In many countries, people buy food in supermarkets, convenience stores, and online. But how is this convenience affecting our health?
Our study, done with UNICEF, looked at how people in 97 countries shopped for groceries over 15 years.
We found that the number of supermarkets and convenience stores is growing. People are also spending more money in these stores and online.
However, this has negative effects on our health. In countries with more chain grocery stores, people buy more unhealthy food and become more obese.
We studied food shops around the world. We found that chain grocery stores increased by 23.6% from 2009 to 2023. Many more of these stores opened in low- and middle-income countries.
Our study showed that unhealthy processed food sales grew by 10.9% in 15 years. Because of this, obesity rates are also rising.
Some countries are starting to change. For example, the UK is working to limit where unhealthy foods are placed in stores. It is important to create healthier food choices for everyone.
Vocabulary List:
- Convenience /kənˈviː.njəns/ (noun): The state of being able to proceed with something with little effort or difficulty.
- Obese /əʊˈbiːs/ (adjective): Having an excessive amount of body fat.
- Processed /ˈprəʊ.sesd/ (adjective): Subjected to a series of mechanical or chemical operations to change or preserve it.
- Sales /seɪlz/ (noun): The exchange of a commodity for money; the action of selling something.
- Increasing /ɪnˈkriː.sɪŋ/ (verb): Becoming larger or greater in size amount or degree.
- Limit /ˈlɪm.ɪt/ (verb): To restrict or control something within certain boundaries.
How much do you know?
How did the study conducted with UNICEF examine people's grocery shopping habits?
What is the impact of the growing number of supermarkets and convenience stores on people's spending habits?
According to the study, what happens to people in countries with more chain grocery stores?
How much did chain grocery stores increase from 2009 to 2023 according to the study?
What percentage did unhealthy processed food sales grow in 15 years based on the study?
Which country is mentioned as working to limit where unhealthy foods are placed in stores?
The study found that the number of supermarkets and convenience stores is decreasing worldwide.
Unhealthy processed food sales have no impact on obesity rates according to the study.
Low- and middle-income countries saw a decrease in chain grocery stores from 2009 to 2023.
The study showed that healthier food choices are not a concern for public health officials.
The UK is highlighted as a country taking steps to promote healthier food choices.
The study concluded that convenience stores have a positive impact on people's health.
Chain grocery stores increased by from 2009 to 2023.
Unhealthy processed food sales grew by in 15 years according to the study.
The study focused on examining people's grocery shopping habits over a period of years in 97 countries.
The UK is actively working to limit the placement of unhealthy foods in stores to promote food choices.
According to the study, in countries with more chain grocery stores, people tend to buy more food and become obese.
In many countries, people buy food in various places such as supermarkets, convenience stores, and .
