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Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne de Santé Publique logoLink to Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne de Santé Publique
. 2009 May 1;100(3):189–193. doi: 10.1007/BF03405538

Demographic and Urban Form Correlates of Healthful and Unhealthful Food Availability in Montréal, Canada

Mark Daniel 110,210,310,✉, Yan Kestens 110,210,410, Catherine Paquet 110,210,310
PMCID: PMC6973895  PMID: 19507720

Abstract

Objective

This study sought to extend previous analyses of food insecurity in Montréal by examining the relationship between neighbourhood socio-demographic and urban form variables and sources of food both unhealthful (fast-food outlets, FFO) and healthful (stores selling fruits and vegetables, FVS).

Methods

Densities of FFO and FVS were computed for 862 Census tract areas (CTA) (defined as census tract with a 1-km buffer around its limits) for the Montréal Census Metropolitan Area (CMA). Predictor variables included CTA socio-demographic characteristics reflecting income, household structure, language, and education, and urban form measures, specifically, densities of local roads, main roads, expressways and highways. Food source densities were regressed on CTA characteristics using stepwise regression.

Results

Socio-demographic and urban form measures explained 60% and 73% of the variance in densities of FFO and FVS, respectively. FFO were more prevalent in CTA with higher proportions of full-time students and households speaking neither French nor English; lower proportions of married individuals, children and older adults; and more high-traffic roads. FVS were more prevalent in CTA with higher proportions of single residents, university-educated residents and households speaking neither French nor English; lower proportion of French-speakers; and more local roads. Median household income was not related to the density of FFO or FVS.

Conclusion

The availability of healthful and unhealthful food varies across the Montréal CMA. Areas with lower education and more French-speaking households have a lesser availability of FVS. The association of FFO with high-traffic roadways and areas with high school attendance suggests a point for intervention via commercial zoning changes.

Key words: Residence characteristics, socioeconomic factors, food supply, obesity

Footnotes

Acknowledgements: The authors appreciate the technical contributions of Karine Léger, Geomatics Specialist.

Sources of support: Mark Daniel was supported in part by a Canada Research Chair for Biopsychosocial Pathways in Population Health, awarded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. At the time this research was conducted, Yan Kestens was supported by postdoctoral fellowships from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Strategic Training Program in Public and Population Health Research. Catherine Paquet was supported by a postdoctoral fellowship from the Fonds de Recherche en Santé du Québec.

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