MPC Member Publications

This database contains a listing of population studies publications written by MPC Members. Anyone can add a publication by an MPC student, faculty, or staff member to this database; new citations will be reviewed and approved by MPC administrators.

Full Citation

Title: Fast-food for thought: Retail food environments as resources for cognitive health and wellbeing among aging Americans?

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2020

ISSN: 1873-2054

DOI: 10.1016/J.HEALTHPLACE.2020.102379

PMID: 32838895

Abstract: In this exploratory sequential mixed-methods study, interviews with 125 adults aged 55–92 (mean age 71) living in the Minneapolis (Minnesota) metropolitan area suggested that eateries, including coffee shops and fast-food restaurants, represent popular neighborhood destinations for older adults and sources of wellbeing. Thematic analysis of how older adults perceived and utilized local eateries included sites of familiarity and comfort; physical and economic accessibility; sociability with friends, family, staff, and customers; and entertainment (e.g., destinations for outings and walks, free newspapers to read). To test the hypothesis that these sites, and the benefits they confer, are associated with cognitive welfare, we analyzed data from urban and suburban community-dwelling participants in the Reasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study, a national racially diverse sample of older Americans followed since 2003 (n = 16,404, average age at assessment 72 years). Results from multilevel linear regression models of these data demonstrated a positive association between kernel density of local eateries and cognitive functioning, which corroborated qualitative findings. Taken together, these results complicate our understanding of casual eatery settings as possible sites of wellbeing through social interaction and leisure activities. Results prompt further research investigating whether and how retail food environments can serve as community spaces for older adults that may help buffer against cognitive decline.

Url: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32838895/

User Submitted?: No

Authors: Finlay, Jessica; Esposito, Michael; Tang, Sandra; Gomez-Lopez, Iris; Sylvers, Dominique; Judd, Suzanne; Clarke, Philippa

Periodical (Full): Health & place

Issue:

Volume: 64

Pages:

Countries:

IPUMS NHGIS NAPP IHIS ATUS Terrapop