scholarly journals Fighting to eat healthfully: measurements of the military food environment

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 223-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Carins ◽  
Sharyn Rundle-Thiele
Keyword(s):  
Social Marketing ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Eating Behaviour ◽  
Military Population ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Nutrition Environment ◽  
Food Outlets ◽  
The Military

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report on a quantitative study of the food environment designed to measure aspects of support for healthy eating. Design/methodology/approach – An ecological view of eating behaviour was taken by examining the food environment that surrounded a military population of interest. Food outlets (n = 34) were assessed using the Nutrition Environment Measures Survey in store (NEMS-S), Nutrition Environment Measures Study in restaurants (NEMS-R) and military Nutrition Environment Assessment Tool (mNEAT) instruments to determine how well food outlets supported healthy eating. Findings – Despite better-than-average provision of healthy options on-base, the total environment surrounding the military base barely supports healthy eating. Average support to healthy eating was 45 per cent (NEMS) or 27 per cent (mNEAT) of support that could be measured. Individuals accessing this food environment would find few healthy alternatives, little information directing them to healthy choices and pricing and promotion that drives unhealthy eating behaviours. Research limitations/implications – This study focused on one food environment; replication is recommended to establish foundation data for benchmarking outlets, and further develop these measures for Australian settings. Future studies may assess the media environment to further extend the ecological model used. Practical implications – A method to measure the food environment is demonstrated which provides formative research insights for use when planning social marketing interventions. Consideration of these influences together with intra- and inter-personal influences offer the potential to better design social marketing healthy eating interventions, by addressing multiple levels within an ecological framework. Originality/value – This paper answers calls for social marketers to consider the influence of the surrounding environment, using methods not previously used in Australian settings.

scholarly journals Appraisal of short and long versions of the Nutrition Environment Measures Survey (NEMS-S and NEMS-R) in Australia

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 564-570 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Elizabeth Carins ◽  
Sharyn Rundle-Thiele ◽  
Ryan James Storr
Keyword(s):  
Food Environment ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Eating Behaviour ◽  
Measure Data ◽  
Major Influence ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Critical Dimensions ◽  
Nutrition Environment ◽  
Food Outlets ◽  
Long Form

AbstractObjectiveResearch has begun to take a more ecological view of eating behaviour, examining multiple levels of influence: personal, social and environmental. The food environment is a major influence on eating behaviour, attracting the attention of researchers who have measured it in a number of ways. The present paper examines the short-form version, in comparison to the long-form version, of the Nutrition Environment Measures Survey (NEMS) – an observational food outlet audit tool.DesignBoth the short-form and long-form were examined to qualitatively appraise the dimensions of the food environment assessed by each measure. Data from 135 food outlets in Australia were then used to compare results obtained using the short-form with the results from the long-form method, to consider the utility of the short-form measure.SettingThe retail food environment in Australia.ParticipantsOne hundred and thirty-five food outlets in Australia.ResultsResults indicate that the short-form predominantly assessed availability of healthful foods (one aspect of the food environment). Several critical dimensions of the food environment known to influence eating behaviour were not assessed. For this data set, the short-form produced scores inconsistent with the longer version of the measure, delivering inflated estimates for stores and deflated estimates for restaurants.ConclusionsScores between the long-form and short-form versions were not comparable in this Australian study. Further development of food environment measures is recommended and must balance instrument brevity with the need to accurately capture important aspects of the food environment known to influence eating behaviour.

scholarly journals Investigating Items to Improve the Validity of the Five-Item Healthy Eating Score Compared with the 2015 Healthy Eating Index in a Military Population

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marissa Shams-White ◽  
Kenneth Chui ◽  
Patricia Deuster ◽  
Nicola McKeown ◽  
Aviva Must
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Military Personnel ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Healthy Eating Index ◽  
Military Population ◽  
Sugar Sweetened Beverage ◽  
Post Exercise Recovery ◽  
Serving Sizes ◽  
Future Work

Military researchers utilize a five-item healthy eating score (HES-5) in the Global Assessment Tool (GAT) questionnaire to quickly assess the overall diet quality of military personnel. This study aimed to modify the HES-5 to improve its validity relative to the 2015 Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2015) in active duty military personnel (n = 333). A food frequency questionnaire was used to calculate HEI-2015 scores and to assess sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake in 8-oz (SSB-8) and 12-oz servings. GAT nutrition questions were used to calculate HES-5 scores and capture breakfast and post-exercise recovery fueling snack (RFsnack) frequencies. Two scoring options were considered for the highest RFsnack category: “4” vs. “5” (RFsnack-5). Potential candidates were added alone and in combination to the HES-5 and compared to the HEI-2015 with a Pearson correlation coefficient. Scores with the highest correlations were compared via a z-score equation to identify the simplest modification to the HES-5. Correlations between HES-5 and HEI-2015 scores in total participants, males, and females were 0.41, 0.45 and 0.32, respectively. Correlations were most significantly improved in total participants by adding RFsnack-5, SSB-8, RFsnack-5 + SSB-8, and RFsnack-5 + SSB-8 + breakfast, though the addition of SSB-8 + RFsnack-5 performed best (r = 0.53). Future work should consider scoring mechanisms, serving sizes, and question wording.

