scholarly journals Association Between Nutrition-related Intentions and Food Selections Among Food Pantry Clients in Baltimore City (P04-046-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuxuan Gu ◽  
Sally Yan ◽  
Bengucan Gunen ◽  
Lisa Poirier ◽  
Shahmir Ali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Processed Meat ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Food Pantries ◽  
Behavior Change Interventions ◽  
Johns Hopkins University ◽  
Scoring Tool ◽  
Public Health Promotion

Abstract Objectives Ten % of low-income households in Baltimore rely on food pantries for long-term hunger relief. Although behavioral intentions have been shown to be associated with food choices in many settings, little is known about the relationship between pantry client food selections and their nutrition-related intentions. This study aims to address this gap to inform social and behavior change interventions in food pantries. Methods Data was collected from 74 clients of 7 food pantries in Baltimore between September and October 2018. The overall nutritional quality of the foods received was measured using the Food Assortment Scoring Tool (FAST), with a higher score indicating a greater proportion of healthy foods. Client nutrition-related intentions were assessed via a survey. Three additive scales were created from the survey: how many days clients are most likely to try to eat healthier, to cook, and to cook with a kid in an average week in the last six months. We explored the association between clients’ nutrition-related intentions and their average FAST scores and average client bag Gross Weight Share (GWS) of various food groups. Results On average, the FAST score of client food bags was 63.0 ± 10.4. About half of the clients did not intend to eat healthier (n = 40) or cook (n = 37) on any days of an average week. On average, clients who intended to eat healthier had a score of 63.1 ± 11, compared to 62.97 ± 9.96 among those who did not. Clients who intended to cook had a score of 62.64 ± 11.57, compared to 63.45 ± 9.18 among those who did not. Clients who intended to cook with a kid had a score of 63.25 ± 13.98, compared to 63 ± 9.59 among those who did not. In terms of specific food groups, clients who intended to eat healthier and cook had a higher GWS of fresh fruits and vegetables, while clients who did not intend to cook or cook with a kid had a higher GWS of high-processed meat. These relationships were not statistically significant. Conclusions We did not find that clients’ nutrition-related intentions are associated with the healthfulness of the foods they select. Resources directed at improving food pantries might be better directed at improving access to healthier foods, as opposed to intentions regarding these foods. Funding Sources Johns Hopkins University Lerner Center for Public Health Promotion.

scholarly journals Client Choice Distribution Model Is Associated with Less Leftover Food in Urban Food Pantries

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 266-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brianna Pruden ◽  
Lisa Poirier ◽  
Bengucan Gunen ◽  
Reuben Park ◽  
Sarah Hinman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Distribution Model ◽  
Distribution Models ◽  
Food Pantry ◽  
Household Level ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Food Pantries ◽  
Client Choice ◽  
Scoring Tool

Abstract Objectives Assessing client-level food waste is a priority for hunger relief organizations to effectively address food insecurity. Our objectives were: 1) to measure the amount of, and reasons for leftover food at the household level after receiving food from urban food pantries; 2) to assess differences in the amount of leftover food associated with different food pantry distribution models. Methods This was a prospective, observational study. Food-pantry clients (n = 53) were surveyed from four food pantries in Baltimore, MD. 28 of those clients were followed-up with 2 weeks later. Half of the follow-up sample used a client-choice food pantry in which clients select their own food, while the other half received pre-packed bags. At baseline, we recorded the brand, type, and weight of each product in client bags, and grouped them into Food Assortment Scoring Tool (FAST) categories. FAST scores were calculated for each bag by multiplying each category's gross weight share by a healthfulness parameter and summing the categories. At follow-up, clients estimated the percentage of each product that was consumed by their household, and reported what happened to the unused portion, and why it was unused. Results The average client choice bag weighed 27.8 ± 14.8 lbs, whereas the average pre-packed bag weighed 18.3 ± 5.3 lbs. Clients from client-choice food pantries had 22.6% of their bag leftover at follow-up; clients from traditional pantries had 34.1% of their bag leftover (P = .0375). At baseline, FAST scores were higher among traditional bags (70.3 ± 5.2) compared to client choice bags (63.5 ± 7.3) (P = .007). FAST scores of foods client-choice visitors used by follow-up was 66.7 ± 7.8, higher than scores of their baseline food selections (P = .014), suggesting use of healthy foods first. The greatest proportion of leftover food was beverages. The smallest proportion of leftover food was processed fruits and vegetables. The most common reason for not using an item was “Plan to use later” (80% of leftover items). Conclusions Food pantries distributing foods via a prepackaged bag model should consider switching to a client choice method to reduce leftover food, which may eventually be wasted. Further research should expand on this association using larger sample sizes and follow-up periods >2 weeks. Funding Sources Funded by the Bloomberg American Health Initiative Evidence Generation Awards.

