Food Shopping Behaviours And Exposure To Discrimination

ObjectiveThe present study examined food shopping behaviours, particularly distance to grocery shop, and exposure to discrimination.DesignCross-sectional observational study utilizing data from a community survey, neighbourhood food environment observations and the decennial census.SettingThree communities in Detroit, Michigan, USA.SubjectsProbability sample of 919 African-American, Latino and white adults in 146 census blocks and sixty-nine census block groups.ResultsOn average, respondents shopped for groceries 3 center dot 1 miles (4 center dot 99 km) from home, with 30 center dot 9 % shopping within 1 mile (1 center dot 61 km) and 22 center dot 3 % shopping more than 5 miles (8 center dot 05 km) from home. Longer distance to shop was associated with being younger, African-American (compared with Latino), a woman, higher socio-economic status, lower satisfaction with the neighbourhood food environment, and living in a neighbourhood with higher poverty, without a large grocery store and further from the nearest supermarket. African-Americans and those with the lowest incomes were particularly likely to report unfair treatment at food outlets. Each mile (1 center dot 61 km) increase in distance to shop was associated with a 7 % increase in the odds of unfair treatment; this relationship did not differ by race/ethnicity.ConclusionsThe study suggests that unfair treatment in retail interactions warrants investigation as a pathway by which restricted neighbourhood food environments and food shopping behaviours may adversely affect health and contribute to health disparities. Efforts to promote 'healthy' and equitable food environments should emphasize local availability and affordability of a range of healthy food products, as well as fair treatment while shopping regardless of race/ethnicity or socio-economic status.