title: Is the objective food environment associated with perceptions of the food environment?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study examined whether objective measures of the food environment are associated with perceptions of the food environment and whether this relationship varies by socio-economic disadvantage.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study is a cross-sectional analysis of self-report surveys and objective environment data. Women reported their perceptions on the nutrition environment. Participants' homes and food stores were geocoded to measure the objective community nutrition environment. Data on the average price and variety of fruit and vegetables were used to measure the objective consumer nutrition environment.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted in Melbourne, Australia, in 2003-2004.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data presented are from a sample of 1393 women aged 18-65 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall the match between the perceived and objective environment was poor, underscoring the limitations in using perceptions of the environment as a proxy for the objective environment. Socio-economic disadvantage had limited impact on the relationship between perceived and objective nutrition environment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further research is needed to understand the determinants of perceptions of the nutrition environment to enhance our understanding of the role of perceptions in nutrition choices and drivers of socio-economic inequalities in nutrition.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia. Lauren.Williams@deakin.edu.au
authors.forename: Lauren K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Lukar
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Thornton
authors.forename: Kylie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ball
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Crawford
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D003132:Commerce / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005523:Food Supply / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005638:Fruit; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D012923:Social Class; D012931:Social Environment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014675:Vegetables; D055815:Young Adult