scholarly journals Improving the nutritional status of food-insecure women: first, let them eat what they like

2007 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1288-1298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynn McIntyre ◽  
Valerie Tarasuk ◽  
Tony Jinguang Li
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Food Preferences ◽  
Food Choices ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Dietary Intakes ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Food Bank ◽  
Diverse Community

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the extent to which identified nutrient inadequacies in the dietary intakes of a sample of food-insecure women could be ameliorated by increasing their access to the ‘healthy’ foods they typically eat.DesignMerged datasets of 226 food-insecure women who provided at least three 24-hour dietary intake recalls over the course of a month. Dietary modelling, with energy adjustment for severe food insecurity, explored the effect of adding a serving of the woman's own, and the group's typically chosen, nutrient-rich foods on the estimated prevalence of nutrient inadequacy.Setting and subjectsOne study included participants residing in 22 diverse community clusters from the Atlantic Provinces of Canada, and the second study included food bank attendees in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Of the 226 participants, 78% lived alone with their children.ResultsWhile nutritional vulnerability remained after modelling, adding a single serving of either typically chosen ‘healthy’ foods from women's own diets or healthy food choices normative to the population reduced the prevalence of inadequacy by at least half for most nutrients. Correction for energy deficits resulting from severe food insecurity contributed a mean additional 20% improvement in nutrient intakes.ConclusionsFood-insecure women would sustain substantive nutritional gains if they had greater access to their personal healthy food preferences and if the dietary compromises associated with severe food insecurity were abated. Increased resources to access such choices should be a priority.

Macho Nachos

2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 182-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luke (Lei) Zhu ◽  
Victoria L. Brescoll ◽  
George E. Newman ◽  
Eric Luis Uhlmann
Keyword(s):  
Gender Stereotypes ◽  
Food Packaging ◽  
Food Preferences ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Psychological Reactance ◽  
Unhealthy Food ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Gender Schema ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Schema Congruity

Abstract. The present studies examine how culturally held stereotypes about gender (that women eat more healthfully than men) implicitly influence food preferences. In Study 1, priming masculinity led both male and female participants to prefer unhealthy foods, while priming femininity led both male and female participants to prefer healthy foods. Study 2 extended these effects to gendered food packaging. When the packaging and healthiness of the food were gender schema congruent (i.e., feminine packaging for a healthy food, masculine packaging for an unhealthy food) both male and female participants rated the product as more attractive, said that they would be more likely to purchase it, and even rated it as tasting better compared to when the product was stereotype incongruent. In Study 3, packaging that explicitly appealed to gender stereotypes (“The muffin for real men”) reversed the schema congruity effect, but only among participants who scored high in psychological reactance.

Approaches for Implementing Healthy Food Interventions in Settings With Limited Resources: A Case Study of Sodium Reduction Interventions in Emergency Food Programs Addressing Food Insecurity

2021 ◽  
pp. 089011712110561
Author(s):  
Karen Strazza ◽  
Julia Jordan ◽  
Kate Ferriola-Bruckenstein ◽  
Heather Kane ◽  
John Whitehill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Limited Resources ◽  
Washington County ◽  
Sodium Reduction ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
Food Programs ◽  
Access To Healthy Foods

Purpose This study describes how recipients of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funded Sodium Reduction in Communities Program (SRCP) worked with emergency food programs to improve access to healthy food to address chronic conditions. Design SRCP recipients partnered with emergency food programs to implement sodium reduction strategies including nutrition standards, procurement practices, environmental strategies, and behavioral economics approaches. Setting SRCP recipients and emergency food programs in Washington County and Benton County, Arkansas and King County, Washington. Subjects SRCP recipient staff, emergency food program staff, and key stakeholders. Measures We conducted semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders and systematic review of program documents. Analysis Data were analyzed using effects matrices for each recipient. Matrices were organized using select implementation science constructs and compared in a cross-case analysis. Results Despite limited resources, emergency food programs can implement sodium reduction interventions which may provide greater access to healthy foods and lead to reductions in health disparities. Emergency food programs successfully implemented sodium reduction interventions by building on the external and internal settings; selecting strategies that align with existing processes; implementing change incrementally and engaging staff, volunteers, and clients; and sustaining changes. Conclusion Findings contribute to understanding the ways in which emergency food programs and other organizations with limited resources have implemented public health nutrition interventions addressing food insecurity and improving access to healthy foods. These strategies may be transferable to other settings with limited resources.

