Dietary Norms Research Articles

Diabetes Beliefs, Culturally Influenced Self-Management Practices, and Interventions Among Vietnamese Adults: A Systematic Review.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) incidence is rising among Asian Americans, including Vietnamese, and is associated with increasing rates of urbanization, population aging, and overweight/obesity. We examined literature targeting diabetes self-management (DSM) beliefs, practices, and culturally informed interventions specific to Vietnamese adults. Using PRISMA systematic review guidelines, we searched CINAHL, Ovid, and Medline databases for research articles published from 2001 to 2019 examining DSM beliefs, practices, and/or interventions among Vietnamese adults with T2DM and/or family members. Of the 971 articles identified, 12 articles representing 11 studies (N = 2,628) met inclusion criteria. Cultural knowledge and beliefs influence Vietnamese health practices and nutrition-based interventions that infuse traditional dietary norms are common. Two studies incorporated digital technology and community health workers in interventions. Appreciating unique health beliefs and practices of Vietnamese adults is critical to designing and testing culturally congruent interventions. Further research involving community-centered approaches to enhance DSM is warranted.

Entre normas socioculturais e dietéticas: o almoço para nutricionistas e mulheres leigas brasileiras, espanholas e francesas

Over the course of the past few decades, the scientific rationale on nutrition has consolidated, intensifying the dissemination of dietary norms that dictate what and when to eat to guarantee good health. There is an increase in the interconnection between dietary norms and sociocultural norms. This study seeks to understand this link through the analysis of discourses of Brazilian, Spanish and French dietitians and laywomen. With this in mind, the sociocultural and dietary norms related to the midday meal were analyzed. Comparative and qualitative synchronous methodology, based on 131 semi-structured individual interviews, was used. The discourses of the informants were cross-checked with the public health messages on nutrition of each country. The analyses revealed that each nationality has particular codes that define the specifics of each meal, from the sociocultural and dietary point of view. The definition of a "healthy" meal depends on factors ranging from the nutritional and physiological to the social, cultural and symbolic dimensions linked to each meal model, determining the rituals, frequency, use and classification of food products. Thus, the norms that define what is perceived as healthy similarly result from sociocultural normative systems.

Nutritional Quality of Formulated Complementary Foods and their Biological Effects for Tackling Malnutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) Countries

Toddlers malnutrition is a health problem in developing countries like those found in Sub-Saharan Africa. Owing to prevalence of poverty, families are generally not able to afford the commercial complementary foods available in the market stalls, since such complementary foods are imported and made from non-local foodstuffs. In order to overcome these issues, FAO/WHO recommends the use of local foodstuffs in formulation of complementary foods and defines the virtues that the complementary foods should possess. In this light, researchers in Sub-Saharan Africa have proposed several formulations of complementary foods. The present work reviews these research findings on complementary foods available in the Sub-Saharan Africa utilizing the local food materials, the treatment that is required to be meted to such food ingredients, nutritional quality of formulated complementary foods and ultimately their biological effects. The limitations of the research work, if any, has been highlighted and the means to take such research forward that would be helpful in the production and commercialization of cost-effective complementary foods possessing requisite nutritional quality and biological effects as per dietary norms laid down by competent authorities.

Factors influencing dietary practices in a transitioning food environment: a cross-sectional exploration of four dietary typologies among rural and urban Ugandan women using Photovoice

BackgroundHealthy and sustainable dietary practices offer a possible solution to competing tensions between health and environmental sustainability, particularly as global food systems transition. To encourage such dietary practices, it is imperative to understand existing dietary practices and factors influencing these dietary practices. The aim of this study was to identify multi-level factors in lived rural and urban Ugandan food environments that influence existing dietary practices among women of reproductive age (WRA).MethodsA mixed methods study was conducted. Multiple correspondence analysis followed by hierarchical cluster analysis were performed on dietary data collected among a sample (n = 73) of Ugandan WRA in Kampala (urban) and Wakiso (rural) districts to elicit dietary clusters. Dietary clusters, which were labelled as dietary typologies based on environmental impact and nutrition transition considerations, were reflective of dietary practices. Following this, a smaller sample of WRA (n = 18) participated in a Photovoice exercise and in-depth interviews to identify factors in their social, physical, socio-cultural and macro-level environments influencing their enactment of the identified dietary typologies, and therefore dietary practices.ResultsFour dietary typologies emerged: ‘urban, low-impact, early-stage transitioners’, ‘urban, medium-impact, mid-stage transitioners’, ‘rural, low-impact, early-stage transitioners’ and ‘rural, low-impact, traditionalists’. Although experienced somewhat differently, the physical environment (access, availability and cost), social networks (parents, other family members and friends) and socio-cultural environment (dietary norms) were cross-cutting influences among both urban and rural dietary typologies. Seasonality (macro-environment) directly influenced consumption of healthier and lower environmental impact, plant-based foods among the two rural dietary typology participants, while seasonality and transportation intersected to influence consumption of healthier and lower environmental impact, plant-based foods among participants in the two urban dietary typologies.ConclusionParticipants displayed a range of dietary typologies, and therefore dietary practices. Family provides an avenue through which interventions aimed at encouraging healthier and lower environmental impact dietary practices can be targeted. Home gardens, urban farming and improved transportation could address challenges in availability and access to healthier, lower environmental impact plant-based foods among urban WRA.

