Psychosocial determinants of food purchasing and preparation in American Indian households.
OBJECTIVE
Obesity and other diet-related chronic diseases affect American Indians at high rates, yet little is known about food use behaviors in this population, or of psychosocial factors that influence these behaviors. The study objective was to address this gap.


METHODS
Cross-sectional; part of baseline collection for an intervention trial.


METHODS
White Mountain and San Carlos Apache reservations, Arizona.


METHODS
Main household food shoppers and preparers of 270 randomly selected households on two American Indian reservations.


METHODS
Multivariate linear regression.


METHODS
Primary independent variables were healthy food knowledge, self-efficacy and intentions, assessed using multi-question scales. Dependent variables were frequency of purchasing healthy foods and a healthiness of cooking methods score.


RESULTS
Higher-fat and/or higher-sugar items were commonly purchased, with limited purchasing of healthier alternatives. Pre-prepared foods are a substantial component of the diet. Cooking methods which add or have little impact on the fat content of foods were more commonly employed than methods which reduce fat. Food acquisition and use behaviors were predicted by food use intentions. Food intention scores were predicted by food self-efficacy; food self-efficacy by food knowledge.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings support the use of food knowledge, self-efficacy, and intentions in understanding food-related behavior in this setting.
Gittelsohn
Joel
J
Center for Human Nutrition, Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205-2179, USA. jgittels@jhsph.edu
Anliker
Jean A
JA
Sharma
Sangita
S
Vastine
Amy E
AE
Caballero
Benjamin
B
Ethelbah
Becky
B
D000328:Adult; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005511:Food Handling / Q000379:methods*; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000523:psychology*; D005523:Food Supply; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011632:Public Assistance; D020377:Self Efficacy