Marketing and family-related factors affecting food label use: the mediating role of consumer knowledge

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daleen Van der Merwe ◽  
Hanli de Beer ◽  
Marli Nel ◽  
Susanna M. Ellis
Keyword(s):  
Food Choices ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Objective Knowledge ◽  
Food Label ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThis study investigated the influence of marketing- and family-related factors on consumers' in-store usage of different types of food label information. Furthermore, the authors determined the mediating role of consumers' knowledge about healthy foods between these factors and their label consultation.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted a survey among 223 purposively selected South African working female consumers via social media. Subjective and objective knowledge about healthy foods, the importance of marketing- and family-related factors and the extent of food label usage were determined. Structural equation modelling served to test the mediating effect of knowledge in the relationship of the marketing and family-related factors with food label usage.FindingsMarketing-related factors demonstrated a strong direct effect on food label usage. Subjective knowledge about healthy foods mediated the relationship between family members' dietary needs and food label usage. However, objective knowledge was not a mediator.Practical implicationsRespondents' firm reliance on marketing-related factors (instead of knowledge) during food label usage is not in the best interest of consumers' healthy food choices. Healthy food choices based on factual knowledge rather than marketing efforts are necessary to establish long-term healthy food habits, hence the need for retailers' response in supplying healthier food options. Role players in consumer education should focus on increasing consumers' healthy food knowledge.Originality/valueIn the context of rising awareness of public health concerns, healthy food choice among consumers is essential. This study contributes to the complexity of consumers' need to make healthy food choices within an economic-driven marketing environment.

Food Insecurity and Dietary Intake Of Immigrant Food Bank Users

2007 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 73-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy J. Rush ◽  
Victor Ng ◽  
Jennifer D. Irwin ◽  
Larry W. Stitt ◽  
Meizi He
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Food Bank ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Highly Educated ◽  
Before And After ◽  
24 Hour Recall ◽  
Milk And Dairy Products

Purpose: The degree of food insecurity and dietary intake was examined in adult Colombians who are new immigrants to Canada and use a food bank. Methods: In-person surveys were conducted on a convenience sample of 77 adult Colombian immigrant food bank users in London, Ontario. Degree of food insecurity was measured by the Radimer/Cornell questionnaire, food intakes by 24-hour recall, sociodemographics, and questionnaires about changes in dietary patterns before and after immigration. Results: Thirty-six men and 41 women participated in the study. Despite being highly educated, all respondents had experienced some form of food insecurity within the previous 30 days. The degree of food insecurity seems to be inversely associated with income and length of residency in Canada. Total daily energy intake was low, with a mean value of 1,568.3 ± 606.0 kcal (6,217.5 ± 2,336.4 kJ). In particular, a large proportion of participants consumed a diet low in fruits and vegetables (73%) and milk and dairy products (58%). Conclusions: Colombian immigrant food bank users new to Canada experience various degrees of food insecurity, which is associated with inadequate food intake. Interventions are needed to assist this population with adapting to society while concurrently sustaining healthy eating patterns.

Knowledge of healthy foods does not translate to healthy snack consumption among exercise science undergraduates

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura H McArthur ◽  
Antonette Valentino ◽  
Donald Holbert
Keyword(s):  
Food Choices ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Similar Data ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Exercise Science ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Snack Consumption

This cross-sectional survey study compared the on- and off-campus snack choices and related correlates of convenience samples of exercise science (ES) ( n = 165, M = 45%, F = 55%) and non-exercise science (NES) ( n =160, M = 43%, F = 57%) undergraduates. The hypothesis posed was that knowledge of healthy foods will not translate to healthier snack consumption by the ES students, and that the snack choices and related correlates of ES and NES students will be similar. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires completed in classrooms (ES sample) and at high-traffic locations on-campus (NES sample). Chi-square and t-test analyses compared ES and NES students on snack correlates. Snacks consumed most often by the ES and NES students on-campus were health bars/squares ( n = 56 vs. n = 48) and savory snacks ( n = 55 vs. n = 71), and off-campus were savory snacks ( n = 60 vs. n = 71) and fruits ( n = 41 vs. n = 34). Over half of both samples believed their snack choices were a mix of unhealthy and healthy. Fruits were considered healthier snacks and chips less healthy by both samples, and fruits were the most often recommended snack. About 20% believed these choices would impact their health unfavorably, and about two thirds self-classified in the action stages for healthy snacking. Since knowledge about healthy food choices did not translate to healthy snack selection, these students would benefit from interventions that teach selection and preparation of healthy snacks on a restricted budget.

