Short-term temporal stability in observed retail food characteristics.
OBJECTIVE
Use of direct observation to characterize neighborhood retail food environments is increasing, but to date most studies have relied on a single observation. If food availability, prices, and quality vary over short time periods, repeated measures may be needed to portray these food characteristics. This study evaluated short-term (2-week), within-season temporal stability in retail food availability, prices, and quality.


METHODS
In-person observations of retail food stores at 2 time points, 2 weeks apart.


METHODS
Southwest Chicago, IL.


METHODS
157 food stores.


METHODS
Availability and prices of food items selected from the following food groups: fruit, vegetables, grains, meats and beans, and dairy, as well as fresh produce quality.


METHODS
Temporal stability was tested for availability using a McNemar test and for price and quality using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test.


RESULTS
Measures of food availability and prices as well as fresh produce quality at stores were generally stable at the 2 time points.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that a single observation may be sufficient to accurately characterize within-season food availability, food prices, and fresh produce quality.
University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Nursing, Department of Health Systems Science, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. szenk@uic.edu
Shannon N
SN
Zenk
Diana S
DS
Grigsby-Toussaint
Susan J
SJ
Curry
Michael
M
Berbaum
Linda
L
Schneider
D002641:Chicago; D003132:Commerce; D003611:Dairy Products / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards / Q000600:supply & distribution; D005511:Food Handling / Q000379:methods; D005523:Food Supply / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005638:Fruit / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D006801:Humans; D008460:Meat / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards / Q000600:supply & distribution; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012621:Seasons; D013997:Time Factors; D014675:Vegetables / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards / Q000600:supply & distribution*