scholarly journals Perceived Produce Availability and Child Fruit and Vegetable Intake: The Healthy Communities Study

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 3681
Author(s):  
Laurel F. Moffat ◽  
Lorrene D. Ritchie ◽  
Wendi Gosliner ◽  
Kaela R. Plank ◽  
Lauren E. Au
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Healthy Communities ◽  
Weight Outcomes ◽  
Low Income Households

Children eat more fruits and vegetables when more are available at home, but less is known about how the neighborhood food environment relates to children’s diet and weight outcomes. The goal of this study was to determine whether parental perception of the food environment (neighborhood and home) is associated with children’s fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake and weight outcomes, and to assess differences by household food security status and household income. Cross-sectional data from the 2013–2015 U.S. Healthy Communities Study included 5138 children, aged 4 to 15 years old, from 130 U.S. communities. Neighborhood and home food environments were assessed with parent-reported, perceived F&V availability scores. Associations were tested with multi-level linear regression models. Parents’ perception of produce availability was associated with household F&V availability ratings (β = 0.09 points, p < 0.001). Household F&V availability was associated with child F&V intake (β = 0.32 cups/day or 25.6 g/day, p < 0.001). A higher child F&V intake was associated with a lower child BMI z-score (β = −0.05, p = 0.002). Weaker relationships were seen for children living in food insecure or low-income households. Optimizing neighborhood and home access to F&V may help children improve diet quality, but may not be as effective for children living in food insecure or low-income households.

scholarly journals Weight resilience and fruit and vegetable intake among African-American women in an obesogenic environment

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 391-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara M Parisi ◽  
Lisa M Bodnar ◽  
Tamara Dubowitz
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
African American Women ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
Related Factor ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Reported Data

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate relationships between weight resilience (maintaining a normal weight in a food desert environment) and fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake, attitudes and barriers.DesignCross-sectional, in-person surveys collected May–December 2011, including self-reported data on F&V-related psychosocial factors, attitudes and barriers. Two 24 h dietary recalls were completed; weight and height were measured. Multivariable regression models estimated prevalence ratios (95 % CI).SettingTwo low-income, predominantly African-American food deserts in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.SubjectsWomen aged 18–49 years (n 279) who were the primary food shopper in a household randomly selected for a parent study.ResultsFifteen per cent were weight resilient, 30 % were overweight and 55 % were obese. Overall, 25 % reported eating ≥5 F&V servings/d. After adjustment for age, education, parity, employment, living alone, physical activity, per capita income and mean daily energy intake, women eating ≥5 F&V servings/d were 94 % more likely to be weight resilient compared with those eating <5 servings/d (1·94; 1·10, 3·43). Across BMI groups, self-efficacy regarding F&V consumption was high and few F&V barriers were reported. The most frequently reported barrier was concern about the cost of F&V (36 %). Of the attitudinal F&V-related factors, only concern about wasting food when serving F&V was associated with weight resilience in adjusted models (0·29; 0·09, 0·94). In a model predicting consuming ≥5 F&V servings/d, driving one’s own car to the store was the only attitudinal F&V-related factor associated with consumption (1·50; 1·00, 2·24).ConclusionsIn this population, weight resilience may be encouraged by improving access to affordable and convenient F&V options and providing education on ways to make them palatable to the entire household, rather than by shifting women’s F&V perceptions, which are already positive.

Examining fruit and vegetable intake in low-income older adults using the Veggie Meter®

2021 ◽  
pp. 026010602110222
Author(s):  
Amanda Kopetsky Fultz ◽  
Samantha M. Rex ◽  
Audrey Mazelin ◽  
Charlotte McGarry ◽  
Ben Brewer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Significant Positive Correlation ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Diverse Populations ◽  
Reflection Spectroscopy ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background: Older adults report low fruit and vegetable (FV) intake. The lack of objective, field-based assessments of FV intake is a limitation when assessing the effectiveness of interventions. Aim: To examine if self-reported FV intake was correlated with Veggie Meter® scores among low-income older adults. The Veggie Meter® is a portable tool that uses pressure-mediated reflection spectroscopy to estimate skin carotenoid measurements. Methods: A cross-sectional assessment of FV intake, food security, and Veggie Meter® score in low-income older adults was conducted. Bivariate analyses quantified the association between FV intake and Veggie Meter® score. Results: Participants ( n = 154) were mostly female (69.3%), non-white (66.2%) and at risk for food insecurity (65.6%). Mean Veggie Meter® score was 172.3 ± 77.2 and had a small significant positive correlation with FV intake (r= 0.192, p = 0.018). Conclusion: The Veggie Meter® may objectively indicate FV intake. Research to validate the Veggie Meter® in older, diverse populations is needed.

