'This qualitative study sought to understand food acquisition behaviors and environmental factors that influence those behaviors among women in a low-income African American community with limited food resources. We drew on in-depth interviews with 30 women ages 21 to 45 years recruited from a community health center in Chicago, Illinois,' researchers in Chicago, United States report.
'Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Emergent themes revealed that women identified multiple environmental barriers-material, economic, and social-interactional-to acquiring food in an acceptable setting. In response, they engaged in several adaptive strategies to manage or alter these challenges, including optimizing, settling, being proactive, and advocating,' wrote S.N. Zenk and colleagues.
The researchers concluded: 'These findings indicate that efforts to improve neighborhood food environments should address not only food availability and prices but also the physical and social environments of stores.'
Zenk and colleagues published their study in Health Education & Behavior (''You Have to Hunt for the Fruits, the Vegetables'': Environmental Barriers and Adaptive Strategies to Acquire Food in a Low-Income African American Neighborhood. Health Education & Behavior, 2011;38(3):282-292).
For additional information, contact S.N. Zenk, 845 S Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL 60612, United States.
Publisher contact information for the journal Health Education & Behavior is: Sage Publications Inc., 2455 Teller Rd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA.
Keywords: City:Chicago, State:Illinois, Country:United States, Region:North and Central America, Health Education Research
This article was prepared by Education Letter editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2011, Education Letter via VerticalNews.com.