Perceptions of food environments and nutrition among residents of the Flathead Indian Reservation

BackgroundIndigenous food systems have been displaced with the emergence of colonization, industrialization, and cultural, economic, political, and environmental changes. This disruption can be seen in marked health and food environment disparities that contribute to high obesity and diabetes mellitus prevalence among Native American peoples.MethodsA Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach was used to document food environment experiences among residents of the Flathead Reservation in rural Montana. Participants were identified using purposive sampling techniques to participate in a survey and a semi-structured interview. Descriptive statistics helped to describe participant demographics, food access variables, and household food security status. Food environment perceptions were analyzed using the constant comparison method among trained researchers.ResultsParticipants completed surveys (n = 79) and interviews (n = 76). A large number participated in federal nutrition assistance programs. Many self-reported experiencing diet-related chronic diseases. Major themes included the community food environment, dietary norms, and food-health connections. Subthemes were represented by perceptions of food environment transitions and the important role of food in familial life. Further, opportunities and challenges were identified for improving community food environments.ConclusionsPerceptions of the food environment were linked to strategies that could be targeted to improve dietary quality along a social-ecological model continuum. There is need for skill-based education that directly addresses the time and monetary constraints that were commonly experienced by residents. Coinciding food environment interventions to promote dietary quality that engage community members, store management, and government policy stakeholders are also needed to reestablish healthy Native American food systems and environments within this community.

Consumers' perceived value of healthier eating: A SEM analysis of the internalisation of dietary norms considering perceived usefulness, subjective norms, and intrinsic motivations in Singapore

AbstractConsumers' internalisation of social norms is at work when they make routine, healthier food choices in everyday contexts. We investigate the dynamics of this phenomenon in Singapore, where over 98% of consumer food products are imported. To study this, we propose, through a consumer perspective (n = 316) via Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS‐SEM), a model that establishes a positive relationship between perceived usefulness, subjective norms, and intrinsic motivations and the perceived value of healthier food. Subjective norms are themselves found to be a function of perceived barriers, facilitating conditions and personal innovativeness. Our framework contributes to establish a shift in the drivers of healthier food choices toward a more socio‐culturally grounded decision‐making approach that is particularly relevant to understand food consumption. We show that daily food routines (opposing the exceptional healthy food item) are encapsulated in perceived value of healthier eating. The data indicates further that to support healthier food product consumption, both policy makers and food providers must facilitate imported foods that meet quickly changing lifestyle requirements.

The challenge posed by urban dietary norms to the practice of urban agroecology

ABSTRACT In the global south, urban agriculture (UA) contributes to food security, incomes, and environmental benefits. Agroecology can enhance the impact of UA by reducing input costs and increasing yields. Yet discussions of agroecology rarely consider the challenge posed by contemporary urban diets. Drawing on research from two urban gardens in Johannesburg, South Africa, this paper argues that the dietary norms and practices of Johannesburg residents are poorly aligned to the production requirements and outputs of urban agroecology. Lessons from other countries suggest that the benefits of agroecology can be enhanced by targeting changes in food preparation and consumption practices.

