Background US Dietary Guidelines include recommendations to increase whole-grain consumption, but most Americans, especially low-income adults, fail to consume adequate amounts. Objectives The aim of this study was to determine major factors that may affect whole-grain consumption among low-income adults. Methods A mixed methods approach including a whole-grain food identification activity and in-depth interview was used to determine the factors that influence whole-grain consumption based on the constructs of the integrative behavioral model. Participants were recruited from food pantries in the northeastern United States. Descriptive statistics were conducted for demographic data and survey scores, and logistic regression was used to examine differences in whole-grain accuracy by demographic characteristics. Results Low-income adults ( n = 169) completed a quantitative survey, with a subset ( n = 60) recruited for an in-depth qualitative interview. When completing the whole-grain identification activity, most low-income adults identified popcorn incorrectly as refined grain (71%), whereas the refined-grain food commonly identified as whole grain was white rice (42%). Less than half of low-income adults (46%) identified the majority of whole-grain foods correctly. Age, race, and education were not associated with the ability to identify whole-grain foods correctly. However, younger adults (aged 18–49 y) were less likely to identify popcorn as a whole-grain food (OR = 0.42, P = 0.02) compared with older adults (aged ≥50 y). According to the qualitative results, additional barriers, such as perceived cost, may also affect whole-grain food consumption among low-income adults. Conclusions Low-income adults’ ability to correctly identify whole-grain foods and having a perception that whole-grain foods are higher in cost may be the overarching barriers to consuming adequate amounts. Future efforts should focus on strategies improving identification and seeking affordable whole-grain foods to increase whole-grain consumption in low-income adults.

No abstract

nutrition and to increase physical activity among employees. Theory, Prior Research, Rationale: Via formative research, an extensive review of the worksite literature and existing programs; interviews and focus groups with business leaders; and focus groups with low-and middle-income working Californian adults was conducted on the California Fit Business Kit (Kit), a tool for assessing organizational need and readiness for PSE change. Description: Target audience were employees at worksites that qualify for SNAP-Ed programming. Based upon preliminary findings from formative research, promising strategies to promote healthy eating and physical activity at worksites were identified. The Michigan Fitness Foundation is currently implementing the Kit, an emerging intervention, among low-wage worksites participating in SNAP-Ed programming. Evaluation: This intervention is being conducted among 12 worksites using the Kit's Check for Health Scorecard, which is based on 12 wellness components related to nutrition and physical activity. Quantitative and qualitative results will be reported as basic descriptive statistics and themes using SPSS and NVivo, respectively. Conclusions and Implications: There are few tools available to date designed to prioritize PSE strategies to promote healthy eating and physical activity at low-income worksites. The preliminary findings from the use of the Kit at California worksites will be compared to priority PSE strategies identified in Michigan worksites. This tool may be useful in assisting employers with improving employee health and reducing health care costs related to poor nutrition and sedentary behaviors among low-income populations.

Americans continue to fall short on meeting recommendations for whole grain foods possibly because of the difficulty in identifying them. The objective of this research was to assess the accuracy of consumers' ability in identifying common whole grain foods and to determine if the accuracy differed by demographic characteristics. As part of a nutrition display, adults (n=349) viewed 11 foods consisting of 5 whole grains and 6 refined grain foods and then completed a questionnaire to identify what foods were whole grain. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were conducted. The mean (SD) age was 43.9 (17.9) years and the majority of participants were female (60%), white (86%), and had a Bachelor's degree or higher (63%). Less than half (43%) of participants were able to correctly identify all 5 whole grain foods. The whole grain foods identified incorrectly most often were popcorn (38%) and whole grain crackers (20%) while white rice (28%) and wheat bread (17%) were often incorrectly identified as whole grains. Participants who were non‐Hispanic (OR=2.996, P=.05), white (OR=5.829, P<.001), and who had more than a Bachelor's degree (OR=2.19, P=.05) were more likely to correctly identify all 5 whole grain foods. These results indicate that the ability to identify whole grain foods may be a barrier to consuming adequate amounts especially for some subpopulations. With a current lack of universal whole grain food labeling, these results also have implications for policy change.

No abstract