Digitalization of the Retail Food Environment: Modernizing Food Access, Highlighting Health Equity, and Identifying Opportunities for Future Research and Practice

Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior 2026 Open access

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Authors: Jared T. McGuirt, Megan R. Winkler, Yarisbel Melo Herrera, Bree Bode, Caitlin M. Lowery, Maya Vadiveloo
DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2025.11.014
Cited by: 3
References: 59

Abstract

The digital transformation of the retail food environment is reshaping public health, producing both positive and negative impacts on how US consumers access food. This Research Report synthesizes these changes and explains why public health nutrition must modernize definitions and measures of food access, highlighting priority directions for new measurement approaches. Finally, we discuss future research and practice needs and directions, and describe how innovative nutrition education and behavior strategies, appropriate measurement, and policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) approaches can align public health and health equity efforts with the ongoing digital transformation of the food environment.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Obesity Physical Activity Diet Consumer Attitudes and Food Labeling Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations

Publication details

Journal / source
Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Volume
58
Issue
3
Pages
242–257
Publication date
28 January 2026
Language
EN