Quantitative assessment of nutrition and nutritional status of patients with Crohn’s disease aged 13–18

Abstract Introduction: Crohn’s disease (CD) is classified as an inflammatory bowel disease, with a recent increased incidence in developed countries. Treatment is based on pharmacotherapy and nutritional support. Patients in the exacerbation phase are particularly exposed to the development of malnutrition, which in the case of children may result in the inhibition of growth or delay in puberty. For these reasons, nutrition is very important in the treatment process. In the remission phase of the disease, the diet should be consistent with the recommendations for the population of healthy people in order to prevent the formation of vitamin and mineral deficiencies. The aim of the study was to determine the nutritional status of adolescent CD patients and to analyze their diet. Materials and methods: The study was conducted on 14 children with CD, 6 girls and 8 boys with an average age of 16.25 ±1.65 years. Their nutrition was analyzed based on information obtained from a nutritional history collected over 3 days. The collected information was entered into the Diet 5 software. The results of the menus were compared to current dietary norms. The nutritional status of the children was based on a body mass index (BMI) analysis with reference to OLA and OLAF percentiles. The additional results of morphology and the levels of sodium, potassium, total calcium and 25(OH)D from their blood were compared. All obtained results were analysed statistically using Statistica v12.0 software. Results: The nutritional status of both the boys and the girls was normal, however the energy consumption was low (2274.83 ±475.93 kcal and 1843.33 ±258.4 kcal). Protein consumption was high, at 86.44 ±29.57 g and 62.36 ±26.51 g. In both groups, the levels of saturated fatty acids were too high (30.38 ±14.45, 23.02 ±13.53 mg), and in the boys’ group cholesterol was too high (427.41 ±278.3 mg). Both sexes consumed insufficient amounts of fiber (17.32 ±7.63 g, 19.84 ±4.85 g) and omega-3 (1.8 ±0.99 g, 1.74 ±0.89 g). Iron, copper, iodine and zinc were consumed at the appropriate level. Both sexes consumed too little calcium (586.44 ±458.11 mg, 742.47 ±515.37 mg), potassium (2892.96 ±1223.79 mg, 2901.62 ±1028.56 mg) and magnesium (283.45 ±145.26 mg, 276.71 ±163.32 mg). Folate consumption was too low (256.44 ±81.02 μg, 231.07 ±81.03 μg), vitamin D (2.85 ±1.00 μg, 0.96 ±0.68 μg) and also vitamin E in the group of girls (7.02 mg ±1.46 mg). The blood parameters did not differ significantly between the sexes, and the concentration of 25(OH)D was within the lower limit of the norm (28.17 ±5.91 ng/dL, 22.60 ±3.38 ng/dL). Conclusions: Low energy intake may adversely affect the nutritional status of CD patients. A deficiency in the diet of n-3 acids may promote the development of inflammation. Insufficient intake of calcium and vitamin D can disrupt the development of the skeletal system. The insufficient intake of dietary fiber can lead to constipation. A too low vitamin D intake and low blood levels of its metabolite indicate the need for supplementation. Additional supplementation of potassium and magnesium should be taken into consideration in the nutrition of CD patients.

The potential effect of Ramadan fasting on musculoskeletal diseases: new perspectives.

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim lunar calendar, is a period of intermittent fasting alternated with moments of refeeding. The last decades have seen a growing number of reports that examine the potential effect of Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF) on chronic musculoskeletal disorders. In this paper, we reviewed data that assessed the relationship of intermittent diurnal fasting during Ramadan with rheumatic diseases. Currently, recent evidence indicates that RIF may attenuate the inflammatory state by suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and reducing the body fat and the circulating levels of leukocytes. Therefore, it may be a promising non-pharmacological approach for managing the course of rheumatic inflammatory diseases. Despite differences between studies in daily fasting duration and dietary norms, there appears to be a consensus that most of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or spondyloarthritis (SpA) who fasted Ramadan experienced relief of their symptoms. Nevertheless, further clinical trials are required to assess the effect of RIF on other musculoskeletal and bone disorders. Additionally, we evaluated the impact of RIF on chronic medication intake. Even if a few studies on this issue are available, the primary outcomes indicate that RIF does not significantly impair either compliance or tolerance to chronic medications. These findings may give some reassurance to patients with a specific fear of drug intake during this month. Key Points • Intermittent diurnal fasting during Ramadan can modulate the inflammatory status through the down-regulation of metabolic syndrome, the reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and the reduction of circulating levels of leukocytes • Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF) can effectively improve the activity of rheumatic inflammatory diseases. • Although further studies are still required, there seems no harm for patients with gout to participate in RIF. • Primary outcomes indicate that RIF may be a promising non-pharmacological intervention for the management of patients with osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.

Chicken eggs, childhood stunting and environmental hygiene: an ethnographic study from the Campylobacter genomics and environmental enteric dysfunction (CAGED) project in Ethiopia

BackgroundChildhood stunting and malnutrition condemn millions of people globally to a life of disadvantage and cognitive and physical impairment. Though increasing egg consumption is often seen as an important solution for low and middle income countries (including Ethiopia), emerging evidence suggests that greater exposure to poultry feces may also inhibit child growth due to the effects of enteric bacteria, especially Campylobacter, on gut health.MethodsIn this rapid ethnographic study, we explored village poultry production, child dietary practices, and environmental hygiene conditions as they relate to Campylobacter risk and intervention in 16 villages in Haramaya Woreda, Eastern Ethiopia.ResultsIn the study area, we found that women assumed primary responsibility to care for both chickens and children: in feeding, housing, and healthcare. Most chickens were free-range local indigenous breeds, and flock sizes were small and unstable due to epidemics, seasonal trends, reproductive patterns, and lack of food. Generally, eggs were seen as “too luxurious” to be eaten, and were predominantly sold at local markets for scarce cash, despite high malnutrition rates. Local narratives of extreme poverty, social dietary norms, parental fatalism, and lack of “dietary consciousness” (as it was called) were invoked to explain this. We found that homesteads were highly contaminated with human and animal feces. Although community members viewed chicken feces and poultry gastrointestinal contents as particularly noxious in comparison to other animals because of their feeding behaviour, they did not relate them to any particular disease. Shared human-animal housing and childcare practices place children at high risk of exposure to enteric bacteria from animal manure, despite daily routines designed to manage the domestic landscape.ConclusionsAddressing childhood stunting and malnutrition through egg production in rural landscapes like Haramaya must navigate three distinct health and care regimes: for children, chickens, and home environments. Interventions should be based on a holistic approach to social and economic empowerment, one that considers both women and men and integrates nutrition, health, and community change as its overarching goal.

Health status of woman from a small and big town in Poland: the subjective and objective assessment

The way of defining the concept of health varies depending on the age, sex, social position of a person conditioned by place of residence, economic and family situation. The aim of the study was to assess subjective and objective health status of women over 65 living in a small and big town. In the subjective assessment of the nutritional status were the MNA questionnaire used, in the objective assessment was BMI used. Body composition analysis was carried out using the bioimpedance method. Lab tests were made using standard methods. The quantitative assessment of the diet was made using the 24-hour intake method, the results calculated in software Dieta 5. Significantly more often women from Nysa than from Wroclaw assessed their health status in comparison with their peers as just as good or better (p <0.05). The BMI value among Nysa women shows the overweight, and among women from Wroclaw, obesity. The average content of adipose tissue among all examined women indicated significant fatness of the examined group (36 - 37%). The average energy supply in the food rations of women from Nysa and Wroclaw differed statistically significantly and did not meet the accepted norms. In conclusion, we can say that older women from a small city assessed their health as better or as good compared to older women in a large city. The implementation of dietary norms and recommendations in the food rations of the subjects was insufficient. However, women from a small town provided statistically significantly more nutrients in their diets.

According, against, and above dietary norms: a key to understanding the relationship between personality style and taste preferences.

BackgroundUnderstanding individual food preferences is critical for creating tailored strategies that promote healthy individual eating behaviors. Individual sensory liking appears to be an essential determinant of dietary intake. Taste preferences influence satisfaction and satiety, and may consequently influence weight status and psychological adjustment. The purpose of this study was to identify the association between taste preferences (sweet, salty, sweet & fatty, salty & fatty) and personality features.MethodsThe Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (MCMI-III) was used for the assessment of personality traits and PrefQuest (PQ) was used for measuring recalled food preferences. A total of 137 participants were included in the study. The relationship between compulsive and antisocial features and taste preferences was assessed by hierarchical multiple linear regression, while controlling for age, gender, BMI, marital status, and educational level.ResultsThe antisocial personality traits were a negative explanatory variable for sweet & fatty taste preference, R2 = .15, t(132) = − 2.40, p = .018, 95% [−.57, −.06] and salty & fatty taste preference, R2 = .16, t(133) = − 2.38, p = .019, 95% [−.07, −.01], while controlling for anthropological factors. In addition, men showed a higher preference than women for sweet & fatty food, such as chocolate or desserts, rsp = .19, p = .021, and for the salty & fatty food, rsp = .30, p < .001. BMI was not found to moderate the relationship between personality and taste preference. No significant association was found between compulsive personality traits and food preference, as assessed by sensory liking.ConclusionsThe findings can bring a much better understanding of the relationship between the compulsive or antisocial personality and taste preferences. In addition, it may help build psychotherapeutic and nutritional strategies that promote healthy eating behaviors, tailored to a particular personality style.

