title: Overweight and obesity: can we reconcile evidence about supermarkets and fast food retailers for public health policy?
abstract: The aim of this study is to determine whether access to fast food outlets and supermarkets is associated with overweight and obesity in New York City neighborhoods. We use a Bayesian ecologic approach for spatial prediction. Consistent with prior research, we find no association between fast food density and overweight or obesity. Consistent with prior research, we find that supermarket access has a salutary impact on overweight and obesity. Given the lack of empirical evidence linking fast food retailers with adverse health outcomes, policymakers should be encouraged to adopt policies that incentivize the establishment of supermarkets and the modification of existing food store markets and retailers to offer healthier choices. Reaching within neighborhoods and modifying the physical environment and public health prevention and intervention efforts based on the characteristics of those neighborhoods may play a key role in creating healthier communities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Policy & Management, School of Health Sciences and Practice, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA. Deborah_viola@nymc.edu
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Viola
authors.forename: Peter S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Arno
authors.forename: Andrew R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Maroko
authors.forename: Clyde B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Schechter
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sohler
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rundle
authors.forename: Kathryn M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Neckerman
authors.forename: Juliana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Maantay
mesh_terms: D001499:Bayes Theorem; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D057140:Fast Foods / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D005260:Female; D005523:Food Supply; D006291:Health Policy; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology