Perceived barriers in trying to eat healthier – results of a pan-EU consumer attitudinal survey

Kearney, J. M.; McElhone, S.

doi:10.1017/s0007114599000987

Cited by 189 publications

(164 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Although cost is a recognised barrier to eating 'healthily' (Kearney & McElhone, 1999), the more prudent diets of the better educated women in this study do not seem to be simply a result of greater affluence. The estimated average weekly cost of the median diet of women with diet scores in the lowest quarter was d9.28 (priced at Tesco.com, using the cheapest options).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 52%

Impact of educational attainment on the quality of young women's diets

et al. 2004

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Objective: New findings, that relate poor foetal growth to long-term outcomes, highlight the need to understand more about the nature of women's diets before and during pregnancy. This study examines the influence of sociodemographic and anthropometric factors on the quality of the diets of young women in the UK. Design: Diet was assessed by an interviewer-administered food frequency questionnaire. A single diet score was calculated for each woman using the first component defined by principal components analysis. Setting: Southampton, UK. Subjects: A total of 6125 non pregnant women aged 20-34 y. Results: The diets of women with low diet scores were characterised by low intakes of fruit and vegetables, wholemeal bread, rice and pasta, yogurt, and breakfast cereals, but high intakes of chips and roast potatoes, sugar, white bread, red, and processed meat and full-fat dairy products. Educational attainment was the most important factor related to the diet score. In all, 55% (95% CI 50-59%) of women with no educational qualifications had scores in the lowest quarter of the distribution, compared with only 3% (95% CI 2-4%) of those who had a degree. Smoking, watching television, lack of strenuous exercise, and living with children were also associated with lower diet scores. After taking these factors into account, no other factor including social class, the deprivation score of the neighbourhood, or receipt of benefits added more than 1% to the variance in the diet score. Conclusions: Poor achievement at school defines a substantial group of women in the UK who may be vulnerable. Many of these women have poor diets that are not simply a result of the level of deprivation in their neighbourhood, or of living at a level of poverty that entitles them to benefits. We suggest that it is a priority to identify and to address the barriers that prevent these women from improving the quality of their diets.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 52%

Impact of educational attainment on the quality of young women's diets

et al. 2004

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“…The questionnaire was formulated from a review of the literature (Schwartz, 1992;Cox et al, 1998;Povey et al, 1999;Marks et al, 2001;Rutishauser et al, 2001;Ma et al, 2002), from questionnaires previously composed to examine beliefs about healthy eating Kearney and McElhone, 1999) and vegetarian diets (Lea and Worsley, 2003), and from focus groups conducted with Victorian consumers about plant foods (Lea et al, 2005). The main sections of the questionnaire relevant to this paper included: 1.…”

Section: The Questionnairementioning

confidence: 99%

Public views of the benefits and barriers to the consumption of a plant-based diet

2006

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Objective: The aim of this study was to examine consumers' perceived benefits and barriers to the consumption of a plant-based diet. Design: Mail survey that included questions on perceived benefits and barriers to the consumption of a plant-based diet. Setting: Victoria, Australia. Subjects: Four hundred and fifteen randomly selected Victorian adults. Results: The main perceived barrier to adoption of a plant-based diet was a lack of information about plant-based diets (42% agreement). Sex, age and education differences were present in over a quarter of the barrier items. For example, non-universityeducated respondents and older people were less willing to change their current eating pattern than were university educated and younger respondents. The main benefits associated with plant-based diets were health benefits, particularly decreased saturated fat intake (79% agreement), increased fibre intake (76%), and disease prevention (70%). Age, sex and education differences with regard to benefits were apparent, although sex differences were more important than age or education differences. Conclusions: The majority of respondents perceived there to be health benefits associated with the consumption of a plantbased diet. Compared with the proportion of respondents who agreed that there were particular benefits of eating a plant-based diet, perceived barriers were relatively low. An understanding of the perceived benefits and barriers of consuming a plant-based diet will help formulate strategies that aim to influence beliefs about plant foods, plant food consumption, and, ultimately, public health.

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“…Constraints to put FBDGs into practice are, however, many more than lack of knowledge or misunderstanding of FBDGs. FBDGs are mainly developed taking nutrition and epidemiological evidence into account 14 , while consumer perceptions and attitudes may not be reflected. FBDGs are rather a 'top-down' than a 'bottom-up' approach.…”

Section: Implementation Of Fbdgsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Food-based dietary guidelines and implementation: lessons from four countries – Chile, Germany, New Zealand and South Africa

Keller

Lang

2008

Public Health Nutr.

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Objective: Food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) are globally promoted as an important part of national food and nutrition policies. They are presented within policy as key features of the strategy to educate the public and guide policymakers and other stakeholders about a healthy diet. This paper examines the implementation of FBDGs in four countries: Chile, Germany, New Zealand and South Africa -diverse countries chosen to explore the realities of the FBDG within policy on public health nutrition. Design: A literature review was carried out, followed by interviews with representatives from the governmental, academic and private sector in all four countries. Results: In all four countries the FBDG is mainly implemented via written/ electronic information provided to the public through the health and/or education sector. Data about the impact of FBDGs on policy and consumers' food choice or dietary habits are incomplete; nutrition surveys do not enable assessment of how effective FBDGs are as a factor in dietary or behavioural change. Despite limitations, FBDGs are seen as being valuable by key stakeholders. Conclusion: FBDGs are being implemented and there is experience which should be built upon. The policy focus needs to move beyond merely disseminating FBDGs. They should be part of a wider public health nutrition strategy involving multiple sectors and policy levels. Improvements in the implementation of FBDGs are crucial given the present epidemic of chronic, non-communicable diseases. Chronic, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), especially cardiovascular diseases, cancers, obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus, kill more people every year than any other cause of death 1 . Four factors in the epidemiology of these diseases -poor diet, physical inactivity, tobacco and alcohol use -are of overwhelming importance to public health.To educate the public and inform policy-makers about a healthy diet, for many years food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) have been globally promoted as an important part of national food and nutrition policies. The Plan of Action endorsed at the 1992 International Conference on Nutrition called on governments to provide to the public 'qualitative and/or quantitative dietary guidelines relevant for different age groups and lifestyles and appropriate for the country's population' 2 . Based on this call, many countries have developed FBDGs for the population and/or subgroups of the population. More recently, the 2004 World Health Organization (WHO) Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health 3 encouraged governments to provide FBDGs in order to advise national nutrition policy, nutrition education, intersectoral interventions and collaborations. Effective implementation of FBDGs at population level and in policies is needed in order to contribute to halting the current NCD epidemic. MethodThe information in the present paper is based on a systematised literature review of FBDGs which shaped questions to be asked of key informants responsible for their implementation in di...

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Perceived barriers in trying to eat healthier – results of a pan-EU consumer attitudinal survey

Cited by 189 publications

References 10 publications

Impact of educational attainment on the quality of young women's diets

Impact of educational attainment on the quality of young women's diets

Public views of the benefits and barriers to the consumption of a plant-based diet

Food-based dietary guidelines and implementation: lessons from four countries – Chile, Germany, New Zealand and South Africa

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