1 ± 1.3 items (1.6 ± 1.1 food items and 0.5 ± 0.6 beverage items) per purchase. The total number of calories purchased per trip was 1497.7 ± 1219.3 kJ (356.6 ± 290.3 kcal). More calories came from foods than from beverages. CONCLUSIONS: Purchases made in corner stores contribute significantly to energy intake among urban school children. Obesity prevention efforts, as well as broader efforts to enhance dietary quality among children in urban settings, should include corner store environments proximal to schools.

Availability of processed foods in the perimeter of public schools in urban areas

“…Os resultados mostraram que as crianças que participaram do estudo adquiriam, em média, 356 kcal por compra, podendo chegar a 712 kcal/dia e 3.560 kcal/semana para as crianças que compravam duas vezes ao dia, durante 5 dias da semana, nesses locais. Os alimentos mais populares eram os de baixo custo, altamente energéticos e com baixo valor nutritivo 23 .…”

An examination of the roles played by early adolescent children in interactions with their local food environment

“…Each of these age groups should be studied separately in order to understand how they may interact with the FE differently. While there is some qualitative 19 and quantitative research in this area, [16][17][18] there is a need for more of both to better understand how children interact with their community and consumer nutrition environments.…”

“…Previous studies have found that children frequently purchase and consume energy-dense snack foods and sugar-sweetened beverages from stores near their school and home, and when they are guests in others' homes; however, there is limited qualitative research on the local FE of early adolescent children and their food purchasing decisions. [16][17][18][19] The purpose of this study was to examine how pre-and early adolescent (10-14 years old) children from a wide range of neighbourhoods interact with their local FE, with a focus on the foods and food sources they access and their locations. Children in this age group are developing independence and mobility within (and beyond) their home neighbourhoods but are somewhat geographically bound as they cannot yet drive.…”

Industry Progress to Market a Healthful Diet to American Children and Adolescents

“…Unhealthy food and beverage products were widely available to children through food retailers. 97,98 Nevertheless, Wal-Mart announced encouraging steps in early 2011 to expand healthier options. 99 Only three trade associations are members or partners of the HWCF.…”