Assessing The Food Environment in Urban Poor Communities

Abstract

Background: The food environment represents the range of foods that can be accessed in the context where people live and can enable or restrict healthy dietary choices. This includes the availability, affordability, convenience, and desirability of food, as well as the sustainability properties of food and beverages. Understanding the environmental factors influencing dietary behaviors is crucial in addressing the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases, particularly in low-resource settings like urban poor communities in Ghana. This study assessed the food environment in James Town and Ussher Town, in Accra, Ghana. Research methodology: This study used data from the Contextual Awareness, Response and Evaluation; Diabetes (CARE Diabetes) project. Geographic information Systems was used to map food vendors and markets in the community during the data collection between November and December 2022. A combination of spatial and statistical analysis tools was used to analyse the characteristics of the food environment including heat maps Results/Findings: The food environment in Ga-Mashie was characterized by a predominance of traditional staple foods, including banku, fufu, kenkey, and rice-based dishes. The mapping exercise identified 2,862 food items, with a significant portion categorized as green-labelled foods under the Traffic Light Food Labelling System, indicating high fibre content and nutritional value. The study also identified a presence of ultra-processed foods, though they were less common, posing potential risks for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Conclusion: This study aimed to assess the food environment in Ga-Mashie, with a focus on quantifying the various types of food vendors and classifying available foods using both the Traffic Light Labelling System and the NOVA Food Classification System. The findings revealed a predominantly informal food retail system, characterized by a rich variety of community staples that are high in fibre and integral to the local diet.