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Food Consumption Determinants and Barriers for Healthy Eating

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A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrition and Public Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 November 2023) | Viewed by 30758

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. João Lima

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Guest Editor

H&TRC—Health and Technology Research Center, Coimbra Health School, Polytechnic University of Coimbra, 3046-854 Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: nutrition; human nutrition; nutrition assessment; food and nutrition; public health; food security
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Samuel Durán-Agüero

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Guest Editor

Facultad de Ciencias Para el Cuidado de la Salud, Universidad San Sebastián, Sede Los Leones, Lota 2465, Providencia, Santiago 7500000, Chile
Interests: nutritional status; obesity prevention; food consumption patterns; dietary intervention; public health nutrition; food security
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Globalization has caused drastic changes in food patterns within the last decade. These changes resulted in a reduction in the prevalence of malnutrition along with a widespread increase in prevalence of overweight and obesity. An unhealthy lifestyle is one of the major risk factors for chronic diseases in developed countries. Consumer behaviors play a prominent role in the etiology of several chronic non-communicable diseases, including obesity, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular diseases, among others, whose prevalence tends to stand still, or even increase.

A wide variety of social, cultural, and economic factors may influence dietary patterns. Intra-individual determinants, such as physiological and psychological factors, acquired food preferences, and knowledge about nutrition can be distinguished from interpersonal or social factors, such as influence of family and partners.

Several studies concluded that individuals who identified a higher number of barriers for healthier eating habits correspond to those with worse habits. The main factors identified by consumers as barriers for healthy eating were lack of time, poor cooking skills, food price, or the lack of healthy choices at food service units.

This Special Issue aims to provide new insights on:

Epidemiological data worldwide regarding food consumption determinants;

Socio-economic determinants;
Dietary factors implied in barriers for healthy eating;
Lifestyles associated with healthy eating;
Public health policies, focused in healthy eating;
The target population for educational programs.

Dr. João Lima
Dr. Samuel Durán-Agüero
Guest Editors

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Keywords

food consumption determinants
barriers for healthy eating
food patterns
food environment
eating behaviour

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 481 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Deserts, Swamps and Food Oases: Mapping around the Schools in Bahia, Brazil and Implications for Ensuring Food and Nutritional Security

by Fabiana Chagas Oliveira de França, Renata Puppin Zandonadi, Iana Mendes de Almeida Moreira, Izabel Cristina Rodrigues da Silva and Rita de Cassia Coelho de Almeida Akutsu

Nutrients 2024, 16(1), 156; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16010156 - 3 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2021

Abstract

Deserts, swamps and food oases terms have been used to characterize the food environment according to the identified food availability. Food swamps are defined as neighborhoods with a predominance of food establishments selling ultra-processed foods compared to establishments selling healthy options. In contrast, food oases are areas with easy access to healthy and nutritious foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and other fresh foods. Food deserts describe densely populated urban areas where residents face difficulty obtaining healthy food. In this context, this work aimed to map deserts, swamps, and food oases around federal schools in Bahia, Brazil, emphasizing the importance of implementing the Brazilian National School Feeding Program (PNAE) in these schools, to guarantee food security and nutrition. An ecological study was carried out in all 35 federal schools in Bahia, Brazil, using an 800 m buffer analysis, with the school as the centroid. The geographic coordinates of schools and food establishments were initially obtained using Google Maps and later confirmed onsite. To evaluate food deserts and swamps, the methodology proposed by the CDC was used and the Modified Retail Food Environment Index (mRFEI) was calculated; when the result was equal to zero, the surrounding area was considered a food desert and values between 0.01 and 20 determined food swamps; for values above 20, the neighborhood was classified as mixed. Food oases were considered regions containing at least one supermarket within the analyzed buffer. Descriptive analyses were carried out with frequency measurements, measures of central tendency (mean and median) and dispersion (standard deviation). The food environment of schools was compared considering the number of students impacted, the area where the school was located (urban or rural) and the size of the municipalities. The average number of food establishments found was 22.39 (±13.03), with the highest averages for snack bars (7.33 ± 4.43), grocery stores (5.83 ± 4.09) and restaurants (2.94 ± 2.19). Food deserts and mixed environments were identified in 40% of the sample, while swamps represented 20% and oases 65%. An association was observed between food deserts and social vulnerability, making it necessary to emphasize the importance of adequate implementation of the PNAE in these schools to reduce food and nutritional insecurity, guaranteeing the human right to adequate and healthy food and providing better nutrition and health perspectives within the school environment and impact on students’ lives through food and nutrition education actions, which are also part of the context of PNAE activities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Consumption Determinants and Barriers for Healthy Eating)

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19 pages, 1994 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How Does Energy Intake Change in China? A Life Cycle Perspective

by Guojing Li, Yulin Li, Qiyou Luo, Hongwei Lu, Runqi Lun and Yongfu Chen

Nutrients 2024, 16(1), 43; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16010043 - 21 Dec 2023

Viewed by 1306

Abstract

China’s population is showing the characteristics of “fewer children” and “aging”, which will have a long-term and far-reaching impact on the food and nutritional needs of China and the world. In this paper, adult equivalent scale (AES) variables representing the household population structure were introduced into the energy intake model to quantify the impact of population structure changes on energy intake and reveal the characteristics of energy intake changes in the life cycle of Chinese residents. It is found that the change in the population structure has a significant impact on the energy intake of urban households in China, and the elasticity is 0.446. The energy intake of Chinese elderly over the age of 60 shows a trend of first increasing and then decreasing, especially after the age of 65, which indicates that the aging will promote a decline in food consumption in China. The energy intake of 1–10-year-old children, 22–30 year old, and 40–45 year old women all showed a change of first a decrease and then an increase, which may be related to parents’ care for young children and women with children’s management of body size. The average household size expressed by the adult equivalent scales of energy consumption is 2.341, which is smaller than the 3.052 calculated by the population number. The conclusion indicates that the prediction of the food and nutritional demand should be adjusted according to the changes and differences in accordance with the intensification of “fewer children” and “aging”, as well as the life cycle changes in residents’ energy intake, which is conducive to the formulation of food and nutrition security policies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Consumption Determinants and Barriers for Healthy Eating)

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15 pages, 2030 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dietary Fibre Intake in Chile: 13 Years after the Last National Report

by Carla Guzmán-Pincheira, Jonathan Espinoza, Samuel Durán-Agüero, Ana María Obregón and Fabiola Fuentealba

Nutrients 2023, 15(17), 3671; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15173671 - 22 Aug 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2346

Abstract

Background: The objective is to provide updated data on the intake of total dietary fibre in the population residing in Chile and to identify food sources that contribute most to its intake, as well as its association with different sociodemographic and nutritional status-related determinants. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, a nationwide survey was applied to determine fibre intake using an instrument that has been previously validated in the resident population of Chile. Results: The sample consisted of a total of 1761 participants. Dietary fibre intake was 12.8 ± 7.1 g/day for the total population, and 90% of participants did not meet the recommendation, with no differences in consumption by sex, geographical area, and the urban/rural population. A lower consumption was found among participants with overweight and obesity. According to food groups, bread was the major contributor to fibre intake, providing 4.39 ± 3.05 g/day, followed by cereals (2.26 ± 2.80 g/day) and vegetables (1.85 ± 1.59 g/day). Conclusions: 90% of the population consume less fibre than recommended, and bread is the main food source; these data are critical for the development of strategies that are aimed at changing habits in order to improve diet quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Consumption Determinants and Barriers for Healthy Eating)

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14 pages, 999 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring Ethical, Ecological, and Health Factors Influencing the Acceptance of Cultured Meat among Generation Y and Generation Z

by Lucie Pilařová, Tereza Balcarová, Ladislav Pilař, Lucie Kvasničková Stanislavská, Joanna Rosak-Szyrocka, Jana Pitrová, Pavel Moulis and Roman Kvasnička

Nutrients 2023, 15(13), 2935; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15132935 - 28 Jun 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3035

Abstract

Growing research and technological development is making the commercial production of cultured meat as a sustainable alternative to livestock-derived meat an increasing reality. However, to competitively position cultured meat on the food market, appropriate marketing and communication tailored to specific demographics is required. We aimed to define the motives that influence the willingness to include cultured meat in consumption based on age, specifically in Generation Z and Generation Y. To achieve this, data from a questionnaire survey that asked about ethical, ecological and health and safety factors around cultured meat was collected from 740 respondents (301 Generation Z and 439 Generation Y) and analyzed using the Mann–Whitney test and structural equation modeling. Generation Z were significantly more likely than Generation Y (p < 0.05) to consider cultured meat healthier than conventional meat because of the possibility of adjusting the composition and nutrient content. Generation Z were also significantly less concerned than Generation Y (p < 0.05) about the consequences that consuming cultured meat might have on human health. In Generation Z, ethical, ecological and health and safety factors significantly influenced their willingness to consume cultured meat (all p < 0.01). In conclusion, we confirmed the influence of ecological and ethical awareness, as well as health and safety, on willingness to include cultured meat in consumption; these areas could be targeted when marketing cultured meat. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Consumption Determinants and Barriers for Healthy Eating)

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14 pages, 305 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Diet Quality among Pre-Adolescent African American Girls in a Randomized Controlled Obesity Prevention Intervention Trial

by Debbe Thompson, Yiming Mirabile, Noemi Islam, Chishinga Callender, Salma M. A. Musaad, Julie Miranda, Jennette P. Moreno, Jayna M. Dave and Tom Baranowski