scholarly journals A health assessment tool for multiple risk factors for obesity: age and sex differences in the prediction of body mass index

2010 ◽  
Vol 104 (2) ◽  
pp. 298-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie A. Chambers ◽  
Vivien Swanson
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Current Trend ◽  
Eating Behaviour ◽  
Physical Activity Participation ◽  
Activity Participation ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Wide Range

The aim was to establish the relative importance of multiple dietary, activity and other risk factors in determining BMI. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 322 adults (71 % female; aged 18–79 years; BMI 16·5–40·9 kg/m2) using a previously developed, psychometrically tested, seventy-three-item questionnaire covering a wide range of obesity risk factors (consisting of five dietary, five activity and seven other risk factor subscales). Outcome was self-reported weight and height for BMI, cross-validated with items on clothes size and perceived need to lose weight. Stepwise regression analysis predicted 25–55 % of the variance in BMI with physical activity participation, current and past dieting behaviour, amount eaten, and age being the most important predictors. The association of lower BMI and younger age appeared to be due to higher activity levels, as younger participants reported much less healthy eating behaviour than the older age group. Amount eaten and physical activity participation were stronger predictors of BMI than other factors including healthy eating and use of mechanised transport. Results showed that the relationship between various risk factors and obesity may differ by both sex and age group, suggesting that different interventions may need to be targeted at different groups. The higher-risk eating behaviour observed in younger participants is of concern and needs to be addressed, if the current trend of rising obesity levels is to be halted.

scholarly journals A systematic review assessing the extent of social marketing principle use in interventions targeting children (2000-2014)

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Kubacki ◽  
Sharyn Rundle-Thiele ◽  
Ville Lahtinen ◽  
Joy Parkinson
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Marketing ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Marketing Mix ◽  
Audience Segmentation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity ◽  
Marketing Principles

Purpose – This study aims to review the extent that social marketing principles are applied in interventions targeting children published in peer-reviewed journals between 2000 and 2014. Design/methodology/approach – A systematic literature review was conducted to identify peer-reviewed social marketing studies targeting children under the age of 12 years as their main audience. Twenty-three interventions were identified and analysed using Andreasen’s (2002) social marketing benchmark criteria including behavioural objective, audience segmentation, formative research, exchange, marketing mix and competition. Findings – All of the interventions analysed in this review targeted behaviours associated with either physical activity or healthy eating among children under the age of 12 years. Sixteen of the studies reported positive behavioural outcomes. None of the studies used all six of the Andresean (2002) benchmark criteria. Social implications – With growing concerns about the prevalence of obesity among children, social marketing is emerging as an effective approach to increase physical activity and healthy eating, which in turn may assist to lower obesity. Extending the application of the social marketing benchmark criteria in social marketing interventions will assist to increase effectiveness. Originality/value – This paper presents the first attempt to review the extent that social marketing principles are used in interventions targeted at children aged 12 years and under.

Evaluation of worksite policies and practices promoting nutrition and physical activity among hospital workers

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shreela V. Sharma ◽  
Courtney Winston Paolicelli ◽  
Vinu Jyothi ◽  
William Baun ◽  
Brett Perkison ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Health Improvement ◽  
Dietary Intakes ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Nutrition And Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Activity Environments ◽  
Policies And Practices

Purpose – As posited by the ecological model of health, improvements in the nutrition and physical activity environments of worksites may facilitate healthier dietary intakes and physical activity patterns of employees. This cross-sectional study describes current policies and practices targeting these environments in five large Texas-based hospitals employing approximately 40,000 adults. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – The environmental assessment tool survey, an observation tool, was used to assess these policies and practices in August and September 2012. Findings – Results demonstrated major policy and practice deficiencies, including a lack of policies supporting on and offsite employee physical fitness, no healthy catering or healthy meeting policies, minimal subsidizing of healthy food and beverage options, few health-promoting vending services, and no performance objectives related to worksite health improvement. Hospitals having an active employee wellness staff consistently performed better on implementation of policies and practices supporting healthy eating and physical activity. Practical implications – This study supports practice recommendations including engaging executive leadership to prioritize worksite wellness and using policies to create an infrastructure that promotes healthy eating and encourages physical activity among employees. Originality/value – This study is the first to compare and contrast the nutrition and the physical activity environments of large hospitals, allowing for the identification of common environmental barriers and supports across multiple hospital and foodservice systems.

scholarly journals Evaluation of an online “teachable moment” dietary intervention

