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Identifying Nutrition Education Deficits that Affect Food Purchasing by Low‐Income Families with Young Children
Author(s) -
Calloway Eric Elyett,
Sweitzer Sara J,
Briley Margaret E,
Romo Maria,
McInnis Katie,
Mcallaster Micheal
Publication year - 2012
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.26.1_supplement.629.7
Subject(s) - purchasing , environmental health , added sugar , nutrition education , medicine , affect (linguistics) , obesity , dietary fiber , family income , food science , gerontology , psychology , business , marketing , biology , economics , economic growth , communication
Participants (n=34) were low‐income parents with preschool‐aged children, 72% Hispanic, 91% female, and 75% with total family incomes under $40,000. Parents completed questionnaires concerning knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding family food purchasing habits, and returned food‐purchasing receipts representing one month. Although 88% of parents agreed that consuming diets high in fruits, vegetables and fiber, and low in fat and added sugar can decrease risk for heart disease and diabetes, the knowledge to apply this to their food‐purchasing selections was lacking. Participants could identify foods high in added sugar, but were unable to consistently identify foods high in fat or high in fiber. Out of 98 responses, 60% (n=59) misidentified pasta, bread, or soda as being high in fat. For four items low in dietary fiber (corn flakes, white rice, red meat, and chicken), over 1/3 (n=44) of 130 responses misidentified them as high in dietary fiber and 12% (n=15) indicated “don't know.” Total family food‐expenditure devoted to fruits, vegetables, high‐fiber and low fat food items accounted for only 31% of money spent for food purchases. Though parents agreed healthy diets reduce disease risk, they lacked the knowledge to apply this to food purchasing which presents a significant public health risk and need for nutrition education in vulnerable populations. Funding provided by Little Dudes child care centers. Grant Funding Source : Little Dudes Child Care Centers