Shopping data reveals ‘food desert’ hotspots in London, suggesting where nutritional needs are not be being met

New research has used purchasing data to map areas of London where residents may be suffering from a nutritionally inadequate diet, pinpointing where there are ‘food deserts.’

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 today 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 food and drink purchases were organised into 12 categories – grains, sweets, soft drinks, fruit and veg, fish, red meat, poultry, sauces, fats & oils, eggs, dairy and ready meals. The researchers analysed these against factors including household income, car ownership and black and minority populations.

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).

Poor diet and nutrition are a leading global risk to health, and accounts for 13% of deaths in the UK. Diets high in processed foods, sugars, and fats are known to cause obesity and are associated with a range of negative health outcomes including; hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes. In recent years, 61% of London’s adult population were classed as overweight or obese, and childhood obesity rates (for ages 10–11) were higher than the England average. Increased production of processed foods, rapid urbanisation, and changing lifestyles have led to a shift in dietary patterns.

Tayla Broadbridge is a PhD student from the School of Mathematics and is part of the joint Nottingham-Adelaide PhD program. She led the research and said: “We are re-thinking urban food deserts: purchase data, not supermarket locations, shows the reality of access to healthy food in London”. A map of food stores only shows potential access – food purchase data shows the reality, revealing where Londoner’s diets are nutritionally deficient.”

She continues: “Our findings emphasise the need for targeted interventions that address local food access issues according to specific socioeconomic characteristics. To be effective interventions should be strategically targeted to areas that show nutritionally deficient purchasing behaviours, and with sociodemographic characteristics in mind. A ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach is not the most effective way of addressing food deserts in London, and interventions should be tailored to the local level to maximise the effectiveness and compliance.”

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