2017 ◽  
Vol 117 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leah Marks ◽  
Jane Ogden
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Dietary Intervention ◽  
Eating Behaviour ◽  
Food Intolerance ◽  
Dietary Behaviour ◽  
Teachable Moment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Intention To Treat ◽  
Everyday Situation ◽  
The Individual

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate an online “teachable moment” intervention to promote healthy eating for overweight and food intolerance symptoms. Design/methodology/approach The study involves a 2×2 factorial design with two conditions: group (weight loss vs food intolerance) and condition (intervention vs control). The intervention aimed to generate a “teachable moment” by providing knowledge regarding the relationship between food and the problem (overweight or food intolerance), focussing on the negative aspects of the problem, creating a behavioural model, and encouraging hope and reinvention. Participants receiving the intervention (n=22) completed measures of dietary behaviour and either weight or food intolerance symptoms before receiving the intervention and again one month later. Control participants (n=20) provided measures but did not receive the intervention. Findings There were no significant reductions in weight or food intolerance symptoms. However, compared to control participants, participants in the intervention conditions reported greater intentions to eat healthily (p=0.01) and improved healthy eating behaviour over time, following both an intention-to-treat (p=0.046) and explanatory analysis (p=0.042). Practical implications Encouraging individuals to perceive their everyday situation as a time for change and adopt healthier behaviour early on, may prevent future diet-related medical events. This has benefits for both the individual and for health care costs. Originality/value A quick and easy-to-administer online “teachable moment” intervention improves dietary behaviour and can be minimally adapted to suit individuals with differing health needs.

Breaking it down: unpacking children’s lunchboxes

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 438-453 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Crespo Casado ◽  
Sharyn Rundle-Thiele
Keyword(s):  
Social Marketing ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Exchange Theory ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Perceived Benefits ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate children’s school lunchboxes and explore the influence of carer’s perceived benefits and barriers towards healthy eating on the food contents packed for lunch. Design/methodology/approach – Drawing on exchange theory, the study explores the relationship between carer’s perceived benefits and barriers towards healthy eating and the lunchbox contents a carer packs for their child. An online survey was completed by 876 parents and carers. Statistical analysis techniques, including one-way ANOVA and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) were used to analyse the data. Findings – The analysis revealed that perceived benefits and barriers towards packing healthy foods had a significant impact on the reported contents packed for lunch. Results indicate the segment with the highest perceived benefits and the lowest perceived barriers towards packing healthy lunches reported packing healthier foods than the remaining three segments. Practical implications – Social marketers should develop interventions to promote the benefits of healthy eating, while overcoming the perceived (and real) barriers that prevent healthy lunches from being packed. Study limitations and future research directions are outlined. Originality/value – Drawing on exchange theory, the current study demonstrated how simultaneous measurement of benefits and barriers that are later divided into high and low groups impacts lunchbox packing behaviours (Nelson et al., 2010). This study contributes to the literature providing further empirical evidence that use of commercial marketing theories in social marketing is warranted and that theoretically derived segmentation approaches are available for social marketing practitioners.

scholarly journals Eating for the better: a social marketing review (2000–2012)

2013 ◽  
Vol 17 (7) ◽  
pp. 1628-1639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia E Carins ◽  
Sharyn R Rundle-Thiele
Keyword(s):  
Social Marketing ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Behavioural Change ◽  
Eating Behaviour ◽  
Full Extent ◽  
Marketing Effectiveness ◽  
Comprehensive Literature Review ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Definition Of

AbstractObjectiveThe present study sought to identify both the ingredients for success and the potential impediments to social marketing effectiveness for healthy eating behaviour, focusing on studies conducted over the last 10 years.DesignA comprehensive literature review was undertaken examining seventeen databases to identify studies reporting the use of social marketing to address healthy eating. Thirty-four empirical studies were analysed to examine the effectiveness of social marketing interventions to improve healthy eating behaviour using Andreasen's (2002) social marketing benchmark criteria. Statistical analysis was undertaken to quantitatively evaluate whether effectiveness varied between study categories (subsets).SettingHealthy eating empirical studies published from 2000 onwards.SubjectsEmpirical studies that self-identified as social marketing.ResultsSixteen social marketing studies (subset 1) were identified in the review. These were systematic studies which sought to change behaviour through tailored solutions (e.g. use of marketing tools beyond communication was clearly evident) that delivered value to the target audience. For these sixteen studies, the mean number of criteria identified was five. Six studies met all six criteria. Positive change to healthy eating behaviour was found in fourteen of sixteen studies. The sixteen studies that met the definition of social marketing used significantly more of Andreasen's (2002) criteria and were more effective in achieving behavioural change than the eighteen studies in subset 2.ConclusionsSocial marketing is an involved process and it is important that studies identifying as social marketing adopt social marketing benchmark criteria. Social marketing when employed to its full extent offers the potential to change healthy eating.

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