title: Does the availability of snack foods in supermarkets vary internationally?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cross-country differences in dietary behaviours and obesity rates have been previously reported. Consumption of energy-dense snack foods and soft drinks are implicated as contributing to weight gain, however little is known about how the availability of these items within supermarkets varies internationally. This study assessed variations in the display of snack foods and soft drinks within a sample of supermarkets across eight countries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Within-store audits were used to evaluate and compare the availability of potato chips (crisps), chocolate, confectionery and soft drinks. Displays measured included shelf length and the proportion of checkouts and end-of-aisle displays containing these products. Audits were conducted in a convenience sample of 170 supermarkets across eight developed nations (Australia, Canada, Denmark, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, United Kingdom (UK), and United States of America (US)).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean total aisle length of snack foods (adjusted for store size) was greatest in supermarkets from the UK (56.4 m) and lowest in New Zealand (21.7 m). When assessed by individual item, the greatest aisle length devoted to chips, chocolate and confectionery was found in UK supermarkets while the greatest aisle length dedicated to soft drinks was in Australian supermarkets. Only stores from the Netherlands (41%) had less than 70% of checkouts featuring displays of snack foods or soft drinks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Whilst between-country variations were observed, overall results indicate high levels of snack food and soft drinks displays within supermarkets across the eight countries. Exposure to snack foods is largely unavoidable within supermarkets, increasing the likelihood of purchases and particularly those made impulsively.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Melbourne Burwood Campus, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Melbourne 3125, Australia. lukar.thornton@deakin.edu.au
authors.forename: Lukar E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Thornton
authors.forename: Adrian J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Cameron
authors.forename: Sarah A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: McNaughton
authors.forename: Wilma E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Waterlander
authors.forename: Marita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sodergren
authors.forename: Chalida
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Svastisalee
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Blanchard
authors.forename: Angela D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Liese
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Battersby
authors.forename: Mary-Ann
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: Judy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sheeshka
authors.forename: Sharon I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Kirkpatrick
authors.forename: Sandy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sherman
authors.forename: Gill
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cowburn
authors.forename: Charlie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Crawford
mesh_terms: D044362:Australasia; D003132:Commerce; D004032:Diet / Q000208:ethnology*; D002149:Energy Intake; D005060:Europe; D005523:Food Supply; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D040541:Marketing; D009656:North America; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D062410:Snacks