Globalization and Food Prestige among Indian Adolescents

Basic human values drive food choice decision-making in different food environments of Kenya and Tanzania

Increased access to a variety of foods in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) has led to greater autonomy in food choice decision-making. Autonomy allows individuals to make decisions through negotiation of considerations in ways that are consistent with basic values. The aim of this study was to identify and describe how basic human values drive food choice in two diverse populations with transitioning food environments living in the neighboring East African countries of Kenya and Tanzania. Secondary data analysis was carried out on focus group discussions conducted with men and women in Kenya (n = 28) and Tanzania (n = 28) as part of prior studies on food choice. A priori coding based on Schwartz's theory of basic human values was conducted, followed by a narrative comparative analysis, which included review by original principal investigators. Values of conservation (security, conformity, tradition), openness to change (self-directed thought and action, stimulation, indulgence), self-enhancement (achievement, power, face), and self-transcendence (benevolence-dependability and -caring) were prominent drivers of food choice in both settings. Participants described how values were negotiated and highlighted existing tensions. For example, the value of tradition was cited as important in both settings but changing food contexts (e.g., new foods, diverse neighborhoods) increased prioritization of values like stimulation, indulgence, and self-directed thought and action. The application of a basic values framework was useful for understanding food choice in both settings. A focused understanding of how values drive food choice decision-making in the context of changing food availability in LMICs is essential for the promotion of sustainable healthy diets.

Food choice in transition: adolescent autonomy, agency, and the food environment

Dietary intake during adolescence sets the foundation for a healthy life, but adolescents are diverse in their dietary patterns and in factors that influence food choice. More evidence to understand the key diet-related issues and the meaning and context of food choices for adolescents is needed to increase the potential for impactful actions. The aim of this second Series paper is to elevate the importance given to adolescent dietary intake and food choice, bringing a developmental perspective to inform policy and programmatic actions to improve diets. We describe patterns of dietary intake, then draw on existing literature to map how food choice can be influenced by unique features of adolescent development. Pooled qualitative data is then combined with evidence from the literature to explore ways in which adolescent development can interact with sociocultural context and the food environment to influence food choice. Irrespective of context, adolescents have a lot to say about why they eat what they eat, and insights into factors that might motivate them to change. Adolescents must be active partners in shaping local and global actions that support healthy eating patterns. Efforts to improve food environments and ultimately adolescent food choice should harness widely shared adolescent values beyond nutrition or health.

A Direct Assessment of the External Domain of Food Environments in the National Capital Region of India

Data on food environments in India and other low- and middle-income countries are scarce. The objective of this study was to assess the four dimensions of the external domain of food environments (availability, price, vendor and product properties, and marketing) in food establishments in the National Capital Region of India. The assessment focused on fruits, vegetables, and ultra-processed foods. The 60 food establishments surveyed were categorized as stores, restaurants, or mobile food vendors. Only 13.3% of food establishments sold fruits and vegetables. Stores were more likely to sell vegetables than mobile food vendors (14.8 vs. 6.2%, respectively) and sold a greater variety of both fruits and vegetables as compared to mobile food vendors [mean (SD) of 8.6 (3.2) fruits and 18.6 (9.2) vegetables available at stores vs. 5.5 (5.7) fruits and 25 vegetables available at the one mobile food vendor who sold vegetables]. However, these healthy food items were more expensive at stores. The availability (100% of stores, 12.5% of mobile food vendors, and 12.5% of restaurants) and variety (156 types) of ultra-processed foods across food establishments were higher than fruits and vegetables. A greater percentage of food establishments displayed advertisements for ultra-processed foods as compared to unprocessed or minimally processed foods such as fruits and vegetables. The National Capital Region of India has an unhealthy food environment. Regulations that limit the availability of ultra-processed foods and improve the availability and affordability of fruits and vegetables are needed to reverse the rising tide of chronic non-communicable diseases in this setting.

Food Environment Research in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Scoping Review

Food environment research is increasingly gaining prominence in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, in the absence of a systematic review of the literature, little is known about the emerging body of evidence from these settings. This systematic scoping review aims to address this gap. A systematic search of 6 databases was conducted in December 2017 and retrieved 920 records. In total, 70 peer-reviewed articles met the eligibility criteria and were included. Collectively, articles spanned 22 LMICs, including upper-middle-income countries (n = 49, 70%) and lower-middle-income countries (n = 18, 26%). No articles included low-income countries. Articles featured quantitative (n = 45, 64%), qualitative (n = 17, 24%), and mixed-method designs (n = 11, 8%). Studies analyzed the food environment at national, community, school, and household scales. Twenty-three articles (55%) assessed associations between food environment exposures and outcomes of interest, including diets (n = 14), nutrition status (n = 13), and health (n = 1). Food availability was associated with dietary outcomes at the community and school scales across multiple LMICs, although associations varied by vendor type. Evidence regarding associations between the food environment and nutrition and health outcomes was inconclusive. The paucity of evidence from high-quality studies is a severe limitation, highlighting the critical need for improved study designs and standardized methods and metrics. Future food environment research must address low-income and lower-middle-income countries, and include the full spectrum of dietary, nutrition, and health outcomes. Improving the quality of food environment research will be critical to the design of feasible, appropriate, and effective interventions to improve public health nutrition in LMICs.

