Published: December 2011

ID #: 65051

Journal: Child Obes

Authors: Hartley D, Anderson N, Fox K, Lenardson J

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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 stores’ food selection, quality, and price. Family eating behaviors, and parent eating behaviors were significantly associated with children’s healthy food consumption. Home food availability had no significant effect on child food consumption after controlling for other factors. Receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and using farmer’s markets were also marginally positively associated with children’s consumption of healthy foods. Parental eating behavior was the only significant predictor of childhood obesity.

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