Progress 10/01/01 to 09/30/06
Outputs
This was a multi state project that was completed in September 2006. The project was very productive and resulted in numerous publications. The last year has been spent writing final reports and renewal proposals. It was renewed as NC 1033/MIN 18-032. NC 1033 met in Atlanta, GA in October 2006 for its first meeting for the five year project. The group plans to investigate how a changing food system impacts health and body mass index status by having states pair off and submit grant proposals for joint research projects. The group also plans to write an edited book. During the past year, I met with Dr. Lois Wright Morton to analyze data collected in previous years. We are investigating how community infrastructure influences food access and food insecurity in communities designated as food deserts. Our findings show that physical environment, community infrastructure, and social environment all impact dietary behavior in rural food deserts. Two papers are in process and
will be submitted during 2007.
Impacts
Our findings will be important for community planners involved in rural development. Food access is limited in many rural communities because the areas lack the urban influence found in more population dense communities. Limited access to the retail food system, along with limited access to food assistance programs that have been developed to create a safety net for those in need, places many residents at risk of food insecurity.
Publications
- Henderickson, D., Smith, C. and Eikenberry, N. 2006. Low-income individuals face limited fruit and vegetable access in four Minnesotan communities designated as food deserts. Ag and Human Values. 38:371-383.
- Richards, R. and Smith, C. 2006. Shelter environment and placement in community affects lifestyle factors among homeless families in Minnesota. Am J Health Promotion. 21:36-44.
- Richards R., and Smith, C. 2006. The impact of homeless shelters on food access and choice and developed coping strategies among homeless families in Minnesota. J Nutr Ed Behav. 38: 96-105.
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
Faculty involved in this project met in Colorado during October 2005 in order to report on progress by state and subgroups during the past year. Two states (MN and IA) working on objective #1 submitted a NIH grant proposal in June 2005, Environmental influence on adolescent obesity. The purpose of this proposal was to examine the food environment within 4 high schools. Another effort between IA and MN uses the concept of food deserts (places with few or no grocery stores) to look at the loss of grocery stores in low-income rural counties and urban neighborhoods and associations with food access, diet, and health patterns. Independently funded (slightly different goals) by Department of Health in Iowa and the Food Stamp Program in Minnesota, some common methodologies and questions provide opportunities for within state and across state assessments. Drs. Smith and Morton are currently in the process of writing two manuscripts that will examine retail food pricing and
food security in rural areas (Dr. Morton will take the lead on this manuscript) and how civic structure helps solve food insecurity problems for low income, consumers with limited food access in rural food deserts (Dr. Smith will take the lead on this manuscript using perceptions of consumers generated in focus groups conducted in Minnesota and Iowa.) Each state is also working independently on food systems related projects and they are described below. Dr. Smith (MN) has been working with urban homeless families to learn more about how a) they access the food system, b) food systems and social and environmental support mechanisms interact to influence the dietary and health quality, and c) homeless people make food choices, when income and access to food is so limited. This was accomplished using focus group discussions, interviews, and surveys. Results from the qualitative data found that temporary shelters and the surrounding community present environments that impact lifestyle
choices and ultimately influence the overall health and well-being of homeless families. Participants identified several acute and chronic conditions experienced by their families, including stomachaches, headaches, oral health problems, constipation, psychological stress, weight issues, diabetes, and hypertension. Importantly, participants felt that the shelter environment and policies influenced food choices for their family. Homeless participants in this study expressed the willingness to do anything to ensure their children and families have enough to eat to alleviate hunger. Key strategies identified by participants included using food stamps; taking food from the shelter facility; stretching food at the end of the month; obtaining food from grocery stores; modifying shopping habits; pawning personal items; sacrificing food for children; and obtaining food from non-traditional sources (dumpster diving). Additionally, 236 homeless mothers and their children have been assessed for
heights and weights and have completed surveys to evaluate how personal determinants and the environment interact to influence dietary intake and food access in the community. This phase of the project is not yet completed.
Impacts
This project is allowing us to examine how people and communities access foods, make food choices, and solve problems within the food system. Importantly, it has determined that environments both internal and external to shelters influence the types of foods that homeless, inner city Minnesotans eat. Barriers in accessing the food system are being identified and this information could be used by food assistance programs, homeless shelters, and policy-makers to reduce barriers and make food more accessible to low-income families, thus ultimately reducing food insecurity in our state.
Publications
- Schryver, Tamara, 2005. Attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of soy consumers and non-consumers in mainstream and natural foods grocery stores in Minnesota. Ph.D. dissertation, U of Minnesota, 234 pp.
- Schrvyer T. and Smith C. 2005. Attitudes and behaviors of soy consumers versus non-consumers in natural foods or mainstream grocery stores towards soy food consumption. J. Nutr. Ed. Behav. 37:292-299.
