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Shannon N. Zenk, PhD¹, Amy J. Schulz, PhD², Laurie Lachance, PhD², Graciela Mentz, PhD², William Ridella, MPH³, and Srimathi Kannan, PhD⁴. (1) Program in Cancer Control and Population Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1747 W Roosevelt Rd, M/C 275, Chicago, IL 60608, 312-355-2790, szenk@uic.edu, (2) Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan, 109 S Observatory, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, (3) Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion, 1151 Taylor, Detroit, MI 48202, (4) Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, 109 S Observatory, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Background. In this analysis, we examine individual- and neighborhood-level predictors of perceptions of the neighborhood retail food environment.

Methods. The analysis draws upon a survey conducted by the Healthy Environments Partnership with 919 African-American, Hispanic, and White adults in Detroit. Respondents rated their satisfaction with the selection, quality and affordability of neighborhood foods. Using GIS, we evaluated store availability (large grocer, mom-and-pop grocer, specialty store, convenience store; number of liquor/corner stores) for respondents' census block groups (neighborhoods; n=69), plus a ¼ mile buffer. We classified neighborhoods by poverty level and racial composition. Data were analyzed using HLM 6.0. All results were adjusted for age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, income, employment, and car ownership.

Results. Living in an African-American (>80%) neighborhood was associated with less satisfaction with food selection/quality and affordability in the neighborhood. The presence of a large grocer was positively associated with perceived food selection/quality, whereas a greater number of liquor/corner stores was negatively associated with selection/quality. The presence of a mom-and-pop grocer and a greater number of liquor/corner stores were negatively associated with perceived food affordability. Store availability did not explain less satisfaction with food selection/quality and affordability in African-American neighborhoods.

Conclusion. Consistent with a prior analysis we conducted using observed measures of the food environment as well as other studies, African-American neighborhoods had poorer access to a good selection of high-quality, affordable foods. Improving healthy food options in African-American neighborhoods is a critical first step to reduce diet-related diseases and disparities.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe measures of the objective and perceived neighborhood food environment.
• Identify individual- and neighborhood-level factors associated with residents’ perceptions of the retail food environment.

Keywords: Environment, Nutrition

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No