Nutrients 2023, 15(12), 2716; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15122716 - 12 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2417

Abstract

Consuming an unhealthy diet increases health risks. This study assessed the impact of a culturally adapted behaviorally innovative obesity prevention intervention (The Butterfly Girls and the Quest for Founder’s Rock) on diet quality in pre-adolescent non-Hispanic Black/African American girls. The RCT consisted of three groups (experimental, comparison, and waitlist control); block randomization allocated participants to each group. The two treatment groups varied in terms of whether or not they set goals. Data were collected at baseline (prior to receiving the intervention), post 1 (3 months post-baseline), and post 2 (6 months post-baseline). Two dietitian-assisted 24 h dietary recalls were collected at each timepoint. Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI-2015) was used to determine diet quality. A total of 361 families were recruited; 342 completed baseline data collection. No significant differences in overall HEI score or component scores were observed. To attain more equitable health outcomes, future efforts to promote dietary intake change among at-risk children should explore other behavior change procedures and employ more child-friendly dietary assessment methods. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Consumption Determinants and Barriers for Healthy Eating)

10 pages, 303 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of Consumption of Pulses in Two Seasons of the Year in Chile

by Claudia Barrientos-De la Rosa, Samuel Duran-Aguero, María José Mardones, Yadira Morejón, Paula García-Milla, Pablo Albornoz, Ximena Torres and Leslie Landaeta-Díaz

Nutrients 2023, 15(11), 2635; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15112635 - 5 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1769

Abstract

Background: In Chile, the consumption of legumes at least two times per week is promoted. However, there is a low consumption of legumes. Therefore, our objective is to describe legume consumption in two different seasonal periods. Methods: Serial cross-sectional study: surveys were distributed during summer and winter using different digital platforms. Frequency of consumption, purchase access, and preparation type were investigated. Results: In total, 3280 adults were surveyed in summer and 3339 in winter. The mean age was 33 years. Totals of 97.7% and 97.5% of the population reported consuming legumes in both periods; consumption increased to 3 times per week during winter. In both periods, the main reason for their preference is that they are delicious and nutritious, followed by their use as a meat substitute; the main barriers to their consumption in both periods are that they are expensive (29% in summer and 27.8% in winter) and difficult to prepare. Conclusion: A good consumption of legumes was observed, but with a higher frequency of consumption during winter, with an intake of ≥1 per day; additionally, differences were found in purchases according to season, although no differences were found in the method of preparation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Consumption Determinants and Barriers for Healthy Eating)

12 pages, 641 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Food Consumption of People with Sickle Cell Anemia in a Middle-Income Country

by Tamara Vilhena Teixeira, Ana Carolina Feldenheimer Da Silva, Cláudia dos Santos Cople Rodrigues, Flávia dos Santos Barbosa Brito, Daniela Silva Canella and Marta Citelli

Nutrients 2023, 15(6), 1478; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15061478 - 19 Mar 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3395

Abstract

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a genetic and hemolytic disease globally characterized by social vulnerability. Food consumption has been insufficiently analyzed in SCA. Secondary iron overload is often observed. This leads to unreliable recommendations for dietary iron restriction. We assessed food consumption and iron intake among adults with SCA. Considering the guidelines for healthy eating, foods were grouped according to the NOVA classification. This transversal study included 74.4% of eligible patients who were registered in the reference center for SCA treatment in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2019. Data on food consumption were collected through 24 h recall. The monthly household income of 82.3% of patients was less than $770. The consumption of fresh or minimally processed foods was directly associated with monthly household income (p < 0.0001; η₂ = 0.87). Ultra-processed foods provided more than one-third of the total energy intake (35.2%). The prevalence of inadequate iron intake was about 40% among women, while that of iron intake above the tolerable upper limit was 0.8%. People from lower socioeconomic classes had the lowest iron intake. Strategies to encourage the consumption of fresh or minimally processed foods are needed considering the requirement of an antioxidant diet in SCA. These findings highlight the need for health equity to ensure food security and healthy eating in SCA. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Consumption Determinants and Barriers for Healthy Eating)

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13 pages, 896 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nutritional Intake Differences in Combinations of Carbohydrate-Rich Foods in Pirapó, Republic of Paraguay

by Yuko Caballero, Konomi Matakawa, Ai Ushiwata, Tomoko Akatsuka and Noriko Sudo

Nutrients 2023, 15(5), 1299; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15051299 - 6 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2467

