Developing A Theory of Food Access: Darcy A. Freedman, PHD
Developing A Theory of Food Access: Darcy A. Freedman, PHD
Developing A Theory of Food Access: Darcy A. Freedman, PHD
University of South Carolina, Center for Research in Nutrition and Health Disparities
Healthy Eating in Context Symposium, March 18, 2011
What is theory?
• A coherent group of general propositions used
as principles of explanation for a class of
phenomena.
Macro
• Structuration Theory
• Feminist Theory
• Critical Race Theory
• Theories of Power and Capital
• Diffusion of Innovation
Macro •
•
•
Feminist Theory
Critical Race Theory
Theories of Power and Capital
• Diffusion of Innovation
Neighborhoods
and
Communities
Meso • Community Readiness
• Organizational Change
• Community organizing and mobilization
• Social marketing
Micro
• Theory of Reasoned Action
• Health Belief Model
• Social Cognitive Theory
• Transtheoretical Model
Examples of Theory
• Structuration Theory
Macro
Systems, • Feminist Theory
Structures, • Critical Race Theory
Society • Theories of Power and Capital
• Political Theory
• Diffusion of Innovation
– “The first barrier is surely the lack of precise conceptual models and
elaborate theories of exactly which factors are presumed to affect
which behaviors under which circumstances and by how much.” (p.
S178)
Methods
Qualitative Data Sources
•In-depth interviews (n=20)
•Focus groups (n=5)
Data Analysis
•Inductive analysis w/ research team
•Grounded theory (Charmaz, 2001)
•Atlasti 5.2
Grounded Theory of Food Access:
Five Dimensions
*draft*
Spatiotemporal
Economic
Service
Delivery
Personal
Dimension 1: Spatiotemporal
• Balanced access to a variety of food stores in
local food environment.
• Variety and quality of healthy foods available (e.g.,
fruits/veg, low-fat milk, lean meats, whole grains).
Economic
Service
Delivery
Personal
Thank you!
This research was supported through grants from
the National Cancer Institute and the Vanderbilt
University Center for Community Studies.