The MRC Epidemiology Unit, and Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR) have recently launched the Food environment assessment tool (Feat). This new resource is underpinned by the latest scientific evidence about how food access in our neighbourhoods affects our dietary choices, body weight and health. It allows for detailed exploration of the geography of food retail access across England.
 
It will allow users to map, measure and monitor access to food outlets at a neighbourhood level, including changes over time. It is designed around the needs of professionals in public health, environmental health and planning roles, locally and nationally, who can use it to:

• generate local evidence for use in the development of Obesity Strategies, Local and Neighbourhood Plans, JSNAs and Strategic Planning Documents.
• support planning decisions
• compare food access between neighbourhoods, and see where is changing fastest
• target interventions, and test the effectiveness of planning policies

Access Feat at www.feat-tool.org.uk
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