1
|
Keat J, Dharmayani PNA, Mihrshahi S. Benchmarking the university campus food environment and exploring student perspectives about food insecurity and healthy eating: a case study from Australia. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1245. [PMID: 38711106 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18664-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To benchmark the university food environment and explore students' experiences with food insecurity and healthy eating in order to inform interventions to improve access and affordability of healthy foods for university students. DESIGN A food environment audit was conducted on the university campus using the Uni-Food tool from April to May 2022 and was comprised of three main components, university systems and governance, campus facilities and environment, and food retail outlets. A qualitative study design was also used to conduct focus groups and semi-structured interviews with students to explore key themes regarding their experiences with food insecurity and healthy eating. SETTING Macquarie University, Australia. PARTICIPANTS For the food environment audit 24 retail outlets on campus and for the qualitative component 29 domestic and international students enrolled at Macquarie University. RESULTS The university only scored 27% in total for all components in the food environment audit. The results showed the need for better governance and leadership of the food environment. The qualitative component suggested that the main barriers to accessing healthy foods were related to availability, pricing, and knowledge of healthy foods. Future intervention ideas included free fruits and vegetables, food relief, discounts, improved self-catering facilities, education, and increased healthy food outlets. CONCLUSIONS Improving governance measures related to healthy eating on campus are a core priority to strengthen the food environment and students identified pricing and availability as key issues. These findings will inform effective and feasible interventions to improve food security and healthy eating on campus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jemma Keat
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Level 3, 75 Talavera Road, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia.
| | - Putu Novi Arfirsta Dharmayani
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Level 3, 75 Talavera Road, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Seema Mihrshahi
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Level 3, 75 Talavera Road, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chammas N, Brytek-Matera A, Tornquist D, Barreto Schuch F, Bitar Z, Malaeb D, Fawaz M, Fekih-Romdhane F, Hallit S, Obeid S, Soufia M. Profiles of intuitive eating in adults: the role of self-esteem, interoceptive awareness, and motivation for healthy eating. BMC Psychiatry 2024; 24:288. [PMID: 38632564 PMCID: PMC11022488 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05722-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Intuitive eating is an eating behavior that has recently come to use mainly in the young population. Knowing that the Lebanese cultural diet differs from other countries, the purpose of this study was to investigate if there is a relationship between self-esteem, interoceptive awareness, and motivation for healthy eating in a sample of Lebanese adults using a Latent Profile Analysis approach. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING Lebanese governorates. PARTICIPANTS 359 Lebanese participants enrolled in this study (mean age: 22.75 ± 7.04 years, 40.1% males), through convenience sampling in several Lebanese governorates. Participants were asked to fill anonymously the following scales: The Intuitive Eating Scale (IES-2), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness Scale (MAIA), and the Motivation for Healthy Eating Scale (MHES). RESULTS Our findings revealed four profiles: profile 1 (n = 67; 18.66%) characterized by high SE and intermediate interoceptive awareness and motivation for healthy eating; profile 2 (n = 86; 23.97%) presented high SE, interoceptive awareness, and motivation for healthy eating; profile 3 (n = 86; 23.96%) characterized by high SE, interoceptive awareness, and motivation for healthy eating; class 4 (n = 108; 30.08) described by low SE, intermediate interoceptive awareness, and motivation for healthy eating One-way analysis of variance did not observe a significant difference between the four profiles based on intuitive eating (F = 1.810; p = 0.145; ɳp2 = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS Among a sample of Lebanese people, four profiles of interoceptive awareness, motivation for healthy eating, and self-esteem were observed, with no difference concerning intuitive eating.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Chammas
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Jounieh, P.O. Box 446, Lebanon
| | - Anna Brytek-Matera
- Eating Behavior Laboratory (EAT Lab), Institute of Psychology, University of Wrocław, 50-527, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Debora Tornquist
- Department of Sports Methods and Techniques, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Felipe Barreto Schuch
- Department of Sports Methods and Techniques, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
- Institute of Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Institute of Health Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Providência, Chile
| | - Zeinab Bitar
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé environnement et travail)-, UMR_S 1085, F-35000, Rennes, France
| | - Diana Malaeb
- College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mirna Fawaz
- College of Health Sciences, American University of the Middle East, Kuwait, Kuwait
| | - Feten Fekih-Romdhane
- The Tunisian Center of Early Intervention in Psychosis, Department of Psychiatry "Ibn Omrane", Razi hospital, 2010, Manouba, Tunisia
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Souheil Hallit
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Jounieh, P.O. Box 446, Lebanon.
