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Are Food Swamps Linked to Parents’ Food Shopping Behaviors & their Young Children’s Diet Quality?: Implications for Policy & Environmental Interventions

Award Number: K01HL159034
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL HEART, LUNG, & BLOOD INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/01/2022
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2027

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Are Food Swamps Linked to Parents’ Food Shopping Behaviors & their Young Children’s Diet Quality?: Implications for Policy & Environmental Interventions - Obesity disparities among young children are widening. These disparities may be related to exposure to food swamp environments (i.e., neighborhoods where unhealthy food retail environments inundate healthier alternatives). Yet, little is known about the mechanisms linking neighborhood food environments to child diet and obesity disparities. To fill this gap, we propose a community-based participatory research (CBPR) project utilizing mixed methods to explore the relationships between food swamp environments and parents’ food and beverage shopping habits, parents’ perceptions of unhealthy vs. healthy food and beverage access, and diet quality and food preferences among young children (ages 2- 5). In phase 1, we will use an explanatory sequential mixed methods design and complete objective assessments of neighborhood food environments in 6 Hartford communities using both secondary data and primary food store audits, followed by short interviews with community stakeholders to solicit feedback. This phase of the project will result in the level of food swamp exposure scores and GIS maps at the census block group-level. In phase 2, we will survey parents with young children (n=300) to assess their food and beverage shopping habits, the home food environment, child food and beverage preferences and intake, plus parents’ perceptions of their food environment, and their level of support for Policy, Systems, and Environmental (PSE) strategies to alleviate dietary disparities among children. Then, to contextualize key findings from quantitative survey data, we will conduct focus groups with parents (n=40) of young children, followed by the application of novel mixed-methods GIS mapping techniques. We will take a convergent mixed methods approach and analyze/interpret Phase 2 quantitative and qualitative data together using joint displays. The final phase (Phase 3) involves drawing from Phase 1 and 2 findings to co-develop a community-based PSE intervention trial with a Community Advisory Board. We will solicit feedback on the draft intervention plan from resident parents (N=20) via focus groups. The proposed research will improve our understanding of neighborhood factors (i.e., food access) as determinants of early childhood diet quality. This K01 award will allow Dr. Cooksey Stowers to obtain the necessary training and mentorship to develop a unique, independent research program that integrates CBPR, GIS, Mixed Methods, and Intervention Development (i.e., PSE strategies). Findings from this work will inform the PI's future R01 application focused on implementing a community-based RCT evaluating a PSE intervention targeting the neighborhood food environment. This K01 award will also allow the PI to obtain training and mentorship to develop a unique, independent research program that integrates CBPR, nutrition disparities, geospatial analytic techniques, and mixed methods with the ultimate goal of improving poor diet quality and obesity among young children.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $155,602 )
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT	438 WHITNEY RD EXTENSION UNIT 1133	STORRS	CT	06269	CAPITOL	USA	Cardiovascular Diseases Research	000	4	8/29/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$155,602
														Subtotal = $155,602

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $156,205 )
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT	438 WHITNEY RD EXTENSION UNIT 1133	STORRS	CT	06269	CAPITOL	USA	Cardiovascular Diseases Research	000	3	8/22/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$156,205
														Subtotal = $156,205

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $231,820 )
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT	438 WHITNEY RD EXTENSION UNIT 1133	STORRS	CT	06269	CAPITOL	USA	Cardiovascular Diseases Research	000	2	8/18/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$156,555
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT	438 WHITNEY RD EXTENSION UNIT 1133	STORRS	CT	06269	CAPITOL	USA	Cardiovascular Diseases Research	001	2	9/11/2023	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$75,265
														Subtotal = $231,820

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $162,000 )
2022	2022	UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT	438 WHITNEY RD EXTENSION UNIT 1133	STORRS	CT	06269	CAPITOL	USA	Cardiovascular Diseases Research	000	1	8/25/2022	NEW	$162,000
														Subtotal = $162,000

Grand Total All Awards = $705,627

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Are Food Swamps Linked to Parents’ Food Shopping Behaviors & their Young Children’s Diet Quality?: Implications for Policy & Environmental Interventions

Award Number: K01HL159034

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL HEART, LUNG, & BLOOD INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/01/2022

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2027

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