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Impacts of supermarkets on child nutrition in China

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  • Liu, Zhen
  • Kornher, Lukas
  • Qaim, Matin

Abstract

In many developing countries, food environments are changing rapidly. One emblematic trend is the proliferation of supermarkets and other modern retailers. While changing food environments likely influence the types of foods supplied and consumed, research on the implications for people’s diets and nutrition is still scant. Here, we analyze the effects of supermarkets on child diets and nutrition in China. We use nationally representative panel data that include information on households’ access to supermarkets and individual-level anthropometric and dietary indicators. Results show that improved access to supermarkets leads to higher child dietary diversity and nutrient intakes, especially among children in rural areas and from low-income households. Supermarkets are also found to increase child height, but not weight. Estimates with different model specifications and placebo tests confirm the results’ robustness. The effects are mediated through supermarkets contributing to more variety in local food supplies and lower average food prices. Our findings suggest that the spread of supermarkets improves child dietary quality and nutrition in China.

Suggested Citation

  • Liu, Zhen & Kornher, Lukas & Qaim, Matin, 2023. "Impacts of supermarkets on child nutrition in China," Discussion Papers 335389, University of Bonn, Center for Development Research (ZEF).
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:ubzefd:335389
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    File URL: https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/335389/files/ZEF_DP_331.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bethelhem Legesse Debela & Kathrin M. Demmler & Stephan Klasen & Matin Qaim, 2018. "Supermarket food purchases and child nutritional outcomes in Kenya," GlobalFood Discussion Papers 273227, Georg-August-Universitaet Goettingen, GlobalFood, Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development.
    2. Wendy J. Umberger & Xiaobo He & Nicholas Minot & Hery Toiba, 2015. "Examining the Relationship between the Use of Supermarkets and Over-nutrition in Indonesia," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 97(2), pages 510-525.
    3. H. Frederick Gale & Dinghuan Hu, 2012. "Food Safety Pressures Push Integration in China's Agricultural Sector," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 94(2), pages 483-488.
    4. Maruyama, Masayoshi & Wu, Lihui & Huang, Lin, 2016. "The modernization of fresh food retailing in China: The role of consumers," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 30(C), pages 33-39.
    5. Rosina Wanyama & Theda Gödecke & Christine G. K. Chege & Matin Qaim, 2019. "How important are supermarkets for the diets of the urban poor in Africa?," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 11(6), pages 1339-1353, December.
    6. Debela, B.L. & Demmler, K.M. & Klasen, S. & Qaim, M., 2018. "Supermarket purchase and child nutritional outcomes in urban Kenya," 2018 Conference, July 28-August 2, 2018, Vancouver, British Columbia 277078, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    7. Gorton, Matthew & Sauer, Johannes & Supatpongkul, Pajaree, 2011. "Wet Markets, Supermarkets and the "Big Middle" for Food Retailing in Developing Countries: Evidence from Thailand," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 39(9), pages 1624-1637, September.
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    Keywords

    Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety;

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