Factors which influence ‘healthy’ eating patterns: results from the 1993 Health Education Authority health and lifestyle survey in England

1998 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 193-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
BM Margetts ◽  
RL Thompson ◽  
V Speller ◽  
D McVey

AbstractObjective:This study explores the factors that influence eating patterns in a nationally representative sample of the English population.Design:Subjects were interviewed in 1993; questions covered basic demographic details, attitudes about nutrition, and they completed a short food frequency questionnaire that had previously been validated. Cluster analysis was used to summarize dietary intake into more or less healthy clusters.Setting:A random sample ofthe English population.Subjects:A cross-sectional survey of 5553 men and women (response rate 70%) aged between 16 and 74 years.Results:As defined from the cluster analysis about half the sample were currently reporting a more healthy diet; respondents in the better educated middle-aged demographic cluster were more likely to report eating a more healthy diet than respondents in the younger lower-income family cluster. About three-quarters of all respondents believed that they either already ate a healthy diet or had changed to a healthy diet in the last 3 years. For those respondents who said they were eating a healthy diet about half of them were eating a more healthy diet. Respondents who had not changed their diet were more likely than those who had to believe that healthy foods were just another fashion (men 34% v. 13%; women 30% v. 12%). or expensive (men 50% v. 35%; women 53% v. 40%); they were less likely to care about what they ate (men 45% v. 13%; women 27% v. 7%). Nearly three-quarters of all respondents agreed that experts never agree about what foods are good for you. Younger, low-income families, and those who smoked, were the group least likely to be eating a more healthy diet.Conclusions:The results of this study suggest that about half of the population has reported a change to a healthier diet over the last 3 years and that overall about half of the population report eating a healthy diet. Those who had not made any change and were currently reporting a less healthy diet were more likely to smoke and come from the 'worse off' group in the survey; they were also more likely to hold negative attitudes about healthy eating. A more focused and integrated approach to promoting Dietary change healthy lifestyle in general is required, while at the same time ensuring that there is healthy eating continued support for the majority of the population who have made healthy dietary Cluster analysis changes.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Judith Brown ◽  
Nicolette Roman

Abstract Background: Primary caregivers are frequently hearing mixed messages about healthy eating therefore, making it essential for these caregivers to have a clear understanding of what healthy eating is. The lack of understanding of what constituents healthy and nutritionally dense eating has not been investigated in low income families South Africa. Methods: A qualitative, cross-sectional study involving 10 in-depth interviews. Participants were purposefully selected. Data was analyzed manually using the thematic framework analysis method. The data was analyzed by means of thematic framework analysis Results: Primary caregivers struggled to provide daily access to food for their children, and at times would turn to family and friends for assistance in meal provision either through actual food or short-term financial assistance. For caregivers, limited resources impacted the ability of being able to provide a healthy diet. However, it was indicated that while shopping, caregivers looked for foods that were stated to be healthy and low in fat as well as for vitamins. These items were only accessible if they were cheap. Unemployment of fathers as well as absent fathers placed a great burden on mothers and grandmothers in the study group as this meant they needed to provide the nutritional, financial, emotional and physical care of the family. Conclusion: Primary caregivers’ food choices were based on the availability of resources, the cost, as well as access to quality food in the surrounding areas. It was also limited to what they were able to carry. Based on the reflection of primary caregivers, it was indicated that the consumption of processed foods and refined carbohydrates was high, while that of fruits and vegetables was low. Primary caregivers wanted the opportunity to learn about what a healthy diet is and how to be able to provide one for their family with their limited financial resources.


2001 ◽  
Vol 4 (5a) ◽  
pp. 1117-1126 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M Kearney ◽  
Michael J Gibney ◽  
Barbara E Livingstone ◽  
Paula J Robson ◽  
Mairead Kiely ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectivesFor effective healthy eating promotion, it is necessary to understand the attitudes towards and beliefs about nutrition of the general public. The objective of this study was to provide data on attitudes towards eating a healthy diet and the perceived need to alter eating habits from a random sample of adults in the Republic of Ireland and in Northern Ireland, using a self-administered questionnaire.DesignCross-sectional survey using a self-administered attitudinal questionnaire on beliefs and attitudes to healthy eating.SettingThe survey was carried out between October 1997 and October 1999 in the Republic of Ireland and in Northern Ireland.SubjectsA randomly selected sample of 1256 adults from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland completed the attitudinal questionnaire.ResultsA majority of subjects (62%) perceived that they make conscious efforts to eat a healthy diet either most of the time or quite often, while just over half (52%) agreed that they do not need to make changes to their diet as it is healthy enough. Subjects most likely to make conscious efforts to try to eat a healthy diet were females, older subjects (51-64 years) and those with the highest intakes of fruit and vegetables and lowest quartile of fat (% food energy). When self-assessed adequacy of fruit and vegetables was examined, two-thirds of the total sample felt they ate too little fruit while just one-third felt they ate too little vegetables.ConclusionResults of the present study, in general, revealed good agreement between attitude and behaviour with respect to healthy eating. This suggests that people appear to be reasonably accurate at evaluating their own diet in terms of how healthy it is. In terms of the two food groups examined in this study, some optimistic bias was evident for vegetables but not for fruit. It may be useful therefore to assess attitudes and beliefs about healthy eating by way of examining attitudes to such food groups individually.