- Applied Science Research Center, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan.
| | - Sahar Obeid
- Social and Education Sciences Department, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Jbeil, Lebanon.
| | - Michel Soufia
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Jounieh, P.O. Box 446, Lebanon
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Jurado-Gonzalez P, Xavier Medina F, Bach-Faig A. Barriers to home food preparation and healthy eating among university students in Catalonia. Appetite 2024; 194:107159. [PMID: 38103793 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2023.107159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Despite college being a critical life stage for developing enduring healthy dietary behaviours, Spanish university students show poor adherence to a healthy diet. Since research has shown an association between home cooking and healthy eating, the aim of this study was to analyse the main barriers that influence home food preparation and healthy eating among students at three Catalan universities. Focus groups, the photovoice technique and a validated questionnaire were used. Six focus groups (10 female; 14 male; aged 18-22) were conducted. NVivo9, was used to analyse the transcripts using an inductive thematic analysis. In two focus groups, the photovoice technique was used to further explore their perceptions about a healthy diet and their barriers for home cooking and healthy eating. The validated questionnaire was sent out to obtain data on students' diet quality, food environment and cooking self-efficacy for the focus group's design. We found that lack of motivation was the main barrier to healthy eating and home cooking, which was further influenced by the lack of cooking self-efficacy. Young adults lacked the knowledge and skills to prepare quick, affordable, and nutritious meals. Hence, even lack of time was cited as a primary barrier, time constraints seemed to be related to personal priorities. Students did not feel motivated to eat healthy and adopt time-deepening behaviours that influence food-choices. Thus, further research is required to develop context-specific culinary interventions that enhance students' cooking self-efficacy and identify strategies for encouraging students to adopt healthier eating habits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - F Xavier Medina
- FoodLab Research Group (2021SGR01357), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (Open University of Catalonia, UOC), 08018, Barcelona, Spain; Unesco Chair on Food, Culture and Development at Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (Open University of Catalonia, UOC), 08018, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Bach-Faig
- FoodLab Research Group (2021SGR01357), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (Open University of Catalonia, UOC), 08018, Barcelona, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Wang X, Wu Y, Miao J, Pu K, Ming WK, Zang S. Factors associated with eating behaviors in older adults from a socioecological model perspective. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1726. [PMID: 37670266 PMCID: PMC10481492 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16651-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The eating behaviors of older adults are associated with multiple factors. To promote older adults' healthy diets, it is imperative to comprehensively study the factors associated with the eating behaviors of the aging population group. This study aimed to probe the associated factors of older adults' eating behaviors from a socioecological model (SEM) perspective. METHODS In 2021, a cross-sectional survey was performed to recruit participants in China. The survey data were analyzed using a multivariate generalized linear model to identify the factors associated with eating behaviors in older adults. Standardized regression coefficients (β) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using a multivariate generalized linear model. RESULTS The survey contained 1147 valid older adult participants. Multivariate generalized linear model results showed that older adults with older age [aged 71-80 (β = -0.61), ≥ 81 (β = -1.12)], conscientiousness personality trait (β = -0.27), and higher family health levels (β = -0.23) were inclined to have better eating behaviors. The older adults with higher education levels [junior high school and high school (β = 1.03), junior college and above (β = 1.71)], higher general self-efficacy (β = 0.09), more severe depression symptoms (β = 0.24), and employment (β = 0.82) tended to have poorer eating behaviors. CONCLUSIONS This study identified factors that are specifically associated with older adults' eating behaviors from an SEM perspective. The comprehensive multiple-angle perspective consideration may be a valuable idea for studying healthy eating behaviors in older adults.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xue Wang
- Department of Community Nursing, School of Nursing, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110122, China
| | - Yibo Wu
- School of Public Health, Peking University, No.38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Juanxia Miao
- Department of Community Nursing, School of Nursing, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110122, China
| | - Keping Pu
- Department of Community Nursing, School of Nursing, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110122, China
| | - Wai-Kit Ming
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, To Yuen Building, No.31 To Yuen Street, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Shuang Zang
- Department of Community Nursing, School of Nursing, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110122, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Sogari G, Pucci T, Caputo V, Van Loo EJ. The theory of planned behaviour and healthy diet: Examining the mediating effect of traditional food. Food Qual Prefer 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodqual.2022.104709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
6
|
Subramaniam M, Devi F, AshaRani PV, Zhang Y, Wang P, Jeyagurunathan A, Roystonn K, Vaingankar JA, Chong SA. Barriers and facilitators for adopting a healthy lifestyle in a multi-ethnic population: A qualitative study. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0277106. [PMID: 36322596 PMCID: PMC9629631 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
A healthy lifestyle is defined as ‘a way of living that lowers the risk of being seriously ill or dying early.’ Although barriers and facilitators of healthy lifestyles have been well-studied among populations like those with chronic non-communicable diseases, adolescents, and older adults in Asia, less information is available on barriers and facilitators perceived by the general adult population. Using a qualitative methodology and leveraging the socio-ecological model, the current study aimed to understand the barriers and facilitators of a healthy lifestyle in a sample of Singapore residents. Overall, 30 semi-structured interviews were conducted in English and other local languages from August 2020 to March 2021. Transcripts were analysed using framework analysis. Five main themes pertaining to personal, interpersonal, environmental, socio-cultural, and policy-level factors were classified under the two overarching categories of barriers and facilitators of healthy lifestyles. The results of this study offer important insights into understanding the barriers and facilitators to the adoption of a healthy lifestyle among people in Singapore. Furthermore, our findings illustrate the complex interplay between individuals, social relationships, environment, and policy that can act as either a barrier or a facilitator to adopting a healthy lifestyle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mythily Subramaniam
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- * E-mail:
| | - Fiona Devi
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore
| | - P. V. AshaRani
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yunjue Zhang
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Peizhi Wang
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | | | | | - Siow Ann Chong
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|