Elizabeth Wall-Bassett

Associations between Food Insecurity, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefits, and Body Mass Index among Adult Females

Obesity disproportionately affects low-income and minority individuals and has been linked with food insecurity, particularly among women. More research is needed to examine potential mechanisms linking obesity and food insecurity. Therefore, this studys purpose was to examine cross-sectional associations between food insecurity, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits per household member, perceived stress, and body mass index (BMI) among female SNAP participants in eastern North Carolina (n=202). Women were recruited from the Pitt County Department of Social Services between October 2009 and April 2010. Household food insecurity was measured using the validated US Department of Agriculture 18-item food security survey module. Perceived stress was measured using the 14-item Cohens Perceived Stress Scale. SNAP benefits and number of children in the household were self-reported and used to calculate benefits per household member. BMI was calculated from measured height and weight (as kg/m(2)). Multivariate linear regression was used to examine associations between BMI, SNAP benefits, stress, and food insecurity while adjusting for age and physical activity. In adjusted linear regression analyses, perceived stress was positively related to food insecurity (P<0.0001), even when SNAP benefits were included in the model. BMI was positively associated with food insecurity (P=0.04). Mean BMI was significantly greater among women receiving <

Association between Travel Times and Food Procurement Practices among Female Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Participants in Eastern North Carolina

150 in SNAP benefits per household member vs those receiving ≥

Formative Evaluation for a Healthy Corner Store Initiative in Pitt County, North Carolina: Assessing the Rural Food Environment, Part 1

150 in benefits per household member (35.8 vs 33.1; P=0.04). Results suggest that provision of adequate SNAP benefits per household member might partially ameliorate the negative effects of food insecurity on BMI.

Gaps and barriers along the North Carolina agri-food value chain

OBJECTIVE To examine associations between self-reported vehicular travel behaviors, perceived stress, food procurement practices, and body mass index among female Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants. ANALYSIS The authors used correlation and regression analyses to examine cross-sectional associations between travel time and distance, perceived stress, food procurement practices (grocery shopping frequency, fast-food consumption, home meal consumption), and body mass index among female SNAP participants aged 20-65 years (n = 215) in eastern North Carolina. RESULTS There were positive associations (P < .05) between travel patterns and stress (r = 0.18 for average miles traveled), grocery shopping frequency (r = 0.16 for average miles traveled), and fast-food consumption (r = 0.19 for average miles traveled, r = 0.29 for average minutes traveled). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS SNAP education materials should focus on healthful interactions with the food environment, even when participants must travel long distances.

Food Security in Three Regions of Dominica: Baseline Data and Social Epidemiological Exploration

Introduction Obesity prevalence in the rural United States is higher than in urban or suburban areas, perhaps as a result of the food environment. Because rural residents live farther from supermarkets than their urban- and suburban-dwelling counterparts, they may be more reliant on smaller corner stores that offer fewer healthful food items. Methods As part of a Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW) healthy corner store initiative, we reviewed audit tools in the fall of 2010 to measure the consumer food environment in eastern North Carolina and chose the NEMS-S-Rev (Nutrition Environment Measures Survey-Stores-Revised) to assess 42 food stores. During the spring and summer of 2011, 2 trained graduate assistants audited stores, achieving interrater reliability of at least 80%. NEMS-S-Rev scores of stores in rural versus urban areas were compared. Results Overall, healthful foods were less available and of lower quality in rural areas than in urban areas. NEMS-S-Rev scores indicated that healthful foods were more likely to be available and had similar pricing and quality in rural corner stores than in urban corner stores. Conclusion Food store audit data provided a baseline to implement and evaluate a CPPW healthy corner store initiative in Pitt County. This work serves as a case study, providing lessons learned for engaging community partners when conducting rural food store audits.

