Dietary Practices to Improve Health: Decision-making in Food Choice among African Americans in Rural Southern Illinois

The Mississippi Delta Region which extends from Southern Illinois to Louisiana is characterized by its large African-American population and rich farmland while paradoxically, food deserts exist in the region.  It is also characterized by persistent poverty and chronic disease, to such an extent that it has been dubbed “The Stroke Belt” and the “Diabetes Belt” (Barker et al., 2011; Borhani, 1965; Howard, 1999).  Like the rest of the region, being rural, possessing high levels of poverty, and large populations of African Americans; Alexander and Pulaski counties in the southernmost part of Illinois have African American populations of 35.4% and 32.4% respectively (U.S. Census 2010).  This study explored factors that contribute to decision-making in food choice among African American residents of a food desert in rural Southern Illinois.

In-depth semi-structured, open-ended interviews were conducted with the primary purchaser and preparer of foods within households.  Food shopping behaviors in addition to accessibility and perceptions of nutrition environment were ascertained among seventeen women (71%) and 7 men (29%).  Negotiation of limitations regarding nutrition environment were also explored.  ATLAS.ti 7.0 was used to analyze data in codes, categories and themes.

Three main themes related to dietary practices to improve health were identified in food choice decision making:  smaller portion sizes and consumption of lesser quantities of certain foods, change in food preparation, and concern for chemicals and hormones in meat and produce.

Despite limitations in the nutrition environment, participants were eating healthier, aware and responsive to traditional African-American foodways, and resourceful in food acquisition.