A cross-sectional study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior (JNEB) explored the connections between psychosocial and environmental factors and diet quality among adults in rural and micropolitan communities across New York and Texas. The research, involving 2,420 participants, identified specific psychosocial elements like motivation and social support, alongside environmental aspects such as local food availability, as consistently associated with healthier dietary patterns.
The research identified specific psychosocial elements like motivation and social support, alongside environmental aspects such as local food availability, as consistently associated with healthier dietary patterns.
Study Overview
The study investigated the diet quality of 2,420 adults residing in rural and micropolitan areas within New York and Texas. Researchers utilized a cross-sectional design to assess various metrics, including overall diet quality, intake of fruits, vegetables, and fiber, and consumption of ultraprocessed foods. Additionally, participants' perceptions of their local food environment were evaluated.
Key Psychosocial Findings
The research indicated consistent associations between several psychosocial factors and improved diet quality. These factors included:
- Motivation for healthy eating.
- Confidence in maintaining healthy dietary habits.
- Social support received from family and friends.
Participants who exhibited higher scores in these psychosocial areas reported consuming greater quantities of fruits, vegetables, and fiber, alongside reduced consumption of ultraprocessed foods.
Key Environmental Findings
Environmental factors were also found to be linked to healthier dietary intake. These included:
- The perceived availability of fresh fruits and vegetables within the community.
- The importance participants placed on food quality, price, and selection when making shopping decisions.
Dietary Habits and Socioeconomic Context
On average, participants reported a daily intake of 2.6 cups of fruits and vegetables and 15 grams of fiber. These figures are consistent with national averages but remain below recommended intake levels.
The study also provided socioeconomic context for the participant group:
- Approximately 40% of participants reported experiencing household food insecurity.
- About half of the participants lived in households with annual incomes below $50,000.
Implications and Future Research
The study's findings suggest that improving nutrition may require multifaceted approaches, particularly in rural communities where adults are observed to face elevated risks for diet-related health conditions. The research highlights that nutritional behaviors in these areas are influenced by more than just access to food, emphasizing the roles of motivation, confidence, social support for healthy eating, and the characteristics of the local food environment in shaping diet quality.
Nutritional behaviors are influenced by more than just access to food, emphasizing the roles of motivation, confidence, social support for healthy eating, and the characteristics of the local food environment.
The authors recommend that future studies investigate how changes in psychosocial and environmental factors over time might influence dietary behavior across diverse populations.