THERESA KONESKIDR. DOUGLAS MURRAYDR. RENATA BLUMBERG DR. SHAHLA WUNDERLICH

Food choices & health outcomes: an international comparison

Outline

Purpose Methods Sample Results Conclusion

Purpose Examine whether there is a disconnect between knowledge & behavior

To what extent does the disconnect exist Assess attitudes toward different foods & if those attitudes are portrayed at the point

of consumption in order to answer the research question: The average person has at least some basic nutrition knowledge, so why

are consumers choosing certain foods (i.e. potato chips) over others (i.e. celery sticks)?

Research Hypotheses 1. There is a correlation between consumer attitudes regarding what they believe to be a

healthy option to eat and what they are actually consuming.

2. The convenience of food items will affect the consumer’s choices and what they ultimately eat.

3. Environmental variables positively correlate with what an individual chooses to consume

Significance Research addressed factors that influence with meal selection

Psychological/social factors Mood Sensory cues

Cultural differences & similarities within the realm of dietary patterns & practices

were detected while studying abroad

Studied small groups to discover the extent of the disconnect between consumers

nutritional knowledge and their behaviors

Mixed Methods UK Research

Entrance surveys

n=21

Dietary recallsdr=24

Interviewsn=10

US Research

Entrance surveys n=26

Dietary recallsdr=46

Interviews n=16

Quantitative

Qualitative Entrance surveys (n=47)

1-3 Dietary recalls (dr=70)

Semi-structured interviews (n=26)

PhenomenologicalApproach

SampleConvenience sampling:

Post graduate students in a large university in England Post graduate students in a large university in Northern NJ Concentrations in Health, Nutrition, Exercise Science, Psychology, & Tourism Majority 24-29 years old Second largest group 18-23 years old

Few reported having high blood pressure, cholesterol, & pre-diabetes Under addressed population

Question Categories & Examples Questions about nutrition knowledge:

It is important to limit foods high in fat and/or sugar. It is not important to limit foods high in salt. How many servings of fruits and vegetables do you think you should eat in a day?

Dietary behavior questions: How often do you make conscious efforts to try and eat a healthy diet? I try to keep the amount of fat I eat to a healthy amount.

Reasons behind dietary perceptions & behavior: My knowledge of nutrition does not affect my rate of unhealthful food consumption. My health matters a great deal to me. I believe the food I eat affects my health. I feel I know enough about nutrition to make healthier choices.

Preliminary Results: Emergent Themes

Lack of Motivation

• I feel I know enough about nutrition to make the healthy choice, I’m just too careless to make that effort

Time Constraints

• I would be happy to eat healthier, I just don’t have the time needed to do that right now

Perception of Insufficient Skill

• Eating healthier would mean I would have to know how to prepare healthier foods

Preliminary ResultsMajor Findings

• Significant inconsistency between participants stated attitudes & actual behavioral practices • Eating a healthy diet is important to me, I just can’t do it right now

Quantitative Results

• Trending to describe that there is general nutritional knowledge & awareness

• Behavior seems to be lacking

Conclusions Strong indication of nutritional knowledge: Importance of a proper diet Eating healthy was a priority

Lifestyle & environmental factors got in the way of dietary practices Implications for educators, practitioners, & policy planners: Not a knowledge-based issue Behaviorally-focused programming Need to focus on prioritizing health in practice Learning quick, easy & simple DIY strategies

Future Research Sampling limitations Convenience sampling limited determination of sampling errors Participants interested in topic to volunteer & remain for duration of study Advanced degree participants

Drop out rate of study Future research: Utilize stratified sampling method Diverse group of participants Stage of motivation to change behavior

Questions