Association between Travel Times and Food Procurement Practices among Female Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Participants in Eastern North Carolina

Abstract

Objective To examine associations between self-reported vehicular travel behaviors, perceived stress, food procurement practices, and body mass index among female Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants. Analysis The authors used correlation and regression analyses to examine cross-sectional associations between travel time and distance, perceived stress, food procurement practices (grocery shopping frequency, fast-food consumption, home meal consumption), and body mass index among female SNAP participants aged 20-65 years (n = 215) in eastern North Carolina. Results There were positive associations ( P < .05) between travel patterns and stress ( r = 0.18 for average miles traveled), grocery shopping frequency ( r = 0.16 for average miles traveled), and fast-food consumption ( r = 0.19 for average miles traveled, r = 0.29 for average minutes traveled). Conclusions and Implications SNAP education materials should focus on healthful interactions with the food environment, even when participants must travel long distances.