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Ubiquity of Sugary Drinks and Processed Food Throughout Food and Non-Food Retail Settings in NYC

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Abstract

Sugary drinks and processed foods are associated with negative health outcomes in adults, including weight gain, and their consumption should be limited. However, they may be difficult to avoid if they are ubiquitously available in the retail environment. This study aimed to quantify the availability of such products for sale throughout New York City (NYC) at both food and non-food retailers. In 2018, ten one-mile retail-dense NYC street segments were selected for the sample. Data collectors canvassed each segment and visited all retailers, recording the type (food/non-food) and presence of processed food and beverages for sale. Descriptive statistics were analyzed for availability of products sold in retailers overall and by retailer type. In total, 491 retailers were identified (191 food, 300 non-food). Sugary drinks were available at 83% of food retailers and 19% of non-food retailers, while processed foods were available at 61% of food retailers and 16% of non-food retailers. Eighty-five percent of food retailers and 21% of non-food retailers sold sugary drinks and/or processed foods. This study supports and builds on results of previous research examining the availability of food and beverages in the retail environment. Sugary drinks and processed foods are ubiquitous at food and non-food retailers, providing pervasive cues to consume energy-dense, nutrient-poor products. Restrictions on where such products can be sold merit consideration.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Ben Spoer as well as the data collectors: Ayda Ahmadi, Amaal Alruwaily, Sana Amin, Sonia Borkowski, Liane Capiral, Sydney Chen, Stephanie Fisher, Amanda Joa, Daniel Karlic, Kaylee Lamarche, Chelsea Mangold, Saman Marji, Sandrine Martin, Kaicy Naranjo, Josephine Pinnock, Michelle Rosa, Noah Rosenberg, Sonia Sharma, Acacia Sharma, and Sarah Younes for their significant contributions to this study.

Funding

This work was supported by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 42-09 28th Street, 11th Floor, Long Island City, NY, 11101, USA

    Tamar Adjoian Mezzacca, Amaka V. Anekwe, Shannon M. Farley & Kimberly A. Kessler

  2. Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, 180 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA

    Michelle Q. Rosa, Marie A. Bragg & Pasquale E. Rummo

  3. New York University College of Global Public Health, 665 Broadway, 11th Floor, New York, NY, 10003, USA

    Michelle Q. Rosa & Marie A. Bragg

Authors
  1. Tamar Adjoian Mezzacca
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  2. Amaka V. Anekwe
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  3. Shannon M. Farley
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  4. Kimberly A. Kessler
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  5. Michelle Q. Rosa
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  6. Marie A. Bragg
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  7. Pasquale E. Rummo
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Contributions

TAM collaborated on study design, analyzed the data and co-led writing. AVA collaborated on study design and co-led writing. SMF collaborated on the study design and supported analyses and writing. KAK contributed to interpretation of data and supported writing. MQR managed and cleaned data and contributed to data analysis. MAB collaborated on study design and interpretation of data and supported writing. PER collaborated on study design and interpretation of data and supported writing. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tamar Adjoian Mezzacca.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Appendix: Data Collection Tool, NYC Retail Canvassing Study, 2018

Appendix: Data Collection Tool, NYC Retail Canvassing Study, 2018

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Mezzacca, T.A., Anekwe, A.V., Farley, S.M. et al. Ubiquity of Sugary Drinks and Processed Food Throughout Food and Non-Food Retail Settings in NYC. J Community Health 45, 973–978 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-020-00815-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-020-00815-x

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