OBJECTIVES: We examined availability and food options at restaurants in less affluent (target area) and more affluent (comparison area) areas of Los Angeles County to compare residents' access to healthy meals prepared and purchased away from home. We also considered environmental prompts that encourage the purchase of various foods. METHODS: We designed an instrument to assess the availability, quality, and preparation of food in restaurants. We also assessed advertisements and promotions, cleanliness, and service for each restaurant. We assessed 659 restaurants: 348 in the target area and 311 in the comparison area. RESULTS: The nutritional resource environment in our target area makes it challenging for residents to eat healthy away from home. Poorer neighborhoods with a higher proportion of African American residents have fewer healthy options available, both in food selections and in food preparation; restaurants in these neighborhoods heavily promote unhealthy food options to residents. CONCLUSIONS: Environment is important in understanding health status: support for the healthy lifestyle associated with lower risks for disease is difficult in poorer communities with a higher proportion of African American residents.
OBJECTIVES: We examined availability and food options at restaurants in less affluent (target area) and more affluent (comparison area) areas of Los Angeles County to compare residents' access to healthy meals prepared and purchased away from home. We also considered environmental prompts that encourage the purchase of various foods. METHODS: We designed an instrument to assess the availability, quality, and preparation of food in restaurants. We also assessed advertisements and promotions, cleanliness, and service for each restaurant. We assessed 659 restaurants: 348 in the target area and 311 in the comparison area. RESULTS: The nutritional resource environment in our target area makes it challenging for residents to eat healthy away from home. Poorer neighborhoods with a higher proportion of African American residents have fewer healthy options available, both in food selections and in food preparation; restaurants in these neighborhoods heavily promote unhealthy food options to residents. CONCLUSIONS: Environment is important in understanding health status: support for the healthy lifestyle associated with lower risks for disease is difficult in poorer communities with a higher proportion of African American residents.
Authors: David C Sloane; Allison L Diamant; LaVonna B Lewis; Antronette K Yancey; Gwendolyn Flynn; Lori Miller Nascimento; William J McCarthy; Joyce Jones Guinyard; Michael R Cousineau Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2003-07 Impact factor: 5.128
Authors: James J Burns; Sarah Goff; Greg Karamian; Coleen Walsh; Lela Hobby; Jane Garb Journal: Public Health Rep Date: 2011 Nov-Dec Impact factor: 2.792
Authors: Yan Cui; Susie B Baldwin; Amy S Lightstone; Margaret Shih; Hongjian Yu; Steven Teutsch Journal: J Urban Health Date: 2012-06 Impact factor: 3.671
Authors: Clara Kayei Chow; Karen Lock; Koon Teo; S V Subramanian; Martin McKee; Salim Yusuf Journal: Int J Epidemiol Date: 2009-03-04 Impact factor: 7.196
Authors: Antronette K Yancey; Brian L Cole; Rochelle Brown; Jerome D Williams; Amy Hillier; Randolph S Kline; Marice Ashe; Sonya A Grier; Desiree Backman; William J McCarthy Journal: Milbank Q Date: 2009-03 Impact factor: 4.911