‘Eating to survive’: A qualitative analysis of factors influencing food choice and eating behaviour in a food-insecure population

Puddephatt, Jo-Anne; Keenan, Gregory S.; Fielden, Amy; Reaves, Danielle L.; Halford, Jason C.G.; Hardman, Charlotte A.

doi:10.1016/j.appet.2019.104547

Cited by 87 publications

(81 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Our survey could not justify why the eating and purchasing habits of the unemployed and older adult participants were least affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This finding is contrary to the outcome of a qualitative study conducted in England, where all the participants whose eating behaviours were greatly affected before the COVID-19 pandemic were not in employment [ 31 ]. However, the social assistance supports received from the government could have helped them to maintain their dietary behaviours [ 32 , 33 ].…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 86%

Exploring the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Eating and Purchasing Behaviours of People Living in England

2021

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Consumers’ eating habits have changed significantly due to the anxiety and boredom from the reported cases and deaths of COVID-19, the change in work patterns, controlled food shopping, and the inability to meet loved ones during the lockdown. The magnitude of these changes in the eating behaviours and purchasing habits of consumers varies across different groups of people. This study provides empirical evidence of the effects of COVID-19 on the eating and purchasing behaviours of people living in England, which was assessed based on sociodemographic variables. A total of 911 participants were recruited by a market research company, while only 792 useable responses were included in this study. The participants, aged between 18 and 91 years, completed an online questionnaire, and the data were analysed using ordinal regression. Data were collected between October and December 2020. Male participants constituted 34.60%, females 63.89%, and others (other gender and those who prefer not to declare their gender) were 0.63%. The majority of participants’ ages fell into the ranges of 23–38 and 39–54. Participants aged 23 to 38 years had the greatest effect of COVID-19 on their purchasing decision of healthier foods, while participants in the age groups 55–73 and 74–91 were least affected. The amount of foods purchased during the pandemic decreased with increasing age. The amount of foods purchased by students, people in employment, and people from minority ethnic groups were greatly affected by the pandemic. All participants who stated that taking food supplements is not important during the pandemic were from the White ethnic group. The effects of the pandemic on purchasing healthier foods were greater in younger generations and participants in full- or part-time employment than participants who were retired and who were aged above 55. The participants with higher educational qualifications and those from minority ethnic groups were also more affected by the pandemic. We suggest further studies to monitor any changes in the effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on the eating and purchasing behaviours of consumers.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 86%

Exploring the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Eating and Purchasing Behaviours of People Living in England

2021

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“…Studies have investigated the interactions among environmental, social and psychological factors influencing food choices (Puddephatt et al, 2020;Wertheim-Heck & Raneri, 2019;Buttriss et al, 2004). Nonetheless, Sobal and Bisogni (2009) state that food choices are still not fully understood.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mothers' food choices and consumption of ultra-processed foods in the Brazilian Amazon: A grounded theory study

et al. 2020

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This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.

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“…Greater use of UK front-of-pack food labelling by those from more affluent backgrounds, compared with those from disadvantaged backgrounds, is acknowledged [ 64 ]. Also, evidence of the effectiveness of front-of-pack labelling is mainly generated using simulated conditions and does not consider financial aspects of purchasing behaviour: a strong driver for those experiencing food and time poverty [ 65 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A critique of the English national policy from a social determinants of health perspective using a realist and problem representation approach: the ‘Childhood Obesity: a plan for action’ (2016, 2018, 2019)

et al. 2021

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Background The UK government released Chapter 1 of the ‘Childhood Obesity: a plan for action’ (2016), followed by Chapter 2 (2018) and preliminary Chapter 3 was published for consultation in 2019 (hereon collectively ‘The Policy’). The stated policy aims were to reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity in England, addressing disparities in health by reducing the gap (approximately two-fold) in childhood obesity between those from the most and least deprived areas. Methods Combining a realist approach with an analysis of policy discourses, we analysed the policies using a social determinants of health (SDH) perspective (focusing on socio-economic inequalities). This novel approach reveals how the framing of policy ‘problems’ leads to particular approaches and interventions. Results While recognising a social gradient in relation to obesity measures, we critique obesity problem narratives. The Policy included some upstream, structural approaches (e.g. restrictions in food advertising and the soft-drinks industry levy). However, the focus on downstream individual-level behavioural approaches to reduce calorie intake and increase physical activity does not account for the SDH and the complexity and contestedness of ‘obesity’ and pays insufficient attention to how proposals will help to reduce inequalities. Our findings illustrate that individualising of responsibility to respond to what wider evidence shows is structural inequalities, can perpetuate damaging narratives and lead to ineffective interventions, providing caution to academics, practitioners and policy makers (local and national), of the power of problem representation. Our findings also show that the problem framing in The Policy risks reducing important public health aims to encourage healthy diets and increase opportunities for physical activity (and the physical and mental health benefits of both) for children to weight management with a focus on particular children. Conclusions We propose an alternative conceptualisation of the policy ‘problem’, that obesity rates are illustrative of inequality, arguing there needs to be policy focus on the structural and factors that maintain health inequalities, including poverty and food insecurity. We hope that our findings can be used to challenge and strengthen future policy development, leading to more effective action against health inequalities and intervention-generated inequalities in health.

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‘Eating to survive’: A qualitative analysis of factors influencing food choice and eating behaviour in a food-insecure population

Cited by 87 publications

References 27 publications

Exploring the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Eating and Purchasing Behaviours of People Living in England

Exploring the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Eating and Purchasing Behaviours of People Living in England

Mothers' food choices and consumption of ultra-processed foods in the Brazilian Amazon: A grounded theory study

A critique of the English national policy from a social determinants of health perspective using a realist and problem representation approach: the ‘Childhood Obesity: a plan for action’ (2016, 2018, 2019)

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