A Study Of Food Environments And Food Management Strategies Among African American Households In Gary, Indiana

Abstract

African-Americans are disproportionately affected with food-related diseases. In fact, making healthy dietary choices—which is a frequent recommendation to reduce overweight and obesity, is not always feasible with presence of food deserts in many low-income communities. Income inequalities are the basis for many of the nation’s health disparities, and individuals’ food management strategies are often shaped by what they can afford and what is available to them. Unfortunately, low-income African-American communities compared to higher-income White communities often lack access to healthy food options and/or are not in close proximity to healthy quality grocery stores (Alwitt & Donley, 1997; Morland, Wing, Diez Roux, & Poole, 2002; Zenk, Schulz, Israel, Kames, Bao, & Wilson, 2005). Therefore, in order to effectively address food related disease within African-American populations, it is important to understand the complexities surrounding eating environments (i.e. social and cultural factors influencing aspects of food purchasing, access to safe and nutritious food and overall food management strategies). The aim of the proposed small-scale study is to examine differences and similarities in food purchase and consumption strategies of African American households during perceived periods of food shortage and financial crisis. A better understanding of food choices and food environments among African American households is essential for the development of appropriate and culturally sensitive public health interventions that inform research and practice. Thus, this exploratory study will examine food management strategies as a facilitating behavior to diet-related obesity, while exploring the environmental context in which these behaviors occur in African-American households in Gary, Indiana. Participants for this study (n=10) will be involved in two in-depth interview, as well as participate in a community-integrated geographic information systems (CIGIS) process exploring food coping and management strategies. It is anticipated that the results of the study will produce solution-oriented research implications to: 1) develop much needed culturally appropriate and generalizable public health interventions around food management strategies to reduce diet-related overweight and obesity; 2) inform policy (i.e. community land-use, zoning, etc.) to improve social and economic conditions in disadvantaged communities; and 3) advance the use of geographic analysis for assessing food environments in an effort to reduce exposure to elements that negatively affect health.