Factors influencing food buying practices among residents in a food desert and food oasis: A concept mapping exploration

Background: An extensive body of literature focuses on the importance of and health related benefits of consuming fresh fruits and vegetables. In food deserts, neighborhoods that lack a supermarket, maintaining a healthy diet can be difficult. While studies focusing on food deserts are becoming more common in the U.S., many fail to understand the various factors that impact where people purchase food, when people purchase food and the types of food purchased. Methods: This research used the concept mapping method, a structured, participatory approach that utilizes multidimensional scaling and cluster analyses of group sorting and rating activities. The pictorial views generated illustrated how ideas are connected and related. Twenty-six low-income adults from two zip codes designated a food desert and a food oasis in Pittsburgh, PA participated in the concept mapping brainstorming, sorting & rating and interpretation sessions. Results: One hundred twenty-one unique items were identified by participants as influencing food buying practices. Examples include transportation, coupons, delayed receipt of store circulars, food cost, television commercials and the economy. The unique items are grouped into piles of distinct cluster domains. This presentation will address differences in cluster importance as determined by residents of a food desert compared to a food oasis. Additional concept maps for residents of a food desert and food oasis will be shared and compared. Conclusions: Research findings have implications for identifying barriers to healthy eating and guiding policy and program development aimed at increasing access to affordable and healthy foods.