Children have an increased risk of obesity when there are more convenience stores in their neighborhood, a new study shows. “In this study, we found that community food environment, particularly small neighborhood stores, can significantly influence children’s weight status. Our findings are useful for designing future interventions and public policies,” said study author Punam Ohri-Vachaspati, a professor at Arizona State University’s College of Health Solutions.
The researchers followed two groups of low-income and ethnic/racial minority children, aged 3-15, in four New Jersey cities: Camden, New Brunswick, Newark and Trenton. One group was followed from 2009-2010 to 2014-2015, the second from 2014 to 2016-2017. To read the full story.