Question 3
A majority of the groups being targeted in these studies are low-income populations. Do you think that this is the most important group to target? Why or why not? Are there any other specific populations that you think would benefit as much or more than low-income groups?
posted by Stephanie Hinkle @ 7:48 PM
30 comments
30 Comments:
Targeting the lower-income populations is an important group to target since they are typically more at risk for poor nutrition and food selection/availability. These populations are less likely to purchase fresh produce since it is usually more expensive (especially when it is not in season) and they also may lack the nutritional knowledge of what is and is not good for them. However I also think the elderly population and the younger population (children 5yrs and up) would benefit just as much as the low-income groups. Early nutrition education can have a significant and positive impact on a child’s health, especially with the rise in childhood obesity and cancer rates in the younger population. As for the elderly, their health is even more critical and the consumption of a variety of fruits and vegetables would be beneficial to their health since the majority of cancer-fighting phytochemicals and antioxidants are found in fruits and vegetables.
Research indicates that fruit and vegetable intake increases as household income increases; therefore, targeting low-income populations is certainly important and necessary. Even though literature consistently states that fruit and vegetable consumption is poor among all demographics groups, low-income families face more barriers that the higher-income groups. In addition to food related preferences, low-income families face many environmental constraints including access, cost, availability and storage space. Lower-income families may also consider difficulty of preparation and perishability when purchasing these items. For example, low-income parents may be unwilling to spend limited food dollars on fruits and veggies if they are not certain that their families will eat them. Adolescents, teens, pregnant women and senior citizens would also be important groups to target, as individuals develop future eating habits young in life, pregnant women are competing with their growing fetus for nutrients and as one gets older, he/she is more at risk for nutrient deficiencies due to physiologic changes including digestive and absorptive mechanisms.
I believe that targeting lower-income populations and elderly populations are important. As Anna stated, fruit and vegetable consumption increases as household income increases, so perhaps higher-income families wouldn't benefit nearly as much as lower-income groups. I believe that children would benefit almost as much as lower-income and elderly groups from exposure to gardens and opportunities to consume fruits and vegetables through vouchers or coupons. Targeting children at a younger age, educating on the importance of fruit and vegetable consumption, and accessing another route (the classroom) to introduce healthy habits will provide significant benefits to children. Hopefully even perpetuate healthy eating habits as they get older. School gardens are a great way to achieve this exposure in a fun and collaborative way with kids!
With the current economic climate, I am inclined to believe that many middle-class and even upper middle-class families would also benefit from participation in community gardens and farmers market coupons. Although this demographic is likely better educated on the importance of consuming fresh fruits and vegetables, they may be experiencing financial instability and opt for 'cheaper' foods thus forgoing fresh fruits and vegetables. I think that providing coupons for the farmers market would be beneficial to all demographics; and hopefully, when the economy turns back around, they will continue to frequent the farmer's market without the aid of coupons. Beyond the financial benefit, a program like this could instill the value of supporting local farmers.
I think that this group is important to target because low socio-economic status populations are typically associated with lower levels of education, so they may not be aware of how/where to obtain fresh fruits/veggies or how beneficial they are for health. However, many other populations may not be aware of such programs/options either and would equally benefit.
I read in an article (http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publications/NutritionInsights/Insight42.pdf) published by the USDA that found that both lower- and higher-income Americans needed to increase the amount of fruits and vegetables that they eat. Furthermore, another Nutrition Insight from the USDA said that children are less likely to get enough fruits and vegetables and this is the group that I think is important to target. I think that it is crucial to properly educate children about a healthy diet and guide them to engage in healthy behaviors when they are young, because to some extent they will carry those habits and that education with them into adulthood. It seems that all ages and income levels could benefit from programs like this, because as a country our dietary intakes (specifically that of fruits and vegetables) could use improving.
