how local stores affect kids’ snacking

Childhood obesity in America is higher among ethnic minorities. One reason may be their limited access to affordable, healthy food options, according to researchers who reported their findings in the November issue of the journal Pediatrics.

The purpose of the study under review was to document the nature of children’s food purchases in “corner stores” located near their
elementary schools. This observational trial looked at kids in grades 4 through 6 who lived and attended school in low-income, high-minority neighborhoods.

The kids’ most frequently purchased products were energy-dense, low-nutrition foods and beverages, such as chips, candy and sugar-sweetened drinks. The types and
nature of the items led the researchers to conclude that “purchases made in corner stores contribute significantly to energy intake among urban school children. Obesity prevention
efforts, as well as broader efforts to enhance dietary quality among children in urban settings, should include corner store environments proximal to schools.”