CONSUMPTION PATTERNS AND GROCERY PURCHASE DECISIONS AMONG MIDDLE AND WORKING CLASS FAMILIES IN SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA

Extensive academic literature supports the finding that one’s socioeconomic status has significant influence on the food consumption patterns of individuals and families. Further, the link between diet and disease has been well established. However, not all states are equal when it comes to health and diet. The southern states, and more specifically individuals who consume a southern diet high in saturated fat, sugar, and salt, have much higher incidences of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other dietary influenced health conditions. To better understand the decisions people make at the grocery store, this thesis explores the grocery shopping decisions for low and middle income residents in four different neighborhoods in Shreveport, Louisiana. Among the four neighborhoods examined, the nature of the available grocery stores differs significantly. The two middle income neighborhoods have access to nationally recognized grocery store chains while the lower income neighborhoods only have regional chains or local grocery stores. One hundred participants were interviewed in four locations: two middle income and two working class. Interviews revealed a major discrepancy between the participants’ perceptions of eating healthy diets and the food products they actually purchased.