I believe that lower-income populations are imperative to target, but I also think that people from all SES groups need to be targeted in some way. Low-income populations could benefit from the education of farmer’s markets and gardening programs by learning how to purchase fruits and vegetables at a low price, what time of the year to do so, how to prepare them, etc. Lower-income populations do face more obstacles such as transportation, access to fruits and vegetables, etc. On the other hand, just because someone has more money, doesn’t always mean they are purchasing healthy food. So I think they would benefit from education as well.
I think targeting this population is an important group to target because they are often the ones who are not meeting the dietary reccomendations. In addition to this I know that the Farmers Markets are WIC friendly and when the season comes the WIc particpants qualify to get coupons to use at the local farmers markets. In addition to this population I think the elderly and college age would be another interesting group to target.
Anna,
I agree that parishabilty could be a reason for low income to not want to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. I also agree that the pregnant population would be another great group to target. This goes along with what I said that WIC participants are able to get farmers market money.
Honestly, I think that lower income populations are often targeted because they are easier to target....there are programs (like WIC) that provide a readily available source of data on what this population is doing (or not) and therefore it is easier for the researcher to examine this group. Despite this, fruit and vegetable consumption is terrible in all populations - we know that these are the food groups that are least well represented in people's diets across the board. I think middle-income children would be a key population to target for some of these studies. These are the kids who are over-scheduled, whose parents are over-scheduled and who often resort to fast-food as a result...I think it would be great to try to get a handle on what types and amounts of fruits and vegetables these kids are really consuming.
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Kara, you make an excellent point about everyone needing to increase their fruit and vegetable consumption. While lower education is often associated with lower SES, just because someone has the knowledge does not necessarily mean that they are going to purchase and consume these items. For my independent study, I completed a cost and nutritional analysis on eating out versus cooking at home. A vast amount of research indicates that taste is the number one determinant of food choice followed by cost and convenience. Therefore, as future dietitians, I think it will be equally important to discuss clients' taste preferences so that we can provide alternative suggestions to those clients who dislike fruits and/or vegetables.
I think the answer to this question has been covered well from a variety of perspectives. Generally speaking, I would agree that Americans as a whole need to improve upon fruit and vegetable consumption. Sometimes this simply takes education regarding Farmer’s Markets, which fruits/vegetables are in season, how to utilize fruits and veggies effectively, and what the potential health benefits are from consuming these foods. I worked at WIC for two years and can attest to the fact that this population is definitely at risk secondary to a variety of factors (cost, availability, etc) . This population may be low-income but includes target groups such as pregnant adolescents, breastfeeding mothers, toddlers, and children. I agree with Sarah’s comment that educating young children about the importance of healthy eating can potentially benefit them for a life-time. However, this does not go without saying that education for all Americans would be ideal.
Anna - like the comment regarding food preference vs cost. I find that on a daily basis I am educating patients on alternative selections, fresh vs canned fruits and veggies, etc. As the nutrition experts we have to be creative when providing education and have the ability to individualize recommendations.
All populations in the U.S., regardless of socioeconomic status, may have low consumption of fruits and vegetables or not meet the dietary recommendations. However, if we are focused on reasons why individuals do not consume enough then I would have to say targeting the low-income populations would be an important group to research as an issue at large is the high cost of fresh fruits and vegetables. It is important to remember that middle class families with children are often put in positions in our current economy to have little dispoable income to make more costly food purchases.
MelanieP
Anna makes a good point about pregnant women being at risk for nutrient deficiencies. This would be an excellent group to target and educate them on the importance of fruit and vegetable consumption that way in the long-run, they will hopefully pass on their knowledge and good eating habits to their children as they grow.
I do think that it is important to target low-income populations. These are typically the individuals that are most at risk for nutrition-related issues including inadequate consumption of fruits and vegetables. It is also important to remember that just because someone has the income and access to fruits and vegetables; it does not necessarily mean they will choose to purchase them. With that in mind, it may be necessary to target individuals in all income levels.
