This paper examines spatial access to retail food stores, including traditional (supercenters, supermarkets, grocery stores), convenience (convenience stores and food marts), and non-traditional (dollar stores, discount stores) stores, as well as food shopping habits, and nutrients available in household food supplies among 50 Mexican-origin families residing in Texas border colonias. Researchers found significantly greater access to convenience stores than any other type of food store. A greater distance to the nearest convenience store was associated with reduced household amounts of total energy, vitamin D, total sugar, added sugar, total fat, and saturated fat. Frequency of shopping at a traditional or non-traditional store were not associated with household food supplies; however, households in which the child purchased food from a convenience store on his/her own at least once a week had foods and beverages with increased amounts of total energy, fat, and saturated fat. Participation in the National School Lunch Program was associated with lower household levels of total energy, calcium, vitamin C, sodium, vitamin D, and saturated fats. These findings document that access and utilization of conveniences stores impact nutrient availability in household food supplies among limited-resource families living in Texas border colonias.
Published: January 2013
ID #: 66969
Journal: BMC Public Health
Authors: Sharkey JR, Dean WR, Nalty CC, Xu J
Age Groups: Adults and Families, Elementary-age children (grades K to 5)
Keywords: Community setting, Corner store, Food outlet, Grocery store, Home, Neighborhood, Rural, School meal programs, Spanish language, Supermarket
Focus Areas: Food Access, Food Retail
Resource Type: Journal Article
Race/Ethnicity: Latino(a) or Hispanic
State: Texas
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