scholarly journals Beliefs and Norms Associated with the Use of Ultra-Processed Commercial Milk Formulas for Pregnant Women in Vietnam

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 4143
Author(s):  
Tuan T. Nguyen ◽  
Jennifer Cashin ◽  
Constance Ching ◽  
Phillip Baker ◽  
Hoang T. Tran ◽  
...  

Commercial milk formula for pregnant women (CMF-PW) is an expensive, ultra-processed food with a high concentration of sugar, the consumption of which may be linked to negative health outcomes. However, CMF-PWs are promoted as beneficial for pregnant women and lactating mothers as well as their children. To date, little is known about the factors associated with the use of CMF-PW among pregnant women. We performed this analysis to examine the association between the use of CMF-PW and related beliefs and norms among pregnant women in Vietnam. We interviewed 268 pregnant women in their second and third trimesters from two provinces and one municipality representing diverse communities in Vietnam. Multinomial (polytomous) logistic regression, structural equation modeling (SEM), and propensity score matching (PSM) analysis were used to examine associations between beliefs and social norms related to CMF-PW and reported consumption, characterized as occasional, recent, and never during the current pregnancy. Overall, 64.6% of pregnant women reported using CMF-PW during the current pregnancy and 34.7% consumed CMF-PW on the day prior to the interview. Strong beliefs that CMF-PW will make a child smart and healthy (53.7%) and the perception that use of CMF-PW is common (70.9%) were associated with increased use on the previous day (beliefs: aOR: 3.56; 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI): 1.65, 7.71; p < 0.01 and social norms aOR: 2.29; 95% CI: 1.13, 4.66; p < 0.05). SEM and PSM analyses confirmed these findings for both occasional and regular CMF-PW use. Results are consistent with observations of CMF-PW product labels and marketing tactics in Vietnam. The prevalent use of CMF-PW in Vietnam is associated with the belief that these products make children smart and healthy and the perceived social norm that most mothers use these products, which mirrors marketing messages and approaches employed by the CMF industry.

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 946
Author(s):  
Kåre Skallerud ◽  
John Armbrecht ◽  
Ho Huy Tuu

The purpose of this study is to apply the conceptual framework of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to explain the consumption of sustainable produced fish in Sweden. We seek to understand the moderating role of food product involvement and environmental awareness as extensions of traditional constructs such as attitudes, social norms, and perceived behavioral control. The data were derived from a representative sample of 1974 Swedish consumers. Structural equation modeling was applied to test the relationships between constructs and evaluate the reliability and the validity of the constructs. Attitudes had a significantly positive effect on intention to consume fish in general and sustainably produced fish in particular. Social norms had significantly positive effect on intention to consume fish in general, but no effect on intention to consume sustainably produced fish. Behavioral control had no effect on behavioral intention. Interestingly, involvement negatively moderated the effect of attitudes on both intention to consume more fish and to consume more sustainably produced fish. Environmental awareness also negatively moderated the effect of attitudes on intention to consume more sustainably produced fish. It seems that attempts to create food product involvement and environmental awareness among consumers may have the opposite effect—a boomerang effect—than what conventional wisdom and much of the research on fish consumption indicates. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. e0170469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marizélia Rodrigues Costa Ribeiro ◽  
Antônio Augusto Moura da Silva ◽  
Maria Teresa Seabra Soares de Britto e Alves ◽  
Rosângela Fernandes Lucena Batista ◽  
Cecília Cláudia Costa Ribeiro ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 734-757 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tarek Mady

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to extend the research paradigm focusing on behaviorally-based first-mover advantages (FMA) by applying the widely-accepted Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) and offers insights into differences between a mature market (USA) and an emerging market (EM) (India) regarding how intentions to purchase the pioneer are formed. Design/methodology/approach Utilizing samples of 208 USA and 194 Indian consumers, hypotheses examining the underlying beliefs, attitudes, social norms and purchasing intentions regarding pioneer brands are developed and tested using structural equation modeling. Findings Insights from the study suggest the TRA provides a means for assessing behaviorally-based FMAs across cultures, even as manifestations of purchase intentions differ significantly. According to the TRA and findings of this study, intentions are a function of overall attitudes and social norms. In the USA, individual attitudes were found to play a more significant role than social norms in formulating purchase intention. In India, social norms played a more dominant role in intention formation. Originality/value The study represents one of the first empirical attempts to shed light on the extent of behaviorally-based FMAs in an EM and how manifestations of intention to purchase the pioneer differ from mature markets. The study expands the behavioral paradigm of analysis to include one of the most sought-after EMs today (India) and provides one of the first empirical studies to utilize the TRA in addressing behaviorally-based FMAs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 122 (12) ◽  
pp. 3935-3946
Author(s):  
Shih-Tse Edward Wang ◽  
Yu-Ting Liao

