Exploring the Connection Between Community Food Security Initiatives and Social-Cognitive Factors on Dietary Intake

Authors

  • Diana Cuy Castellanos University of Dayton
  • Josh Keller University of Dayton
  • Emma Majchrzak University of Dayton

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2016.071.006

Keywords:

Community Food Security Initiatives, Social-Cognitive, Dietary Quality, Fruit And Vegetable Intake

Abstract

Food insecurity and poor dietary consumption continues to impact low-income populations in the U.S. However, communities are developing ways to address it at the local level. Community Food Security Initiatives (CFSI) focus on increasing a sustainable, healthy food supply and food system while simultaneously addressing food insecurity and dietary quality within a community. The purpose of this study was two-fold: (1) explore CFSIs in low-income areas in a metropolitan Midwest city and (2) examine the effects of the initiatives along with other social-cognitive factors on fruit and vegetable consumption in persons participating in local CFSIs. This was a mixed methods study. First, seven representatives from different CFSIs were interviewed and factors regarding initiative success were identified. Secondly, a group of 128 community members made up of both CFSI participants and non-CFSI participants completed questionnaires assessing fruit and vegetable intake, dietary-related social cognitive behavior, and socio-demographics. Several themes emerged from the interviews with the CFSI representatives including challenges, resources, and benefits in developing and sustaining an initiative. A multiple regression analysis was utilized to explain fruit and vegetable behavior across CFSI participation and dietary-related social-cognitive factors, controlling for education and income. The analysis showed that dietary-related social-cognitive factors, not CFSI participation, were an independent predictor of fruit and vegetable intake. In conclusion, CFSIs may increase food access within a local food system but may have a minimal impact on dietary behavior overall. CFSIs may need to reexamine their operations and identify ways to address not only food access but other social factors such as community empowerment and individual psychosocial factors relating to dietary behavior.

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Author Biographies

Diana Cuy Castellanos, University of Dayton

Department of Health and Sport Science, University of Dayton; 646 Fitz Hall, 300 College Park Avenue; Dayton, Ohio 45469.

Josh Keller, University of Dayton

Department of Health and Sport Science, University of Dayton; 646 Fitz Hall, 300 College Park; Dayton, Ohio 45469.

Emma Majchrzak, University of Dayton

Department of Health and Sport Science, University of Dayton; Corbly Hall, One John Marshall Drive; Huntington, West Virginia 25755.

Published

2016-11-23

How to Cite

Cuy Castellanos, D., Keller, J., & Majchrzak, E. (2016). Exploring the Connection Between Community Food Security Initiatives and Social-Cognitive Factors on Dietary Intake. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 7(1), 21–31. https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2016.071.006

Issue

Section

Open Call Paper