2015 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Marques-Vidal ◽  
Gérard Waeber ◽  
Peter Vollenweider ◽  
Murielle Bochud ◽  
Silvia Stringhini ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: The determinants of a healthy diet have not been studied in Switzerland. This study aimed at assessing the individual and behavioural factors associated with a healthy diet in a Swiss city. Methods: Cross-sectional, population-based study conducted between 2009 and 2013 (n = 4,439, 2,383 women, mean age 57.5 ± 10.3 years) in Lausanne. Food consumption was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Two Mediterranean diet scores (classic score and specific for Switzerland) and the Harvard School of Public Health alternate healthy eating index were computed. Results: For all three dietary scores considered, living in couple or having a high education were associated with a healthier diet. An unhealthy lifestyle (smoking, sedentary behaviour) or a high body mass index were associated with an unhealthier diet. Participants born in Italy, Portugal and Spain had healthier diets than participants born in France or Switzerland. Women and elderly participants had healthier diets than men and young participants according to 2 scores, while no differences were found for the Swiss-specific Mediterranean score. Conclusions: In Switzerland, healthy eating is associated with high education, a healthy lifestyle, marital status and country of origin. The associations with gender and age depend on the dietary score considered.


2010 ◽  
Vol 26 (11) ◽  
pp. 2138-2148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Barbosa Cunha ◽  
Renan Moritz Varnier Rodrigues de Almeida ◽  
Rosângela Alves Pereira

This work aimed to compare the results of three statistical methods applied in the identification of dietary patterns. Data from 1,009 adults between the ages of 20 and 65 (339 males and 670 females) were collected in a population-based cross-sectional survey in the Metropolitan Region of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Information on food consumption was obtained using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. A factor analysis, cluster analysis, and reduced rank regression (RRR) analysis were applied to identify dietary patterns. The patterns identified by the three methods were similar. The factor analysis identified "mixed", "Western", and "traditional" eating patterns and explained 35% of the data variance. The cluster analysis identified "mixed" and "traditional" patterns. In the RRR, the consumption of carbohydrates and lipids were included as response variables and again "mixed" and "traditional" patterns were identified. Studies comparing these methods can help to inform decisions as to which procedures best suit a specific research scenario.


2021 ◽  
pp. 101053952110110
Author(s):  
Md. Nazrul Islam ◽  
Abu Reza Md. Towfiqul Islam ◽  
Md. Sajjat Hossain ◽  
Md. Tabiur Rahman Prodhan ◽  
Mohammad Hasan Chowdhury ◽  
...  

We aimed to assess mass media influence on changing the healthy lifestyle behavior of people during the early phase of the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. Principal component analysis and stepwise multiple regression model showed that knowledge level, media credibility, and media check-in had the most considerable contribution to influencing community people’s healthy lifestyle.


2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (18) ◽  
pp. 3266-3274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon Rosenrauch ◽  
Kylie Ball ◽  
Karen E Lamb

AbstractObjectiveMeal skipping is a relatively common behaviour during adolescence. As peer influence increases during adolescence, friendship groups may play a role in determining eating patterns such as meal skipping. The current study examined cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between perceived friends’ support of healthy eating and breakfast and lunch skipping among adolescents.DesignSurvey of intrapersonal, social and environmental factors that may influence eating patterns at baseline (2004/05) and follow-up (2006/07).SettingThirty-seven secondary schools in Victoria, Australia.SubjectsSample of 1785 students aged 12–15 years at baseline.ResultsAdolescents who reported that their friends sometimes or often ate healthy foods with them were less likely (adjusted OR; 95 % CI) to skip breakfast (sometimes: 0·71; 0·57, 0·90; often: 0·54; 0·38, 0·76) or lunch (sometimes: 0·61; 0·41, 0·89; often: 0·59; 0·37, 0·94) at baseline than those who reported their friends never or rarely displayed this behaviour. Although this variable was associated with lunch skipping at follow-up, there was no evidence of an association with breakfast skipping at follow-up. There was no evidence of an association between perceived encouragement of healthy eating, and an inconsistent relationship between perceived discouragement of junk food consumption, and meal skipping.ConclusionsFriends eating healthy foods together may serve to reduce meal skipping during early adolescence, possibly due to the influence of directly observable behaviour and shared beliefs held by those in the same friendship group. Verbal encouragement or discouragement from friends may be less impactful an influence on meal skipping (than directly observable behaviours) in adolescents.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Isaac Mbir Bryant ◽  
Abdul-Rahaman Afitiri

