Effects of Supermarkets on Consumer Health and Nutrition in Kenya

• Agricultural Economics Workshop
• Departmental Seminar
• Development Workshop

Date and Location

Monday, November 7, 2016, 4:10 PM - 5:30 PM
ARE Library Conference Room, 4101 Social Sciences and Humanities

Abstract

The study tests the hypothesis that the rapid expansion of supermarkets in Africa influences dietary patterns among food consumers, leads to less healthy diets, and thus contributes to rising obesity and chronic diseases. Household and individual level data from urban areas in Kenya are used to run various regression models. The hypothesis is largely confirmed for adult populations, but not for children. For children, supermarkets rather seem to contribute to lower rates of undernutrition.