Non-Linear Socioeconomic Inequality in the Distribution of Food Outlets in Metropolitan Melbourne and Regional Victoria, Australia.

ISSUE ADDRESSED

Socioeconomic disparities in food environments significantly impact diet quality and health outcomes, yet comparative evidence between metropolitan and regional areas remains limited. We examined spatial and temporal changes in food outlet availability in Victoria, Australia from 2019 to 2023.

METHODS

Geospatial data from OpenStreetMap was used to classify food outlets into healthy, less healthy, and unhealthy categories. Outlet densities were calculated within 500 m (walkable) and 2000 m (short driving) buffers from Statistical Area Level 1 centroids. Socioeconomic disparities were assessed using the Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage quintiles. Gini coefficients quantified inequality, while Kruskal-Wallis tests, Dunn's post hoc tests, and k-means clustering identified socio-spatial patterns.

RESULTS

In metropolitan Melbourne, both highly disadvantaged (quintile 1) and affluent areas (quintiles 4-5) had significantly higher densities of food outlets (e.g., 2.3 vs. 2.7 healthy outlets per 1000 people within 500 m in 2023), while mid-range socioeconomic areas (quintiles 2-3) had notably lower availability. Regional Victoria exhibited similar trends, with mid-range areas consistently underserved. From 2019 to 2023, Melbourne's Gini coefficients for healthy outlet access improved slightly (0.45-0.43), whereas regional areas worsened (0.52-0.55). Clustering revealed limited healthy food availability in disadvantaged rural clusters and high densities of unhealthy options in urban regional centres.

CONCLUSIONS

Food outlet availability in Victoria shows distinct non-linear socioeconomic disparities, disproportionately disadvantaging mid-range socioeconomic areas.

SO WHAT

Strategic urban planning and targeted policy interventions in underserved suburban and regional locations are essential for mitigating inequalities and promoting healthier communities.