Researchers from the University of Nottingham and Adelaide analysed Tesco food purchasing records from 1.6 million people across London to understand how food purchase patterns vary and what they reveal about health.
Their results, published in PLOS Complex Systems, show clear differences in the nutritional quality of food purchased in different areas of London and reveals where there are ‘food deserts’ – areas where residents may face barriers to a healthy and affordable diet.
The results showed area-specific adherence to high-sugar and high-carbohydrate purchases suggesting that residents in these areas are not accessing a nutritionally adequate diet. These behaviours are attributed to ‘food deserts’, and suggest possible barriers to people accessing nutritious foods such as high-fibre and high-protein options. Such areas are located in London’s east (e.g. Newham; Barking and Dagenham), and some areas of London’s north west (e.g. Ealing; Brent).
View: https://journals.plos.org/complexsystems/article?id=10.1371/journal.pcsy.0000072