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Large-scale diet tracking data reveal disparate associations between food environment and diet

Health and Fitness

Large-scale diet tracking data reveal disparate associations between food environment and diet

T. Althoff, H. Nilforoshan, et al.

This fascinating study by Tim Althoff, Hamed Nilforoshan, Jenna Hua, and Jure Leskovec explores how access to grocery stores, fast food, and socioeconomic factors influence diet among over a million MyFitnessPal users in the US. The findings reveal significant disparities based on community demographics, underscoring the need for targeted dietary interventions.

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Playback language: English
Abstract
This study leverages smartphone data from 1,164,926 MyFitnessPal users to investigate the relationship between food environment and diet in the US. The researchers found that greater grocery store access, less fast food access, higher income, and higher education were associated with healthier diets (more fruits and vegetables, less fast food and soda, lower obesity). However, these associations varied significantly across zip codes with predominantly Black, Hispanic, or white populations, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
Publisher
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
Published On
Jan 18, 2022
Authors
Tim Althoff, Hamed Nilforoshan, Jenna Hua, Jure Leskovec
Tags
food environment
diet
grocery access
fast food
socioeconomic factors
health disparities
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