scholarly journals Geospatial and Machine Learning Regression Techniques for Analyzing Food Access Impact on Health Issues in Sustainable Communities

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 745
Author(s):  
Abrar Almalki ◽  
Balakrishna Gokaraju ◽  
Nikhil Mehta ◽  
Daniel Adrian Doss
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
North Carolina ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Food Access ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Matrix Analysis ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Median Income ◽  
Health Issues

Food access is a major key component in food security, as it is every individual’s right to proper access to a nutritious and affordable food supply. Low access to healthy food sources influences people’s diet and activity habits. Guilford County in North Carolina has a high ranking in low food security and a high rate of health issues such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to investigate the geospatial correlation between health issues and food access areas. The secondary objective was to quantitatively compare food access areas and heath issues’ descriptive statistics. The tertiary objective was to compare several machine learning techniques and find the best model that fit health issues against various food access variables with the highest performance accuracy. In this study, we adopted a food-access perspective to show that communities that have residents who have equitable access to healthy food options are typically less vulnerable to health-related disasters. We propose a methodology to help policymakers lower the number of health issues in Guilford County by analyzing such issues via correlation with respect to food access. Specifically, we conducted a geographic information system mapping methodology to examine how access to healthy food options influenced health and mortality outcomes in one of the largest counties in the state of North Carolina. We created geospatial maps representing food deserts—areas with scarce access to nutritious food; food swamps—areas with more availability of unhealthy food options compared to healthy food options; and food oases—areas with a relatively higher availability of healthy food options than unhealthy options. Our results presented a positive correlation coefficient of R2 = 0.819 among obesity and the independent variables of transportation access, and population. The correlation coefficient matrix analysis helped to identify a strong negative correlation between obesity and median income. Overall, this study offers valuable insights that can help health authorities develop preemptive preparedness for healthcare disasters.

scholarly journals Qualitative perspectives of the North Carolina healthy food small retailer program among customers in participating stores located in food deserts

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsey Haynes-Maslow ◽  
Stephanie B. Jilcott Pitts ◽  
Kathryn A. Boys ◽  
Jared T. McGuirt ◽  
Sheila Fleischhacker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Food Access ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Food Deserts ◽  
State Legislature ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
The State ◽  
The North

Abstract Background The North Carolina Healthy Food Small Retailer Program (NC HFSRP) was established through a policy passed by the state legislature to provide funding for small food retailers located in food deserts with the goal of increasing access to and sales of healthy foods and beverages among local residents. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively examine perceptions of the NC HFSRP among store customers. Methods Qualitative interviews were conducted with 29 customers from five NC HFSRP stores in food deserts across eastern NC. Interview questions were related to shoppers’ food and beverage purchases at NC HFSRP stores, whether they had noticed any in-store efforts to promote healthier foods and beverages, their suggestions for promoting healthier foods and beverages, their familiarity with and support of the NC HFSRP, and how their shopping and consumption habits had changed since implementation of the NC HFSRP. A codebook was developed based on deductive (from the interview guide questions) and inductive (emerged from the data) codes and operational definitions. Verbatim transcripts were double-coded and a thematic analysis was conducted based on code frequency, and depth of participant responses for each code. Results Although very few participants were aware of the NC HFSRP legislation, they recognized changes within the store. Customers noted that the provision of healthier foods and beverages in the store had encouraged them to make healthier purchase and consumption choices. When a description of the NC HFSRP was provided to them, all participants were supportive of the state-funded program. Participants discussed program benefits including improving food access in low-income and/or rural areas and making healthy choices easier for youth and for those most at risk of diet-related chronic diseases. Conclusions Findings can inform future healthy corner store initiatives in terms of framing a rationale for funding or policies by focusing on increased food access among vulnerable populations.

scholarly journals A qualitative inquiry of food insecurity in Belize

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-27
Author(s):  
Laurel Dolin Stevenson ◽  
Melissa M. Reznar ◽  
Elizabeth Onye ◽  
Lynna Bendali Amor ◽  
Andre Joel Lopez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Food Access ◽  
Qualitative Inquiry ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Family Composition ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Education And Employment ◽  
Cayo District