scholarly journals Trends in Key Food Groups Consumption in Low Income Mexican Women (P18-015-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elsa Gaona-Pineda ◽  
Brenda Martínez tapía ◽  
Sonia Rodríguez-Ramírez ◽  
Andrea Arango-Angarita ◽  
Danae Gabriela Valenzuela Bravo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Dairy Products ◽  
Plain Water ◽  
Mexican Women ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Cured Meats ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Sweetened Beverages ◽  
Health And Nutrition

Abstract Objectives To describe trends in the proportion of key food groups (KFG) for public health consumption among low income Mexican women (LIMW). Methods From National Surveys of Health and Nutrition a sample of 655 LIMW in 2012, 1158 in 2016 and 2835 in 2018 was analyzed. From a food frequency questionnaire, foods and beverages were classified into 13 KFG: fruits, vegetables, legumes, meats, poultry and fish, plain water, egg and dairy products, cured meats, fast food and fried Mexican snacks, salty snacks, candies and desserts, sweetened cereals, sweetened beverages and sweetened dairy beverages. Consumption was defined if a KFG was consumed at least 10 grams/day and 3 days/week, 7 days/week was the criterion for fruits, vegetables and plain water. The proportion of LIMW that consumed each KFG was compared through time. Results There were greater decreases in the proportion of LIMW which consumed salty snacks, candies and desserts, sweetened cereals and cured meats, egg and dairy products. Moderate reductions were found in sweetened beverages, legumes and meats, poultry and fish. Less than 40% of LIMW consumed fruits and less than 30% vegetables, with no changes. Approximately 15% of LIMW did not drink water daily. (Table 1). Conclusions Important decreases in consumption of KFG in LIMW were found. Further research is needed in order to understand which factors could be related with those changes. Funding Sources Mexican Ministry of Health. National Coordination of "PROSPERA" Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs

scholarly journals Home Food Environment Factors That Influence Hispanic Preschoolers’ Intake of Fruits and Vegetables (OR03-03-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karina Lora ◽  
Paul Branscum ◽  
Sixia Chen ◽  
Dorothy Wakefield
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
The Past ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Maternal Feeding Practices ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the relationship of home fruit and vegetable (F&V) availability and maternal feeding practices (restriction, pressure, modeling, monitoring) with preschoolers’ F&V intake. Methods Hispanic mothers (n = 238) of 2-to-5-year-old children from low-income neighborhoods participated in the study. Mothers reported home availability of F&V (whole fruit, fruit juice [FJ], total fruit [FJ and whole fruit combined], and vegetables) in the past month, their feeding practices and their children's F&V consumption (cups) in the past month. Data were collected using one-to-one interviews in English or Spanish. Logistic regression models tested associations of availability of F&V groups and feeding practices with children's intake of ≥ 1 cup per day of total fruit and vegetables as per MyPlate minimum daily recommendation for preschoolers. Results Availability of total fruit and maternal modeling increased the odds of child's consumption of ≥ 1 cup of fruit: Odds ratio (OR) = 2.41; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.56-3.70; P < 0.0001, and OR = 1.73; CI, 1.10-2.74; P < 0.020, respectively. Concurrently, maternal pressure and child's being a female increased the odds of child's consumption of ≥ 1 cup of vegetables: OR = 1.44; CI, 1.10-1.90; P < 0.009, and OR = 1.91; CI, 1.07-3.40; P < 0.028, respectively. Having more children in the home reduced the odds of child's intake of ≥ 1 cup of vegetables: OR = 0.78; CI, 0.61-0.99; P < 0.037. There were no significant associations between children's Body Mass Index (BMI) percentile and children's consumption of F&V or maternal feeding practices. Conclusions Environmental factors within the home appears to influence Hispanic preschoolers’ intake of F&V differently. To increase children's intake of fruit, family interventions should promote home fruit availability and maternal food modeling practices. However, since maternal pressure to eat has not been associated with F&V intake, the significant association between vegetable intake and pressuring children to eat found in this study must be further examined in similar cultural samples to replicate this finding. Funding Sources U54GM104938.

scholarly journals Relative Validity and Reproducibility of a Dietary Screener Adapted for Use Among Pregnant Women in Dhulikhel, Nepal

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 823-823
Author(s):  
Kelly Tiderencel ◽  
Krupali Shah ◽  
Abha Shrestha ◽  
Emily S Barrett ◽  
Archana Shrestha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Reference Method ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Citrus Fruits ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Dietary Screener ◽  
Excellent Reproducibility