scholarly journals A school salad bar increases frequency of fruit and vegetable consumption among children living in low-income households

2007 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1490-1496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendelin M Slusser ◽  
William G Cumberland ◽  
Ben L Browdy ◽  
Linda Lange ◽  
Charlotte Neumann
Keyword(s):  
Elementary School ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
School Children ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Elementary School Children ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Menu Option ◽  
Low Income Households

AbstractObjectiveTo measure change in fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption among elementary-school children after the introduction of a salad bar programme as a lunch menu option in the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) reimbursable lunch programme in Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD).DesignA cross-sectional sample of children was interviewed before and after a salad bar intervention (1998 and 2000, respectively) utilising a 24-hour food recall questionnaire. Frequencies of F&V consumption were calculated.SettingThe evaluation took place in three LAUSD elementary schools participating in the salad bar programme and the USDA reimbursable lunch programme.SubjectsThree hundred and thirty-seven children in 2nd–5th grade (7–11 years old).ResultsAfter the salad bar was introduced, there was a significant increase in frequency (2.97 to 4.09,P< 0.001) of F&V consumed among the children studied. The increase in frequency of F&V consumed was almost all due to an increase during lunch (84%). Mean energy, cholesterol, saturated fat and total fat intakes were significantly lower in the children after the salad bar was introduced in the schools compared with the intakes in the children before the salad bar was introduced.ConclusionA salad bar as a lunch menu option in the USDA reimbursable lunch programme can significantly increase the frequency of F&V consumption by elementary-school children living in low-income households.

scholarly journals The fruit and vegetable intake of young Australian adults: a population perspective

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (14) ◽  
pp. 2499-2512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Nour ◽  
Zhixian Sui ◽  
Amanda Grech ◽  
Anna Rangan ◽  
Kevin McGeechan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Cross Sectional

AbstractObjectiveTo examine intakes and variety of fruit and vegetables consumed by Australian young adults, also assessing differences by meal occasion and sociodemographic characteristics.DesignSecondary analysis of cross-sectional 24 h recall data collected through the 2011–12 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey. Crude means and proportions consuming fruits and vegetables were calculated. Pearsonχ2tests, Kruskal–Wallis analyses and linear regression models were used to assess differences in mean intakes by age, BMI and sociodemographic variables. The variety eaten was determined based on the number of fruit and vegetable subgroups consumed.SettingRepresentative sample of metropolitan and rural areas across Australia.SubjectsRespondents aged 18–34 years were included (n2397).ResultsMean daily intake of fruit (128 g/0·9 servings) and vegetables (205 g/2·7 servings) was lower than the minimum recommended intake set at 2 and 5 servings, respectively. Age was positively associated with fruit and vegetable intake (P=0·002,P&lt;0·001), with 18–24-year-olds reporting the poorest vegetable variety compared with 25–29- and 30–34-year-olds (P=0·002). When controlling for total energy, males consumed less vegetables than females (P=0·002). A large proportion of the 15 % of respondents who consumed adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables on the day prior to the survey reported intake across all meal occasions (P&lt;0·001).ConclusionsFruit and vegetable intake is suboptimal among Australian young adults. An age-appropriate campaign is recommended to target increased consumption, particularly for those aged 18–24 years, with opportunity to promote increased variety and consumption across the day.

scholarly journals Neighborhood Food Environment Associated with Cardiometabolic Health among Predominately Low-income, Urban, Black Women

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 537-546
Author(s):  
Gabrielle Corona ◽  
Tamara Dubowitz ◽  
Wendy M. Troxel ◽  
Madhumita Ghosh-Dastidar ◽  
Bonny Rockette-Wagner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Cardiometabolic Health ◽  
Grocery Stores ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Lower Odds ◽  
Food Shopping ◽  
Access To Healthy Foods

