Exploring food shopping behaviours in 20-minute neighbourhoods: a cross-sectional analysis of ProjectPLAN

Abstract

ABSTRACT Cities worldwide have adopted the ‘20-minute neighbourhood’ concept to promote local healthy living through the provision of everyday services close to home. However, evidence on their impact beyond active travel is lacking. This study investigates whether 20-minute neighbourhoods shape people’s interactions with food stores. Data were from 769 participants from the 2018-2019 Places and Locations for Activity and Nutrition study (ProjectPLAN) conducted in Melbourne and Adelaide, Australia. Outcomes were distance from home to different food stores, frequency of store visits, transport mode to food stores, and reasons for shopping at primary food store. Comparisons were made between those in 20-minute neighbourhoods and non-20-minute neighbourhoods. Visited stores were closer to home for those in 20-minute neighbourhoods. Residents of 20-minute neighbourhoods more frequently visited an additional fruit and vegetable outlet than those of non-20-minute neighbourhoods. While car travel prevailed across neighbourhood types, walking to food stores was more common in 20-minute neighbourhoods. Differences were observed in reasons for shopping at primary food store between residents of 20-minute neighbourhoods and non-20-minute neighbourhoods. This study suggests 20-minute neighbourhoods offer opportunities for greater engagement with local food stores. Whilst walking to stores is more common in 20-minute neighbourhoods, car use remains a dominant travel mode.