Abstract

A national strategy for obesity prevention has been promoted in Paraguay, reflecting the situation where half of adults and 23.4% of children (under 5 years old) are overweight. However, the detailed nutritional intake of the population has not yet been studied, especially in rural areas. Therefore, this study aimed to identify obesity-causing factors in Pirapó by analyzing the results from a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and one-day weighed food records (WFRs). From June to October 2015, 433 volunteers (200 males and 233 females) completed the FFQ with 36 items and one-day WFRs. Body mass index (BMI) positively correlated with the consumption of sandwiches, hamburgers, and bread and with age and diastolic blood pressure, although pizza and fried bread (pireca) had a negative correlation in males (p < 0.05). BMI positively correlated with systolic blood pressure, whereas it negatively correlated with the consumption of cassava and rice in females (p < 0.05). The FFQ revealed that fried food with wheat flour was consumed once a day. WFRs showed that 40% of meals consisted of two or more carbohydrate-rich dishes, significantly higher in energy, lipids, and sodium than those containing only one carbohydrate-rich dish. These results imply that less oily wheat dish consumption and healthy combinations of dishes should be considered for obesity prevention. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Consumption Determinants and Barriers for Healthy Eating)

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11 pages, 1261 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impacts of a Multi-Professional Family versus Isolated Intervention on Food Level Processing in Overweight Adolescents: A Randomized Trial

by Déborah C. S. Marques, Willian C. Ferreira, Isabella C. Santos, Joed J. Ryal, Marilene G. S. Marques, Fabiano M. Oliveira, Rute G. Milani, Jorge Mota, Pablo Valdés-Badilla and Braulio H. M. Branco

Nutrients 2023, 15(4), 935; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15040935 - 13 Feb 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3203

Abstract

The food consumption of adolescents has changed nowadays, with an increase in ultra-processed food that in general shows higher calories and lower nutrients. Because of this, the objective of this study was to investigate the impacts of a 12-week multi-professional family versus isolated intervention on the food level processing of overweight adolescents. A randomized clinical trial study was carried out in which adolescents (n = 43; mean aged 13.73 years) who were divided into FG—family group (n = 21; the adolescents performed the activities with their parents) and IG—isolated group (n = 22; the adolescents performed the activities alone). The parameters measured before and after 12 weeks of multi-professional intervention (physical exercise, nutrition and psychoeducation) were: body mass, height and body mass index-BMI. The level of food processing was analyzed using a three-day food recall (24hR), classified according to the Food Guide for the Brazilian Population (fresh, minimally, processed and ultra-processed foods). The main results show that there was only a significant reduction in the consumption of processed foods (FG: 7.93%; IG: 49.73%) and ultra-processed foods (FG: 35.06%; IG: 67.16%) in grams (FG: 22.29%; IG: 65.23%) and calories (p < 0.05; for all comparisons). The consumption of fresh foods in grams (FG:61.97%; IG: 147.13%) and calories (FG: 147.13%; IG: 118.03%) and minimally processed foods (FG: 27.45%; IG: 14.64%) in grams increased significantly (p < 0.05; for all comparisons). However, no significant differences were observed between all variables analyzed for the groups, nor any interaction (p > 0.05). In conclusion, both groups who participated in the activities showed positive changes with increased consumption of fresh foods and reduced consumption of processed foods, without difference between them. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Consumption Determinants and Barriers for Healthy Eating)

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Review

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31 pages, 1059 KiB

Open AccessReview

Family Mealtimes: A Systematic Umbrella Review of Characteristics, Correlates, Outcomes and Interventions

by Sarah Snuggs and Kate Harvey

Nutrients 2023, 15(13), 2841; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15132841 - 22 Jun 2023

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 6711

Abstract

Systematic reviews have examined the multitude of studies investigating family mealtimes and their importance to child/adolescent health and psychosocial outcomes, but the focus of each is limited to specific aspects of family meals (e.g., frequency) and/or specific outcomes (e.g., nutrition). Their findings require synthesis and so a systematic umbrella review was undertaken. Databases were searched to identify systematic reviews (with or without meta-analysis/meta-synthesis) addressing at least one of the following questions: what are the characteristics and/or correlates of family mealtimes; what outcomes are associated with family mealtimes; are interventions aimed at promoting family mealtimes effective? Forty-one eligible reviews were retrieved. Their findings demonstrate that families with children/adolescents typically eat together at least a few days each week. More frequent family meals are predicted by a more positive mealtime environment, more positive attitudes towards family meals, the presence of younger children, and families having more time. Greater family meal frequency protects children/adolescents against a poorer diet, obesity, risk behaviours, poorer mental health and wellbeing, and poorer academic outcomes. Findings from interventions seeking to promote family mealtimes are mixed. This umbrella review provides a comprehensive and integrated understanding of research into family mealtimes, establishing where evidence is sound and where further research is needed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Consumption Determinants and Barriers for Healthy Eating)

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