New research from the University of Sydney has found that the New South Wales Government’s planned high-density housing developments around transport hubs are surrounded by overwhelmingly unhealthy food options, with up to 94 percent of existing outlets classified as unhealthy or less healthy. 

Published today in Cities & Health, the study analysed the eight metro/train stations in Sydney that have been zoned for more housing and the surrounding food environments within 1.2 km of each station, including Bankstown, Bays West, Bella Vista, Crows Nest, Hornsby, Homebush, Kellyville and Macquarie Park.

“Across every transit hub we studied – and this covers everything from fast food chains to local independent restaurants and cafes – between eight and nine in ten food outlets were classified as less healthy or unhealthy,” said senior author Dr Sisi Jia, research fellow in the Charles Perkins Centre and Food Environments Lead in the Faculty of Medicine and Health’s Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery.

“That’s the food environment these communities will inherit, and what gets planned now will determine the food choices of a whole generation.”

“Bella Vista and Kellyville had the highest proportion of unhealthy food outlets with 93.8 per cent and 91.1 percent respectively. In terms of number of fast-food outlets, Crows Nest had the highest density. 

“Our findings point to a significant gap in access to healthy, affordable food across these precincts. This is of huge concern for the public as poor food environments are linked to higher rates of obesity, diabetes, and chronic disease.  

“Without changes to planning policy, these growing communities risk being developed in ways that undermine the health of their residents from the outset,” Dr Jia said.

Study findings: 

• Across 8 NSW transport hubs targeted for housing growth, 79 – 94 percent of food outlets were categorised unhealthy or less healthy.

• The most common outlets were restaurants/cafes (49.5 percent), followed by speciality foods and independent takeaways.

• 64 percent of outlets offered delivery, with our previous research showing that unhealthy options are far more likely to be available to customers.

• Some high-growth suburbs including Kellyville and Bella Vista had the highest concentrations of unhealthy food options.

• Areas with lower car ownership rely more on walkable food access, making local food mix even more important.

“This research highlights a critical missing piece to NSW housing policy,” said co-senior author Associate Professor Stephanie Partridge, public heath researcher in the Charles Perkins Centre and the Faculty of Medicine and Health.

“While the government is rapidly increasing housing supply around transport hubs, it is not currently planning for the food environments that shape the heath of its residents.”

“As tens of thousands of new homes are built, these areas risk becoming unhealthy environments, where the easiest option is energy-dense, nutrient-poor food.

“Housing policy is also health policy, and without intervention, NSW may be building in long-term health risks for its new communities. Access to healthy food outlets should be improved to optimise the health and wellbeing of the planned population growth in these eight accelerated precincts across Sydney.

“New housing developments represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to design healthier communities. Urban planning therefore has a critical role to play in ensuring healthy populations by including heathy food options,” Associate Professor Partridge said.

Study details:

The study was a cross-sectional observational study of food environments using spatial mapping and food outlet classification.

Food outlets were categorised as unhealthy, less healthy and healthy using an adapted version of the Food Environment Score which was developed by Australian nutrition and public health experts.

Research: Jia, S, Evaluating the food environment in eight transport hubs identified in the New South Wales Transport Oriented Development Program, (Cities & Heath). 

Declaration: 
The authors declare no competing interests or funding for this study.