Where do children get food? Building a searchable, visual database of food sources through ground‐truthing

Abstract

Developing nutrition‐focused environmental interventions for youth requires accurate assessment of their food sources. We developed an innovative, technology‐based method to improve the accuracy of food source usage reporting among youth using a tablet PC and ground‐truthing methodologies. As part of the B'More Healthy Communities for Kids study, we mapped and digitally photographed all food sources within a half‐mile radius of Baltimore City recreation centers identified as “zones” for the project's intervention. Currently, 13 of the 30 total recreation center “zones” are mapped, which includes over 325 unique food sources – grocery stores, corner stores, carry‐outs, fast food chains, and restaurants. A searchable database for the tablet PCs has been developed for use during interviews with youth to: 1) search for food sources in the area using common descriptors (i.e., type of food sold, street name, awning color, etc.); and then 2) present to interviewees digital photos of potential food source options, enabling them to identify the specific food sources from which they purchase food. This novel integration of traditional data collection and technology enables researchers to gather highly accurate information on food source usage and purchasing patterns of youth in Baltimore City. Funding is provided by the NICHD U‐54 Grant #1U54HD070725–02.