title: Multilevel correlates of satisfaction with neighborhood availability of fresh fruits and vegetables.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Little is known about influences on perceptions of neighborhood food environments, despite their relevance for food-shopping behaviors and food choices.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study examined relationships between multilevel factors (neighborhood structure, independently observed neighborhood food environment, and individual socioeconomic position) and satisfaction with neighborhood availability of fruits and vegetables.
  
  
  METHODS
  The multilevel regression analysis drew on data from a community survey of urban adults, in-person audit and mapping of food stores, and the 2000 Census.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Satisfaction with neighborhood availability of fruits and vegetables was lower in neighborhoods that were farther from a supermarket and that had proportionately more African-American residents. Neighborhood poverty and independently observed neighborhood fruit and vegetable characteristics (variety, prices, and quality) were not associated with satisfaction. Individual education modified relationships between neighborhood availability of smaller food stores (small grocery stores, convenience stores, and liquor stores) and satisfaction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Individual-level and neighborhood-level factors affect perceptions of neighborhood food environments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Systems Science, College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, 845 South Damen Avenue M/C 802, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. szenk@uic.edu
authors.forename: Shannon N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Zenk
authors.forename: Amy J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Schulz
authors.forename: Laurie L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Lachance
authors.forename: Graciela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mentz
authors.forename: Srimathi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kannan
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ridella
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Galea
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology; D003258:Consumer Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005523:Food Supply / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005638:Fruit / Q000191:economics*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014675:Vegetables / Q000191:economics*; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology