Abstract P276: Self-perceived Diet Quality, Obesity Status, and Household Food Purchasing Behaviors Among US Adults

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Introduction: Previous research suggests that consumer food purchasing behaviors (e.g. food venue choice, food purchasing expenses, convenience meal procurement) are associated with socioeconomic status, neighborhood environment and overall healthiness of diet. Little is known about how household food purchasing behaviors are related to individual diet perception and obesity status. This research aims to determine if self-perceived diet quality is associated with household food purchasing behaviors. Additionally, this research aims to examine how obesity status modifies associations between self-perceived diet quality and household food purchasing behaviors. Hypothesis: Self-perceived diet quality will be associated with household food purchasing behaviors. Associations will differ between obese and non-obese individuals. Methods: Data on a nationally representative sample of 12,095 US adults (i.e. ≥ 19 years old) who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2009 to 2012 were obtained and analyzed. Self-perceived diet quality was reported by participants as being excellent, very good, good, fair or poor. Household food purchasing behaviors examined included # of convenience meals purchased per week and amount of money ($) spent per month doing the following: shopping at a supermarket, shopping at other food outlets, dining out, and purchasing carryout/delivered food items. Stratified linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, educational level, household size and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participation were used for analyses. Results: The population was on average 46.6 (±0.9) years old, 51.1% female, 22.2% Non-Hispanic Black, 24.7% Hispanic and 36.6% obese (i.e. body mass index ≥ 30). Among all participants, analyses indicated that as self-perceived diet quality decreased, the # of convenience meals purchased per week and the amount of $ spent on carryout/delivery per month increased (p<0.001). Additionally, as self-perceived diet quality decreased, the amount of $ spent at the supermarket per month also decreased (p<0.001). Stratified regression models suggested that associations differed by obesity status. Regardless of how they perceived their diet quality, obese individuals spent similar amounts of $ at the supermarket and on carryout/delivered food items. Conclusions: Self-perceived diet quality is associated with household food purchasing behaviors. Additional research is needed to better understand how the dynamics of household food purchasing influences diet and obesity.