Cognitive dissonance in food and nutrition – A conceptual framework

Dietary Habits and Race Day Strategies among Flexitarian, Vegetarian, and Vegan Recreational Endurance Runners: A Cross-Sectional Investigation from The NURMI Study (Step 2)

Many of today's recreational runners have changed their diet from omnivorous to vegetarian or vegan for reasons like better sport performance, animal ethics, positive health, eco-aspects, or male infertility. Others have constructed the flexitarian diet due to current trends in sustainable eating. The aim of this investigation was to analyze the dietary habits and race day strategies of recreational endurance runners following current sustainable dietary trends. Recreational endurance runners (18+ years) were invited to complete the standardized online survey on socio-demography/anthropometry, motivations, running/racing history, food frequency, and race day dietary strategy. Chi-squared tests and Wilcoxon tests were used for the statistical analysis. In total, 289 participants submitted the survey; 146 subjects following flexitarian (n = 34), vegetarian (n = 50), or vegan (n = 62) diets were included in the final sample. Significant differences were found across the diet types: BMI (p = 0.018), fruit/vegetable consumption (p < 0.001), and the dietary motive of performance (p = 0.045). The findings suggest that the flexitarian diet may be appropriate for health- and environmentally conscious populations living in a meat-centered society and lacking social support to eat completely vegetarian/vegan. Following a plant-based diet is perceived as easy for health-conscious, athletic populations, and the vegan diet does not require a particularly effortful/complex race day strategy for endurance runners.

Adults' Reaction to Public Health Messaging: Recall, Media Type, and Behavior Change Motivation

This paper focuses on effective messaging practices identified in data collected after 10 years of implementing a gain-framed messaging campaign encouraging healthier behaviors in middle-aged and older adults. In Study 1, we measured message recall and intended health behaviors in an intercept survey of 733 adults. Binary logistic regression indicated that women were more likely than men to report intent to change behavior. Recalling messages from billboards or fliers was associated with a lower likelihood of intended behavior change, and media type was associated with intended behavior for those who saw the message online (reducing screen time) or on television (increasing physical activity and ceasing smoking). Study 2 focused on adult generational differences in response to the campaign and types of media used to access information. Data from an intercept survey of 604 clients at agencies serving low-income adults were segmented into three age groups: under 35, ages 35-54, and ages 55+. Recall and reaction to campaign materials differed by age group, and the influence of life stage factors and health costs varied across age groups. Television and newspapers were most frequently reported by the oldest group, and social media and online news/blogs were most frequently chosen by the youngest group. Campaign response of adults older than age 35 aligned with goals of improving health behaviors. Together, these studies indicate that diffuse messaging strategies may raise overall awareness, and targeted strategies may be more influential in motivating behavior change. Influential factors and media should be differentially leveraged to target different age cohorts of adults.

A value chain analysis of interventions to control production diseases in the intensive pig production sector

Value chain analysis (VCA) calculated the financial effects on food chain actors of interventions to improve animal health and welfare in the intensive pig sector. Two interventions to reduce production diseases were studied. A generic chain diagram of linkages between stakeholders and value-added dimensions was designed. Data on structure and financial performance were collected for the sector. The production parameters and financial effects of the interventions were then described to illustrate impact on the supply chain. The effects of the interventions were also assessed at market level using economic welfare analysis. The sectors in Finland and the UK are small in farm numbers and few companies produced much of the output in a largely vertically-integrated structure. The most beneficial intervention in financial terms to farmers was improved hygiene in pig fattening (around +50% in gross margin). It was calculated to reduce the consumer price for pig meat by up to 5% when applied at large, whereas for improved management measures, it would reduce consumer price by less than 0.5%. However, the latter added value also through food quality attributes. We show that good hygiene and animal care can add value. However, evaluation of the financial and social viability of the interventions is needed to decide what interventions are adopted. The structure of supply chains influences which policy measures could be applied. Of the two interventions, improved pig hygiene had the largest potential to improve efficiency and reduce costs. The studied interventions can also provide new business opportunities to farms, slaughterhouses and food sector companies. More evidence is needed to support public policies and business decision-making in the sector. For this, evidence on consumer attitudes to production diseases is needed. Nevertheless, the study makes an important contribution by showing how improvements in health and welfare benefit the whole chain.

Exploring the Role of Grandparents in the Feeding of Grandchildren Aged 1-5 Years

OBJECTIVE

Early childhood is a crucial time for the development of eating behaviors and food preferences. With increased labor force participation by Australian mothers of young children, grandparents are acting as the main informal carers of grandchildren. Therefore, grandparents have the capacity to influence the feeding of young children and thus their eating behaviors.

DESIGN

Eleven semistructured qualitative interviews.

SETTING

Suburban Adelaide, South Australia.

PARTICIPANTS

Grandparents (n = 11; 9 grandmothers and 2 grandfathers).

PHENOMENON OF INTEREST

To gain insight into grandparental perspectives, beliefs, and opinions regarding the feeding of grandchildren aged 1-5 years.

ANALYSIS

Interviews were manually transcribed and coded, and codes were synthesized into common themes.

RESULTS

Four major themes emerged: (1) intergenerational differences (between grandparents and parents); (2) maintaining familial relationships; (3) treating grandchildren with food, and (4) nutritional efficacy. Grandparents thoughtfully managed familial relations, including intergenerational differences, in relation to feeding grandchildren. They showed some cognitive dissonance with regard to provision of treat foods (defined as discretionary foods) in which grandparents simultaneously prioritized healthy foods and treats.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Grandparents' social role in the complex psychosocial space of child feeding warrants serious recognition and deeper understanding to engage them fully as stakeholders in children's nutritional health.