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Acceptability by a low income audience of a low cost two week cycle menu that meets the food recommendations of the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
Author(s) -
Mullenix Anna,
Zanovec Michael,
Stewart Laura J.,
O'Neil Carol E.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.678.3
Subject(s) - medicine , food group , population , low income , test (biology) , environmental health , socioeconomics , biology , paleontology , sociology
The purpose of this study was to plan a low‐cost two week cycle menu with foods/recipes tailored to tastes of Southeast Louisiana that met the 2005 Dietary Guidelines (DGA) for a family of four (male, female, two children) and to test its acceptability by a regional low‐income audience. Menus, costing an average of $616/week (mean price from 29 regional grocery stores), met the energy and food recommendations of the DGA, but differed substantially from the usual intake of this population since they included more whole grains, beans, fruit, vegetables, and dairy than are commonly consumed by this population. To test acceptability, two groups of low‐income individuals were interviewed. Group 1 (n=8; 100% female; 63% black) and group 2 (n=12; 75% female; 100% black) were questioned about acceptability of and barriers to consuming these menus. Group 1 was older (38.6±7.4y [SD]) and had more children (4.25±2.4) than Group 2 (23.8±10.8, 0.25±0.62) (p<0.001 for both); unlike Group 2, Group 1 had nutrition education through EFNEP and a better understanding of nutrition. They stated that they liked fruit and vegetables more, and found the menus feasible and much more acceptable than Group 2. Group 2 wanted to substitute more nutrient dense foods into the menus. Both groups generally wanted larger portion sizes and fewer legumes. Taste and lactose intolerance were the principal barriers to acceptability. Support: ERS Small Grant.