Individual- and environmental-level determinants of fruit and vegetable intakes in rural Georgia.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the ways in which food insecurity, food acquisition behaviors, and perceived and objective food access influence fruit and vegetable intakes among rural Georgians.

Design: A population-based survey was merged with USDA's Food Access Research Atlas, and multilevel modeling was used to determine individual-level (eg, food insecurity, food acquisition behaviors, perceived access) and environmental-level (eg, census tract food access) predictors of fruit and vegetable intakes.

Setting: Twenty-four rural census tracts in 6 counties in Georgia, USA.

Participants: One thousand four hundred and seventy-four adults.

Results: Residing in a low food access census tract was not associated with fruit or vegetable intake. Food insecurity had negative effects on both fruit and vegetable intakes. Perceived access to fresh fruits and vegetables was positively associated with fruit intake, and obtaining fresh fruits and vegetables from community or home gardens was positively associated with both fruit and vegetable intakes.

Conclusions: Findings are unique from previous research on census tract-level fruit and vegetable determinants, underscoring the need for a better understanding of influences on fruit and vegetable intakes among rural populations. Interventions to increase fruit and vegetable consumption in rural areas should prioritize food security.