I think that low income groups are definitely a good population to target in increasing fruits and vegetables. Many low income families are less educated and may not know of the benefits of eating certain healthful foods such as fruits and vegetables and they also may shy away from farmers markets and produce sections because they are scared of the price tags that may be associated. I think an even more important group to educate is children. Learning these nutritious choices at a young age is useful in determining the choices they will make as an adult plus we want our children healthy and full of energy!
Alison,
I think you make a great point in stating that the low income population is an easy target and this is why researchers tend to use them in their studies. I never looked at that way but I am definitely going to have to agree with you and say that all populations needs help in fruit and vegetable consumption. The nation as a whole is lagging in this area. I'd hate to admit it but even I struggle with getting in all my servings of F/V and I am educated on the subject so really no one should be excluded from this type of study.
These groups have to stretch their dollars and fruits and vegetables are often labeled as too expensive to buy, at least in the fresh form. That is why they are the target for coupons and vouchers, to help them increase their intake. I think they are a very important group to target. Since they are also a group that usually have accessibility issues, not just financial, they really do need our help.
I would guess that they targetted low income populations since a common excuse for some people as to why they don't eat enough fruits and vegetables is that they are too expensive. Doing an intervention that shows inexpensive ways, would help these people overcome the cost barrier.
Sarah Udell
I agree with Sarah that also targeting children would be a great way to help them create healthy habits that will stick with them for a lifetime. Making fruits and vegetables fun and easy could possibly increase their consumption as well.
Sarah Udell
Sarah G., I also believe that children would benefit almost as much as lower-income and elderly groups. The exposure during youth could help instill healthy habits for growth and development and hopefully stick with them throughout the years.
I think that any income group or population would greatly benefit from education on fruit and vegetable consumption. Americans overall are consuming fewer and fewer fruits and vegetables these days. Definitely, low-income populations would benefit from the reasonably priced fruits and vegetables at the markets, but any population would benefit from education.
Yes, I think that low-income populations are the most important group to target since they are at the most risk of having insufficient F&V intake. However, I would love to see incentives or discounts for F&V purchase for all people, regardless of SES. Perhaps a tax write-off or something of the like? I would definitely agree with Anna that children and the elderly of all SES would have much to benefit from studies/progams such as the ones discussed here.
~Anna Taylor
I do think that this is the most important group to target because the majority of those currently shopping at farmer's markets and planting gardens are not of low SES. Those belonging to lower-income populations have also been shown to choose more convenient and processed foods, and less fruits and vegetables. I believe children and the elderly would benefit as much as low-income groups. Positive food and lifestyle choices need to be instilled in America's children, and increased fruit and vegetable consumption would benefit those in the elderly population, as their nutritional-related health concerns arise.
Melissa and Rachel W., I completely agree with both of you! Most populations in this country can really gain from education about healthy eating and the benefits of eating more fruits and vegetables. I think the more programs, classes, seminars, etc. that are given for free or at a low cost, the better, especially when they can be generalized to more than one population.
I appreciated Rachel W's real-life application of fruit & vegetable consumption. I think it is important for all populations to realize the other avenues of consuming fruits and vegetables than just the fresh produce section of the grocery store. Educating that these options (canned, frozen, etc) may be more cost effective and just as healthy, will hopefully help to make individuals realize fruit & vegetable consumption is more realistic for their lifestyle than they believe.
At this point in time, with the economy being in such a sad state, I don’t think that low-income populations are the most important group to target. People with very little money have low fixed incomes, and are much more concerned with having enough food to eat than buying foods that are organic. While more and more Farmers Markets are accepting Food Stamps, the truth is, organic fruits and vegetables tend to be more expensive than inorganic. When people are pressed for time and money it is hard to prioritize the sustainability of their food. In addition, other obstacles faced with farmers markets are that they are open an inconvenient times, there are often crowds and long lines, and there can be difficulties with transportation and language. I think that farmers markets are much better suited for those without very tight budgets.
Liz,
I agree with you that low-income families face obstacles such as transportation to local farmers markets. I also believe that all groups regardless of SES could benefit from nutritional education to increase their awareness.
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