ABSTRACT
Social support was operationally defined as the number of helpers, the number of types of help, and the satisfaction with help in food acquisition. Diet quality was assessed in terms of nutrients and dietary guidelines. However, functional status was expected to operate with social support in a continuous manner on diet quality. Statistically, effects of functional status and social support were expected to present either as parallel lines or as a fan when graphed. Satisfaction with social support is expected to moderate the relationship between stress and well being in a manner similar to enacted support. Women with few disabilities who receive help from many sources have a diet of better quality in comparison to women who receive help from few sources. Receiving even a small amount of support in obtaining foods, for example having someone pick up milk or orange juice a few times a month, appears related to a more healthful diet for women with high functional capabilities.
