The impact of increased physical access through the opening of a superstore on fruit and vegetable consumption

Abstract

This is the first study to examine changes in food intake through increased physical access in an area of low fruit and vegetable consumption. The changes in fruit and vegetables were explored in a framework of consumption comprised of changes in physical access, availability, affordability, attitudes and other factors impinging on the buying and consuming of fruits and vegetables.

The food habits, shopping patterns and socio-demographic characteristics were collected from 1009 respondents before the opening of the new superstore and 615 of the same respondents after the opening of the new superstore using a self-completed prospective seven-day food checklist, as well as interviewer-administered and self completed questionnaires. Overall, fruit and vegetable consumption increased by 0.04 portions per day to 2.92 portions per day (p=0.555) following the opening of the new superstore. However, those respondents with lower intakes of fruits and vegetables before the opening of the superstore had significant increases in consumption level irrespective of changes in physical access (p<0.001).

Two hundred and eighteen respondents used the new store as their main source of fruit and vegetable shopping, and increased the consumption levels by 0.15 portions per day to 2.75 portions per day (p=0.229). Analysis showed that distance to the new store was a major factor in its use - people using the store lived significantly closer to it than those who did not (p=0.005). Positive changes in the factors in the framework of consumption for those using the new superstore did not affect the level of fruit and vegetable consumption.

From the results it may be concluded that physical access to fruits and vegetables through the opening of a locally accessible superstore is not a rate-limiting step in their increased consumption for this population. Improvement of physical access to fruit and vegetables on its own may not be an effective strategy to improve fruit and vegetable consumption and thus health status.

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