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Perception, sense of control, socioeconomic factors impact diet
A complex interaction among food perceptions, sense of control over eating patterns and sociopolitical and economic factors can either promote or hinder a healthy diet, according to research published in The Diabetes Educator.
Programs that target long-term eating behavior change to reduce type 2 diabetes and obesity should incorporate strategies that address the individual level influences as well as structural factors that could restrict eating options or promote unhealthy ones, researchers say.
“Data from this study demonstrate that knowledge is not enough,” the researchers wrote. “Understanding and modifying individuals’ perceptions of food and diet and their sense of control is a necessary component of a successful dietary change program.”
Yoshimi Fukuoka, PhD, MS, BA, RN, of the University of California, San Francisco, and colleagues conducted six focus groups that included 35 ethnically diverse samples at risk for type 2 diabetes to explore and understand knowledge and attitudes about food, diet and weight control. Participants (mean age, 51±10.6 years) were stratified by sex, with 57% women.
Within 2 months, four themes emerged from the focus groups. Participants demonstrated a basic knowledge of “good” and “bad” food, along with what constitutes a “healthy diet” and trusted sources of information. Participants expressed certain perceptions around their interactions with food and diet. Participants discussed dietary intake in terms of perceived ability to control their eating patterns and food choices. Participants exhibited dietary patterns, involving perceived barriers to eating a healthy diet.
“Individual behavioral change programs also need to take into consideration larger sociopolitical issues that affect individuals’ and families’ abilities to change and sustain new dietary habits —namely, policies to eliminate ‘food deserts,’ thereby increasing access to fresh foods, and to increase the affordability of fresh foods in urban and rural communities,” the researchers wrote.
Disclosures: This study was supported by grants from the NIH/National Center for Research Resources for the University of California, San Francisco–Clinical and Translational Science Institute, and the National Institute of Nursing Research for the Center for Aging in Diverse
Communities under the Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research program by the National Institute on Aging.