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Food Accessibility in the Suburbs of the Metropolitan City of Antwerp (Belgium): A Factor of Concern in Local Public Health and Active and Healthy Aging

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  • Bart Geurden

    (Centre for Research and Innovation of Care (CRIC), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
    Center for Gastrology and Primary Food Care, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
    Reference Site Three Rivers FoodDelta, EIP on AHA Reference Site Collaborative Network (RSCN), 1040 Brussels, Belgium)

  • Jeroen Cant

    (Research Group for Urban Development, Faculty of Design Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium)

  • Joris Beckers

    (Department of Transport and Regional Economics, Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium)

Abstract

Population aging and declining birth rates are key demographic trends of the 21st century. While the overall life expectancy and healthy life years increase, the quality of life and functional capacity worsens due to non-communicable diseases strongly related to aging. Therefore, aging citizens are often vulnerable to food insecurity. The aim of this paper is to provide insights into the physical accessibility of fresh food and possible alternatives within the setting of an aging society in Antwerp (Belgium), a metropolitan city at the heart of the EU Reference Site ‘Three Rivers Food Delta’. We demonstrate that a large number of the Antwerp suburban areas in which 15 to 25% of current inhabitants are already over 65 years old are confronted with problematic physical accessibility of food due to long walking distances to the nearest food shop. E-commerce has the potential to provide better access to fresh food. This is especially relevant for people with specific needs, such as health-related diets, dysphagia, and/or limited mobility. However, e-commerce introduces new inequalities, as those who would benefit the most from digital accessibility currently use it least. Hence, the organization of fresh food access requires a more thoughtful organization of the ‘last mile’ and possible alternatives to home delivery. This makes food accessibility an urgent factor of concern in public health and healthy aging in the Antwerp suburban areas.

Suggested Citation

  • Bart Geurden & Jeroen Cant & Joris Beckers, 2022. "Food Accessibility in the Suburbs of the Metropolitan City of Antwerp (Belgium): A Factor of Concern in Local Public Health and Active and Healthy Aging," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-13, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:23:p:15754-:d:985128
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