Access to food source and food source use are associated with healthy and unhealthy food-purchasing behaviours among low-income African-American adults in Baltimore City

Abstract

Objective: Although previous research has shown limited availability of healthy food in low-income urban neighbourhoods, the association between food source use and food-purchasing patterns has not yet been examined. We explored foodpurchasing patterns in the context of food source use and food source access factors in low-income areas of Baltimore City. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: Predominantly low-income neighbourhoods in East and West Baltimore City. Subjects: A total of 175 low-income African-American adult residents. Results: Supermarkets and corner stores were the most frequently used food sources. Walking was the main form of transportation used by 57 % of all respondents, 97 % of corner-store shoppers and 49 % of supermarket shoppers. Multiple linear regression models adjusting for demographic factors, type of food source used and transportation type found that corner-store use was associated with obtaining more unhealthy food (P 5 0?005), whereas driving to the food source was associated with obtaining more healthy food (P 5 0?012). Conclusions: The large number of corner stores compared with supermarkets in lowincome neighbourhoods makes them an easily accessible and frequently used food source for many people. Interventions to increase the availability and promotion of healthy food in highly accessed corner stores in low-income neighbourhoods are needed. Increased access to transportation may also lead to the use of food sources beyond the corner store, and to increased healthy food purchasing.

Effectiveness of a Virtual Grocery Store Tour on the Confidence and Ability of Parents to Understand and Use the Nutrition Facts Panel

“…Traveling and finances have been shown to discourage low-income families from adopting healthier lifestyle habits and behaviors (D'Angelo, Suratkar, Song, Stauffer, & Gittelsohn, 2011;Webber, Sobal, & Dollahite, 2010). Although the current study did not identify life situations that might hinder participant's selection of healthy foods, the results do indicate that participants' confidence to select healthy foods and to use the NFP increased.…”

“…D'Angelo et al (2011) recruited participants from an area of Baltimore with limited access to supermarkets and limited availability to healthy food options. These researchers found that unhealthy foods were more likely to be selected from grocery store shelves when these low income families had to walk to the grocery store (D'Angelo, et al, 2011). Participants from the current study were observed utilizing the Delaware County's bus services or walking to the intervention sites, possibly increasing the difficulty of obtaining healthy foods when grocery shopping.…”

Strawberry fields forever? Urban agriculture in developed countries: a review

“…Food deserts are not unique to the USA, but the literature for the American food system is most abundant (Beaulac et al 2009). Much research has documented the lack of access to supermarkets, racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in food access, differences in chain versus non-chain stores, cost of food, availability of particular food items, and links to obesity (Franco et al 2008;Larson et al 2009;Schafft et al 2009;Walker et al 2010;D'Angelo et al 2011). The findings point to a trend of low-income and ethnic minority neighborhoods in the USA facing more barriers to accessing healthy and affordable food (Walker et al 2010).…”

Spice MyPlate

“…1 The setting for the implementation and evaluation of this nutrition education program was Baltimore, Maryland, a city rife with socioeconomic hurdles and a preponderance of ''food deserts'' in which access to healthy foods is limited. 20 Community stakeholder engagement with parents, students, and school faculty revealed that experiential nutrition education featuring cooking skills and an emphasis on flavorful foods that students enjoy would help promote sustainable dietary improvements in our target population.…”