Abstract Objectives Culturally appropriate dietary assessments are lacking in many low-income countries including Nepal. Here we examined the reproducibility and validity of a dietary screener which was translated and adapted to assess diet quality among pregnant Nepalese women. Methods A pilot cohort of singleton pregnant women (N = 101; age 25.9 ± 4.1 years) was recruited from a tertiary, periurban hospital in Nepal. An adapted Nepali version of the PrimeScreen questionnaire, assessing weekly consumption frequency of 12 healthy and 9 unhealthy food groups, was administered twice and a month apart in both the 2nd and 3rd trimester. Up to four inconsecutive 24-hr dietary recalls (24-HDRs) were also completed each trimester and utilized as the reference method for validation. For each trimester, data from multiple 24-HDRs were averaged across days, and items were grouped to match the classification and the three weekly consumption categories (0–1, 2–3 or 4 + servings/week) of the 21 food groups represented on the PrimeScreen. Gwet's agreement coefficients (AC1) were used to evaluate the reproducibility and validity of the adapted PrimeScreen against the 24-HDRs in both 2nd and 3rd trimester. Results In the 2nd trimester, the adapted PrimeScreen demonstrated good to excellent reproducibility (AC1 &gt; 0.6) for majority of the food groups; the reproducibility was moderate for eggs (AC1 = 0.4), and poor (AC1 &lt; 0.4) for citrus fruits and leafy vegetables. In the 3rd trimester, AC1 for reproducibility of the PrimeScreen ranged from 0.4 (moderate agreement) to 1 (excellent agreement), with values ≥0.6 for 90% of the items indicating good to excellent reproducibility for the majority of the food groups. Compared to 24-HDRs, the adapted PrimeScreen showed moderate to excellent validity (AC1 ≥ 0.4) for all food groups except for eggs and leafy vegetables in both the 2nd and 3rd trimester, and additionally citrus fruits and cruciferous vegetables in the 2nd trimester alone. Classification into 3 consumption categories (0–1, 2–3 or 4 + servings/week) were consistent (percentage agreement &gt; 80%) between the PrimeScreen and 24-HDR for 80% of the food groups in both 2nd and 3rd trimester. Conclusions The adapted PrimeScreen questionnaire appears to be a reliable and valid instrument for assessing the dietary intake of most food groups among pregnant women in Nepal. Funding Sources NIH/FIC.

scholarly journals A Randomized Controlled Trial Testing the Effectiveness of Coping with Cancer in the Kitchen, a Nutrition Education Program for Cancer Survivors

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 3144
Author(s):  
Melissa Farmer Miller ◽  
Zhongyu Li ◽  
Melissa Habedank
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Processed Meat ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Coping With Cancer ◽  
Incidence And Mortality ◽  
Adult Cancer Survivors

Following a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruit, and beans may reduce cancer incidence and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Coping with Cancer in the Kitchen (CCK), an 8 week in-person program offering education, culinary demonstrations and food tasting, and psychosocial group support, compared to receiving CCK printed materials by mail on knowledge, confidence, and skills in implementing a plant-based diet. A total of 54 adult cancer survivors were randomly assigned to intervention (n = 26) and control groups (n = 27) with assessments at baseline, 9, and 15 weeks via self-administered survey. The response rate was 91% at 9 weeks and 58% at 15 weeks. The majority of our study participants were female breast cancer survivors (58%) who had overweight or obesity (65%). Compared with the control, there were significant (p < 0.05) increases in intervention participants’ knowledge about a plant-based diet at weeks 9 and 15, reductions in perceived barriers to eating more fruits and vegetables at week 9, and enhanced confidence and skills in preparing a plant-based diet at week 15. There was a significant reduction in processed meat intake but changes in other food groups and psychosocial measures were modest. Participation in CCK in person increased knowledge, skills, and confidence and reduced barriers to adopting a plant-based diet. Positive trends in intake of plant-based foods and quality of life warrant further investigation in larger-scale studies and diverse populations.

scholarly journals Associations of food groups and cardiometabolic and inflammatory biomarkers: does the meal matter?

