"If I Can Afford Steak, Why Worry About Buying Beans": African American Men's Perceptions of Their Food Environment

Overview

Journal Am J Mens Health

Specialties Health Services
Public Health

Date 2018 May 22

PMID 29781335

Citations 2

Authors

Ledric D Sherman

Derek M Griffith

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Due to the high level of food-related chronic diseases for African American men, the purpose of this qualitative study was to induce ( n = 83) urban American men's perspective of their food environment considering different ethnic subgroups, built environment, and the temporal context using a phenomenological method and snowball sampling. Focus group interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and entered into ATLAS.ti to aid in establishing themes. African American men perceived that fast-food chains are their food choices and that they do not have any other healthy alternatives near their residential community. Their perspective of their current environment was primarily influenced by their formative years, the availability of current food environments, marketing and advertising of food on television, and the cost of eating healthy as compared to the cost of eating what is convenient to their residence. A central theme of the findings of this study is that the availability and accessibility of restaurants and food options are harmful to health over time. The finding suggests that future interventions should consider and incorporate how people develop and understand their current food practices and environment through the lens of time, not just their adult context.

Citing Articles

Black men's health-related quality of life: A qualitative study to understand community-identified perception and needs.

Wippold G, Abshire D, Griffith D, Zarrett N, Gadson B, Woods T Health Psychol. 2024; 43(11):822-832.

PMID: 39052378 PMC: 11869231. DOI: 10.1037/hea0001403.

A qualitative study of ecological and motivational factors to inform weight management interventions for Black men in the rural South of the United States.

Abshire D, Wippold G, Wilson D, Pinto B, Probst J, Hardin J Soc Sci Med. 2023; 326:115898.

PMID: 37087973 PMC: 10354809. DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.115898.

The Graying of the Cool Pose: Examining Active Care Strategies Among Older African-American Men With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Wallace B, Chard S, Roth E J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2022; 77(11):2016-2025.

PMID: 35552416 PMC: 9683491. DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbac071.

References

Gough B, Conner M . Barriers to healthy eating amongst men: a qualitative analysis. Soc Sci Med. 2005; 62(2):387-95. DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2005.05.032. View

Dietz W, Gortmaker S . Preventing obesity in children and adolescents. Annu Rev Public Health. 2001; 22:337-53. DOI: 10.1146/annurev.publhealth.22.1.337. View

James D . Factors influencing food choices, dietary intake, and nutrition-related attitudes among African Americans: application of a culturally sensitive model. Ethn Health. 2004; 9(4):349-67. DOI: 10.1080/1355785042000285375. View

Osei-Assibey G, Kyrou I, Adi Y, Kumar S, Matyka K . Dietary and lifestyle interventions for weight management in adults from minority ethnic/non-White groups: a systematic review. Obes Rev. 2010; 11(11):769-76. DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2009.00695.x. View

Patrick H, Nicklas T . A review of family and social determinants of children's eating patterns and diet quality. J Am Coll Nutr. 2005; 24(2):83-92. DOI: 10.1080/07315724.2005.10719448. View

Young M, Morgan P, Plotnikoff R, Callister R, Collins C . Effectiveness of male-only weight loss and weight loss maintenance interventions: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Obes Rev. 2012; 13(5):393-408. DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2011.00967.x. View

Kwate N . Fried chicken and fresh apples: racial segregation as a fundamental cause of fast food density in black neighborhoods. Health Place. 2007; 14(1):32-44. DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2007.04.001. View

Wolf R, Lepore S, Vandergrift J, Basch C, Yaroch A . Tailored telephone education to promote awareness and adoption of fruit and vegetable recommendations among urban and mostly immigrant black men: a randomized controlled trial. Prev Med. 2008; 48(1):32-8. PMC: 4537646. DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2008.10.015. View

Griffith D, Metzl J, Gunter K . Considering intersections of race and gender in interventions that address US men's health disparities. Public Health. 2011; 125(7):417-23. DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2011.04.014. View

10.

Grier S, Kumanyika S . The context for choice: health implications of targeted food and beverage marketing to African Americans. Am J Public Health. 2008; 98(9):1616-29. PMC: 2509618. DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2007.115626. View

11.

Courtenay W . Constructions of masculinity and their influence on men's well-being: a theory of gender and health. Soc Sci Med. 2000; 50(10):1385-401. DOI: 10.1016/s0277-9536(99)00390-1. View

12.

Sellaeg K, Chapman G . Masculinity and food ideals of men who live alone. Appetite. 2008; 51(1):120-8. DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2008.01.003. View

13.

Jack Jr L, Griffith D . The health of African American men: implications for research and practice. Am J Mens Health. 2013; 7(4 Suppl):5S-7S. PMC: 5178829. DOI: 10.1177/1557988313490190. View

14.

Liburd L, Namageyo-Funa A, Jack Jr L . Understanding "masculinity" and the challenges of managing type-2 diabetes among African-American men. J Natl Med Assoc. 2007; 99(5):550-2, 554-8. PMC: 2576079. View

15.

Morland K, Wing S, Roux A, Poole C . Neighborhood characteristics associated with the location of food stores and food service places. Am J Prev Med. 2002; 22(1):23-9. DOI: 10.1016/s0749-3797(01)00403-2. View

16.

Millen B, Quatromoni P, Pencina M, Kimokoti R, Nam B, Cobain S . Unique dietary patterns and chronic disease risk profiles of adult men: the Framingham nutrition studies. J Am Diet Assoc. 2005; 105(11):1723-34. DOI: 10.1016/j.jada.2005.08.007. View

17.

Zenk S, Schulz A, Israel B, James S, Bao S, Wilson M . Fruit and vegetable access differs by community racial composition and socioeconomic position in Detroit, Michigan. Ethn Dis. 2006; 16(1):275-80. View

18.

Blankenship K, Bray S, Merson M . Structural interventions in public health. AIDS. 2000; 14 Suppl 1:S11-21. DOI: 10.1097/00002030-200006001-00003. View

19.

Carnethon M . Diabetes prevention in US ethnic minorities: role of the social environment. J Am Diet Assoc. 2008; 108(6):942-4. DOI: 10.1016/j.jada.2008.03.019. View

20.

Griffith D, Cornish E, McKissic S, Dean D . Differences in Perceptions of the Food Environment Between African American Men Who Did and Did Not Consume Recommended Levels of Fruits and Vegetables. Health Educ Behav. 2016; 43(6):648-655. DOI: 10.1177/1090198115626923. View