Neighbourhood socioeconomic inequalities in food access and affordability

Health Place. 2009 Jun;15(2):578-585. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2008.09.010. Epub 2008 Oct 19.

Abstract

This study investigated whether the availability and accessibility of supermarkets and fruit and vegetable stores, and the availability, variety and price of foods within these stores, varied across areas of different levels of socioeconomic disadvantage in Melbourne, Australia. Data on food store locations, and food variety and price within stores were obtained through objective audits of 45 neighbourhoods of varying socioeconomic disadvantage. Geographical accessibility of healthy food stores was mostly better amongst those living in more advantaged neighbourhoods. Availability of healthy foods within stores only slightly favoured those in advantaged neighbourhoods. However food prices favoured those living in disadvantaged areas.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Food / economics*
  • Food Supply / economics*
  • Food Supply / statistics & numerical data
  • Geographic Information Systems
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Residence Characteristics / statistics & numerical data*
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Victoria
  • Young Adult