Tag: Elizabeth Budd

Food Security Among University of Oregon Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Presenter: Jennifer Vuong – Family and Human Services, Psychology

Faculty Mentor(s): Dr. Elizabeth Budd

Session: (In-Person) Oral Panel—Covering Covid

U.S college students are vulnerable to low food security and students of color more so than White students. Those with low food security tend to consume fewer daily servings of fruits and vegetables. Low food security and lower fruit and vegetable intake are associated with poor health outcomes. Food security and eating behaviors of University of Oregon (UO) students during the pandemic are unknown. This study examines the food security and eating behaviors of UO students, whether food security varies by race and ethnicity, and how fruit and vegetable intake may vary by students’ income level, student status, and use of food assistance programs. From August-October 2020, 779 UO students completed a Qualtrics survey. One-way ANOVAs were conducted. In Fall 2020, 47.2% of UO students reported low food security. Black/African American students experienced low food security at higher rates than White students (p = .045). Fruit and vegetable intake significantly varied by income (p = .001; p = .001) and student status (p = .01; p = <.001). Only vegetable intake significantly varied by use of food assistance programs (p =.04). Concerningly, low food security is common among UO students and more common among Black/African American students. Also, undergraduates and lower-income students consume fewer fruits and vegetables than other students. Findings can inform programs to support food security and healthy eating.

Assessing the Nutritional and Physical Needs of Students Outlined in Oregon Wellness Policies

Presenter(s): Christine Pons

Faculty Mentor(s): Elizabeth Budd & Elinor Sullivan

Poster 151

Session: Social Sciences & Humanities

The prevalence of childhood obesity continues to increase in the United States. To prevent this rate from increasing, schools have been identified as an effective setting to address obesity. Specifically, school-based interventions that focus on changing dietary intake and physical activity levels lead to decreased prevalence of obesity in students. In addition to obesity, physical activity and nutrition have direct impacts on one’s risk for chronic diseases and many types of cancer. Thus, the aims of the project include identifying gaps in Oregon school district wellness policies, as well as determining social and environmental factors (i.e.., racial/ethnic makeup of the school, % receiving free/reduced-price lunch at the school, rurality of school setting, walkability of area surrounding school) associated with the strength and comprehensiveness of district school wellness policies across the state. The research question is answered through the location and evaluation of each school district’s wellness policy. These policies are evaluated based on the Wellness School Assessment Tool (WellSAT: 2.0), which assesses how each policy addresses 78 policy items. Based on the assessment, areas of improvement are identified and suggested to the specific school district. The overall assessment shows the strength of each wellness policy in addressing the nutritional and physical needs of Oregon students. Combined with the demographics of each district, these results indicate how a community influences the services provided for student’s nutritional and physical health and attempts to prevent obesity.

Association between marital status and number of chronic health conditions among US Latinx adults

Presenter(s): Yessenia Villalobos—Family and Human Services

Faculty Mentor(s): Elizabeth Budd

Session: Prerecorded Poster Presentation

Background: Being married versus single is associated with better health outcomes among non- Latinx White adults, especially for men . Although rates of chronic diseases are high among Latinx adults, the association between marital status and chronic diseases among US Latinx adults is unknown . Objectives: To examine the association of marital status and number of chronic health conditions among US Latinx adults and how this association varies by gender . Methods: 798 US Latinx adults (Mage = 39 .64 ± 15 .05y; 59% female; 46% married or in a civil union; 35 .6% single) answered a Qualtrics Panels survey . Marital status, current chronic health conditions, and gender were assessed using the Demographic and Health Data Questionnaire . One-way ANOVA stratified by gender was conducted . Results: Marital status was associated with the number of chronic health conditions (p< .001); respondents who were not married, but in a relationship had significantly fewer chronic health conditions than those married or in a civil union . Additionally, those widowed had significantly more chronic health conditions than those single and those not married, but in a relationship . Among women, those not married, but in a relationship had fewer chronic conditions than those married or in a civil union (p< .05) . Among men, those single and those not married, but in a relationship had fewer chronic health conditions than those married or in a civil union (p< .001) . Conclusions: Across genders among Latinx adults, not being married was associated with fewer chronic health conditions, inconsistent with literature on non-Latinx White adults . Health promotion efforts could target married Latinx adults .

A Qualitative Study of Accessibility, Quality, and Affordability of Healthy Foods Within a Rural Oregon Town

Presenter(s): Emma Fallon—Family and Human Services

Faculty Mentor(s): Elizabeth Budd

Session: Prerecorded Poster Presentation

Authorship: Fallon, E .R ., Pedroza, J .A, Kelly, N .R ., Budd, E .L .

Introduction: Rural communities have limited access to healthy foods, which hinders healthy eating and increases risk for chronic diseases . The objectives of this study were to qualitatively assess: 1) access to local, healthy foods, and 2) experiences while participating in a produce buying club among residents of a rural Oregon town .

Method: Nine interviews and two focus groups were conducted, one focus group including members of the local produce buying club and one including non-members . All study participants were asked about prices of food within their town; accessibility and availability of fresh, healthy foods; eating and buying habits; and other food related questions . Buying club participants were asked questions about their experiences with the program and the food they receive . Interviews were transcribed and content analysis was conducted by two trained research assistants .

Results: Prominent themes in both of the focus groups included a lack of food options, high quality produce, and affordable food prices . Residents expressed a desire to eat healthier foods, but cited access as a barrier . Buying club participants appreciated the service, but noted significant organizational challenges (e .g ., non-user-friendly technology, lack of paid employees, not allowing SNAP benefits) that made broader participation more difficult .

Conclusion: Study findings show there is a need for interventions that improve access to healthy foods in rural communities, especially among low income residents . These data can inform recommendations on how to improve and expand the produce buying club in rural communities .

Cost May Be a Barrier to Healthy Eating Depending on Education and Income for Rural Oregon Residents

Presenter(s): Ashley Easter—Family and Human Services

Faculty Mentor(s): Elizabeth Budd

Session 5.5: McNair Scholars Presentations

Fruit and vegetable (F/V) intake reduces the risk for chronic diseases . Research indicates rural communities have limited access to F/V . Unknown is how perceived availability of F/V and cost as barriers to healthy eating vary among rural residents . This study examined perceived availability of F/V and cost as barriers to healthy eating and how each varies by educational attainment and income among residents of a rural Oregon town . A total of 151 residents of a rural Oregon town completed an in-person survey (53 .1±16 .34 years; 63% female; 94% non-Hispanic white) . Respondents indicated the extent to which they agreed that F/V were available in their town and whether cost made healthy eating hard for them . Four Chi-Squared Tests were conducted to determine whether these responses were associated with educational attainment or annual household income . There was no association between educational attainment or income and respondents’ perceived availability of F/V within their town . Cost as a barrier to healthy eating varied significantly by respondents’ educational attainment (X2 (2, 150)= 7 .90, Cramer’s = 0 .23, p < 0 .05) and income (X2 (2, 147)= 25 .85, Cramer’s V= 0 .420, p < 0 .05); such that those with less education and lower incomes were more likely to report that cost was a barrier to healthy eating . Study findings highlight sub-groups (low-income, low-education) among rural Oregon residents who may be at higher risk for experiencing cost barriers to healthy eating, informing future chronic disease prevention interventions .