Abstract Objective: To explore and provide contextual meaning around issues surrounding food insecurity, namely, factors influencing food access, as one domain of food security. Design: A community-based, qualitative inquiry using semi-structured face-to-face interviews was conducted as part of a larger sequential mixed-methods study. Setting: Cayo District, Belize, May 2019-August 2019. Participants: Thirty English-speaking individuals (8 males, 22 females) between the ages of 18-70, with varying family composition residing within the Cayo District. Results: Participants describe a complex interconnectedness between family- and individual-level barriers to food access. Specifically, family composition, income, education, and employment influence individuals’ ability to afford and access food for themselves or their families. Participants also cite challenges with transportation and distance to food sources and educational opportunities as barriers to accessing food. Conclusion: These findings provide insight around food security and food access barriers in a middle-income country and provide avenues for further study and potential interventions. Increased and sustained investment in primary and secondary education, including programs to support enrollment, should be a priority to decreasing food insecurity. Attention to building public infrastructure may also ease burdens around accessing foods.

Food Sovereignty, Food Access, and the Local Food Movement in Southeastern North Carolina

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 446-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leslie Hossfeld ◽  
E. Brooke Kelly ◽  
Erin O’Donnell ◽  
Julia Waity
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Food Access ◽  
Local Food ◽  
Food Sovereignty ◽  
Limited Resource ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Local Food Movement ◽  
The Right

Food sovereignty is about the right to healthy food and the right to have control over one’s food. This article examines opportunities and challenges in the efforts of Feast Down East (FDE), a local food systems movement in Southeastern North Carolina, to develop a food sovereignty program linking limited resource consumers and growers in an effort to provide access to healthy, affordable, and culturally appropriate foods in a low-income community. Several FDE initiatives attempt to address common problems in limited resource communities, such as food insecurity, food access, and knowledge about healthy food preparation. “Fresh markets,” which are run by low-income consumers and sell affordable produce, link limited resource farmers to urban, low-income public housing neighborhoods. Nutrition and cooking classes are offered at the market sites, and recipes are distributed at the point of sale. FDE’s Food Sovereignty Program also partners with other organizations, such as Food Corps to raise awareness about healthy eating in schools, and two local nonprofits to provide fresh produce boxes to low-income residents. Surveys of 16 program participants conducted by extension leaders indicate increases in food security, healthy eating habits, and physical activity among participants. Semistructured interviews with four community resident leaders illuminate some of the barriers of neighborhood effects and other challenges in cultivating food sovereignty, such as living conditions, politics of place, and broader inequalities. Additional initiatives that address food sovereignty in limited resource communities are needed as a means of expanding access and gaining additional knowledge about challenges in doing so.

scholarly journals Promoting Healthy Food Access and Nutrition in Primary Care: A Systematic Scoping Review of Food Prescription Programs

2021 ◽  
pp. 089011712110565
Author(s):  
Matthew Little ◽  
Ebony Rosa ◽  
Cole Heasley ◽  
Aiza Asif ◽  
Warren Dodd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Food Access ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Health Care Practitioner ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Healthy Food Access

Objective To conduct a scoping review to synthesize evidence on food prescription programs. Data Source A systematic search of PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library was conducted using key words related to setting, interventions, and outcomes. Study Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria Publications were eligible if they reported food prescription administered by a health care practitioner (HCP) with the explicit aim of improving healthy food access and consumption, food security (FS), or health. Data Extraction A data charting form was used to extract relevant details on intervention characteristics, study methodology, and key findings. Data Synthesis Study and intervention characteristics were summarized. We undertook a thematic analysis to identify and report on themes. A critical appraisal of study quality was conducted using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Results A total of 6145 abstracts were screened and 23 manuscripts were included in the review. Food prescriptions may improve fruit and vegetable consumption and reduce food insecurity (FI). Evidence for impacts on diet-related health outcomes is limited and mixed. The overall quality of included studies was weak. Addressing barriers such as stigma, transportation, and poor nutrition literacy may increase utilization of food prescriptions. Conclusion Food prescriptions are a promising health care intervention. There is a need for rigorous studies that incorporate larger sample sizes, control groups, and validated assessments of dietary intake, food security, and health.

