P97 - Examining Dinnertime Photos of Foods Served by Low-Income Families to Inform a Home Food Environment Checklist

Abstract

Background (Background, Rationale, Prior Research, and/or Theory): The home food environment (HFE) plays an important role in food preferences, habits, and health as it encompasses foods recommended for a healthy diet as well as foods that should be consumed in moderation. There is a need for HFE assessments that adequately capture a wide spectrum of foods. Objective: To gain insight into foods that families are serving in the home and to modify the Home Inventory Describing Eating and Activity (Home-IDEA) checklist, a validated instrument for HFE assessment. Study Design, Setting, Participants, Intervention: Photographs from seven consecutive dinnertime meals low-income families (n = 29) in rural Colorado were used to identify present foods. Outcomes Measures and Analysis: Foods on the Home-IDEA checklist were dichotomously categorized as healthful (foods that meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, i.e. fruits, vegetables, and whole grains) or less healthful (foods high in sodium and solid fats and added sugars, i.e. chips, candy, and soda). Dinnertime photos were qualitatively analyzed to produce a list of foods available in the home environment. This was then compared with the Home-IDEA checklist. Results: Of 108 foods in the Home-IDEA, 68% (n = 73) represented healthful foods. With the remaining 32% (n = 35) representing less healthful foods. Data analyzed from the photos found 55 foods that were not captured by the Home-IDEA, a majority of which could be considered less healthful, i.e. canned soup, fried taco shells, and prepackaged baked goods. Conclusions and Implications: In its current state, the Home-IDEA is weighted toward capturing nutrient-rich foods in the HFE. Increased representation of less healthful foods will improve the assessment of HFE quality. HFE assessment tools are strengthened by using a variety of approaches to identify foods for inclusion like meal photography, diet records, or national databases in addition to encompassing dietary guideline recommendations. A mixed methods approach has the potential to yield more comprehensive tools for assessing the quality of the HFE. Funding: NIFA.