Internalising dietary norms and transforming food practices: social inequalities in the management of childhood obesity

ABSTRACTOver the last two decades, childhood obesity has emerged as a major public health issue in Switzerland. Health professionals and public health organisations now frame this condition as a disease that requires medical intervention. In this article, I report the findings of an ethnographic study conducted in a Swiss hospital program for the management of childhood obesity. The study explored the impact of the medical treatment of childhood obesity on children’s lives. Using a Bourdieusian approach to guide my analysis, I found that the experience of the therapy varies substantially according to children’s socioeconomic position. Children with a high SES seem to encounter less difficulties in adapting their lifestyle to professionals’ recommendations than low SES children, because their habitus facilitates the internalisation of health norms and they have greater access to economic, social and cultural capitals. Therefore, childhood obesity management tends to reproduce health inequalities between children.

Quantifying the consumption, nutrition, and greenhouse gas emission effects of dietary guidelines in China: a modelling study

BackgroundThe rapid nutrition transition China is now ongoing; the so-called westernisation of diets has been negatively affecting both human health and that of the environment. Against this backdrop, the Chinese government released new Dietary Guidelines (CDG) in 2016 and has been actively promoting them since. Our research makes use of quantitative modelling and aims to determine whether adjusting the average Chinese diet, so that it fulfils dietary requirements, could lead to nutritional and environmental co-benefits. Moreover, we want to determine the maximum reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (GHGEs) that could be achieved while simultaneously consuming a healthy diet. MethodsA diet optimisation model is used to simulate, quantify and compare the effects on the consumption of 19 food groups, and associated levels of GHGEs, resulting from two different scenarios: consumers complying with either the CDG or the WHO dietary norms. Subsequent simulations set maximum emission limits for the optimised diets and progressively reduce emissions by 5%. Four waves of consumption and price survey data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey are used in the analysis, while LCA estimates of GHGEs are compiled from the appropriate literature. FindingsPreliminary results show that outcomes under the two scenarios differ significantly, both nutritionally and in terms of GHGEs. Adopting the CDG would lead to a considerable intensification of emissions for both men and women, while adhering to the WHO norms would marginally increase emissions for women and slightly decrease emissions for men. However, we find a 10% reduction in GHGEs relative to current levels could be achieved, under both scenarios, through healthy and realistic dietary change. The maximum decrease in emissions achievable in the CDG model is 15%. The WHO models with a more drastic decrease in emissions (30% and 40%) involve major dietary change and lead to less balanced and varied diets compared with existing ones. InterpretationOur quantitative estimates show the potential for dietary guidelines to lead to environmental and health co-benefits, but only if they are specifically formulated to include environmental considerations. Achieving a major reduction in GHGEs through diets involves clear trade-offs between nutritional and environmental considerations. FundingNone.

Motivation, Challenges and Self-Regulation in Heart Failure Self-Care: a Theory-Driven Qualitative Study.

Self-care behaviours are crucial in reducing chronic heart failure (HF) morbidity and mortality but performance remains poor worldwide. This study draws on Temporal Self-regulation Theory (TST) to explore participants' motivations, challenges and personalised self-regulation strategies to enhance self-care. Seventeen HF patients were purposively sampled and recruited from outpatient and inpatient settings at a Singaporean tertiary hospital from December 2017 to March 2018. Unstructured face-to-face interviews were conducted. Data were analysed using thematic analysis with constant comparison. Five themes emerged. Self-care motivations were (1) consideration of family's future and (2) consideration of own past, while demotivation was (3) fatalistic consideration of own future. Barriers of behaviour change were (4) difficulty adopting physical activity and (5) difficulty deviating from personal dietary habits and sociocultural dietary norms. Personalised strategies to overcome these challenges were described in the 12 subthemes that emerged. Themes were well-fitted into the TST-(1-3) corresponded to time perspective, (4-5) corresponds to behaviour prepotency and the subthemes corresponded to self-regulatory capacity. Motivation could be enhanced by stimulating considerations of one's past regrets, family's future well-being and real-life success stories to instil hope. Clinicians and case managers could enhance self-regulation by empowering patients with tactical and situational skills to develop personalised plans to improve lifestyle habits and strategies to resist temptations. Future person-centred self-care interventions could be tailored according to the study findings. Better self-care could improve patient outcomes, reduce rehospitalisation and alleviate global healthcare burden. Findings could be generalised to healthy populations as primary prevention.

