Objective
Explore the influence of the consumer nutrition environment on food purchasing behaviors of Quebec’ food shoppers.
Design, Setting, and Participants
A tool designed to assess the consumer nutrition environment was created based on previous literature and nutritional issues in Québec (Canada). The tool was used to evaluate 17 supermarkets in 3 low-to-medium income neighborhoods in the city of Montreal.
Outcome Measures and Analysis
The shelf space (length), variety and price of fruits, vegetables, chips, sodas and frozen entrees were measured. Quality was assessed for fresh fruits and vegetables. Nudges designed to encourage purchase of fruits and vegetables (FV) or high energy density foods were also observed. Purchasing data were obtained from the Portail de l’environnement bâti, available at https://www.inspq.qc.ca/environnement-bati/accueil.
Results
A greater variety of FV per store was positively associated with increased fresh, lightly processed (canned, frozen, ready-to-eat) and total FV sales, and inversely associated with chips sales. The number of places occupied by FV in the stores and nudges towards their purchase, such as strategic in-store positioning, was also positively correlated with greater sales of fresh fruits, but not vegetables. Shelf length dedicated to frozen entrees was associated with higher sales volume of these foods. The ratio of shelf length dedicated to FV vs high energy density foods and a higher retail price for frozen entrees were both negatively correlated with frozen entree’ sales volume.
Conclusions and Implications
A broader understanding of the consumer nutrition environment and its influence on food purchasing behavior may contribute to the development of strategies targeting dietary habits.
Funding
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Supplementary data
- Supplementary Data
Article info
Publication history
P101
Identification
Copyright
© 2016 Published by Elsevier Inc.
