module 4, nut

what are the factors that may limit the adoption of healthy dietary patterns in early societies vs modern societies

early societies:

• availability of wild and cultivated resources (seasonality, crop diseases, climate)

• scheduling of food acquisition activities (presence of other competing activities, “we had other things to do”)

modern societies:

• household income

• knowledge about nutritional needs and nutritional content of foods

• allocation of time to activities unrelated to food

2 socioeconomic determinants of eating behaviours (and 3 types)

individual level: socioeconomic status, nutrition knowledge, time constraints

food level: food costs, food availability, food accessibility

what does lower socioeconomic status = to what (4)

lower meals (breakfast)

lower nutritional quality and diversity of diets

lower adherence to plant-based dietary patterns

higher adherence to dietary patterns high in sugars and/or fats

higher income may give access to a wider range of foods to choose from BUT does not automatically lead to better quality diets

what is the challenge about nutrition knowledge

convey accurate and consistent messages on nutritional and health-related properties of foods through various media (food packages, internet, health professionals)

“so much information on the internet that it’s confusing”

what are the 2 most important factor determining food choices

palatability and food cost

what is availability vs accessibility

availability: whether foods are present in the home

accessibility: whether foods are available or made available in a form, location, and/or time that facilitate their consumption

• proximity and location of food stores

• proximity of fast-food restaurants

• home preparation of “ready to eat” foods

what are the 3 primary ways that family determines food intake and dietary patterns of the household

1. provides foods that are available and accessible in the home

2. determines the meal structure (time of meals, how long they last, how many courses) and meal composition

3. imparts food attitude, food preferences, brand preferences, and familial values toward foods that may affect lifetime eating habits

what are the 4A of determinants of eating behaviours

Affordability = household income levels, food costs

Availability = food provision within the home

Accessibility = area of residence, car ownership, public transportation

Acceptability = familial, cultural, and social environments

influence of the family unit on eating behaviours

parental diets on dietary habits in children and adolescents