Objectives: This study sought to: 1) under­stand how the perceived food environment (availability, accessibility, and affordability) is associated with cardiometabolic health outcomes in predominately low-income Black residents in urban neighborhoods with limited healthy food access; and 2) examine the association of shopping at specific store types with cardiometabolic health outcomes.Methods: We report on cross-sectional data from 459 individuals participating in the Pittsburgh, PA Hill/Homewood Research on Neighborhoods and Health (PHRESH) study. Mean participant age was 60.7 (SD=13.9); 81.7% were female. We used logistic regression to examine associations between three factors (perceived fruit and vegetable availability, quality, and price; primary food shopping store characteristics; and frequency of shopping at stores with low or high access to healthy foods) and cardiometabolic and self-rated health.Results: Adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, participants with higher perceived fruit and vegetable accessibility (AOR:.47, 95%CI: .28-.79, P=.004) and affordability (AOR:.59, 95%CI: .36-.96, P=.034) had lower odds of high blood pres­sure. Shopping often (vs rarely) at stores with low access to healthy foods was associated with higher odds of high total cholesterol (AOR:3.52, 95%CI: 1.09-11.40, P=.035). Finally, primary food shopping at a discount grocery (vs full-service supermarket) was as­sociated with lower odds of overweight/obe­sity (AOR:.51, 95%CI: .26-.99, P=.049).Conclusions: These results suggest that both perceived accessibility and affordability of healthy foods are associated with reduced cardiometabolic risk factors in this urban, low-income predominantly Black population. Additionally, discount grocery stores may be particularly valuable by providing access and affordability of healthy foods in this population. Ethn Dis. 2021;31(4):537-546; doi:10.18865/ed.31.4.537

scholarly journals Does the importance of dietary costs for fruit and vegetable intake vary by socioeconomic position?

2015 ◽  
Vol 114 (9) ◽  
pp. 1464-1470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joreintje D. Mackenbach ◽  
Soren Brage ◽  
Nita G. Forouhi ◽  
Simon J. Griffin ◽  
Nicholas J. Wareham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Socioeconomic Position ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Socioeconomic Inequalities ◽  
Food Prices ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Cross Sectional

AbstractEvidence suggests that diets meeting recommendations for fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake are more costly. Dietary costs may be a greater constraint on the diet quality of people of lower socioeconomic position (SEP). The aim of this study was to examine whether dietary costs are more strongly associated with F&V intake in lower-SEP groups than in higher-SEP groups. Data on individual participants’ education and income were available from a population-based, cross-sectional study of 10 020 British adults. F&V intake and dietary costs (GBP/d) were derived from a semi-quantitative FFQ. Dietary cost estimates were based on UK food prices. General linear models were used to assess associations between SEP, quartiles of dietary costs and F&V intake. Effect modification of SEP gradients by dietary costs was examined with interaction terms. Analysis demonstrated that individuals with lowest quartile dietary costs, low income and low education consumed less F&V than individuals with higher dietary costs, high income and high education. Significant interaction between SEP and dietary costs indicated that the association between dietary costs and F&V intake was stronger for less-educated and lower-income groups. That is, socioeconomic differences in F&V intake were magnified among individuals who consumed lowest-cost diets. Such amplification of socioeconomic inequalities in diet among those consuming low-cost diets indicates the need to address food costs in strategies to promote healthy diets. In addition, the absence of socioeconomic inequalities for individuals with high dietary costs suggests that high dietary costs can compensate for lack of other material, or psychosocial resources.

scholarly journals Associations of the consumer food environment with eating behaviours and BMI

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (17) ◽  
pp. 3197-3203
Author(s):  
Anne W Zhao ◽  
Cyanna C McGowan ◽  
Shannon N Zenk ◽  
Kiarri N Kershaw
Keyword(s):  
Food Environment ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Financial Burden ◽  
Product Placement ◽  
Grocery Store ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Eating Behaviours ◽  
Cross Sectional

AbstractObjective:To examine cross-sectional associations of four aspects of the consumer food environment – price, availability, marketing and product placement – with BMI and fruit and vegetable intake.Design:This cross-sectional study measured the consumer food environment using grocery store audits and surveys. Outcomes were measured through surveys and physical exams. Multivariable linear regression models were run; models were all adjusted for age, neighbourhood, education, race/ethnicity and financial burden.Setting:Non-proportional quota sample of four socio-economically and racial/ethnically diverse neighbourhoods in Chicago, IL.Participants:Women (n 228) aged 18–44 years.Results:Participants who reported seeing healthy food marketing had a higher vegetable intake (β = 0·24, 95 % CI 0·06, 0·42). There was some suggestive evidence that participants who shopped at stores that were more expensive (β = −0·90, 95 % CI −1·94, 0·14) had lower BMI, but this association was not statistically significant. Multivariable regression models did not indicate any significant association between any measure of the consumer food environment and fruit intake.Conclusions:Our findings add to the growing interest in the role of the consumer food environment in health behaviours. Further research is needed to better understand the role of price and marketing characteristics on eating behaviours and BMI.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document