US EditionDollar store food options might not be harming American diets overall: Study
UNITED STATES, AUG 11 – Calorie share from dollar store foods nearly doubled from 3.4% to 6.5% between 2008 and 2020, with diet quality remaining stable despite lower nutritional value of these items.
- A 2025 study conducted by researchers affiliated with Tufts University and the USDA examined purchasing patterns at dollar stores among nearly 200,000 U.S. households between 2008 and 2020.
- The study observed that the proportion of calories purchased from dollar stores grew substantially, rising from 3.4% of household calorie intake in 2008 to 6.5% in 2020, amidst ongoing debates about the nutritional value of these foods and local efforts to restrict dollar store growth.
- Results showed dollar store foods are generally less nutritious than groceries, but households often compensated by buying healthier items elsewhere, leading to only modest differences in overall diet quality scores.
- Sean Cash emphasized that more information is necessary to fully understand how dollar stores influence dietary habits, cautioning that some areas might be rushing to implement policies without sufficient evidence.
- The findings imply that restricting dollar stores without affordable alternatives might not improve diets and could raise food costs for some families, especially in rural and low-income areas relying heavily on these stores.
7 Articles
7 Articles
Dollar stores emerge as key food source for low-income and rural households
Using dollar stores for food purchases may be a common practice for Americans looking to free up funds for the rest of their grocery list, researchers from Tufts University School of Medicine, the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, and the USDA-Economic Research Service report on August 11 in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
More Americans rely on dollar stores, but overall diet stays steady: Study
Dollar stores are reshaping how many Americans shop for groceries — offering low prices but often limited healthy options. A recent study from Tufts University and the USDA takes a closer look at what families are really buying at these stores, and how it affects their overall diet. Published Monday in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the study said while dollar store items tend to be less nutritious, families often make up…
National Study Busts Myths About Dollar Store Food And Nutrition
A new national study suggests that households who regularly shop for food at dollar stores don’t necessarily have drastically poorer diets. The post National Study Busts Myths About Dollar Store Food And Nutrition appeared first on Study Finds.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
