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303530
Consumer nutrition environment disparities and neighborhood wellness
Sunday, November 16, 2014
Christina Shay, PhD
,
Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Cynthia Harry, MS
,
Community Health Division, Oklahoma City-County Health Department, Oklahoma City, OK
Sheryl Magzamen, PhD
,
Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
Introduction: Food accessibility and availability have been widely recognized to influence eating behaviors that lead to obesity and adverse health outcomes. The purpose of this investigation is to quantify associations between the consumer nutrition environment and community wellness in a Southwestern metropolitan area of the U.S.
Methods: The Nutrition Environment Measures Survey in Stores (NEMS-S) was used to assess the availability, quality, and price of healthy food options in supermarkets located in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. NEMS-S is a validated measure that assesses a variety of food products commonly purchased in the U.S. The Oklahoma County Wellness Score, a composite measure calculated for each Oklahoma County ZIP code based on census poverty indicators, morbidity/mortality outcomes, and other major health and socioeconomic indicators, was utilized as a measure of neighborhood wellness. NEMS-S scores were compared between ZIP codes with highest (n=26) and lowest (n=30) quartiles of Wellness Score. Results: Higher Wellness Score ZIP codes exhibited significantly higher overall NEMS-S scores compared to those with lower Wellness Scores (36.88 vs. 31.27, p=0.002). Although food quality and price scores were similar across ZIP code Wellness Scores, food availability score was significantly higher in higher Wellness Score ZIP codes compared to ZIP codes with lower Wellness Score (26.96 vs. 22.6, p=0.001).
Discussion: Consumer nutrition environment disparities that limit access to healthy food options are associated with less favorable regional indicators of health and socioeconomic status. Promoting healthy food availability in neighborhoods with poorer health statuses may be a successful strategy for improving health outcomes.
Learning Areas:
Public health or related research
Learning Objectives:
Describe the relationship between healthy food availability in supermarkets and indicators of health and socioeconomic status at the neighborhood level.
Discuss potential strategies to overcome barriers to healthy food availability in supermarkets.
Keyword(s): Health Disparities/Inequities, Food Security
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I designed and conducted the primary research to inform my ongoing work as a program manager in the area of community nutrition policy. I have supervised multiple grant-funded programs focusing on nutrition and health behavior. Among my research interests has been the relationship between the built environment, behavior, and health outcomes.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