PurposeAlthough the association between social norms and alcohol dependence has been noted, how social norms cause alcohol dependence remains unclear. This study thus investigated how social norms affect the perceived benefits of drinking and alcohol identity, which in turn affect alcohol dependence.Design/methodology/approachConvenience sampling was used, and 452 valid questionnaires were collected from alcohol (specifically, beer) consumers over the age of 18; answers were analyzed through structural equation modeling.FindingsSocial norms positively affected the perceived benefits of drinking and alcohol identity; alcohol identity positively affected alcohol dependence; moreover, alcohol identity fully mediated the effects of social norms and the perceived benefits of drinking on alcohol dependence.Originality/valueHow social norms affect alcohol dependence has rarely been studied; thus, the present study has value for integrating the findings in the lines of research on social norms and alcohol dependence. Based on the study results, the authors recommend that policies aimed at discouraging alcohol dependence should focus on mitigating the social pressure to drink and the perceived benefits of drinking as well as labeling others as drinkers.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 907 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabel Corrales-Gutierrez ◽  
Ramon Mendoza ◽  
Diego Gomez-Baya ◽  
Fatima Leon-Larios

There is ample evidence of the teratogenic effects of prenatal alcohol exposure, with long-term consequences throughout the entire life cycle. Nevertheless, research on risk perception of alcohol consumption among pregnant women is scarce. In order to analyze risk perception of alcohol consumption during pregnancy, a cross-sectional study was conducted with a random sample of 426 pregnant women (in their 20th week of gestation) receiving care at the outpatient clinics of a public university hospital in the southern European city of Seville (Spain). Data were collected through structured face-to-face interviews conducted by trained health professionals using a customized questionnaire. Data analysis included structural equation modeling. Only 48.1% of the sample indicated that the sequelae from alcohol consumption during pregnancy were life-long. The structural equation model showed that a lower risk perception about beer and wine consumption, and a lower educational level, were related to more frequent alcohol consumption. Younger participants showed lower risk perception concerning beer consumption. Higher levels of education were related to a greater risk perception of beer. Healthcare institutions should articulate programs that facilitate health advice regarding alcohol consumption during pregnancy, particularly when providing care for women with low educational levels.


2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 318-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Arshad ◽  
Omer Farooq ◽  
Naheed Sultana ◽  
Mariam Farooq

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the differentiated effects of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and social norms on individuals’ entrepreneurial intentions (EIs), through the mediation of attitude toward entrepreneurship, by integrating the framework of gender schema theory with the theory of planned behavior. The authors posit that different factors stimulate the EIs of males and females, through attitude toward entrepreneurship, in developing countries. Design/methodology/approach Data are collected from graduating students of South Asia’s largest university. Structural equation modeling is used for model testing. Findings The results show that perceived entrepreneurial self-efficacy has a greater effect on the attitude of males toward entrepreneurship than on the attitude of females, but perceived social norms have a greater effect on female attitude toward entrepreneurship. Attitude toward entrepreneurship has a positive impact on EIs. Originality/value This is the first study of its nature which demonstrates that the EIs of males and females are induced by different factors. Where the social norms are the major factors in determining the EIs of the females, self-efficacy plays a vital role in predicting the EIs of their male counterparts. This study also attempts to clarify the relationship between self-efficacy, social norms, and EIs by positing entrepreneurial attitude as mediator. Moreover, it brings a fresh perspective through its setting in South Asia. By testing a model in the cultural setting of a developing country, this study differentiates the research from that conducted in the developed world.


