scholarly journals Attitudes towards and beliefs about nutrition and health among a random sample of adults in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland

2001 ◽  
Vol 4 (5a) ◽  
pp. 1117-1126 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M Kearney ◽  
Michael J Gibney ◽  
Barbara E Livingstone ◽  
Paula J Robson ◽  
Mairead Kiely ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Northern Ireland ◽  
Random Sample ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Healthy Diet ◽  
Fruit And Vegetables ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Republic Of Ireland ◽  
The Republic

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.

scholarly journals Low levels of chemsex among men who have sex with men, but high levels of risk among men who engage in chemsex: analysis of a cross-sectional online survey across four countries

Sexual Health ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie Frankis ◽  
Paul Flowers ◽  
Lisa McDaid ◽  
Adam Bourne
Keyword(s):  
Northern Ireland ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Republic Of Ireland ◽  
Hiv Test ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
First Time

Background This paper establishes the prevalence of chemsex drug use among men who have sex with men (MSM), the extent to which these drugs are used in a sexual context, as well as their associated behaviours and circumstances of use. Methods: Data from a cross-sectional, online survey of 2328 MSM recruited via gay sociosexual media in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland were analysed. Results: While almost half (48.8%) of participants had ever taken illicit drugs, lifetime chemsex drug use was less common (18.0%) and far fewer reported chemsex drug use in the last year (8.2%) or last 4 weeks (3.0%). Just over one-quarter (27.1%) of men who used chemsex drugs in the last year reported no sexualised drug use, but almost three-quarters (72.9%) did. Only 6.1% of the whole sample reported sexualised chemsex drug use in the last year. The odds of reporting chemsex in the last year were significantly higher for men aged 36–45 years (AOR = 1.96), single men (AOR = 1.83), men who were HIV positive (AOR = 4.01), men who report high-risk sex (AOR = 4.46), being fisted (AOR = 7.77) or had sex in exchange for goods other than money (AOR = 4.7) in the last year and men who reported an HIV test in the last 3 months (AOR = 1.53). Discussion: Only a small proportion of MSM in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland reported chemsex, and, for the first time, it is demonstrated that not all chemsex drug use was sexualised. Nevertheless, MSM who engage in chemsex (MWEC) reported substantial sexual risk inequalities. These novel findings highlight several opportunities for intervention, particularly around the multiple vulnerabilities of MWEC, opportunities for early identification of those most vulnerable to chemsex-related harm and the potential to develop a specialised responsive patient pathway.

scholarly journals COVID-19 vaccine uptake and hesitancy survey in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland: Applying the theory of planned behaviour

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. e0259381
Author(s):  
Gavin Breslin ◽  
Martin Dempster ◽  
Emma Berry ◽  
Matthew Cavanagh ◽  
Nicola C. Armstrong
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Northern Ireland ◽  
Theory Of Planned Behaviour ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Planned Behaviour ◽  
Republic Of Ireland

The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) first appeared in Wuhan, China in late 2019 and since then has caused unprecedented economic and social disruption as well as presenting a major challenge to public health. Despite mass progress in COVID-19 vaccination uptake, vaccine hesitancy or anti-vax information has been reported that can delay public acceptance of a vaccine. An online cross-sectional survey (n = 439) assessed COVID-19 vaccine uptake and hesitancy in adults in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Participants completed an adapted version of the Theory of Planned Behaviour Vaccine Questionnaire, the Vaccine Attitudes Scale (VAX), Vaccine Confidence Scale, and questions on previous experience of COVID-19. Results showed that 66.7% of the sample intended to get a vaccination as soon as possible, 27.15% reported they will get a vaccine when others get theirs and when it is clear there are no side effects. 6.15% had no intention of getting a vaccine. Overall, there is a high mean intention (M = 6.12) and confidence to get a COVID-19 vaccine. There was low vaccine hesitancy (M = 2.49) as measured by the VAX scale. A further analysis of the sub factors of the VAX showed there is uncertainty and mistrust of side effects for children. The finding demonstrate that the Theory of Planned Behaviour can be useful in making recommendations for public health considerations when encouraging vaccine uptake and reducing vaccine hesitancy.

scholarly journals Do children's food preferences align with dietary recommendations?

