Social determinants in food selection.

Responses of 112 low-income homemakers to questions about the food use frequency, availability, and social determinants (convenience, price, and prestige) of fifty-two food items are reported. Results indicate that foods have clear meaning profiles that can be measured on attitudinal scales. Bivariate analysis was used to illustrate the interrelationships between food-use frequency and social determinants. Significant correlations were found between food use and convenience, price, prestige, and availability for fourteen of the fifty-two food items studied.