Influence of the built and social environment on adolescent eating behaviors in Baltimore City: Findings from the Baltimore Healthy Eating Zones study

Abstract

Low‐income minority youth in Baltimore City live in an obesogenic food environment with limited access to healthy foods. The Baltimore Healthy Eating Zones Project (BHEZ) seeks to improve access to and consumption of healthy foods in low‐income neighborhoods surrounding Baltimore City recreation centers. Qualitative research, informed by an ecological perspective, was conducted to identify environmental factors impacting eating behaviors of target youth. Two focus groups and 20 in‐depth interviews were conducted with 21 Baltimore City adolescents aged 10–16. Six themes that emerged included those relating to the built environment (accessibility of food, neighborhood safety, school food) and the social environment (family health history, role modeling, peer behaviors). The influence of the family and adult role models emerged as the most salient reported influence on youth eating habits. These findings were used to inform the BHEZ intervention, specifically in developing more targeted messaging. Our findings and resulting intervention strategies have the potential to effectively promote healthy eating and reduce obesity risks among low‐income minority youth and their adult caregivers in Baltimore City.Grant Funding Source: The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation