%0 Journal Article
%T The Influence of Local Food Environments on Adolescents¡¯ Food Purchasing Behaviors
%A Meizi He
%A Patricia Tucker
%A Jason Gilliland
%A Jennifer D. Irwin
%A Kristian Larsen
%A Paul Hess
%J International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
%D 2012
%I MDPI AG
%R 10.3390/ijerph9041458
%X This study examined the relationship between the neighborhood food environment and the food purchasing behaviors among adolescents. Grade 7 and 8 students (n = 810) at 21 elementary schools in London, Ontario, Canada completed a questionnaire assessing their food purchasing behaviors. Parents of participants also completed a brief questionnaire providing residential address and demographic information. A Geographic Information System (GIS) was used to assess students¡¯ home and school neighborhood food environment and land use characteristics. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the influence of the home neighborhood food environment on students¡¯ food purchasing behaviors, while two-level Hierarchical Non-Linear Regression Models were used to examine the effects of school neighborhood food environment factors on students¡¯ food purchasing behaviors. The study showed that approximately 65% of participants reported self-purchasing foods from fast-food outlets or convenience stores. Close proximity ( i.e., less than 1 km) to the nearest fast-food outlet or convenience store in the home neighborhood increased the likelihood of food purchasing from these food establishments at least once per week by adolescents ( p < 0.05). High fast-food outlet density in both home and school neighborhoods was associated with increased fast-food purchasing by adolescents ( i.e., at least once per week; p < 0.05). In conclusion, macro-level regulations and policies are required to amend the health-detracting neighborhood food environment surrounding children and youth¡¯s home and school.
%K child and adolescent health
%K environmental health
%K nutrition and diet
%U http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/9/4/1458