The global food environment transition based on the socio-demographic index

• Published in: Global food security 2022-06, Vol.33, p.100632, Article 100632
• Main Authors: Downs, Shauna M., Ahmed, Selena, Warne, Teresa, Fanzo, Jessica, Loucks, Kelly
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: affordability; food security; issues and policy; malnutrition; ready-to-eat foods
• ISSN: 2211-9124; 2211-9124
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gfs.2022.100632

Food environments are a critical point for reorienting the food system towards sustainable diets, as they are directly where consumers make decisions about which foods to acquire. Using global data, we examined shifts in food environments, and the availability, affordability, convenience, and quality of foods within them, over time on the basis of socio-demographic index (SDI) country groupings. Our findings provide evidence of a food environment transition where built environments have shifted from traditional to modern retail outlets between 2005 and 2019 and the availability and affordability of nutrient-rich foods has increased alongside growing sales of ultra-processed and ready-to-eat foods. This transition has implications for the identification of policy and program levers for promoting healthy and sustainable diets and reducing malnutrition globally. •Global food environment transition occurred where built environments shifted from traditional to modern retail outlets.•Nutrient-rich food availability and affordability increased alongside ultra-processed and ready-to-eat food sales growth.•Global food environment transition is linked to the Socio-demographic Index (SDI) of a country.•Global food environment transition is associated with changing food availability, affordability, convenience, and safety.•Global food environment transition has implications for dietary and nutrition transitions many countries are undergoing.