Opportunities and Challenges Addressing Access to Healthy Food in Five Rural Louisiana Food Stores

Opportunities and Challenges Addressing Access to Healthy Food in Five Rural Louisiana Food Stores

PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE BRIEF — Volume 16 — July 18, 2019

Michelle Kendall1,2; Stephanie T. Broyles, PhD1,2; Jamila Freightman3; Melissa Cater, PhD3; Denise Holston, PhD3 (View author affiliations)

Suggested citation for this article: Kendall M, Broyles ST, Freightman J, Cater M, Holston D. Opportunities and Challenges Addressing Access to Healthy Food in Five Rural Louisiana Food Stores. Prev Chronic Dis 2019;16:190118. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5888/pcd16.190118external icon.

On This Page

• Abstract
• Background
• Intervention Approach
• Implications for Public Health
• Author Information
• References
• Tables

Summary

What is already known about this topic?

Environmental food store interventions are recommended to develop healthy food environments and to reduce obesity.

What is added by this report?

A multicomponent environmental food store intervention was implemented in 5 rural food stores across 3 Louisiana parishes with high obesity prevalence to address healthy food access.

What are the implications for public health practice?

We highlight the successes and challenges of working in the rural food store climate as well as results of our program evaluation on health behavior change. By understanding the rural food store climate, public health practitioners can tailor best practices to reduce obesity for rural populations.

Abstract

The prevalence of high obesity in rural communities may result from low access to healthy foods. To improve the local food environment, a multicomponent environmental food store intervention was implemented in 3 Louisiana parishes where obesity prevalence was greater than 40%. The intervention consisted of healthy-food demonstrations, in-store marketing, and encouraging store owners to stock healthy items. We documented aspects of the rural food store climate, such as store size and the store owner’s willingness to stock healthy items, that affect improving access to healthy food. We found that although the intervention was not effective in shifting purchasing or dietary habits of customers, positive changes in some food store environments did occur. To maximize the effect that rural food store interventions can have on reducing obesity, it is essential to understand aspects of the rural food store climate.