Tools for Healthy Tribes: Improving Access to Healthy Foods in Indian Country

This paper describes how the American Indian Healthy Eating Project evolved through five phases: 1) starting the conversation; 2) conducting multidisciplinary formative research; 3) strengthening partnerships and tailoring policy options; 4) disseminating community-generated ideas; and 5) accelerating action while fostering sustainability. The article discusses each phase’s essential steps, outcomes derived, and lessons learned. Collectively, these More

Stocking Characteristics and Perceived Increases in Sales Among Small Food Store Managers/Owners Associated with the Introduction of New Food Products Approved by the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children

Implementation of the 2009 Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) food package has implications for WIC-authorized store managers/owners who had to modify their stock to meet the demands of their WIC customers and to maintain their WIC authorization. This paper examines perceived sales, product selection, and stocking habits of small WIC-authorized More

Small Retailer Perspectives of the 2009 Women, Infants and Children Program Food Package Changes

In 2009, the U.S. Department of Agriculture implemented changes to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) food package. This paper explores the perceptions of owners and managers of small food stores about implementation successes and challenges related to the new WIC package. Findings from qualitative interviews across seven states indicate More

Retail Grocery Store Marketing Strategies and Obesity: An Integrative Review

In-store food marketing can influence food purchasing behaviors, but much remains to be learned about what food marketing practices in grocery stores can help address the growing burden of obesity. This paper synthesizes research and publications from industry and academic sources on the topic and provides direction for developing and evaluating promising interventions. Findings from More

Measures of the Food Environment

This website provides a compilation of articles that include community-level measures of the food environment, as well as some of the instruments themselves. The food environment is defined to include food stores, restaurants, schools and worksites. This website is updated on a weekly basis.

Interventions in Small Food Stores to Change the Food Environment, Improve Diet, and Reduce Risk of Chronic Disease

In recent years, public health practitioners have aimed to improve the food environment and purchasing patterns in small food stores, yet studies summarizing these interventions and their effectiveness are lacking. This paper reviews small-store interventions and discusses their impact on healthy food access and consumption. Findings of the review indicate that small-store interventions significantly improve More

How Does the Rural Food Environment Affect Rural Childhood Obesity?

This paper examines the association between the rural food environment and rural lower-income children’s food consumption and obesity rates in six rural towns in Maine. Researchers found few significant relationships between the community food environment and the home food environment. A marginally significant relationship was found between the distance parents traveled to shop and the More

Simplifying Caloric Labeling on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages to Reduce Consumption of Excess Calories

Providing easily understandable caloric information may be a low-cost strategy for lowering overall caloric intake among groups at high risk for obesity, particularly Black and Hispanic adolescents ages 12 to 18. The aims of the study are to: 1) examine if providing caloric information on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) significantly reduces the frequency and volume of More