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Center for Advancing Research in Transportation Emissions, Energy, and Health (CARTEEH)

A USDOT University Transportation Center

Healthier Diets

Healthier diets is a metric used to evaluate the effectiveness of the strategies implemented to improve transportation and ensure individuals connect and interact with others. Research has shown that improving public transport services makes it easier for people to access fresh and healthy food options, as well as participate in community gardens and other food-related activities, where they can socially interact with other people.1 Additionally, several studies confirmed how poor transportation could lead to increased food insecurity, as most people have difficulties accessing grocery stores and other healthy food sources. Fortunately, improving transportation infrastructure has helped address these issues and improve access to healthier foods and diets. This results in improved social connectivity and participation for everyone, especially the vulnerable populations like the elderly, low-income individuals, and people living with disabilities.2

This indicator helps determine the effectiveness of the following objectives

  • Less Contamination
  • Less Emissions
  • Less Traffic Noise
  • Connectivity and Inclusion
  • Healthy Destinations
  • Less Traffic Violence
  • Active Transportation
  • Green Space

Data Collection

Surveys or interviews can be conducted to collect data on people’s eating habits.4 Observing people’s eating patterns is another technique to get information about better diets. This may be accomplished by keeping track of people’s diets over the course of a day, week, or month.3 Finally, records like meal diaries or food logs may be used to compile data on healthy diets.5

Examples

Finding the link between social connectivity and dietary intake among rural adolescents in North Carolina and Kentucky

McDonald (2017) conducted a study to determine the relationship between social networks among rural adolescents in Kentucky and North Carolina and dietary intake of added sugars, sugar sweetened beverages, and fruits and vegetables. The study evaluated the association between shopping companionship and dietary outcomes among rural adolescents. The findings of the study revealed positive and negative associations among adolescents who shop with parents or friends. Additionally, the study found that adolescents with greater social network cohesion could be linked with negative dietary outcomes.

https://uknowledge.uky.edu/foodsci_etds/53/

1. CDC. Healthy weight, nutrition, and physical activity [Internet]. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2022 [cited 2022 Aug 19]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/index.html
2. Higgs, S., Ruddock, H. Social influences on eating. Handbook of eating and drinking: Interdisciplinary perspectives. 2020; 277-91.
3. CDC. Improving your eating habits [Internet]. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2022 [cited 2022 Aug 19]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/losing_weight/eating_habits.html
4. Survey about healthy eating habits [Internet]. startquestion. [cited 2022 Aug 19]. Available from: https://www.startquestion.com/survey-examples/600144/survey-about-healthy-eating-habits
5. Querner-Verkerk, A. Observations of eating behavior [Internet]. Observations of eating behavior | Noldus. Noldus Information Technology; 2012 [cited 2022 Aug 19]. Available from: https://www.noldus.com/blog/observations-of-eating-behavior