Availability, affordability, and accessibility of a healthful diet in a low-income community, Central Falls, Rhode Island, 2007-2008.
BACKGROUND
Many Americans have diets that do not meet the dietary guidelines set by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Additionally, low-income people have the highest rates of obesity and have difficulty accessing the necessary foods for maintaining a healthful diet.


BACKGROUND
In December 2007 and January 2008, 21 retail food stores in Central Falls, Rhode Island, where residents were predominantly low-income Hispanics, were evaluated for the availability and costs of foods that fulfill the USDA's Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) guidelines.


METHODS
Each surveyed store was evaluated for variety and weekly cost of 3 different types of market baskets (2 families and an elder). Each store's proximity to public transportation was estimated by using geographic information systems mapping.


RESULTS
Only 2 stores in Central Falls and the discount supermarket in an adjacent city, Pawtucket, carried enough variety of foods to fill the TFP basket. At the 2 stores, costs were up to 40% higher, and at the discount store, costs were up to 18% cheaper, than the national average. Each of the stores was accessible by public transportation.


CONCLUSIONS
Meeting the USDA TFP guidelines is difficult in this low-income, predominantly Hispanic city. Although the components of the TFP are available, high prices may make a nutritious diet unaffordable.
Marissa Sheldon, University of North Carolina, School of Public Health, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
Marissa
M
Sheldon
Kim M
KM
Gans
Ryan
R
Tai
Tiffiney
T
George
Eliza
E
Lawson
Deborah N
DN
Pearlman
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003132:Commerce; D004032:Diet / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D005502:Food / Q000191:economics*; D005523:Food Supply / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011203:Poverty; D011632:Public Assistance; D012237:Rhode Island