A systematic review on empowerment for healthy nutrition in health promotion

Abstract

Objective: The present review aimed to identify and synthesize studies that used an empowerment approach within the field of healthy nutrition. Design: A systematic review was conducted. Studies were identified by database searching (PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science and Psyndex). Searching, selecting and reporting were done according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) Statement. Setting: Health promotion including the subject of healthy nutrition. Subjects: Individuals from non-clinical populations. Results: A total of 1226 studies were screened for eligibility, eight studies were finally included. Three studies used the empowerment approach within a qualitative research paradigm and five studies within (quasi-) experimental intervention studies. Heterogeneity in settings, samples and evaluation methods was high. Most studies referred to the key message of empowerment, i.e. taking control over one's own life. However, the ways in which this key message was implemented in the interventions differed considerably. Conclusions: The number of studies included was very low. Furthermore, most studies had some limitations in terms of reporting how the empowerment approach was actually applied. The empowerment approach still seems to be unfamiliar within the field of healthy nutrition.

Empowering senior citizens for healthy nutrition in Germany: A pilot study

“…Other studies on empowerment interventions for healthy nutrition, as reviewed by Brandstetter et al. (), mainly focused on improvement of health literacy and measured outcomes like knowledge, attitudes and behaviour change. These approaches differ from the broader concept of empowerment focusing on bottom‐up activities and advocacy in our study.…”

“…The results were partly similar to our experience: For example, the group succeeded in advocating for their concerns (writing letters to local stores to complain about price inequalities), but it was not possible to hand over the full responsibility to the group members and continuous support of the researchers in terms of writing and office-work was necessary. Other studies on empowerment interventions for healthy nutrition, as reviewed by Brandstetter et al (2015), mainly focused on improvement of health literacy and measured outcomes like knowledge, attitudes and behaviour change. These approaches differ from the broader concept of empowerment focusing on bottom-up activities and advocacy in our study.…”

“…Real bottom-up projects addressing food and diets are scarce, since food activism mainly focuses on food justice, animal rights or organic agriculture (Wekerle, 2004). Only few studies have applied empowerment as a bottom-up approach with the aim of making diets healthier (Brandstetter, Ruter, Curbach, & Loss, 2015). The concept of empowerment, however, may be promising in addressing individual and environmental barriers to healthy nutrition (Koelen & Lindstrom, 2005) and in reaching those not reached by top-down approaches.…”

Development of meat-containing minced semi-finished products based on the locally produced raw materials

“…At present, it is a relevant task to develop the combined meat products that contain in their composition, along with meat raw material, other kinds of raw materials of animal and vegetable origin. To extend the range of products, scientists have conducted studies into the feasibility of technologies for full-fledged products [14][15][16] and foodstuffs with a preventative effect that include the alternative raw materials [17].…”

Co-construction et évaluation d’un programme de promotion de la santé pour conjuguer nutrition et budget au quotidien : les ateliers Opticourses

“…Les consommateurs ont une capacité limitée à analyser un ensemble d'informations et peuvent même être perturbés lorsqu'on leur en fournit trop[42]. A cet égard, en se concentrant sur les connaissances tacites (savoir-faire) plus que sur les connaissances explicites (savoirs), les ateliers Opticourses ont permis aux participants d'acquérir des connaissances pratiques aisément mobilisables et leur ont fourni les outils nécessaires pour une prise de décision rapide au moment de l'achat, ne nécessitant pas le recours à des raisonnements complexes.Différents rapports et études ont identifié les leviers pour qu'une intervention nutritionnelle soit efficace, notamment pour les personnes issues de milieux socioéconomiques défavorisés[17,18,20,[43][44][45][46][47]. Un rapport de l'OMS ayant évalué les preuves del'efficacité d'interventions sur l'alimentation et l'activité physique [18] a conclu que les interventions multidisciplinaires, adaptées au contexte local et impliquant les participants dans leur préparation et leur mise en place, étaient les plus efficaces.…”