Healthy Corner Store Initiative

The HCSI is a community-based, multi-faceted, and broad-based intervention administered by The Food Trust. The HCSI is designed to permeate multiple aspects (i.e., social, educational, food availability) of the corner store environment. Moreover, it takes into account the unique aspects of each corner store.

Theoretical Framework. The HCSI is grounded in social cognitive theory (SCT). By incorporating the environment, personal factors (including cognitions) and behavior, SCT provides a framework for designing, implementing, and evaluating behavioral change. It supports traditional behavioral methods (positive reinforcement, specific behavioral outcomes). Moreover, it underscores the critical role of the social environment (modeling, social reinforcement, social norms - as well as reducing the antecedents for purchasing unhealthy foods) in affecting change. Our initial work has assessed the feasibility of implementing the HCSI and collecting data (see preliminary studies). We are poised to test the efficacy of the HCSI in the proposed study.

Behavioral Goals. The HCSI intervention seeks to: 1) decrease the purchase of high calorie snacks and beverages and to 2) increase the percentage of healthy snacks and beverages at the store level. Decreasing the purchase of high-calorie foods in the corner stores and/or decreasing sugar-sweetened soft drinks (assuming no change in physical activity) will shift energy balance to favor the prevention of overweight and obesity. These dietary goals are also consistent with the Institute of Medicine report on childhood obesity (Preventing Childhood Obesity: Health in the Balance, 2004). While we will measure BMI in the proposed study, our primary outcome of this initial randomized trial of efficacy is energy intake assessed at the time of purchase.

Although the implementation of the intervention will vary depending on the characteristics of the corner store, the major components of the program are summarized below:

Key informant interviews with corner store owners and teachers at local schools and after-school programs to determine how best to work with these key groups Social marketing campaign to reinforce messages about healthy snacking, Grouping healthy snacks and/or displaying signage for easy identification of healthier items, Integrating healthy snacking information into school and after-school programs to teach youngsters what comprises a healthy snack Involving family members and the community in promoting healthy snacking Working with snack and beverage manufacturers and distributors to increase the number of healthy snacks available in corner stores.