Peer Influence dan Konsumsi Makanan Cepat Saji Remaja di SMAN 6 Surabaya

 Background: Adolescent have the characteristics of wanting to be accepted by their peers. Peer influence can also affect consumption, one of which is consumption of fast food, either foreign or domestic. High peer influence has the possibility to make fast food consumption high.Objectives: This research was conducted to analyze the correlation between peer influence and consumption of fast food, foreign and domestic.Methods: This study was an observational analytic study with a cross sectional design on 136 adolescents in SMAN 6 Surabaya who were selected by clustered random sampling. Data collected were the respondent's background: gender, age, and daily pocket money. Respondents also filled a peer influence scale questionnaire and a food frequency questionnaire about fast food.Results: Most respondents had low peer influence (52.21%). The chi square correlation test revealed that there was a significant correlation between peer influence and consumption of French fries (p=0.016), beef burger (p=0.029), chicken burger (p=0.025), and waffle (p=0.014). There was no significant correlation between peer influence and any food from domestic fast food group.Conclusions: There was a correlation between several types of foreign fast food consumption and peer influence. Types of fast food that had a correlation with peer influence were French fries, beef burger, chicken burger, and waffle. Whereas no food from domestic fast food groups had a significant correlation with peer influence. This revealed that peer influence only affects certain fast food that has prestige value.ABSTRAKLatar Belakang: Remaja memiliki ciri-ciri ingin diterima oleh kelompok sosialnya (peer). Peer influence juga bisa memengaruhi konsumsi, salah satunya konsumsi makanan cepat saji, modern maupun tradisional. Peer influence yang tinggi memiliki kemungkinan untuk membuat konsumsi makanan cepat saji remaja menjadi tinggi.Tujuan: Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk menganalisis hubungan antara peer influence dan konsumsi makanan cepat saji, modern maupun tradisionalMetode: Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian observasional analitik dengan studi cross sectional pada 136 remaja di SMAN 6 Surabaya yang dipilih secara clustered random sampling. Data yang dikumpulkan adalah latar belakang responden berupa tinggi badan, berat badan, jenis kelamin, usia, serta uang saku harian. Selain itu, responden diminta mengisi peer influence scale questionnaire dan food frequency questionnaire.Hasil: Sebagain besar responden berstatus gizi gemuk (14%) dan memiliki peer influence sedang (50%). Uji korelasi chi square mengungkapkan adanya hubungan yang signifikan antara peer influence dan konsumsi spaghetti (p=0,007), fried chicken (p=0,009), french fries (p=0,008), beef burger (p=0,018), chicken burger (p=0,009), dan dimsum (p=0,046). Tidak ada makanan dari kelompok makanan cepat saji tradisional yang memiliki hubungan yang signifikan dengan peer influence.Kesimpulan: Terdapat hubungan antara konsumsi beberapa jenis makanan cepat saji modern dan peer influence. Jenis makanan cepat saji yang memiliki korelasi dengan peer influence yaitu spaghetti, fried chicken, french fries, beef burger, chicken burger, dan dimsum. Sedangkan tidak ada makanan dari kelompok makanan cepat saji tradisional yang memiliki hubungan yang signifikan dengan peer influence. Hal ini mengungkapkan bahwa peer influence hanya memengaruhi makanan cepat saji tertentu yang memiliki nilai prestige.

Midday Napping and Successful Aging in Older People Living in the Mediterranean Region: The Epidemiological Mediterranean Islands Study (MEDIS)

The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between midday napping, sleeping hours, and successful aging among 2564 older (65+ years) individuals living in the insular Mediterranean region. Anthropometric, clinical, and socio-demographic characteristics, dietary habits, and lifestyle parameters were derived through standard procedures, while successful aging was evaluated using the validated Successful Aging Index (SAI; range 0-10). Of the 2564 participants, 74% reported midday napping. The SAI score was 2.9/10 for non-midday nappers vs. 3.5/10 for midday nappers (p = 0.001). Midday nappers were more likely to be physically active (p = 0.01) and to have higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet (p = 0.02) compared to non-midday nappers. In a fully adjusted model, midday nappers had 6.7% higher SAI score compared to the rest (p < 0.001), and the effect of midday napping was more prominent among males and participants 80+ years of age. Further analysis indicated a significant U-shaped trend between sleeping hours/day and SAI score (p < 0.001), with 8-9 h total of sleep/day, midday napping included, proposed as optimal in achieving the best SAI score. Midday napping seems to be a beneficial habit that should be promoted and encouraged in older people.