Big retail chains are taking over food markets, and this is leading to more unhealthy eating habits. It’s time we rethink our food environment to address rising obesity rates.
A recent study in Nature Food looks closely at how retail food environments are affecting global health.
Over the last 50 years, our food systems have changed drastically. We’ve shifted from local and traditional sources to a landscape dominated by massive retail chains. While many foods are now easier to get and cheaper, these new systems often make it hard for people to access nutritious options. Instead, they push us toward eating more highly processed products, which are not only unhealthy but also linked to various diseases.
Processed foods tend to be high in calories without providing essential nutrients. Regularly eating these can lead to serious health issues, like obesity and diabetes. The types of food available often depend on where you shop—supermarkets, convenience stores, and restaurants all play a role. In areas where multinational chains are the primary food source, people may be at greater risk of health problems.
Not many studies have compared what different countries offer in terms of food retail environments. We need to change that to understand how these environments impact health across different regions.
The study looked at changes in food retail environments in 97 countries from 2009 to 2023 and noted some interesting trends. Over that period, chain outlets increased by over 23%, rising from 2.63 to 3.25 stores per 10,000 people. This growth happened more quickly in low- and middle-income areas than in wealthier regions.
Conversely, non-chain outlets saw a 13.7% decrease during the same time. Interestingly, this decline was consistent across almost all countries outside North America. The study found that the ratio of non-chain to chain stores dropped significantly, highlighting the dominance of large chains, especially in less wealthy nations.
Sales data revealed that grocery sales from chain outlets rose by 8.5% overall, with South Asia showing the most significant increase. However, there were no changes in grocery sales from chain stores in North America or sub-Saharan Africa. Meanwhile, the sales of unhealthy foods climbed by nearly 5% globally.
The growth in obesity rates aligns with these shopping patterns. From 2009 to 2022, obesity rates jumped by about 2%, with all regions noting an increase. More chain stores and unhealthy food sales correlated positively with rising obesity rates. In many places, as small grocery stores faded, obesity rates went up.
The move toward larger chain retailers often leads to increased obesity levels.
Big retail companies shape the market to maximize their profits, which often means promoting unhealthy, processed foods. As a result, people may unknowingly develop poor eating habits, resulting in a higher risk of diseases like obesity.
This study underscores the urgent need to keep an eye on how changes in food retail environments affect both public health and our planet. It’s especially critical in low- and middle-income countries, where these changes are happening more rapidly.
For more insights, check the full article:
- Scapin, T., Romaniuk, H., Feeley, A., et al. (2025). Global food retail environments are increasingly dominated by large chains and linked to the rising prevalence of obesity. Nature Food.
Check out this related article: How Urban Food Prices Are Skyrocketing: A Deep Dive into Consumer Challenges in Cities
Source linkFood, Obesity, Global Health, Nutrients, Vegetables