Abstract Background Sustainability of energy is key for quality life; thus, the use of clean energy at the household level warrants moving from fossil-based energy to modern forms like biogas. However, the joint interactive effect of household income, biogas usage and willingness to adopt a single-stage solar-supported hyper-thermophilic anaerobic biogas digester (SSHTABD) is not known. Methods A cross-sectional survey was carried out to assess the willingness of residents of Elmina to adopt the SSHTABD. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used to select 219 respondents fitted into a complementary log–log regression model. Results Household willingness to adopt the SSHTABD was 86%. Among them are households not willing to use biogas but have high income and households willing to use biogas but have either low or high income are more likely to adopt the technology compared to households not willing to use biogas and have low income. Households not willing to use biogas, but have high income (OR = 1.725, confidence interval [CI] 0.803–3.706) and households willing to use biogas, but have low income (OR = 1.877, CI 1.103–3.188) compared to households willing to use biogas and have high income (OR = 1.725, CI 1.080–3.451) are more likely to adopt the technology as households not willing to use biogas and have low income. Additionally, households employed under the formal government sector, formal and informal private sectors are 40%, 136% and 103%, respectively, more likely to adopt the technology than those unemployed. Conclusion The high willingness of households to adopt the technology calls for government to support households to own biogas digesters thus requires policy interventions and interdisciplinary research.


2009 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 550-555 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Piron ◽  
Lisa V Smith ◽  
Paul Simon ◽  
Patricia L Cummings ◽  
Tony Kuo

AbstractObjectiveThe present study examines the receptivity to and potential effects of menu labelling on food choices of low-income and minority individuals – a group often at disproportionate risk for preventable, lifestyle-related health conditions (e.g. obesity, diabetes and CVD).DesignWe conducted a cross-sectional survey to examine the knowledge, attitudes and potential response to menu labelling in an urban public health clinic population.SettingUnited States.SubjectsA total of 639 clinic patients were recruited in the waiting rooms of six, large public health centres in Los Angeles County (2007–2008). These centres provide services to a largely uninsured or under-insured, low-income, Latino and African-American population.ResultsAmong those approached and who met eligibility criteria, 88 % completed the survey. Of the 639 respondents, 55 % were overweight or obese based on self-reported heights and weights; 74 % reported visiting a fast food restaurant at least once in the past year, including 22 % at least once a week; 93 % thought that calorie information was ‘important’; and 86 % thought that restaurants should be required to post calorie information on their menu boards. In multivariate analyses, respondents who were obese, female, Latino and supportive of calorie postings were more likely than others to report that they would choose food and beverages with lower calories as a result of menu labelling.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that clinic patients are receptive to this population-based strategy and that they would be inclined to change their food selections in response to menu labelling.


Author(s):  
Meital Simhi ◽  
Orly Sarid ◽  
Julie Cwikel

Abstract Background The prevalence rate of postpartum depression (PPD) is 9 to 17% among mothers, with higher rates among low income and immigrant populations. Due to the negative effects of PPD symptoms on both the mother and baby, treating mothers with depression symptoms is of great importance. This study examined treatment preferences for PPD among Israeli mothers with and without PPD symptoms, specifically focusing on treatment centers, type of professional and mode of treatment, to help develop relevant policies to promote the health of mothers by reaching a deeper understanding of their preferences. Methods 1000 mothers who attended Maternal Child Health Clinics (MCHCs) in Israel for their infant’s first medical exam participated in a cross-sectional survey. Results In this sample, 8.4% of the participants suffered from PPD. Mothers with PPD compared to those without symptoms had lower economic status, were more likely to be single, to be first-time mothers, have an unemployed partner and to have immigrated to Israel. Mothers with PPD preferred private mental health practice and community treatment centers by mental healthcare professionals. They also preferred group interventions and personal psychotherapy rather than technology-based interventions. Conclusions The study findings support the formulation of mother-sensitive health policies based on understanding mothers’ preferences, and thus, help prepare treatment alternatives that will suit different groups of mothers with PPD, for the benefit of mothers, newborns, and families. Disseminating the results of this study among professionals as part of professional training, can promote appropriate treatment facilities and modes of care for mothers with PPD.


2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao Li ◽  
Le Cai ◽  
Wen-long Cui ◽  
Xu-ming Wang ◽  
Hui-fang Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Background This study estimates the prevalence of five chronic non-communicable disease (NCDs) (hypertension, diabetes, CHD, COPD and stroke) and its multimorbidity, and examines the relationship between SES and lifestyle factors and multimorbidity among older adults in rural southwest China. Methods A cross-sectional survey of 4833 consenting adults aged ≥60 years was conducted in 2017. Data on the demographics, smoking, drinking, height, weight, blood pressure and fasting blood glucose were collected. Results Among the participants, the overall prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, stroke, COPD and CHD was 50.6, 10.2, 6.4, 5.4 and 5.5%, respectively, and of multimorbidity was 16.1%. Females had a higher prevalence of hypertension, diabetes and multimorbidity of chronic NCDs, but a lower prevalence of COPD than males (P < 0.05). Older adults with good household assets and access to medical services were less likely to experience multimorbidity, whereas obese and centrally obese participants, current smokers, current drinkers and those with a family history of chronic NCDs had a greater probability of multimorbidity. Conclusions The findings suggest that effective strategies for prevention and control of chronic NCDs and its multimorbidity are urgently needed, especially for low-income, elderly, ethnic minority adults with poor access to medical services.


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