A Mixed-methods Study to Understand Food Environments and Grocery Shopping Patterns of Community Residents in Underserved Neighborhoods in Tampa, Florida.

A mixed methods study was conducted to better understand food access, food retail store environment, and perspectives of community residents on their grocery store shopping patterns and access to healthy foods in underserved, predominantly African American neighborhoods. GIS mapping, grocery store observations (n = 4), a food access and grocery store environment survey (n = 126), and focus groups (n = 48) were used. The results indicate that these neighborhoods have a low density of grocery stores, and only two out of four grocery stores meet the standard for a healthy retail store.

Alcohol use and abuse by adolescents: the impact of living in a border community.

Purpose: To determine the rates of alcohol consumption and alcohol-related risk behaviors among a sample of high school students living on the U.S.-Mexico border, as well as to investigate factors associated with alcohol use among this population.