Sociocultural factors that act as a enabler/barrier to healthy eating among youth

Family

Influences youth eating habits as children mimic healthy eating behaviours shown my parents

How family enables healthy eating

• Nutritious family meals teach youth the value of healthy eating.

• Cooking skills learned at home prepare young people to create healthy meals independently.

• Parents' healthy behaviours, such as choosing nutritious foods, empower youth to do the same.

How family can be a barrier to healthy eating

• Poor role modelling, such as consuming energy-dense, sugary foods, leads youth to adopt unhealthy habits.

• Skipping breakfast increases the likelihood of snacking on processed, unhealthy foods.

Peer groups

Influence as youth spend more time away from home like at school.

How peer groups act as an enabler for healthy eating

• Friends often consume similar foods, especially in shared settings like food courts.

• Health-conscious friends can encourage others to make healthier food choices.

• Social dynamics influence portion sizes—if peers eat smaller portions, individuals are likely to do the same

How peer groups act as a barrier for healthy eating

• Skipping meals or cutting food groups to achieve an "ideal" body shape.

• Consuming energy-dense, processed foods if it's the group norm.

• Friends' food orders (e.g., entrées or desserts) can influence others to follow suit.

• Unhealthy group norms can lead to distorted eating

  patterns and unhealthy habits.

Income

Impacts the sorts of foods both youth and their families can afford

How income acts as a enabler for healthy eating

• Afford more high quality nutritious foods

• Be able to buy ingredients for cooking meals at home

How income acts as a barrier to healthy eating

• Low income have limited access to nutritious balanced diets

• Lower income areas often have more fast-food outlets and fewer fresh produce materials

• Energy dense foods are often cheaper and more accessible, making them a common choice for low income groups

Education

The amount of knowledge of different food can impact food decisions

How education can act as a enabler for healthy eating

Higher education levels are linked to:

• Greater consumption of fruits and vegetables.

• Awareness of healthy habits, such as balanced diets and weight management.

• Higher income-earning potential, allowing for better access to nutritious foods.

How education can act as a barrier for healthy eating

Lower education levels can limit the understanding of:

• The importance of balanced diets

• The understanding of adequate nutrition consumption