Prevention & lipidsMeta-analysis

Associations between the neighbourhood food environment and cardiovascular disease: a systematic review

Eur J Prev CardiolPublished

  • Systematic review
  • narrative synthesis

15 studies included after screening 5915 records; risk of bias by shortened QUIPS tool

Authors' conclusion

We found evidence for associations between the neighbourhood food environment and CVD, suggesting that a higher fast-food restaurant density is associated with CVD and CVD mortality. Effect sizes were small but important, given the fact that a large population is exposed.

Study context

Population
Adults; studies of the neighbourhood food environment and cardiovascular disease (CVD), published 2000–202215 studies
Comparison
Higher vs lower neighbourhood fast-food restaurant density
Outcome
Association between the neighbourhood food environment and CVD

Pooled result

As reported in the abstract

CVD prevalence, incidence and CVD mortality
  • Higher fast-food restaurant density most consistently associated with higher prevalence and incidence of CVD and CVD mortality; effect sizes small

Further pooled results

MI or stroke

Evidence of an association with fast-food restaurant density inconsistent

Other food environment aspects (food service restaurants, unhealthy food outlets, food access score)

Scant evidence

Original publication

Associations between the neighbourhood food environment and cardiovascular disease: a systematic review. Eur J Prev Cardiol. Published 27 July 2023. doi:10.1093/eurjpc/zwad252

Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it