2019 ◽  
Vol 122 (6) ◽  
pp. 707-716 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Schwedhelm ◽  
Lukas Schwingshackl ◽  
George O. Agogo ◽  
Emily Sonestedt ◽  
Heiner Boeing ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Hdl Cholesterol ◽  
Processed Meat ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Processed Meats ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Chronic Disease Risk

AbstractIncreased attention has been paid to circadian patterns and how predisposition to metabolic disorders can be affected by meal timing. Currently, it is not clear which role can be attributed to the foods selected at meals. On a cross-sectional sub-cohort study (815 adults) within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition-Potsdam study, we investigated whether the same foods (vegetables, fruits, refined grains, whole grains, red and processed meats) eaten at different meals (breakfast, lunch or dinner) show different associations with biomarkers of cardiometabolic risk. Meal-specific usual intakes were calculated from multiple 24-h dietary recalls. Multivariable-adjusted linear regression models showed that intake of vegetables at breakfast was associated with lower LDL-cholesterol (−0·37 mmol/l per 50 g; 95 % CI −0·61, −0·12) and vegetables at dinner was associated with higher HDL-cholesterol (0·05 mmol/l per 50 g; 95 % CI 0, 0·10). Fruit intake at breakfast was associated with lower glycated Hb (HbA1c) (−0·06 % per 50 g; 95 % CI −0·10, −0·01) and fruits at dinner with lower C-reactive protein (CRP) (−0·21 mg/l per 50 g; 95 % CI −0·42, −0·01). Red and processed meat intake at breakfast was associated with higher HbA1c (0·25 % per 50 g; 95 % CI 0·05, 0·46) and CRP (0·76 mg/l per 50 g; 95 % CI 0·15, 1·36). Our results suggest that by preferring fruits and vegetables and avoiding red and processed meats at specific meals (i.e. breakfast and dinner), cardiometabolic profiles and ultimately chronic disease risk could be improved. Lunch seemed to be a less important meal in terms of food–biomarker associations.

scholarly journals Association Between Mothers’ Perceived Self-efficacy and Nutrition Practices with Children's Food Consumption in a Low-income Community in Mexico (P04-188-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilda Zacarias ◽  
Yolitzin C Hernandez ◽  
Olga García
Keyword(s):  
Food Consumption ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Processed Meat ◽  
Added Sugar ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Nutrition Practices ◽  
Varied Diet

Abstract Objectives Determine the association between mothers’ perceived self-efficacy and nutrition practices with children's food consumption. Methods A total of 45 mothers of school-aged children were randomly selected from a low-income community in Queretaro, Mexico, to participate in this cross-sectional study. Mothers answered a validated questionnaire, consisting on eight Likert-type questions that evaluated nutrition practices, and four questions with a 10 to 100-scale, to determine their perceived efficacy related to the confidence to accomplish certain dietary guidelines with their children. Guidelines included providing a varied diet, giving at least 5 portions of fruits and vegetables and to limit the consumption of food with added sugar. Dietary intake of their children was determined using a food frequency questionnaire that included 147 foods in the categories of fruits and vegetables, legumes, dairy, non-processed meat, cereals, and food and beverages with added sugar. Separate univariate regression analyses were done to examine predictors of children's intake of fruits and vegetables, food with added sugar and the variety of their diet. Significant univariate predictors were included in a multivariate regression model to determine the factors that influence children's food behavior. Data was analyzed using the software SPSS version 19. Results Participants were mostly housewives (90%) and 80% concluded junior high school. Mothers of children with the most varied diet had higher scores of nutrition knowledge and practices (B = 0.760, 95%CI: 0.096, 1.443; P = 0.027). On the other hand, mothers of children with a higher consumption of fruits and vegetables presented better self-efficacy (B = 0.029, 95%CI: 0.003, 0.059; P = 0.032). No associations were found between children's consumption of foods with added sugar and nutrition practices or self-efficacy. Conclusions Mothers’ nutrition practices and self-efficacy influence children's fruit and vegetables intake and the variety of their diet, but did not predict intake of foods with added sugar. Funding Sources Fondo de Proyectos Especiales de Rectoría (FOPER), Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro; Red de Prevención y Tratamiento de la Obesidad, CONACYT.

scholarly journals Dysfunctional Eating Behaviors and Dietary Intake in Adults Residing in Puerto Rico

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1328-1328
Author(s):  
Andrea Lopez-Cepero ◽  
Josiemer Mattei ◽  
Christine Frisard ◽  
Julio Jimenez ◽  
Stephenie Lemon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Puerto Rico ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Emotional Eating ◽  
Eating Behaviors ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Saturated Fats

