Caregiver perceptions of the neighborhood food environment and their relationship with the home food environment and childhood obesity in Northeast China

Abstract

Objective: To examine the relationships between caregiver perceptions of their neighborhood food environment and home food environment and between caregiver perceptions of neighborhood food environment and childhood obesity.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Setting: A total of twenty-six primary schools in northeast China.

Participants: Anthropometric measurements and questionnaire surveys were carried out on 3670 children (aged 9-12 years) and their caregivers.

Results: Children of caregivers who perceived high local healthy food availability were more likely to always have fruits, vegetables, 100% juice, and low-fat milk or skim milk in their homes. Children of caregivers who perceived fast-food shopping to be easy were more likely to eat out for fast food. Children of caregivers who perceived high general access to food shopping were less likely to always have fruits, vegetables, and sugar-free breakfast in their home, and were more likely to eat out for fast food.

Conclusions: Future public health programs and interventions should take into consideration the role caregivers play in connecting neighborhood food environments with the home food environment.

Keywords: Caregiver; Child obesity risk; Home food environment; Perceived neighborhood environment.