 | Ubiquity of energy-dense snack foods: A national multi-city study Investigators: Thomas Farley, MD, MPH; Erin T. Baker, MS; Lauren E. Futrell, MPH, RD, LDN; Janet C. Rice, PhD Background: As the rate of obesity has increased, so have American snacking habits. High-calorie snacks and beverages are often available in retail stores that don't sell food as their primary business, like dry cleaners, hardware stores, and video stores. The mere availability of these foods can promote consumption. We assessed the availability of these foods in retail outlets. Methods: Pairs of observers visited retail stores that were not food stores or restaurants in 20 U.S. cities. The Prevention Research Center at Tulane University relied on the network of PRCs across the country to assist in data collection in most of these locations. In each city, ten consecutive stores meeting inclusion criteria were observed in each of six commercial areas. Observers noted the availability and location of sweetened beverages, coffee, salty snacks, candy, baked sweets, and frozen sweets. They also made note whether any of these items were available for free. Results: Data are currently available for six cities. This data cites: - 36% of outlets that sold goods and 37% of outlets that sold services offered some snack foods or beverages
- 17% offered carbonated beverages
- 11% offered other sweetened beverages
- 9% offered coffee
- 28% offered candy
- 16% offered salty snacks
- 11% offered baked sweets
- 6% offered frozen sweets
- For 61% of outlets offering salty snacks, the items were within arm's length of the cash register queue
- For 46% of outlets offering candy, the items were within arm's length of the cash register queue
- Among those with candy, it was free in 24% of outlets
- Types of outlets that most frequently offered snack foods or beverages were:
- banks (47%)
- beauty salons, nail salons, and barber shops (38%)
More data is anticipated soon. | | |
