Project Title
Assessing County Food Environment Using the Healthy Food Assessment Index
Faculty Mentor(s) Name(s)
Dr. Damian Francis
Abstract
Physical food environment includes the availability and accessibility to foods and has a major influence on dietary patterns and disease risk. Geographic coordinates were collected for food establishments in Baldwin County, GA. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) was used to classify full-service grocery stores and convenience stores. The Nutritional Environment Measures Survey was used to assess Healthy Food Availability Index (HFAI) with scores ranging from 0-30 points. HFAI was separated into low (0-9.9), medium (10-19), and high (19.1-30) and mapped according to census block groups. Mean HFAI score by NAICS categories were assessed using the student t-test. Out of 181food establishments, 50 were considered full-service grocery (6) or convenience stores (44). The mean HFAI for grocery stores (M=22.5, SD=3.3) compared to convenience stores (M=7.5, SD=4.4) was significantly better, t(48)=8.0,p=0.00. Convenience stores scored between 2-18 out of 30 on the HFAI and were present in 90% or more of the census block groups in the County. Approximately 17% of residents live within ½ mile of a full-service grocery store. WIC and SNAP were accepted by 86% and 70% of stores respectively. There was no significant difference in the HFAI score by WIC or SNAP acceptance. Our project concluded that there are few food stores with a high HFAI in Baldwin County. Convenience stores are very prevalent within areas of high population density which could be an opportunity for them to have a positive impact on the health of their neighborhoods if they offer healthy options at affordable prices.
Assessing County Food Environment Using the Healthy Food Assessment Index
Physical food environment includes the availability and accessibility to foods and has a major influence on dietary patterns and disease risk. Geographic coordinates were collected for food establishments in Baldwin County, GA. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) was used to classify full-service grocery stores and convenience stores. The Nutritional Environment Measures Survey was used to assess Healthy Food Availability Index (HFAI) with scores ranging from 0-30 points. HFAI was separated into low (0-9.9), medium (10-19), and high (19.1-30) and mapped according to census block groups. Mean HFAI score by NAICS categories were assessed using the student t-test. Out of 181food establishments, 50 were considered full-service grocery (6) or convenience stores (44). The mean HFAI for grocery stores (M=22.5, SD=3.3) compared to convenience stores (M=7.5, SD=4.4) was significantly better, t(48)=8.0,p=0.00. Convenience stores scored between 2-18 out of 30 on the HFAI and were present in 90% or more of the census block groups in the County. Approximately 17% of residents live within ½ mile of a full-service grocery store. WIC and SNAP were accepted by 86% and 70% of stores respectively. There was no significant difference in the HFAI score by WIC or SNAP acceptance. Our project concluded that there are few food stores with a high HFAI in Baldwin County. Convenience stores are very prevalent within areas of high population density which could be an opportunity for them to have a positive impact on the health of their neighborhoods if they offer healthy options at affordable prices.