The researchers found that snack food was available in 41% of the storesthe most common forms being candy (33%), followed [image-nocss] by sweetened beverages (20%) and salty snacks (17%).
Furthermore, these savory treats are commonly within just an arm's reach of the checkout line.
Researchers found snack foods in 96% of pharmacies, 94% of gas stations, 22% of furniture stores, 16% of apparel stores and 29% to 65% of other stores. Researchers found some variation in availability by region, but not by racial or socioeconomic characteristics of nearby census tracts.
Referring to obesity, the researchers suggested, "This epidemic should prompt public health experts to evaluate the contribution of the widespread availability of energy-dense snack foods and beverages to weight gain and to consider ways to address this availability."
For more information on "The Ubiquity of Energy-Dense Snack Foods: A National Multicity Study," contact Lauren Futrell, Tulane University School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine, at lfutrell@tulane.edu.
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