Frequent Usage of Convenience Stores is Associated with Low Diet Quality

Previous studies have revealed that the density of convenience stores in the neighborhood was associated with chronic diseases. In Japan, convenience stores are more common, and it is thus more important to assess whether people use convenience stores than the density or availability of the convenience stores. In this cross-sectional study of patients with type 2 diabetes, the association between the usage of the convenience stores and dietary habits or the prevalence of hypertension was evaluated. Among the 206 men and 161 women in the study, 24 men and 9 women used convenience stores three or more times per week. Fruit and vegetable intake (men, 132 (102-191) vs. 192 (128-267) g/1000 kcal, p = 0.019; and women, 178 (132-207) vs. 239 (172-313) g/1000 kcal, p = 0.063) of patients who frequently use convenience stores was lower compared to those who did not. Net endogenous acid production score (men, 55.2 (45.4-65.2) vs. 48.9 (42.3-56.8) mEq/day, p = 0.013; and women, 56.9 (52.6-59.8) vs. 46.3 (40.9-54.0) mEq/day, p = 0.050) and intake of carbohydrate to fiber ratio (men, 21.5 (20.0-29.3) vs. 19.9 (15.7-25.0), p = 0.052; and women, 21.0 (18.9-23.9) vs. 16.2 (13.8-20.3), p = 0.017) of patients who frequently use convenience stores were higher compared to those who did not. Additionally, frequent usage of convenience stores was associated with the prevalence of hypertension after adjusting for covariates (5.01; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-22.50; p = 0.035). In conclusion, frequent usage of convenience stores is associated with low diet quality and the prevalence of hypertension.