scholarly journals Socio-demographic, household food security and nutritional status of older (> 50 Y) women from rural Zambian communities: A descriptive study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (105) ◽  
pp. 18912-18931
Author(s):  
U Mukherjee ◽  
◽  
JM Chalwe ◽  
S Mbambara ◽  
WH Oldewage-Theron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Household Food Insecurity ◽  
Dietary Intakes ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Socio Demographic Factors

Socio-demographic factors and household food insecurity are considered to influence the nutritional status of older women. The rapidly growing elderly population in Africa is a concern particularly in sustaining their health and nutritional status. In spite of this, there is a scarcity of information in older Zambian women and this study aimed to assess the socio-demographic factors, nutritional status and household food insecurity status of older women in rural Zambian communities. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Twatasha compound of Kitwe and Ndeke community of Ndola. The socio-demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, dietary intakes and household food security were evaluated in a convenience sample of 153 older women (≥ 50 years) through the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). IBM SPSS version 26 was used for descriptive (frequencies, means and standard deviations, and medians with interquartile frequencies) and inferential (bivariate and Spearman correlations) statistical analyses. The socio-demographic characteristics showed that almost all (98.7%) of the participants had other members of the family residing with them. Most participants (57%) had attained primary school education, 19% had secondary education and 5% had college education. Almost half (49%) of the participants did not report their employment status and 36% reported to be unemployed. Over-nutrition was most prevalent (37.3% overweight and 39.8% obese) while 20.9 % and 2.0% of the respondents were normal weight and underweight respectively. The median (25th percentile; 75th percentile) dietary intakes showed inadequate intakes for most nutrients, except for carbohydrates (170 g [133;225]). The total fat intake represented 14% of total energy intake. The majority (86.0%) of the participants were identified as severely food insecure while only 6.0% were food secure. The majority of the participants (80-90%) used at least seven out of the nine behavioural responses to food insecurity. The findings show resource-poor and severely food insecure communities. We recommended urgent interventions to improve access to healthy foods (such as home gardening projects) and promote healthy dietary habits (including nutrition education).

scholarly journals Exploring the needs and perceptions regarding healthy eating among people at risk of food insecurity: a qualitative analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura van der Velde ◽  
Linde Schuilenburg ◽  
Jyothi Thrivikraman ◽  
Mattijs Numans ◽  
Jessica Kiefte-de Jong
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Eating Behaviors ◽  
Nutrition Knowledge ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Healthy Eating Behaviors

AbstractIntroductionHealthy eating behaviors are essential determinants of overall health. These behaviors are generally poor among people at risk of experiencing food insecurity, which may be caused by many factors including perceived higher costs of healthy foods, financial stress, inadequate nutrition knowledge, and inadequate skills required for healthy food preparation. Few studies have examined how these factors influence eating behaviors among people at risk of experiencing food insecurity. We therefore aimed to gain a better understanding of the needs and perceptions regarding healthy eating in this target group.MethodsWe conducted a qualitative open interview study with 10 participants at risk of experiencing food insecurity. Thematic analysis identified four core themes on factors influencing healthy eating behaviors: (1) health related topics, influences on eating behaviors by both the (2) social and (3) physical environment, and (4) financial influences on eating behaviors.ResultsOverall, participants showed adequate nutrition knowledge. However, eating behaviors were strongly influenced by both social environmental factors (e.g. child food preferences and cultural food habits), and physical environmental factors (e.g. temptations in the local food environment). Perceived barriers for healthy eating behaviors included poor mental health, financial stress, and high prices of healthy foods. Participants had a generally positive and conscious attitude towards their financial situation, among others reflected in their strategies to cope with a limited budget. Food insecurity was mostly mentioned in reference to the past or to others and not to participants’ own current experiences. Participants were familiar with several existing resources to reduce food-related financial strain and generally had a positive attitude towards these resources. An exception was the Food Bank, which was highly criticized on its food parcel content. Proposed new resources included distributing free meals, facilitating social contacts, increasing healthy food supply in the neighborhood, and lowering prices of healthy foods.ConclusionThe insights from this study increase understanding of factors influencing healthy eating behaviors of people at risk of food insecurity. Therefore, this study could inform future development of potential interventions aiming at helping people at risk of experiencing food insecurity to improve healthy eating, thereby decreasing the risk of diet-related diseases.

