Table 3.

Comparison of NEMS-R total scores and sub-scores by food outlet type and neighborhood poverty level in Sample 1^a

	n	Mean total scoreb		Mean sub-scoresb
		Original	Rescaledc	Food availability	Nutrition information	Promotions	Price
All outlets	216	13.69	47.3	10.58	5.12	−0.61	−1.39
Bodega	109	13.09	46.6	13.27	0.54	0.08	−0.80
Fast food	107	14.31	48.0	7.84	9.78	−1.32	−1.99
P value for difference by outlet type		0.220		<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001
High-poverty	102	11.57	44.8	9.68	4.19	−1.00	−1.29
Low-poverty	114	15.60	49.5	11.39	5.95	−0.26	−1.47
P value for difference by poverty		<0.001		0.036	0.012	0.042	0.573
Fast food
High-poverty	45	11.60	44.9	6.38	9.42	−2.00	−2.20
Low-poverty	62	16.27	50.3	8.90	10.03	−0.82	−1.84
P value for difference by poverty		0.002		0.013	0.244	0.073	0.512
Bodegas
High-poverty	57	11.54	44.8	12.28	0.05	−0.21	−0.58
Low-poverty	52	14.79	48.6	14.35	1.08	0.40	−1.04
P value for difference by poverty		0.013		0.047	0.003	0.026	0.126

^aSample 1 includes 216 bodegas and fast food restaurants sampled from high-density commercial streets in high- and low-poverty neighborhoods in New York City. High-poverty neighborhoods are census tracts in the top third of poverty rates city-wide; low-poverty neighborhoods are census tracts in the bottom third of poverty rates.

^bFor NEMS total score and sub-scores, higher scores indicate a nutrition environment more conducive to healthy eating. The total NEMS sub-score is equivalent to the sum of the four sub-scores. The food availability sub-score is the sum of: (1) 3 points for: baked chips, whole grain bread, fruit without added sugar, non-fried vegetables, 100% fruit juice, low-fat or skim milk, and diet soda; (2) count of healthy main dishes (1=1 choice, 2=2–4 choices, 3=5+ choices); (3) count of healthy main dish salads (1=1 choice, 2=2–4 choices, 3=5+ choices); (4) count of low-fat or fat-free salad dressings (1=1 choice, 2=2 choices, 3=3+ choices). The nutrition information sub-score is the sum of: 3 points for nutrition information during the site visit; 3 points for nutrition information on the menu; 3 points for nutrition information on signs/brochures; 2 points for identification of healthier menu items; and 3 points for either nutrition information or identification of healthier items on the menu. The promotions sub-score allots 3 points each for menus encouraging healthy requests, signs highlighting healthy options, and signs encouraging healthy eating; 3 points each are deducted for menus encouraging large portions, menus discouraging special requests, signs encouraging unhealthy eating, signs encouraging overeating, and presence of a “low-carb” promotion. The pricing sub-score allots 3 points each for availability of reduced-size portions and charging less for smaller portions; 3 points each are deducted for charging less for combination meals than for individual items, all-you-can-eat or unlimited refills, charging more for healthy options, and charging more for shared entrees.

^cThe rescaled total NEMS-R scores have been transformed to have a hypothetical range from 0–100.