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Article
The Influence of Local Food Environments on Adolescents' Food Purchasing Behaviors
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
  • Meizi He, University of Texas at San Antonio
  • Patricia Tucker, University of Western Ontario
  • Jason Gilliland, University of Western Ontario
  • Jennifer D. Irwin, University of Western Ontario
  • Kristian Larsen, University of Toronto
  • Paul Hess, University of Toronto
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-1-2012
URL with Digital Object Identifier
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph9041458
Disciplines
Abstract

This study examined the relationship between the neighborhood food environment and the food purchasing behaviors among adolescents. Grade 7 and 8 students (n = 810) at 21 elementary schools in London, Ontario, Canada completed a questionnaire assessing their food purchasing behaviors. Parents of participants also completed a brief questionnaire providing residential address and demographic information. A Geographic Information System (GIS) was used to assess students' home and school neighborhood food environment and land use characteristics. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the influence of the home neighborhood food environment on students' food purchasing behaviors, while two-level Hierarchical Non-Linear Regression Models were used to examine the effects of school neighborhood food environment factors on students' food purchasing behaviors. The study showed that approximately 65% of participants reported self-purchasing foods from fast-food outlets or convenience stores. Close proximity (i.e., less than 1 km) to the nearest fast-food outlet or convenience store in the home neighborhood increased the likelihood of food purchasing from these food establishments at least once per week by adolescents (p < 0.05). High fast-food outlet density in both home and school neighborhoods was associated with increased fast-food purchasing by adolescents (i.e., at least once per week; p < 0.05). In conclusion, macro-level regulations and policies are required to amend the health-detracting neighborhood food environment surrounding children and youth's home and school.

Notes

Also available open access in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health at: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph9041458

Citation Information
Meizi He, Patricia Tucker, Jason Gilliland, Jennifer D. Irwin, et al.. "The Influence of Local Food Environments on Adolescents' Food Purchasing Behaviors" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Vol. 9 Iss. 4 (2012) p. 1458 - 1471
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/trish_tucker/115/