Abstract Objectives To document the level of dysfunctional eating behaviors, specifically emotional eating (EE), uncontrolled eating (UE) and cognitive restraint (CR), among adults in Puerto Rico (PR), and explore the association between each behavior and dietary intake (i.e., percentage of calories from fats, saturated fats and servings of fruits and vegetables). Methods Cross-sectional study of adults (n = 94) recruited from three health clinics serving low-income communities in Ponce, PR. The Three Factor Eating Questionnaire R18-V2 was used to measure EE, UE and CR; each score ranged from 1 to 4 (higher values indicate stronger behaviors). The Block Fat and Fruits and Vegetables Screener was used to capture percentage of calories from fats, saturated fats and servings of fruits and vegetables. Analysis included adjusted means (SD) and proportions, and linear regressions adjusted for sex, age and marital status. Results Mean age was 45 years, 52% were female and 55% were married. Adjusted mean (SD) scores for EE, UE and CR were 1.92 (0.78), 1.85 (0.66), and 2.32 (0.85), respectively. Adjusted proportions showed that 76%, 88% and 87% experienced any level of EE, UE and CR, respectively. EE and UE scores were significantly associated with greater percentage of calories from total fats (b = 12.0, 95% CI = 0.42, 3.60 for EE; and b = 1.99, 95% CI = 0.05, 3.93 for UE) and saturated fats (b = 3.36, 95% CI = 0.71, 6.01 for EE; and b = 3.31, 95% CI = 0.09, 6.54 for UE). CR scores were significantly associated with greater intake of fruits and vegetables (b = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.20, 1.19). Conclusions Dysfunctional eating behaviors are prevalent among adults in PR and were associated with dietary intake. Results support the need for larger representative studies of dysfunctional eating behaviors, dietary intake and health in PR to shed light into potential intervention targets to decrease the observed health disparities among adults in PR. Funding Sources National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Ponce Health Sciences University Seed Program.

scholarly journals Complementary Feeding Practices and Associated Factors in Children 6–23 months in Uttar Pradesh, India: Program Implications

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 902-902
Author(s):  
Deepa Sankaran ◽  
Priyanshu Sharma ◽  
Shajy Isac ◽  
Manish Kumar ◽  
James Blanchard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Complementary Feeding ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Uttar Pradesh ◽  
Meal Frequency ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Age Appropriate ◽  
Gates Foundation

Abstract Objectives Optimal complementary feeding (CF) practices among children 6–23 months can prevent childhood malnutrition and can improve long term development and health. Our study aimed to understand CF practices in children 6–23 months, as part of an ongoing nutrition program (with a focus on improving dietary diversity) in UP, India. Methods Mothers of children 6–23 months old were interviewed in 125 blocks across 25 districts of UP (N = 34,290). We assessed dietary intake using 24-hour dietary recalls and calculated minimum dietary diversity (MDD, 4 + food groups) and age-appropriate minimum meal frequency (MMF). We used multivariate logistic regression to test for associations between MDD and program exposure variables, such as frontline worker (FLW) CF knowledge, home visits by FLWs, and FLW counseling on age-appropriate CF practices, controlling for age, caste, religion, mother's education level, birth order and sex of the child. Results Merely 22% of children 6–8 months old received any semisolid/solid food the previous day, and even at 1 year of age, only 60% children received any CF. Fourteen % of all children and 5% of children 9–11 months received age-appropriate MMF. Children 6–23 months old had poor diets with only 11% reaching MDD. Only 3% of younger children (6–11 months) and 18% of children 12–23 months reached MDD. In children 12–23 months, starchy staples, pulses, other fruits and vegetables (F&V) and dairy products were consumed in higher proportions (65%, 52%, 36% and 36% respectively) while Vitamin-A rich F&V, eggs and flesh foods were rarely consumed (11%, 2% and 3.1% respectively). Higher odds of achieving MDD were associated with FLWs CF knowledge (OR: 3.2; 95% CI: 2.2–4.5), home visit by FLWs in the past month (OR: 1.2; 95% CI: 1.1–1.4) and counselling by FLWs on age-appropriate CF practices (OR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.2–1.7) were positively associated with MDD. Conclusions CF practices in children 6–23 months old in these 25 districts in UP are suboptimal. Dietary diversity in this age group can be improved by improving FLW knowledge and quantity and quality of FLW interactions with families. Results suggest a need for targeted age-specific counselling to increase meal frequency and to introduce a greater variety of foods to younger children. Funding Sources Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

scholarly journals Healthy eating: a matter of prioritisation by households or policymakers?

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Joreintje Dingena Mackenbach
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Food System ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Decision Making Processes

Abstract I reflect upon the potential reasons why American low-income households do not spend an optimal proportion of their food budgets on fruits and vegetables, even though this would allow them to meet the recommended levels of fruit and vegetable consumption. Other priorities than health, automatic decision-making processes and access to healthy foods play a role, but solutions for the persistent socio-economic inequalities in diet should be sought in the wider food system which promotes cheap, mass-produced foods. I argue that, ultimately, healthy eating is not a matter of prioritisation by individual households but by policymakers.

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