There are several ways that urban food environments, built environments, and technology advancements lead to poorer diets and less physical activity. Here are five features of urban environments that contribute to the obesity epidemic in low- and middle-income countries:
1. More High-Calorie Foods
Urban centers have more multinational supermarkets and fast-food chains, offering a ready supply of processed foods, high-calorie snacks, sweets, and sugary beverages, (1) and fewer open markets and farm stands.
2. More Passive Transportation
Urban centers have more roads, cars, and car travel, and less walking or biking for transportation or leisure. (2)
3. Less Open Space
Urban centers have more densely populated neighborhoods, and less outdoor recreational space.
4. More Mass Media
Urban centers offer more exposure to mass media marketing of food and beverages, (3) which can shift people’s preferences away from traditional diets.
5. Less Work-Related Physical Activity
Urban centers have more sedentary jobs (such as manufacturing and desk jobs) and fewer active jobs (such as farming).
References
1. Reardon T, Timmer CP, Barrett CB, Berdegu J. The rise of supermarkets in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Am J Agric Econ. 2003; 85:11406.
2. Kjellstrom T, Hakansta C, Hogstedt C. Globalisation and public health-overview and a Swedish perspective. Scand J Public Health Suppl. 2007; 70:268.
3. Hawkes C. Uneven dietary development: linking the policies and processes of globalization with the nutrition transition, obesity and diet-related chronic diseases. Global Health. 2006; 2:4.