title: Food shopping perceptions, behaviors, and ability to purchase healthful food items in the lower Mississippi delta.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the agreement between perceptions, behaviors, and ability to purchase healthful food in the Lower Mississippi Delta (LMD).
  
  
  METHODS
  A regional food store survey of healthful food options in supermarkets, small/medium stores, and convenience stores. Focus group discussions were conducted on shopping perceptions and behaviors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Counties in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-one LMD residents, 18-60+ years of age.
  
  
  METHODS
  Perceptions of healthful food and ability to acquire these food items across store types.
  
  
  METHODS
  Focus group data were analyzed using thematic coding. Summary food store statistics were weighted, and estimates were constructed using SUDAAN 9. Data triangulation was achieved by comparing focus group findings with food availability data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A majority (> 85%) of supermarkets had selected vegetables, breads, and cereals perceived as healthful, whereas availability was limited in small to medium grocery stores and convenience stores. Skim milk, perceived as healthful, was limited in all store types.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Limited availability and perceived costs of healthful food in the LMD influenced purchasing behaviors. Attitudes and perceptions should be incorporated into intervention development to improve food choices in conjunction with increasing the availability of healthful food in the LMD.
authors.affiliation: Human Nutrition and Food Program, Southern University and A&M College, Baton Rouge, LA 70813, USA. Bernestine_mcgee@subr.edu
authors.forename: Bernestine B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: McGee
authors.forename: Glenda S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: M Kathleen
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Yadrick
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.forename: Pippa M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.forename: Jeffrey M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gossett
authors.forename: Alma
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thornton
authors.forename: Crystal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Margaret L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Bogle
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D005523:Food Supply / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008922:Mississippi; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*