Increasing access to healthful foods: a qualitative study with residents of low-income communities

International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity

Research

Amy Yaroch¹  Rose Jennings²  Cori Nemec²  Alexandra Evans²  Eileen Nehme²  Shreela Sharma²  Aliya Hussaini³  Karen Banks⁴ 

[1]Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition, 8401 West Dodge Road, Suite100, 68114, Omaha, NE, USA

[2]Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living, The University of Texas School of Public Health Austin Regional Campus, Austin, TX, USA

[3]Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, PO Box 163867, 78716, Austin, TX, USA

[4]Share Our Strength Center for Best Practices, 1030 15th St NW, Ste 1100 West, 20005, Washington, D.C., USA

关键词: qualitative study;    access to healthful foods;    food insecurity;    ethnically diverse;    health disparities;    focus groups;    food access;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1479-5868-12-S1-S5

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundInadequate access to healthful foods has been identified as a significant barrier to healthful dietary behaviors among individuals who live in low-income communities. The purpose of this study was to gather low-income community members’ opinions about their food purchasing choices and their perceptions of the most effective ways to increase access to healthful foods in their communities.MethodsSpanish and English focus groups were conducted in low-income, ethnically-diverse communities. Participants were asked about their knowledge, factors influencing their food purchasing decisions, and their perceptions regarding solutions to increase access to healthful foods.ResultsA total of 148 people participated in 13 focus groups. The majority of participants were female and ethnically diverse (63% Hispanic, 17% African American, 16% Caucasian, and 4% “other”). More than 75% of the participants reported making less than $1999 USD per month. Participants reported high levels of knowledge and preference for healthful foods. The most important barriers influencing healthful shopping behaviors included high price of healthful food, inadequate geographical access to healthful food, poor quality of available healthful food, and lack of overall quality of the proximate retail stores. Suggested solutions to inadequate access included placement of new chain supermarkets in their communities. Strategies implemented in convenience stores were not seen as effective. Farmers’ markets, with specific stipulations, and community gardens were regarded as beneficial supplementary solutions.ConclusionThe results from the focus groups provide important input from a needs assessment perspective from the community, identify gaps in access, and offer potential effective solutions to provide direction for the future.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Evans et al. 2015