Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Commons^™

How Does The Rural Food Environment Affect Rural Childhood Obesity?, David Hartley Phd, Mha, Nathaniel J. Anderson Ms, Mph, Kimberley Fox Mph, Jennifer D. Lenardson Mhs

Population Health

Objective: Assess the impact of the rural food environment on the eating behaviors and BMI of rural low-income children. Method: Statewide (Maine, 2009) household survey of parents of children on Medicaid (n=1722), oversampled in six rural communities, resulting in n=272 for six target communities. Food environment measured using modified Nutrition Environment Measures Survey in Stores (NEMS-S) for 46 retail food outlets. Multi-variate analysis assessed factors affecting home food environment, child's eating behavior and BMI. Results: Home food behaviors (how often: family eats together, child eats breakfast, vegetables served) and parent food consumption were significantly associated with children's healthy eating behaviors. …