How do we characterize food stores for public health research?

Kersten, E., B. Laraia, M. Kelly, N. Adler, and I. Yen. 2012. Small food stores and availability of nutritious foods: A comparison of database and in-store measures, Northern California, 2009. Preventing Chronic Disease 9:120023. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5888/pcd9.120023

Small food stores are prevalent in urban neighborhoods, but the availability of nutritious food at such stores is not well known. The objective of this study was to determine whether data from 3 commercially available sources would yield a single, homogenous, healthful food store category that can be used to accurately characterize community nutrition environments for public health research. We conducted in-store surveys in 2009 on store type and the availability of nutritious food in a sample of nonchain food stores (n = 102) in 6 predominantly urban counties in Northern California (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Sacramento, San Francisco, and Santa Clara). We compared survey results with commercial database information and neighborhood sociodemographic data by using independent sample t tests and classification and regression trees. We found that commercial databases alone may not adequately categorize small food stores and the availability of nutritious foods. Alternative measures are needed to more accurately inform research and policies that seek to address disparities in diet-related health conditions. 

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