Women’s experiences of the food environment and their association with fruit and vegetable intake: Insights from northern Tanzania
This analysis examined associations between factors in the food environment and fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake among women living in rural Northern Tanzania. We used cross-sectional data from 2597 women and 1275 food sources. Women’s self-reported factors included buying frequency, sources, availability, and convenience. We also measured women’s access to F&V sources using geospatial measures of distance and time from home to the reported typical sources. Data from a 30-day F&V food frequency questionnaire were used to calculate two scores that captured intake frequency and variety. We conducted a descriptive analysis of indicators of women’s experience and tested their associations with the scores using multivariable and Poisson regression models, controlling for covariates. On average, 5% and 35% of women reported buying F&V daily, respectively. Fruit was mostly bought from markets: F: 80%, V: 40%. Two-thirds of respondents perceived F&V as available (F: 65%, V: 60%). Median (IQR) distance and time to fruit sources were 9 km (2,19), 39 min (19,78), and to vegetable sources were 3 km (1,10), 32 min (8-69). Compared to women who reported making daily purchases of F&V, those who purchased weekly or monthly reported lower frequency and variety of F&V intake. Women’s perceptions that F&V were less available and at a longer distance were associated with lower frequency and variety of vegetable intake.Buying frequency, perceived availability, and distance to markets were associated with women’s frequency and variety of F&V intake, underscoring the need to consider these and other factors in food environments to increase F&V intake.
Authors
Singh, Nishmeet; Bliznashka, Lilia; Azupogo, Fusta; Marshall, Quinn; Kumar, Neha; Malindisa, Evangelista; Jeremiah, Kidola; Hess, Sonja Y.; Kinabo, Joyce L.; Olney, Deanna K.; Jaacks, Lindsay M.; Bellows, Alexandra L.
Citation
Singh, Nishmeet; Bliznashka, Lilia; Azupogo, Fusta; Marshall, Quinn; Kumar, Neha; et al. 2026. Women’s experiences of the food environment and their association with fruit and vegetable intake: Insights from northern Tanzania. Health and Place 100(July 2026): 103694. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2026.103694
Keywords
Tanzania; Africa; Sub-saharan Africa; Eastern Africa; Capacity Building; Gender; Women; Food Environment; Fruits; Vegetables; Feeding Preferences; Rural Areas
Project
Fruit and Vegetables for Sustainable Healthy Diets
Record type
Journal Article
