Abstract

For my independent research study, I aimed to explore food consumption and access in rural areas because these areas are increasingly likely to struggle to secure access to nutritious food. Rural areas are more likely to suffer from food insecurity due to a multitude of factors, including poverty, access to food, and inadequate transportation. Food insecurity and the difficulty in obtaining enough food have been prevalent in the United States. Studying inequalities in diet and nutrition is essential because diet is profoundly correlated with noncommunicable diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases; because of this rural areas are increasingly more likely to suffer from these diseases. Throughout my research, I will utilize existing literature and sociological theories, including the Theory of Planned Behavior, Bourdieu’s Theory of Capital and Bourdieu’s Theory of Capital, to examine the social structures and individual behaviors that influence food access and consumption patterns in rural areas. Overall, this research aims to identify the facilitators and barriers that rural individuals encounter regarding food access and consumption by utilizing in-depth interviews with individuals from rural areas.

Advisor

Miyawaki, Michael

Department

Sociology and Anthropology

Disciplines

Rural Sociology

Publication Date

2025

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2025 Elizabeth H. Kohler