by Amrin Golam –
Where do you buy your food? In the developed world, it has become the norm to go to local supermarkets. As we experience a nutrition transition on a global scale this is also becoming a more common occurrence in the developing world.[1]
Figure 1. An image showing a cyclist carrying a bag of rice in Mwea, Kenya. Source: Kesammio, CC BY-SA 4.0
The growth of supermarkets is shifting the global diet.[2] This nutritional shift has numerous health effects, and has coincided with a rising rate of obesity.[1] Kimenju et al (2015) is a study that addresses this global environmental challenge of nutrition and health by focusing on the contribution of supermarkets to obesity in Kenya. The study’s justification for its focus on Kenya, is that its observed trends can be used to predict the effects in surrounding poorer regions where supermarkets have yet to fully establish.[3]
This research is globally important as diet is interlinked with health, and supermarkets have a great impact on our diet.[4] The World Health Organisation has stated that a higher body mass index (associated with obesity) increases the risk of cancer and other non-communicable diseases. [5] In fact, 12 types of cancer are currently linked to obesity.[6] This can act as a socioeconomic burden by reducing quality of life and increasing health care costs.[7]
Surveys were conducted in three different towns: Ol Kalou (has an operating supermarket since 2002), Mwea (has an operating supermarket since 2011) and Njabini (has no supermarket), obtaining information about food consumption. From this, they found a higher body mass index in adults from households which consumed more supermarket food.[3]
So, what does this mean? The study explains that when a supermarket initially opens in a developing country, they predominantly sell processed foods, the consumption of which increases likelihood of obesity.[3] Contrarily, Michimi & Wimberly (2010) found that supermarkets in the USA helped reduce obesity due to the availability of healthy, fresh produce. Kimenju et al (2015) refers to this study to emphasise the link between types of supermarket food offered and obesity [3,8].
Interestingly, results showed that supermarkets did not increase obesity in children, instead helping reduce undernutrition. This is explained by supermarkets providing children with easier access to a varied diet which is important for growth.[3] A key difference between dietary needs of adults and children is demonstrated here and understanding this may help tackle global challenges such as world hunger.
Overall, the study concluded that food consumption habits are being influenced by supermarkets, but its effects vary with age and context. The focus on Kenya means that impacts of supermarkets may be different in developed areas of the world due to socioeconomic factors. Therefore, no overall judgement can be drawn from the study itself. However, the findings demonstrate the dual nature of supermarkets – helping reduce food insecurity but also contributing to obesity. The side of the coin it will end up on will become clear as supermarkets continue to expand.[3]
The study helps us understand global trends between health, diet and consumer behaviour and makes us reflect on our own decisions – in your next supermarket trip, what will you be putting in your basket?
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References
[1]: Popkin, B.M. (1998) The nutrition transition and its health implications in lower-income countries. Public health nutrition, 1(1), 5-21. 0.1079/phn19980004
[2]: Popkin, B.M., Adair, L.S. and Ng, S.W. (2012) Global nutrition transition and the pandemic of obesity in developing countries. Nutrition reviews, 70(1), 3-21. 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2011.00456
[3]: Kimenju, S.C., Rischke, R., Klasen, S. and Qaim, M. (2015) Do supermarkets contribute to the obesity pandemic in developing countries? Public health nutrition, 18(17), 3224-3233. 10.1017/S1368980015000919
[4]: Hawkes, C. (2008) Dietary implications of supermarket development: a global perspective. Development Policy Review, 26(6), 657-692.10.1111/j.1467-7679.2008.00428
[5]: World Health Organisation (2020) Obesity and overweight. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight [Accessed 2 December 2020]
[6]: World Cancer Research Fund. Available at: https://www.wcrf-uk.org/uk/preventing-cancer/can-cancer-be-prevented [Accessed 2 December 2020]
[7]: The World Bank (2020) Obesity Health and Economic Consequences of an Impending Global Challenge. [pdf] Washington: The World Bank Group. Available at: https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/32383/9781464814914.pdf [Accessed 3 December 2020]
[8]: Michimi, A. and Wimberly, M.C. (2010) Associations of supermarket accessibility with obesity and fruit and vegetable consumption in the conterminous United States. International Journal of health geographics, 9(1), 49. 10.1186/1476-072X-9-49
