Environment influences food access and resulting shopping and dietary behaviors among homeless Minnesotans living in food deserts

Abstract

Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to investigate how shopping behaviors and environment influence dietary intake and weight status among homeless Minnesotans living in food deserts. Seven focus groups (n = 53) and a quantitative survey (n = 255), using the social cognitive theory as the theoretical framework, were conducted at two homeless shelters (S1 and S2) in the Twin Cities area. Heights, weights, and 24-h dietary recalls were also collected. Food stores within a five-block radius of the shelters were evaluated for the price and availability of foods and compared to the Thrifty Food Plan's market basket prices (MBP). Results showed that almost 80% of the sample was overweight or obese, with women consuming less than the recommended level for the fruits, vegetables, and milk food groups and excess for the fats/ oils/sweets food group. Focus groups and participant surveys indicated that the shelter infrastructure and surrounding community influenced the types of foods available, food store access, and the foods purchased and consumed. Participants relied on food assistance programs, including food stamps, to supplement their food supply; however, some felt the high food prices at neighboring stores limited food choice and that food stamps did not adequately cover food costs. Results from the food store survey found the majority of food prices exceeded Midwest or national MBP. To promote healthier dietary intake and weight status, community-based interventions and city planners should aim to increase access to food through improved food availability and food access within the shelter environment and surrounding community.

Family Support and Subjective Well-Being: An Exploratory Study of University Students in Southern Chile

“…By contrast, the highest level of satisfaction with food-related life in Groups 1 and 3 may be associated with the greater support in tangible or economic resources that these students receive, including food, given that some studies have shown that spending more money on food is linked to the opportunity to gain access to better quality and healthier food. This has been found in samples of families with small children in Minnesota, USA (French et al 2010), homeless adults also living in Minnesota (Smith et al 2010), adults mainly in the USA (Giskes et al 2011) and adults from ethnic minorities (of Mapuche origin) in Chile (Schnettler et al 2012). Thus regarding Hypothesis 2, it can be stated that the tangible or economic resources that students receive is positively related to their satisfaction with food-related life and better eating habits, which is also connected to the socioeconomic level of the students' homes.…”

“…Too little food creates discontent among people (Grunert et al 2007). Many studies indicate that the possibility of spending a higher amount on food for the home is associated with the possibility of gaining access to better quality and healthier food (French et al 2010;Smith et al 2010;Giskes et al 2011;Schnettler et al 2012). However, the ability to allocate more resources for food may not necessarily translate into healthier diets.…”

Environmental, Personal, and Behavioral Factors Are Related to Body Mass Index in a Group of Multi-Ethnic, Low-Income Women

“…1 The inadequacies of the environment in low-income neighborhoods have been widely implicated as a mediating factor in the paradoxical association between poverty and obesity. 2,3 Lower-income neighborhoods are less likely to have large supermarkets in close proximity that offer high-quality, nutritious, and affordable food, [4][5][6] and convenience stores and restaurants are more plentiful. 7,8 In addition, fewer opportunities exist for engaging in physical activity in lowincome communities.…”

Do Soup Kitchen Meals Contribute to Suboptimal Nutrient Intake & Obesity in the Homeless Population?

“…12,15 Paradoxically, homeless people are as or more likely than other Americans to be overweight/obese. 16 In a study of homeless adults, Smith et al found that 59.4% were obese (body mass index [BMI]≥30) 17 compared to an obesity rate among all Americans of 33.8%. 18 Additionally, surveys have found that 46% to 54.8% of homeless persons report chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, anemia, obesity, and hypertension.…”