Trends in National Nutritional Survey of Japan

1992 ◽  
Vol 8 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 91-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuhei Kobayashi
Keyword(s):  
Health Outcome ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
National Level ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Postwar Period ◽  
Dietary Intakes ◽  
Nutrition Survey ◽  
National Nutrition Survey ◽  
Three Stages

The nutritional status of the Japanese has been measured and evaluated annually on a nationwide scale since the first National Nutrition Survey was carried out in 1946. Changes in dietary intake levels could thus be monitored systematically at a national level. According to the results observed, the whole 50 years of the postwar period can be divided into three stages in terms of dietary intakes and their postulated health outcome. Although it has certain limitations for the purpose of analysis the survey has performed a remarkable role in throwing light upon the general trends and current status of nutrition in Japanese populations and thereby enabling a successful nutritional policy to be established.

scholarly journals Incidental exposure to hedonic and healthy food features affects food preferences one day later

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Léo Dutriaux ◽  
Esther K. Papies ◽  
Jennifer Fallon ◽  
Leonel Garcia-Marques ◽  
Lawrence W. Barsalou
Keyword(s):  
Incidental Learning ◽  
Food Preferences ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
General Effect ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Unhealthy Eating ◽  
Affective Processes ◽  
Incidental Exposure ◽  
High Bmi

AbstractMemories acquired incidentally from exposure to food information in the environment may often become active to later affect food preferences. Because conscious use of these memories is not requested or required, these incidental learning effects constitute a form of indirect memory. In an experiment using a novel food preference paradigm (n = 617), we found that brief incidental exposure to hedonic versus healthy food features indirectly affected food preferences a day later, explaining approximately 10% of the variance in preferences for tasty versus healthy foods. It follows that brief incidental exposure to food information can affect food preferences indirectly for at least a day. When hedonic and health exposure were each compared to a no-exposure baseline, a general effect of hedonic exposure emerged across individuals, whereas health exposure only affected food preferences for high-BMI individuals. This pattern suggests that focusing attention on hedonic food features engages common affective processes across the general population, whereas focusing attention on healthy food features engages eating restraint goals associated with high BMI. Additionally, incidental exposure to food features primarily changed preferences for infrequently consumed foods, having less impact on habitually consumed foods. These findings offer insight into how hedonic information in the obesogenic food environment contributes to unhealthy eating behavior that leads to overweight and obesity. These findings further motivate the development of interventions that counteract the effects of exposure to hedonic food information and that broaden the effects of exposure to healthy food information.

scholarly journals The Impact of Voluntary Policies on Parents’ Ability to Select Healthy Foods in Supermarkets: A Qualitative Study of Australian Parental Views

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (18) ◽  
pp. 3377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Elizabeth Pulker ◽  
Denise Chew Ching Li ◽  
Jane Anne Scott ◽  
Christina Mary Pollard
Keyword(s):  
Food Packaging ◽  
Food Choices ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Point Of Sale ◽  
Parental Views ◽  
Shopping Environments ◽  
Speed Up ◽  
The Impact

Food packaging is used for marketing purposes, providing consumers with information about product attributes at the point-of-sale and thus influencing food choice. The Australian government focuses on voluntary policies to address inappropriate food marketing, including the Health Star Rating nutrition label. This research explored the way marketing via packaging information influences Australian parents’ ability to select healthy foods for their children, and who parents believe should be responsible for helping them. Five 90-min focus groups were conducted by an experienced facilitator in Perth, Western Australia. Four fathers and 33 mothers of children aged 2–8 years participated. Group discussions were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim and inductive thematic content analysis conducted using NVivo11. Seven themes were derived: (1) pressure of meeting multiple demands; (2) desire to speed up shopping; (3) feeding them well versus keeping them happy; (4) lack of certainty in packaging information; (5) government is trusted and should take charge; (6) food manufacturers’ health messages are not trusted; (7) supermarkets should assist parents to select healthy foods. Food packaging information appears to be contributing to parents’ uncertainty regarding healthy food choices. Supermarkets could respond to parents’ trust in them by implementing structural policies, providing shopping environments that support and encourage healthy food choices.

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