Perceived and Observed Food Environments, Eating Behaviors, and BMI

Responses to a self-reported survey to assess perceived food environments related to fruits and vegetables were significantly associated with observed nutrition environments, fruit and vegetable consumption, and BMI. The perceived prices of fruits and vegetables were modestly associated with BMI and warrant further testing in prospective studies. When observations of food environments are not feasible, residents' survey responses are an acceptable indicator, with reasonable criterion validity.