Food environments are known to influence consumer food choices and nutrition. One notable transformation in developing country food environments is the rapid rise of supermarkets at the expense of more traditional food markets and shops. Supermarkets tend to offer foods at higher levels of processing and in larger packaging sizes than traditional retailers. Supermarkets also differ from traditional retailers in terms of the food variety offered, the prices charged, and the shopping atmosphere.
The high level of processed foods and high cost of purchasing food could have nutritional implications in the overall health of an individual. Supermarkets could contribute to the consumption of more calories and higher levels of processed foods, even after controlling for household income, education, and other confounding factors. Studies also suggested that buying food in supermarkets is associated with higher body mass index (BMI), a higher likelihood of overweight and obesity, and a higher risk of suffering from chronic diseases (Demmler, 2018). These effects are plausible because ultra-processed foods with high fat sugar, and salt contents are known to contribute to overweight and obesity.
This study will assess the influence of supermarket on food consumption pattern.