The purpose of this study was to seek a better understanding of nutrition-related concerns, food cost perceptions, and food purchasing practices of uninsured, low-income, rural adults. The study design was two-fold and consisted of a medical chart review and a cross sectional study in the form of a written survey.

Results of the medical chart review indicated uninsured, low-income, rural adults in this study were primarily women and Caucasian. The top rated medical diagnoses that had nutritional implications among participants in this study were hypertension (25%), followed by depression (16%), and diabetes (12%).

Results of the written survey indicated that uninsured, low-income, rural adults perceived it costs more to eat a "healthful diet". Money-saving food purchasing practices most frequently used by participants included looking for grocery specials, buying generic brands, buying foods on sale, shopping with a grocery list, and limiting weekly trips to restaurants. Factor analysis identified five different groups of money-saving food purchasing practices.

The results from this study will better equip dietitians to interact with uninsured, low-income, rural adults, by addressing the concept of food cost, and recommending money-saving food purchasing practices.