Study Title
Changes to local area public sector spending and food purchasing in England: a longitudinal ecological study
Principal Investigator
Rosemary H. Jenkins, Eszter P. Vamos, David Taylor-Robinson, Kate E. Mason, Anthony A. Laverty.
Affiliation
Public Health Policy Evaluation Unit, Imperial College London; Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems, University of Liverpool.
Start Date
July 27, 2021.
End Date
February 16, 2022.
Study Objective
To assess the impacts of local authority (LA) expenditure changes in England on food purchasing, focusing on fresh fruits, vegetables, and high-fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS) foods, as well as takeaway consumption.
Short Abstract
This longitudinal ecological study examined the association between changes in public sector spending in local authorities in England and the purchasing patterns of food, including fresh fruits and vegetables, HFSS foods, and takeaways. Results indicated that reductions in LA spending, particularly on highways, transport, and housing, were associated with a decrease in the purchase of healthy foods and an increase in takeaways. This study provides insights into the impacts of austerity measures on food purchasing behaviors, highlighting the need for further research into individual-level effects.
Study Design
Longitudinal panel survey using fixed effects linear regression to evaluate the association between LA service spending and food purchasing behaviors from 2008 to 2015.
Population
Local authorities in England (324 LAs included).
Sample Size
Not applicable (study based on population data from LAs).
Inclusion Criteria
Data from 324 lower-tier local authorities in England (excluding Isles of Scilly and City of London).
Exclusion Criteria
Not specified.
Intervention/Exposure
Changes in local authority expenditure per capita on services such as highways and transport, housing services, and total LA services.
Outcome Measures
- Changes in the purchasing of fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Changes in HFSS food purchasing.
- Changes in takeaway consumption as a percentage of total food and drink expenditure.
Funding Source
Not explicitly mentioned.
Collaborating Institutions
Imperial College London, University of Liverpool.
Ethics Approval
Not specified in the abstract.
Publication Status
Published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health, March 2022.
Keywords
Local authority spending, food purchasing, fruit and vegetable consumption, HFSS foods, takeaways, austerity, public health.
Data Collection Methods
Fixed effects linear regression models, spatial microsimulation methods, and scatter plots of food purchasing patterns over time.
Primary Data Availability
Data available in the form of online supplemental material.
Contact Information
Dr. Rosemary H. Jenkins,