The Impact of the Changing Food Environment

The food environment, encompassing factors like food availability, affordability, desirability, and accessibility, has undergone significant transformations over the past few decades. The rise of ultra-processed, calorically dense foods, coupled with the expansion of food delivery services, has led to a shift in eating habits towards larger portion sizes, increased consumption of meals prepared outside the home, and a surge in energy intake from sugar-sweetened beverages and snacks. These changes coincide with the escalation of the obesity epidemic, highlighting the profound influence of the food environment on dietary behaviors and health outcomes.