Author(s):  
Ampon-Wireko Sabina ◽  
Zhou Lulin ◽  
Asante Antwi Henry ◽  
Wireko Brobby Ebenezer

<p><strong>Background :</strong> Adverse health impacts of poor diet among the youth have become a subject of key concern for researchers and health professionals. Recently, studies proposed social norms and perceived as determinants of nutritional behavior among students. Empirical results from other literature evidenced the hypothesis that fruits and vegetable intake in students is affected by other perceived benefits. The objective of the study is to examine the role of social norms, perceived barriers and perceived benefits in fruits and vegetable intake among oversea students in China.</p> <p><strong>Method and Material : </strong>The subjects of the study include 411 foreign students in China with a structured questionnaire regarding perceived barriers, social norms and perceived benefits of fruits and vegetables intake. Hypotheses were practically tested and confirmed through Structural Equation Modeling.</p> <p><strong>Findings </strong>: The findings of the study show standardized estimates of the consumption of fruits and vegetable indicators among international students in China. Factor loading regarding path analysis clearly indicates that perceived barriers and social norms would cause a decline of fruits and vegetable intake while perceived benefits will help enhance fruits and vegetable intake.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion : </strong>The study concludes that, nutritional education programs targeting student groups should be encouraged for a positive behavior change and transformation of group norms and adherence to fruit and vegetable consumption.</p>


Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1151
Author(s):  
Edward Shih-Tse Wang ◽  
Yun-Hsuan Chu

Certified functional foods (CFFs) are approved by relevant authorities because of demonstrable efficacy. However, social norms affect consumer perceptions regarding CFFs, and their attitudes toward CFFs remain unclear. Drawing on social influence theory, this study explored how social norms (i.e., descriptive and injunctive) affect consumer perceptions and willingness to purchase CFFs. Consumers of CFFs in Taiwan were invited to participate in this study, and 398 valid questionnaires were received. Collected data were assessed through structural equation modeling. The results revealed that descriptive and injunctive norms exerted a positive effect on perceptions of the effectiveness of CFFs. However, although injunctive norms exerted a positive effect on consumer attitude, the effect of descriptive norms on attitude was not significant. Furthermore, consumer perceptions on the effectiveness of CFFs affected their attitude toward CFFs, consequently increasing their intention to purchase CFFs. This study contributes to the literature by providing insights into the relationship between social norms, perceived effectiveness, and attitudes regarding CFFs. The results of this study provide directions to CFF marketers for developing marketing strategies and establishing marketing communication strategies from the perspective of social influence.


2019 ◽  
Vol 149 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 2302S-2309S ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynnette M Neufeld ◽  
Armando García-Guerra ◽  
Amado D Quezada ◽  
Florence Théodore ◽  
Anabelle Bonvecchio Arenas ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTBackgroundDespite positive nutrition impacts, the prevalence of malnutrition among beneficiaries of Mexico's conditional cash transfer (CCT) program remains high. Greater nutrition impact may have been constrained by the type of nutritional supplements provided.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to inform a potential modification to the supplements distributed to pregnant and lactating women and children.MethodsImpact was assessed using 2 cluster-randomized trials (pregnant women, children) run simultaneously. Communities (n = 54) were randomly assigned to the fortified foods provided by the program (Nutrivida women, Nutrisano children) or alternatives: tablets (women), syrup (children), or micronutrient powders for women (MNP-W) and children (MNP-C). Each supplement for women/children contained the same micronutrients based on the formulations of Nutrivida and Nutrisano, respectively. Pregnant women (aged >18 y) were recruited before 25 weeks of gestation and followed to 3 mo postpartum. Children aged 6–12 mo were recruited and followed to age 24 mo. Primary outcomes were anemia for women and length growth for children. Statistical analyses appropriate for cluster-randomized designs were used, and structural equation modeling to estimate dose-response effects. Supplement costs per beneficiary (daily dose for 18 mo) were estimated for production and distribution.ResultsThere was no significant difference in change of anemia prevalence between supplement groups in women, or in length growth between groups in children. One daily dose of any supplement was associated with 0.8 cm greater length growth. From baseline to age 24 mo, the prevalence of anemia in the Nutrisano, syrup, and MNP-C groups decreased by 36.7, 40.8, and 37.9 percentage points, respectively (within-group, P < 0.05; between groups, P > 0.05). Costs per beneficiary ranged from $12.1 (MNP-C) to $94.8 (Nutrivida).ConclusionsThe CCT program could distribute alternative supplements at lower cost per beneficiary without compromising potential for impact. Acceptance among beneficiaries should also be considered in choice of alternatives. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00531674.


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