USING SATELLITES AND MACHINE LEARNING TO ENHANCE AND PROTECT FOOD SECURITY IN AFRICA

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Nakalembe ◽  
◽  
Inbal Becker-Reshef ◽  
Hannah Kerner ◽  
Ritvik Sahajpal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Food Security

“Spending all this time stressing and worrying and calculating”: Marginal Food Security and Student Life at a Diverse Urban University

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Ryan J Gamba ◽  
Michael T Schmeltz ◽  
Nancy Ortiz ◽  
Alina Engelman ◽  
Juleen Lam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Academic Motivation ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
High Food ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Food Security Status

Abstract Objective: Food security status is a continuum ranging from high to very low food security. While marginal food security falls next to high food security on the spectrum, new quantitative research indicates marginal food security status is associated with negative health outcomes and poor academic performance among college students. Qualitative research focusing on college students experiencing marginal food security has not been conducted. This study aims to qualitatively explore experiences of college students with marginal food security and to identify themes to better understand and provide context regarding how marginal food security impacts students. Design: Students were recruited for semi-structured interviews with questions designed to study the challenges associated with students’ food situations. All interviews were recorded and transcribed with themes identified via an inductive approach. Setting: A large public university on the US west coast. Participants: Thirty college students. Results: Key themes that emerged: purchasing cheap unhealthy foods; insufficient time to prepare and eat meals on a regular basis; stress and anxiety around the inability to eat healthy food and future health issues; self-perception of health when eating poorly along with physical symptoms; and low academic motivation by not fully participating in their courses due to few healthy food options or missing meals. Conclusion: Marginal food security can potentially diminish students’ health and their capacity to learn and succeed in their coursework. The results emphasize that students experiencing marginal food security should not be grouped with students experiencing high food security.

scholarly journals Delineating Smallholder Maize Farms from Sentinel-1 Coupled with Sentinel-2 Data Using Machine Learning

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 4728
Author(s):  
Zinhle Mashaba-Munghemezulu ◽  
George Johannes Chirima ◽  
Cilence Munghemezulu
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Machine Learning Algorithms ◽  
Support Vector ◽  
Subsistence Agriculture ◽  
Smallholder Farms ◽  
Main Driver ◽  
Sentinel 2

Rural communities rely on smallholder maize farms for subsistence agriculture, the main driver of local economic activity and food security. However, their planted area estimates are unknown in most developing countries. This study explores the use of Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 data to map smallholder maize farms. The random forest (RF), support vector (SVM) machine learning algorithms and model stacking (ST) were applied. Results show that the classification of combined Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 data improved the RF, SVM and ST algorithms by 24.2%, 8.7%, and 9.1%, respectively, compared to the classification of Sentinel-1 data individually. Similarities in the estimated areas (7001.35 ± 1.2 ha for RF, 7926.03 ± 0.7 ha for SVM and 7099.59 ± 0.8 ha for ST) show that machine learning can estimate smallholder maize areas with high accuracies. The study concludes that the single-date Sentinel-1 data were insufficient to map smallholder maize farms. However, single-date Sentinel-1 combined with Sentinel-2 data were sufficient in mapping smallholder farms. These results can be used to support the generation and validation of national crop statistics, thus contributing to food security.

scholarly journals A community-based system dynamics approach suggests solutions for improving healthy food access in a low-income urban environment

PLoS ONE ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. e0216985 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yeeli Mui ◽  
Ellis Ballard ◽  
Eli Lopatin ◽  
Rachel L. J. Thornton ◽  
Keshia M. Pollack Porter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
System Dynamics ◽  
Urban Environment ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Food Access ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Healthy Food Access

scholarly journals Eating rough: food sources and acquisition practices of homeless young people in Adelaide, South Australia

2006 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 212-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sue Booth
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Homeless Youth ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Food Acquisition ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Related Services ◽  
City Agencies

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine the food sources and acquisition practices used by homeless youth in Adelaide. This work is part of a larger study that aimed to examine the extent and nature of food insecurity among homeless youth.DesignCross-sectional design involving quantitative and qualitative methods.SettingFour health and welfare inner-city agencies serving homeless youth in Adelaide, South Australia.SubjectsA sample of 150 homeless youth aged between 15 and 24 years recruited from these agencies. Fifteen were selected via snowball sampling for interview.ResultsUse of welfare food sources was high (63%). Food from welfare agencies was supplemented by unorthodox food acquisition methods such as theft (65%), begging for money for food (61%), begging for food items (44%) and asking for help from friends and relatives (34%). Reasons given for non-usage of welfare food services included affordability, access, being too busy, shame or embarrassment.ConclusionsFood insecurity is a salient issue for some homeless youth in Adelaide. Clarifying food acquisition practices of food-insecure homeless youth is essential for rational planning and improvement of food-related services to meet their needs. Such an understanding also underpins the development of broader public policy responses that improve individual and household skills and resources to acquire food and ensure food security. Nutrition professionals, welfare professionals and policy-makers need to work sensitively with welfare food agencies and others to improve food access and food security for homeless youth.

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