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Multilevel Correlates of Satisfaction with Neighborhood Availability of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Annals of Behavioral Medicine

Abstract

Background

Little is known about influences on perceptions of neighborhood food environments, despite their relevance for food-shopping behaviors and food choices.

Purpose

This study examined relationships between multilevel factors (neighborhood structure, independently observed neighborhood food environment, and individual socioeconomic position) and satisfaction with neighborhood availability of fruits and vegetables.

Methods

The multilevel regression analysis drew on data from a community survey of urban adults, in-person audit and mapping of food stores, and the 2000 Census.

Results

Satisfaction with neighborhood availability of fruits and vegetables was lower in neighborhoods that were farther from a supermarket and that had proportionately more African-American residents. Neighborhood poverty and independently observed neighborhood fruit and vegetable characteristics (variety, prices, and quality) were not associated with satisfaction. Individual education modified relationships between neighborhood availability of smaller food stores (small grocery stores, convenience stores, and liquor stores) and satisfaction.

Conclusions

Individual-level and neighborhood-level factors affect perceptions of neighborhood food environments.

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Acknowledgements

The Healthy Environments Partnership (HEP) (www.hepdetroit.com) is a project of the Detroit Community-Academic Urban Research Center (www.sph.umich.edu/urc). We thank the members of the HEP Steering Committee for their contributions to the work presented here, including representatives from Brightmoor Community Center, Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion, Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation, Friends of Parkside, Henry Ford Health System, Rebuilding Communities Incorporated, and University of Michigan School of Public Health. The study and analysis were supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) (R01ES10936, R01ES014234) and the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) (K01NR010540). The results presented here are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of NIEHS or NINR.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Systems Science, College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, 845 South Damen Avenue M/C 802, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA

    Shannon N. Zenk Ph.D., M.P.H., R.N.

  2. Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 109 S. Observatory, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA

    Amy J. Schulz Ph.D, M.P.H., Laurie L. Lachance Ph.D. & Graciela Mentz Ph.D.

  3. Department of Nutrition, University of Massachusetts, 224 Chenoweth Laboratory, 100 Holdsworth Way, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA

    Srimathi Kannan Ph.D.

  4. Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion, 1151 Taylor Administrative Offices Third Floor, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA

    William Ridella M.P.H.

  5. Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 109 S. Observatory, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA

    Sandro Galea Ph.D., M.D.

Authors
  1. Shannon N. Zenk Ph.D., M.P.H., R.N.
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  2. Amy J. Schulz Ph.D, M.P.H.
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  6. William Ridella M.P.H.
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Correspondence to Shannon N. Zenk Ph.D., M.P.H., R.N..

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Zenk, S.N., Schulz, A.J., Lachance, L.L. et al. Multilevel Correlates of Satisfaction with Neighborhood Availability of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables. ann. behav. med. 38, 48–59 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-009-9106-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-009-9106-7

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