Food Shopping Perceptions, Behaviors, and Ability to Purchase Healthful Food Items in the Lower Mississippi Delta

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• 作者：Bernestine B.  ; McGee PhD¹ ;   ; ^{Bernestine_mcgee@subr.edu} ; Glenda S.  ; Johnson PhD¹ ; M. Kathleen  ; Yadrick PhD² ; Valerie  ; Richardson MPA¹ ; Pippa M.  ; Simpson PhD³ ; Jeffrey M.  ; Gossett MS⁴ ; Alma  ; Thornton PhD¹ ; Crystal  ; Johnson BS¹ ; Margaret L.  ; Bogle PhD⁵
• 关键词：shopping perceptions ; food supply ; rural ; attitudes
• 刊名：Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior
• 出版年：2011
• 出版时间：September-October 2011
• 年：2011
• 卷：43
• 期：5
• 页码：339-348
• 全文大小：578 K

文摘

Objective

To examine the agreement between perceptions, behaviors, and ability to purchase healthful food in the Lower Mississippi Delta (LMD).

Design

A regional food store survey of healthful food options in supermarkets, small/medium stores, and convenience stores. Focus group discussions were conducted on shopping perceptions and behaviors.

Setting

Counties in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

Participants

Eighty-one LMD residents, 18-60+ years of age.

Main Outcome Measure

Perceptions of healthful food and ability to acquire these food items across store types.

Analysis

Focus group data were analyzed using thematic coding. Summary food store statistics were weighted, and estimates were constructed using SUDAAN 9. Data triangulation was achieved by comparing focus group findings with food availability data.

Results

A majority (> 85 % ) of supermarkets had selected vegetables, breads, and cereals perceived as healthful, whereas availability was limited in small to medium grocery stores and convenience stores. Skim milk, perceived as healthful, was limited in all store types.

Conclusions and Implications

Limited availability and perceived costs of healthful food in the LMD influenced purchasing behaviors. Attitudes and perceptions should be incorporated into intervention development to improve food choices in conjunction with increasing the availability of healthful food in the LMD.