UC Riverside Study Links Dollar Store Food to 3 Health Risks Across 500 U.S. Cities
Updated
Updated · Yahoo! Voices · Aug 19
UC Riverside Study Links Dollar Store Food to 3 Health Risks Across 500 U.S. Cities
3 articles · Updated · Yahoo! Voices · Aug 19
Summary
UC Riverside researchers found dollar store grocery shopping was associated with higher obesity, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure rates, using CDC data from the 500 largest U.S. cities.
Rising grocery costs appear to be driving households toward cheaper, more processed dollar store food, which the study says harms health in ways similar to fast food.
A 10-minute-drive mapping analysis showed the effect was stronger in places with a higher ratio of dollar stores to traditional grocers, though bodegas and small independents were not fully captured.
Researchers and outside dietitians stressed the study shows association, not causation, and argued the fix is healthier affordable staples in dollar stores rather than shaming shoppers or removing stores.