Heterogeneity in grocery shopping patterns among low-income minority women in public housing

New insights into grocery store visits among east Los Angeles residents using mobility data

In this study, we employed spatially aggregated population mobility data, generated from mobile phone locations in 2021, to investigate patterns of grocery store visits among residents east and northeast of Downtown Los Angeles, in which 60% of the census tracts had previously been designated as "food deserts". Further, we examined whether the store visits varied with neighborhood sociodemographics and grocery store accessibility. We found that residents averaged 0.4 trips to grocery stores per week, with only 13% of these visits within home census tracts, and 40% within home and neighboring census tracts. The mean distance from home to grocery stores was 2.2 miles. We found that people visited grocery stores more frequently when they lived in neighborhoods with higher percentages of Hispanics/Latinos, renters and foreign-born residents, and a greater number of grocery stores. This research highlights the utility of mobility data in elucidating grocery store use, and factors that may facilitate or be a barrier to store access. The results point to limitations of using geographically constrained metrics of food access like food deserts.

A Cross-Sectional Study of Grocery Shopping Factors of Importance among Food-Insecure African Americans

The objective of this study was to (1) assess via cross-sectional survey the prevalence of food insecurity among African Americans [AAs] after their most recent grocery shopping trip, and (2) examine the grocery shopping factors of importance and characteristics of food-insecure AA grocery shoppers. Most (70.4%) were food-insecure. Food-insecure grocery shoppers were significantly more likely to be younger, less educated, who often skipped meals and/or practiced fasting, accessed a food pantry, were SNAP recipients, were considered to not be in "good" health, and who had higher BMI compared to food-secure shoppers (p ≤ 0.03 * for all). Our data showed that AAs shopped for groceries a mean 2.20 ± 1.29 times per week, for low prices (72.1%), without a weekly budget (58.9%), with a grocery list (44.6%) or using an app (27.6%), for high-quality vegetables (27.5%), for good customer service (22.9%), for store brands (20.8%) and name brands (17.9%).Food-insecure shoppers were significantly more likely to grocery shop more times per week, have a weekly budget, and use an app, but were significantly less likely to report store brands, name brands, good customer service, and high-quality vegetables as grocery factors of importance (p ≤ 0.03 * for all). Grocery strategies such as shopping with a grocery app and/or grocery list could help food-insecure AAs reduce grocery trips, promote meal planning to save money, and avoid skipping meals/fasting, while eating healthier.

A natural experiment: The opening of a supermarket in a public housing community and impacts on children's dietary patterns

Objective

The aim of the present study is to utilize a natural experiment and examine changes in dietary patterns of predominantly low-income, racial and ethnic minority children who live in a public housing community following the opening of a new supermarket.

Methods

Data comes from the Watts Neighborhood Health Study (WNHS), an ongoing study in South Los Angeles, United States, that follows residents of Jordan Downs, a public housing community undergoing redevelopment. Surveys were administered to children aged 9-17 years (n = 297), as well as an adult in the household. The second baseline data collection was conducted June-December 2019, and follow-up was conducted June 2020-April 2021, shortly after the introduction of the new supermarket in January 2020. ANCOVA linear regression models were estimated to examine the association between children's proximity to the new supermarket with dietary outcomes at follow-up. Interactions with barriers to food access were also explored.

Results

Living close to the new supermarket was not significantly associated with dietary outcomes at follow-up. However, for children who lived in households with no vehicle access, living close to the new supermarket was associated with increased fruit and vegetable consumption, compared to children in the comparison group.

Conclusion

Proximity to the new supermarket was not associated with improved dietary outcomes among children unless they had transportation barriers. This adds to the growing body of literature that suggests that the effects of neighborhood food environments may be modified by individuals' mobility, and that comprehensive interventions are needed.

Association between Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and Purchasing Behaviors, Food Insecurity Status and Geographic Food Access among a Lower-Income, Racially/Ethnically Diverse Cohort in Central Texas

The aims of this study were to determine if fresh fruit and vegetable consumption and purchasing behaviors were associated with geographic food access and/or food insecurity status, and to explore the role of sociodemographic characteristics among participants of a lower-income, racially/ethnically diverse cohort. This study used a cross-sectional design and baseline survey data from the FRESH-Austin study (N = 393). Associations between fresh produce consumption/purchasing and food insecurity status and geographic access to food were assessed utilizing univariate, bivariate, and multivariate linear regression methods and potential interactions were examined. The sample 40% reported being food insecure and the majority identified as Hispanic. Geographic food access was directly associated with fresh produce consumption (β = 0.46, p = 0.02); however, the directionality of the relationship between food insecurity and fresh produce consumption varied due to a significant interaction with race/ethnicity. Only utilizing food assistance was associated with purchasing fewer fresh produce (β= -1.83, p = 0.03). Findings suggest that communities experience food insecurity and limited healthy food access in different ways, and in some situations, are associated with fresh produce consumption and purchasing behaviors. Future research adopting an intersectionality-sensitive approach to better understand how to best support communities at risk is needed.

Who shops at their nearest grocery store? A cross-sectional exploration of disparities in geographic food access among a low-income, racially/ethnically diverse cohort in Central Texas

We examined whether Central Texans shop at their nearest supermarket, how far they travel for groceries, and explored differences by race/ethnicity, urbanicity, motivations for store selection and other demographic characteristics. Using cross-sectional data and GIS, continuous network distances from participants' homes to nearest and usual supermarkets were calculated and multivariate linear regression assessed differences. <19% shopped at their nearest supermarket. Regression models found that urbanicity played a large role in distance traveled to preferred supermarket, but other factors varied by race/ethnicity. Our findings demonstrate racial/ethnic and urbanicity disparities in food access and multiple domains of food access need greater consideration.