P117 Factors Associated with Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption Among Children and Adolescents in the United States by Race/Ethnicity: NHANES 2011-2016

Background Stratified analyses of youth sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption in the United States suggest that Asians consume the least, and non-Hispanic Blacks consume the most. Yet, potential reasons for this disparity and how factors associated with youth SSB consumption differ among racial/ethnic subgroups remain unknown. Understanding differences in SSB consumption has implications for future interventions aimed at decreasing intake. Objective To identify correlates of SSB intake and determine whether associations differ by race/ethnicity. Study Design, Settings, Participants Secondary data analysis was conducted using demographic and dietary data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2016, as Asian-Americans were oversampled during these years. The sample consisted of children and adolescents aged 6-19 (n = 5,858). Measurable Outcome/Analysis Mean SSB intake (sodas, sweetened fruit juices, nectars, sports and energy drinks) was estimated accounting for sampling strategy and weighting. An alternative SSB definition (including sweetened coffees, teas, and enhanced waters) was used for an informal sensitivity analysis. Multivariable linear regression models developed for each race/ethnicity included SSB intake and selected covariates (water consumption, age, gender, income, birth country, body mass index, parental education and birth country). Results Mean youth SSB consumption was the lowest among Asians (M = 0.47 cups/day; SE = 0.04) and highest among non-Hispanic Blacks (M = 1.31 cups/day; SE = 0.06). Consumption remained low (M = 0.62 cups/day; SE = 0.05) in Asians when using the alternative definition. Drinking less than one cup/day of water and older age increased SSB consumption across all races/ethnicities. Female gender and having a parent graduate college decreased intake among a subset of races/ethnicities (Hispanic, non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black). Conclusion SSB consumption was disproportionately low among Asians, regardless of how SSB was defined. Current dietary recall methods may not accurately capture culturally relevant beverages in Asians, e.g. boba tea, aloe drinks, beverages which should be considered in future surveys. None of the factors explored explained racial/ethnic differences in SSB consumption. Sociocultural determinants and behaviors not measured in NHANES, e.g. acculturation, dietary norms, should be investigated for their effects on youth SSB consumption.

Cultural Dietary Norms and Associated Factors in an Urban-Dwelling Chinese American Community Sample (P04-129-19)

ObjectivesTo assess prevalence of dietary cultural norms (consumption of brown rice, raw vegetables, low sodium diet) and the association of acculturation level with these norms in a Chinese American sample in New York City (NYC). MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey (2018 Examining Norms and Behaviors Linked to Eating [ENABLE] Pilot Study) among urban-dwelling Chinese immigrant communities in NYC (n = 239). Multivariable models predicted the effect of acculturation on three dimensions of Chinese cultural dietary norms: non-consumption of raw vegetables, brown rice, and low sodium diet, adjusted for age and sex. Acculturation dimensions were defined as both identification with ethnic society (Chinese culture) immersion (ESI) and with dominant society (American culture) immersion (DSI); maximum possible scores = 4. STATA was used for all analyses. ResultsThe majority of the sample identified strongly with Chinese culture (73% above mean ESI = 3.2) and less with American culture (55% below mean DSI = 3.0). Overall, participation in dietary norms was low across the three dimensions; 21% reported not consuming raw vegetables; 37% not consuming brown rice; and 41% not consuming low sodium diets. Participants with higher acculturation to American society (DSI > 3.0) had lower participation in raw vegetable and brown rice dietary norms; 7% for raw vegetables, and 22% for brown rice. Those more acculturated to American culture were more likely to report consumption of brown rice (aOR = 3.57, 95% CI 0.01–12.50). Having a college education or higher was associated with reduced likelihood of participating in raw vegetable norms (aOR = 0.21, 95% CI 0.08–0.51) and brown rice norms (aOR = 0.46, 95% CI 0.22–0.98). No associations were found between ESI and participating in any dietary norms using univariate or multivariate models. ConclusionsImmersion into American society and education may be more influential on norms than traditional beliefs while acculturation to American society appears to dissuade participation in traditional Chinese dietary norms – specifically, consumption of brown rice. Interestingly, education appears to be a stronger predictor of participation in cultural dietary norms than American or Chinese acculturation in this sample. Funding SourcesNIMHD/NIH.