2007 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1223-1233 ◽  
Author(s):  
CG Russell ◽  
A Worsley
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Parental Education ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Food Preferences ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Dietary Recommendations ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact

AbstractObjectivesTo examine how Australian children's reported everyday food preferences reflect dietary recommendations, and the impact of sociodemographic factors on these associations.DesignCross-sectional survey.Setting/subjectsThree hundred and seventy-one parents of children aged 2–5 years, recruited from three socio-economic groups in two Australian cities, completed a survey on their child's liking for 176 foods and drinks on a 5-point Likert scale in addition to demographic descriptors. Preferences were compared with the recommendations of theDietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents in Australiaand theAustralian Guide to Healthy Eating.ResultsFoods in the Extra Foods (non-nutritious foods) and Cereals groups of theAustralian Guide to Healthy Eatingwere highly liked (mean: 4.02 and 4.01, respectively), whilst foods in the Vegetables group were liked least (mean: 3.01). A large percentage of foods in the Cereals and Extra Foods groups were liked (64% and 56%, respectively) in contrast to the other food groups, especially Vegetables (7%). Children liked foods that were higher in sugar (r = 0.29,P < 0.0001) and more energy-dense (r = 0.34,P < 0.0001) but not those higher in saturated fat (r = 0.16,P = 0.03), total fat (r = 0.12,P = 0.12) or sodium (r = 0.10,P = 0.18). Sociodemographic variables (e.g. socio-economic status, parental education, children's age and sex) explained little of the variation in children's food preferences.ConclusionsAustralian pre-school children's food preferences align with dietary guidelines in some respects, but not others. Interventions are needed to shift children's preferences away from non-nutritious foods that are high in energy density and sugar, and towards vegetables and fruits.

scholarly journals An evaluation of energy intakes and the ratio of energy intake to estimated basal metabolic rate (EI/BMRest) in the North/South Ireland Food Consumption Survey

2001 ◽  
Vol 4 (5a) ◽  
pp. 1043-1050 ◽  
Author(s):  
MJ McGowan ◽  
KE Harrington ◽  
M Kiely ◽  
PJ Robson ◽  
MBE Livingstone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Northern Ireland ◽  
Metabolic Rate ◽  
Energy Intake ◽  
Basal Metabolic Rate ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Republic Of Ireland ◽  
The North ◽  
Food Consumption Survey ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Consumption Survey

AbstractObjectiveTo examine energy intakes (El), their ratio to estimated basal metabolic rate (BMRest) and the contribution of food groups to energy intake in the North/South Ireland Food Consumption Survey.Design and settingRandom sample of adults from the populations of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Food intake data were collected using a 7-day food diary. Body weight and height were measured and EI/BMRest was calculated from reported energy intake and estimated basal metabolic rate. Dieting practices were assessed as part of a self-administered questionnaire.ResultsMean energy intake in men was 11.0 MJ and in women was 7.6 MJ, which is comparable to reported energy intakes in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland over a decade ago. Mean EI/BMRest was 1.38. This increased to 1.42 after the exclusion of dieters and those who were unwell, but still remained less than the established cut-off of 1.53. EI/BMRest was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in men than in women and decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with increasing BMI in both sexes. The four food groups that contributed 50% of energy in men and women were meat and meat products, breads and rolls, potatoes and potato products, and biscuits, cakes, pastries and puddings.ConclusionsEnergy intakes have not changed remarkably in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland in the last 10 years, but the mean EI/BMRest of 1.38 suggests that energy underreporting occurred. EI/BMRest was lower in women and in the overweight/obese. Additional multivariate analysis of the data is needed to identify more clearly subgroups of the population reporting lower than expected energy intakes and to evaluate the effect of low energy reporting on the consumption of various foods and food groups.

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
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Healthy Diet ◽  
Eating Patterns ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
English Population

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.

scholarly journals The Relationship Between the Healthy Diet Index, Chronic Diseases, Obesity and Lifestyle Risk Factors Among Adults in Kaunas City, Lithuania

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Audrius Dėdelė ◽  
Žydrūnė Bartkutė ◽  
Yevheniia Chebotarova ◽  
Auksė Miškinytė
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Healthy Diet ◽  
World Health ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Lifestyle Risk Factors ◽  
Lifestyle Risk

A healthy and balanced diet is an important factor contributing to overall health and wellness. The aim of this study was to develop a Healthy Diet Index (HDI) score and assess its association with various chronic diseases and lifestyle risk factors. A cross-sectional survey included 1,111 adults aged 18 years and older. Information on dietary habits was collected using a questionnaire. Additional demographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle risk factors data were also collected. Sixteen food groups were used to develop the HDI score for the residents of Kaunas city, Lithuania based on the national recommendations, World Health Organization (WHO) and other guidance on a healthy diet. We used logistic regression models to assess the association of the HDI score with chronic diseases, obesity and lifestyle risk factors. We found that both males and females were lacking the optimal consumption of the base components of a healthy diet–fruits and vegetables, starchy carbohydrates, and proteins. We also observed significant associations between the HDI score and several outcomes such as hypertension, arrhythmia, physical activity, and obesity. The suggested HDI score could serve as a valuable tool in assessing and improving dietary habits beneficial for promoting health and preventing many diseases.

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