Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
http://hdl.handle.net/11375/28951
Title: | THE ASSOCIATIONS AMONG ETHNICITY, CONTEXTUAL FACTORS, AND DIETARY INTAKE IN THE CANADIAN ALLIANCE FOR HEALTHY HEARTS AND MINDS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY. |
Authors: | Randolph-Koranteng, Nina Naa Awura |
Advisor: | Dr. Russell de Souza, Dr. Andrew Mente |
Department: | Global Health |
Keywords: | dietary intake;nutrition environment;ethnicity;food environment;rural;urban;contextual factors;Individual perceptions of the food environment;objective measures of the food environment |
Publication Date: | 2023 |
Abstract: | Introduction: Unhealthy diets are significant contributors to chronic diseases. Variations in CVD rates across ethnicities in Canada could be attributable to diverse dietary habits and nutrition environmental influences. The extent to which individuals’ food environment perceptions influence dietary intake is also understudied. Methods: This cross-sectional study, utilizing data from 7,077 of the 10,100 adults in the Canadian Alliance for Healthy Hearts and Minds (CAHHM) cohort, assessed associations of elements of the nutrition environment (food prices, advertisements, and availability) and ethnicity with dietary intakes. Results: Self-reported intakes of carbohydrates, junk foods, meat, and cholesterol varied significantly across Asians and White Europeans (p<0.0001). Rural/urban differences were also observed in carbohydrate, fat, protein, cholesterol, vegetable, meat, and sweet drink intakes (p<0.0001), excluding junk foods, and fruits. Interestingly, while individuals' perceptions of their food environment did not correlate with objective measures of the same environment, a 1$ increase in vegetable prices was significantly associated with a decrease in vegetable consumption by 0.0078 In(servings/day) (p= 0.0233), after adjusting for rural/urban living, ethnicity and BMI. No associations were found between fruits, meat, bread, eggs, cola, chocolate, poultry, rice, and milk prices and respective intakes. No association was also found between fruit/vegetable availability and consumption; nor between junk foods, sweet drinks and fruit/vegetable ads and consumption. Notably, alcohol advertisement was associated with alcohol intake. Discussion/Conclusion: The price-inelastic nature of foods like milk and eggs due to their perceived essentiality, implies the superimposing effects of other factors on consumption aside, price. While food advertisements undoubtedly impact eating behaviours, their influence might be subtle considering factors like price which could pose barriers to healthy eating. These findings emphasize the intricate interplay between prices, availability, advertisement, and other factors and dietary choices. Policymakers, food industries, and health advocates can leverage these insights to create healthier food environments for improved health. |
URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/11375/28951 |
Appears in Collections: | Open Access Dissertations and Theses |
Files in This Item:
File | Description | Size | Format | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Randolph-Koranteng_Nina_NA_2023September_Msc. in Global Health.pdf | 1.81 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
Items in MacSphere are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.