Public transportation to obtain food: an overlooked instrumental activity of daily living.

This study documents the need for public transportation access to nutritional food for adequate nutrition. A secondary data analysis of the 1994 National Health Interview Survey on Disability population-based survey was conducted. Controlling for age, race, and health status, results revealed that the presence of an impairment that prevents or limits use of public transportation, standing for 2 hours, sitting for 2 hours, lifting/carrying 10 pounds (p < .001), and difficulty walking (p = .0009) were significant in predicting whether respondents reported experiencing difficulty shopping for groceries. These significant findings were repeated when examining frequency of shopping for groceries, missing meals due to inability to go to the grocery store, running out of food due to inability to go to the grocery store, and needing help with grocery shopping. This study supports the need for occupational therapy practitioners to address public transportation deficits that compromise social participation and place people at risk for undernourishment. [OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health. 2013;33(4):209-217.]. Copyright 2013, SLACK Incorporated.