- Eikenberry, N. and Smith C. 2005. Attitudes, beliefs and prevalence of dumpster diving as a means to obtain food by midwestern, low-income, urban dwellers. Ag. and Human Values. 22:187-202.
- Harala, K., Smith, C., Hassel, C. and Galfus, P. 2005. New moccasins: Articulating research agendas through interviews with faculty and staff at native and non-native academic institutions. J. Nutr. Ed. Behav. 37:67-76.
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
Faculty involved in this project met in MI to report on progress by state. Three states (MN, TX, and IA) working on objective #1 revised and resubmitted a NIH grant proposal in September 2004. The University of Minnesota has continued to work independently with very low-income populations to assess how they access the food system and how access to the food system impacts their health. This was done by talking with homeless parents and children living in shelters. Seven focus groups (n=53) were conducted with adults (parents) and 54 individual interviews were conducted with children currently living in homeless shelters. Adults identified several environmental and personal factors that impacted food choice. Within the shelter facility, pre-existing shelter rules and structural elements within the residential living spaces limited and often dictated food choice. Residents in one facility were not permitted to store perishable goods within the room, and without any
cooking facility, were limited to purchasing non-perishable, ready-to-eat food products, often in the form of candy, chips, cookies, and pop. The other shelter provided participants with storage facilities (a small refrigerator/freezer)in their rooms, but storage capacity affected the types and quantities of foods purchased, requiring more money for smaller packaging sizes. Cooking facilities also varied among residential rooms, requiring alteration of food preparation methods and influencing family eating habits. The timing of facility meals varied from the usual family meal-time patterns, and without sufficient economic resources and limited storage facilities to purchase and store food, children often went to bed hungry. Food stamps were used to provide food for their families; however, several barriers to their use were elucidated, including a 30-day waiting period to receive benefits, the paperwork and interview application process, lack of transportation or child care to get to
the food stamp office, and earning too much money. Other strategies to get food for the family included taking food from the shelter at mealtime, pawning jewelry or other items, asking people on the street for money, eating food within grocery stores, stealing food, offering to work a few hours in a store in exchange for food, eating at the homes of family/friends, utilizing soup kitchens or food shelves, donating plasma, prostituting, selling food stamps, and dumpster diving. Adults expressed the willingness to do or sacrifice anything in order to prevent their children from being hungry. Among child participants, food choices were affected by several factors, including personal preferences related to the taste, texture, smells, and appearance of food, familiarity to the food product, food preferences of parents and siblings, and the types of foods available within the home. Most children consumed enough food at mealtimes to fill them up, and stored any leftovers for a later snack.
Towards the end of the month, some children expressed going to bed hungry at night or being hungry between meals. Food shelves and soup kitchens were sometimes used as means to provide food during these times.
Impacts
This project is allowing us to examine how people and communities access foods, make food choices, and solve problems within the food system. Importantly, it has determined that one in five low-income inner city Minnesotans report that they eat food from dumpsters because they cannot obtain food due to a number of barriers. Additional barriers in accessing the food system are also being identified and this information could be used by food assistance programs, homeless shelters, and policy-makers to reduce barriers and make food more accessible to low-income families, thus ultimately reducing food insecurity.
Publications
- Eikenberry, N. and Smith, C. 2004. Healthy eating: Perceptions, motivations, barriers, and promoters in low-income Minnesota communities. J. Am. Diet. Assoc. 104 (7):1158-1161.
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
Faculty involved in this project met in Seattle, WA during October 2003 in order to a) report on progress by state and subgroups during the past year, b) discuss potential grant opportunities for 2003/2004 and revising returned grant proposals, and c) discuss mid-project summary reports. Subgroups worked on grant proposal revisions and brainstormed on project ideas for 2004. For objective #1 we submitted a NIH grant proposal and were waiting to hear the outcome of that grant proposal. The University of Minnesota took the lead, with Texas A & M and Iowa State Universities collaborating. Also, both Minnesota and Iowa State had secured funding to move ahead on a project funded through the Food Stamp Program. To date the project has selected two rural counties and two urban neighborhoods in Minnesota that a) have high levels of poverty, b) are defined as food deserts (limited access to grocery stores as identified using NAICS codes), and c) have been identified as an area
with high (n=2) or low (n=2) levels of civic engagement. We hypothesize that areas with higher levels of civic engagement will have a better diet quality and health status compared to areas with low civic structure. Focus groups were conducted during 2002 and results were used to develop a survey. Results from the consumer focus groups revealed several barriers to healthy eating. These included environmental barriers (crime, cost, transportation), behavioral capability barriers (lack of skill/tools/knowledge to perform a behavior), as well as personal considerations (pride, preferences). Most participants expressed appreciation for the services available, however many were critical of the "attitude" of assistance providers, the adequacy of assistance, and were concerned about the quality (freshness, cleanliness, safety) of food available through various programs. Themes from the focus group analysis were used to develop a six-page Food Choice Survey. The guiding theoretical framework
used was the Social Cognitive Theory (Bandura) that says behavior (food choice) is determined by interactions of environment, personal factors, and behavior. Prior to using the survey, it was reviewed by a panel of experts for content and face validity. Individuals were surveyed in urban (n=396) and rural (n=400) areas in a number of low-income sites in order to capture ethnic diversity. Respondents were asked to define healthy foods as part of that survey. Fruits and vegetables were most commonly offered, without prompting, as definitions of healthy eating, regardless of income, race, or gender. Subjects said they eat healthy primarily for health, weight, and family concerns. Almost half of subjects indicated time was a barrier to healthy eating, and more than one-third cited money concerns. Time and discipline were top barriers for Caucasian and the highest low-income subjects while money concerns were more important for those with lower-income. Half of the top promoters of healthy
eating included federal or local food assistance programs. Family was the most common promoter.
