Food Purchasing Characteristics and Perceptions of Neighborhood Food Environment of South Africans Living in Low-, Middle- and High-Socioeconomic Neighborhoods

Feyisayo Odunitan-Wayas, Kufre Okop, Robert Dover, Olufunke Alaba, Lisa Micklesfield, Thandi Puoane, Monica Uys, Lungiswa Tsolekile, Naomi Levitt, Jane Battersby, Hendriena Victor, Shelly Meltzer and Estelle V. Lambert
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Feyisayo Odunitan-Wayas: University of Cape Town Research, Centre for Health through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport, Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7725, South Africa
Kufre Okop: University of Cape Town Research, Centre for Health through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport, Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7725, South Africa
Robert Dover: Departamento de Antropología, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin 050010, Colombia
Lisa Micklesfield: University of Cape Town Research, Centre for Health through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport, Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7725, South Africa
Thandi Puoane: School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, Cape Town 7535, Western Province, South Africa
Monica Uys: University of Cape Town Research, Centre for Health through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport, Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7725, South Africa
Lungiswa Tsolekile: School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, Cape Town 7535, Western Province, South Africa
Naomi Levitt: Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
Jane Battersby: African Centre for Cities, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7701, Western Province, South Africa
Hendriena Victor: University of Cape Town Research, Centre for Health through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport, Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7725, South Africa
Shelly Meltzer: Shelly Meltzer and Associates, Nutrition and Dietetics, Sports Science Institute of South Africa, Newlands, Cape Town 7700, South Africa
Estelle V. Lambert: University of Cape Town Research, Centre for Health through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport, Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7725, South Africa

Sustainability, 2018, vol. 10, issue 12, 1-16

Abstract: Using intercept surveys, we explored demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with food purchasing characteristics of supermarket shoppers and the perceptions of their neighborhood food environment in urban Cape Town. Shoppers (N = 422) aged ≥18 years, categorized by their residential socioeconomic areas (SEAs), participated in a survey after shopping in supermarkets located in different SEAs. A subpopulation, out-shoppers (persons shopping outside their residential SEA), and in-shoppers (persons residing and shopping in the same residential area) were also explored. Fruits and vegetables (F&V) were more likely to be perceived to be of poor quality and healthy food not too expensive by shoppers from low- (OR = 6.36, 95% CI = 2.69, 15.03, p < 0.0001), middle-SEAs (OR = 3.42, 95% CI = 1.45, 8.04, p < 0.001) compared to the high-SEA shoppers. Low SEA shoppers bought F&V less frequently than high- and middle-SEA shoppers. Purchase of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and snacks were frequent and similar across SEAs. Food quality was important to out-shoppers who were less likely to walk to shop, more likely to be employed and perceived the quality of F&V in their neighborhood to be poor. Food purchasing characteristics are influenced by SEAs, with lack of mobility and food choice key issues for low-SEA shoppers.

Keywords: shopping behaviors; food environment; food insecurity; food purchasing characteristics; socioeconomic area; obesity; out-shoppers (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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