Functional foods in Portugal: profiles and logics of consumption

Introduction: Health, present and future, is becoming increasingly structuring of the lifestyle of large amounts of western populations. Food, as an immediate intervention object, is revealing plasticity either in which concerns the transformative power of technology or the enlarged purposes of usage. Functional foods, a category of techno-foods, enriched with micro-ingredients, is showing increasing presence in the Portuguese dietary habits related both with the willing to consume from the individual’s side and the expanding creative offer from the industry side. In a context of deregulation of eating practices [1], in which dietary norms are under constant remodelling and dietary patterns become fragmented, hybrid objects (between food and medicines), such as the functional foods, play an important role in the food decision making and the associated risk management. The mobilization of the ‘rationalism’ concept from Weber [2] and its declination on the cost-benefit principle of calculation [3] together with the neoliberal ideology of empowerment of the ‘responsible’ consumer [4] enable to understand the regular consumers of functional foods as calculated, methodical and premeditated agents trying to achieve higher levels of control of their bodies. Materials and methods: In an approach to a mix-methods methodology two independent quantitative techniques were used namely a survey by questionnaire about nutritional habits, of the Portuguese population, and a database of 500.000 transactions, of functional foods, performed with a retail chain’s loyalty card in order to identify typified usage profiles. Further analysis of content of 4 focus groups, integrating 24 participants, was used to explore the logics and perceptions that modulate the different modes of relation of Portuguese consumers with functional foods. This investigation complied with the standard ethics procedures and follows the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Results: The combination of the quantitative data shows the average consumer as being a woman, aged 35–54 years, high levels of education and living in a home with a monthly income >2.500,00€ and consuming in a daily or weekly basis. The most consumed products are those for the regulation of the intestinal transit, mainly yogurts enriched with bacteria and water and cereals enriched with fibres. Discussion and conclusions: Three profiles were identified related to the following rationalities: Aspirational, Instrumental and Pragmatic. The first two, usually related with the ‘worried well’, reveal medicalised or proto-medicalised practices connected with the use-value of the functional foods, transformed in a therapeutic tool, either to complement, delay or substitute a medicine. The third is an indicator of how commodification and normalisation is stimulating simplified heuristics [5]. Through functional foods medicalisation presents new social manifestations and expands to the territories of performance and wellbeing.

Diet Quality of Farm and Nonfarm Households in the First Half of the Twentieth Century: The Roles of Technological Change and Women’s Work

ABSTRACTIn recent decades, dramatic increases in Americans’ obesity rates have led some nutrition activists to call for a return to the dietary norms of earlier times when homemakers spent more time in meal preparation. Using archival data from unique survey records gathered in Upstate New York in 1936 and 1952, we provide descriptive information on the quality of the diets using measures of the variety of foods served and a modified version of U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Healthy Eating Index. Our multivariate analyses focus in on the relationships between diet quality and sociodemographics, homemakers’ time use, and household technology. We conclude that the typical Upstate New York diet of the 1930s was not of high quality, but improvements had occurred by the early 1950s. Our multivariate analyses reveal that access to modern kitchen technology had a strong, positive association with diet quality while homemakers’ time devoted to food-related activities was only weakly linked.

Digital Technologies Towards Resource Efficiency in the Agrifood Sector: Key Challenges in Developing Countries

Resource efficiency in the agri-food sector is a global urgent issue considering the urbanisation phenomena, the increased nutritional needs, and the emergence of diversified dietary norms. Despite the ongoing progress in digital technologies that could enable resource-efficient operations in the sector, their effectiveness—even in developed countries—remains debateable mainly due to the limited understanding that further impedes their adoption by farmers. Among others, ease of access, training, and engagement with digital technologies appears to be challenging for most stakeholders, especially during the production (farming) stage. Specifically, in developing countries, that often encounter major natural resources challenges, the diverse socio-cultural background of the farmers hinders the adoption of digital technologies to perform highly automated and efficient agricultural operations for ensuring sustainability output. In this regard, we explore publicly available data sources (i.e., institutional reports, databases) to identify key challenges in adopting digital technologies for efficient resource use from a systems-level perspective. Thereafter, we map the determinant factors using the System Dynamics methodology in order to identify areas of interventions to limit natural resources’ appropriation and support agri-food sustainability.