Impacts
This project is allowing us to examine how people and communities access foods, make food choices, and solve problems within the food system. Importantly, it has determined that one in five low-income inner city Minnesotans report that they eat food from dumpsters because they cannot obtain food due to a number of barriers.
Publications
- Eikenberry, N. 2003. Access to food and healthy food choice for low-income Minnesotans. M.S. thesis. University of Minnesota. pp. 151. (In collaboration with Iowa State University and the Food Stamp Project; AES and Food Stamp Funded project)
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
This multistate project started in 10/01. Faculty involved in this project met in Washington, D. C. in October, 2002 in order to a) meet with staff at NIH and USDA to discuss potential grant opportunities and, b) to have each of the 4 subgroups begin the grant development process. Subgroups worked on project objectives and potential funding sources were identified. For our objective we decided to submit a NIH during the next year and the University of Minnesota will take the lead. To jump-start this project, we applied for funding through the Food Stamp Program and both Minnesota and Iowa State secured funding to move ahead. To date, project staff have selected two rural counties and two urban neighborhoods in Minnesota that a) have high levels of poverty, b) are defined as food deserts (limited access to grocery stores as identified using NAICS codes), and c) have been identified as an area with high (n=2) or low (n=2) levels of civic engagement. We hypothesize that
areas with higher levels of civic engagement will have a better diet quality and health status compared to areas with low civic structure. This criteria were accomplished by having professionals in the various counties/neighborhoods answer a series of questions and rank their area on civic engagement. Focus groups were conducted within each of the four selected communities with professionals and civic leaders (participants= 49) and separate groups with consumers (participants=41) . Topics included client access to commercial food sources and food assistance programs, healthy eating, client food choice behavior, types and extent of community food problems, and community engagement in solving food problems. Focus groups were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Text was then coded using the NVIVO software and themes were identified. Preliminary results found the professional and civic leader participants were most likely to be familiar with or empathetic with clients if they lived
within the neighborhood, and/or were previous users of the assistance program themselves. Many seemed to think their client's personal preferences or characteristics were the primary determinants of food selection. Results from the consumer focus groups revealed several barriers to healthy eating. These included environmental barriers (crime, cost, transportation), behavioral capability barriers (lack of skill/tools/knowledge to perform a behavior), as well as personal considerations (pride, preferences). Most participants expressed appreciation for the services available, however many were critical of the 'attitude' of assistance providers, the adequacy of assistance, and were concerned about the quality (freshness, cleanliness, safety) of food available through the programs. Lastly, themes from the focus group analysis were used to develop a six-page Food Survey. The guiding theoretical framework used was the Social Cognitive Theory (Bandura) that says behavior (food choice) is
determined by interactions of environment, personal factors, and behavior. Prior to use the survey was appraised by a panel of expert reviewers for content and face validity. Implementation of this survey is in progress.
Impacts
Individuals and communities make wise and unwise food and food system decisions that have an impact on human health and longevity. This projects examines how people and communities access foods, make food choices and solve problems within the food system. Identifed problems and strengths may be used to improve intervention strategies and programs for improved human diet and health.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
The faculty involved in this project met in Chicago November 2-4. Subgroups worked on project objectives and potential funding sources were identified. For our objective we decided to submit a USDA-NRI 62.0, Rural Development Grant with Iowa State University taking the lead. Additionally, to jump-start this project, we applied for funding through the Food Stamp Program and both Minnesota and Iowa State secured funding to move ahead. To date the project has selected two rural counties and two urban neighborhoods in Minnesota that a) have high levels of poverty, b) are defined as food deserts (limited access to food), and c) have been identified as an area with high or low levels of civic engagement. Additionally, four focus groups have been conducted in the two rural counties with 24 individuals. We hypothesize that areas with higher levels of civic engagement will have a better diet quality and health status compared to areas with low civic structure.
Impacts
This project will allow us to examine how people and communities access foods, make food choices, and solve problems within the food system.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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