Objective:
This study examined relationships between dimensions of social capital (SC) (social trust, network diversity, social reciprocity, and civic engagement) and fruit, vegetable, and sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption among rural adults. Potential moderators (neighborhood rurality, food security, gender, race/ethnicity) were explored to develop a more nuanced understanding of the SC-healthy eating relationship.
Design:
Data were from a 2019 mailed population-based survey evaluating an 11-county initiative to address health equity. Participants self-reported health behaviors, access to health-promoting resources, and demographics. Logistic regression models were used to analyze relationships between predictors, outcomes, and moderators.
Setting:
Five rural counties, Georgia, USA.
Participants:
1,120 participants.
Results:
Among participants who lived in the country (as opposed to in town), greater network diversity was associated with consuming ≥3 servings of fruit [OR=1.08; 95% CI 1.01, 1.17, p=.029], yet among participants who lived in town, greater civic engagement was associated with consuming ≥3 servings of fruit [OR=1.36; 95% CI 1.11, 1.65, p=.003]. Both food secure and food insecure participants with greater social reciprocity had lower odds of consuming 0 SSBs [OR=.92; 95% CI .86, .98, p=.014, OR=.92; 95% CI .86, .99, p=.037, respectively]. Men with greater social trust were more likely to consume 0 SSBs [OR=1.09; 95% CI 1.01, 1.18, p=.038], and Whites with greater network diversity were more likely to meet daily vegetable recommendations [OR=1.10; 95% CI 1.01, 1.19, p=.028].
Conclusions:
Findings provide a basis for future qualitative research on potential mechanisms through which SC and related social factors influence healthy eating in rural communities.