Food-Related Behaviors of Women in Substance Abuse Recovery: A Photo-Elicitation Study

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to formulate an exhaustive list of the issues, gaps, and barriers at each level of the agri-food value chain in North Carolina (NC), and second, to identify the issues of greatest importance to its members. Design/methodology/approach – This research employed the Delphi technique in two stages of input. The first round of input was designed to create a comprehensive list of issues for each of nine “stages” of the agri-food value chain. In round two, the issues were prioritized. Findings – The top ten responses of each stage were aggregated into themes that represent the most critical issues identified by respondents: connectedness within the value chain, access to markets and marketing, affordability/availability of food and food distribution, farm profitability, societal awareness, and education about healthy, local food, and supporting institutions. Originality/value – The findings could be used by practitioners to inspire innovation in food-related...

The Impact of Pistachio Consumption on Blood Lipid Profile: A Literature Review

This study provided baseline data for examination between food security levels and possible contributing factors among 3 representative regions of the Commonwealth of Dominica. Parents of 300 schoolchildren were asked to complete the US Department of Agricultures (USDA) Household Food Security Survey (HFSS). Differences in levels of child and household food security levels among regions were statistically significant. However, there were no statistically significant differences between food security levels and the availability of school feeding programs. The findings of the current study support the linkage between poverty and food insecurity and between indigenous status and greater food insecurity in Dominica.

An Assessment of College Student Awareness of Diet Tools, Recommendations for Food Intake, and Food Access and Availability

The aim of this multi-method qualitative study was to explore the eating behaviors and food choices of nine purposively sampled low-income women aged 29 to 40 years who were engaged in a residential substance use disorders recovery program. Findings were limited to photo-elicitation interviews with the women that focused on nutritional choices and issues outside their family context. Consensual data analysis revealed a recovery process that began with cognitive reawakening and an increased focus on and desire for healthier nutrition-related decisions and lifestyle, particularly in the area of weight gain that many of the women experienced.

Reaching North Dakota's Food Insecure

Studies showed that nut consumption is associated with a reduced risk in cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality and morbidity and an improvement in the modifiable CVD risk factors. Our objective was to review studies that reported the effect of pistachios intake on blood lipid profile. A PUBMED and Loma Linda University Nut Library database search was conducted to identify relevant studies. Eight relevant studies were identified and included in the review. With a few exceptions, the results showed a consistent improvement in serum lipid profile, improving all cholesterol fractions. With one exception, all studies reported a large decrease in the mean LDL-cholesterol ranging from 7.6 to 9.7% of the baseline level. In four of the seven studies that reported a change in HDL-cholesterol level, the mean HDL-cholesterol increased after the intervention. In all but one studies that reported the change in TG, the post-test values were reduced. The majority of the studies reported statistically significant reduction in the mean TC and LDL-cholesterol fractions. Similarly, all studies that reported a change in TC/HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratios reported a statistically significant improvement. Adding pistachios to a typical diet of normo and hypercholesterolemic individuals have a beneficial effect on blood lipid profile.

Use of Traditional and Nontraditional Food Venues Among Female Participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Objective: Since 1992, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has set dietary recommendations for Americans with the Food Guide Pyramid. In 2005, an updated version of the Food Guide Pyramid was released, called MyPyramid. This exploratory study assessed the awareness of college students at East Carolina University regarding the new recommendations and investigated food access and availability through a voluntary survey. Design, Setting and Participants:One hundred fortyeight respondents aged 17 to 23 years were recruited from a campus farmers’ market at East Carolina University. Outcome Measures and Analysis: Frequencies and 1-way tables were analyzed with SPSS. Results: Forty-five percent of respondents were more familiar with the Food Guide Pyramid. One third of respondents regularly consume home-cooked meals; 64% were women. Seventy-seven percent of respondents have limited access to fruits and vegetables; 73% of respondents have limited knowledge regarding recommended intakes of fruits and vegetables. Respondents ranked taste and allergies or food aversions as the most significant factor in choosing foods. Seventy-two percent of respondents consume 1 to 2 ‘‘healthy’’ meals each day. Conclusions and Implications: Although students believe that it is necessary to follow the guidelines provided by the USDA, the majority of the sample did not use or follow them. Students, however, are interested in learning more about how tomeet nutrient intake goals and enhancing their food intake. Findings suggest a need for greater MyPyramid promotion in the higher education systems. Further research is needed to find practical ways to increase student awareness and use of MyPyramid for improving menu planning. Funding: None.