Food and eating environments likely contribute to the increasing
epidemic of obesity and chronic diseases, over and above individual
factors such as knowledge, skills, and motivation. Environmental
and policy interventions may be among the most effective strategies
for creating population-wide improvements in eating. This review
describes an ecological framework for conceptualizing the many
food environments and conditions that influence food choices, with
an emphasis on current knowledge regarding the home, child care,
school, work site, retail store, and restaurant settings. Important issues
of disparities in food access for low-income and minority groups
and macrolevel issues are also reviewed. The status of measurement
and evaluation of nutrition environments and the need for action to
improve health are highlighted.