Neighborhood perceptions affect dietary behaviors and diet quality.
OBJECTIVE
The primary purpose of this study was to determine if perceived neighborhood disorder affected dietary quality within a multiethnic sample of children.


METHODS
Children were recruited through the use of fliers, wide-distribution mailers, parent magazines, and school presentations from June 2005 to December 2008.


METHODS
Birmingham-Hoover, Alabama metropolitan area.


METHODS
Sample of 100 children aged 7 to 12 years.


METHODS
Dietary quality was assessed using the average of two 24-hour recalls and analyzed using the Nutrition Data System for Research.


METHODS
Multivariate linear regression analyses were conducted to assess the relationship between neighborhood disorder and dietary quality.


RESULTS
Perceived neighborhood disorder was associated with increased iron intake (P = .03) and lower potassium levels (P = .04). Perceived neighborhood disorder was not significantly associated with increased energy intake (P = .07) and increased sodium intake (P = .08).


CONCLUSIONS
Perceived neighborhood disorder was significantly related to differences in dietary quality. This finding indicates that subjective neighborhood characteristics may pose barriers to healthful eating behaviors for children. Future research efforts and policy should address sociostructural factors and ways to manipulate and improve food environments and individuals' perceptions of their neighborhoods.
Keita
Akilah Dulin
AD
Department of Nutrition Sciences and Clinical Nutrition Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA. Akilah@uab.edu
Casazza
Krista
K
Thomas
Olivia
O
Fernandez
Jose R
JR
D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D002149:Energy Intake; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D010465:Perception; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012923:Social Class