title: Variety and quality of healthy foods differ according to neighbourhood deprivation.
abstract: This study addresses a gap in the food environment literature by investigating spatial differences in the inter relationship of price, variety and quality of food in southern England. We conducted a survey of all grocery stores (n=195) in the city of Southampton, UK, and ranked neighbourhoods according to national quintiles of deprivation. We found no difference in availability or cheapest price across neighbourhoods. However, the poorest neighbourhoods had less variety of healthy products and poorer quality fruit and vegetables than more affluent neighbourhoods. Dietary inequalities may be exacerbated by differences in the variety and quality of healthy foods sold locally; these factors may influence whether or not consumers purchase healthy foods.
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, England, UK. cb@mrc.soton.ac.uk
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Black
authors.forename: Georgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ntani
authors.forename: Ross
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kenny
authors.forename: Tannaze
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tinati
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jarman
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lawrence
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.forename: Hazel
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Inskip
authors.forename: Cyrus
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: Graham
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.forename: Janis
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Baird
mesh_terms: D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D063427:Food Quality; D005523:Food Supply / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D011204:Poverty Areas; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014675:Vegetables