The Social Perception of Adults Living in Denham, WA towards Healthy Eating - Literature review Example

Literature Review: Food and Nutrition in Society Literature Review: Food and Nutrition in Society Section One: Introduction With theever changing social world, nutritional/dietary health has grown into a challenge that needs serious intervention. The wave of new technology has driven humans into embracing a sedentary lifestyle. According Guptill, Copelton and Lucal (2013), the new and emerging eating styles are entirely a product of the modern socio-cultural system. Unhealthy eating has perturbed many health researchers in the health sector. As Prendergast, Grønhøj and Bech‐Larsen (2009) put it, what we consume is extensively influenced by social perception. This paper seeks to explore comprehensively and determine the social perception that adults (ages 20-40 years) living in Denham, WA hold towards healthy eating. Section Two: Literature Review A number of studies have been carried out all attempting to gain insight into the issue of social perception towards healthy eating and how it contributes to a healthy lifestyle. Many scholars have been particularly driven by the ever rising statistics about long-term (chronic) lifestyle diseases that have engulfed virtually every society including the Third world nations. Hearty, McCarthy, Kearney and Gibney (2007) argue that the nutritional well-being of individuals have been disrupted and negatively affected by the growing economies (with the technological goodies it comes with). There is a new trend in standards of living that is apparently measured by what people eat among other things. Food, according to Welch et al. (2008), has been transformed into an indicator of social class rather than a material for physiological growth and sustainability. In a study carried out by Widome, Neumark-Sztainer, Hannan, Haines and Story (2009) that aimed at exploring the social discourse of healthy eating, it was found out, that youths especially those at their teen tender to subscribe and bow to the social pressures in choosing what they eat. Kharof., Meurer and Nelson (2013) further argue that snacks, as well as fast foods, are seen as a youth thing that characterizes the social life people in that age bracket life. This view is further supported by Widome, Neumark-Sztainer, Hannan, Haines and Story, M. (2009) after their study in which they concluded people in the youth age generally share a collective perception towards what they consume. Kharof, Meurer and Nelson (2014) report that youth age eating habits are the antecedents of late lifestyle diseases that come as a result. Although this view is not welcomed by Widome, Neumark-Sztainer, Hannan, Haines and Story (2009), who insist much of the troubles that follow adults result from their activities and lifestyles at that moment, he reinforces the claim the claim that youths eating habits are primarily an act of collective social perception and not individual preference. Whilst Kharof, Meurer and Nelson (2014) take a rather different angle in viewing food, health and the society, he argues that the society has significant contributions in influencing what people eat (whether healthy or not). In an explorative study that sought to unveil how socioeconomic factors such as poverty determines ones eating habits as well as their health. Widome, Neumark-Sztainer, Hannan, Haines and Story (2009) found out that healthy eating can only be achieved when the economic lives of individuals are improved. People on the low class are more likely to be malnourished since they lack the financial capability to afford the basic three-meal-a-day. Andersson and Bryngelsson (2007) criticize this finding by arguing that it is not the economic prowess that brings about healthy eating; rather it is ones perception that makes them lead a healthy dietary life regardless of their position in the economic capacity index. Gellar, Schrader, and Nansel (2007) state that people who are positive in life will attempt to balance their diets with the little foods they get from their farms unlike those who perceive good dieting as a product of richness and affluence. Consequently, in a research conducted by Prendergast, Grønhøj and Bech‐Larsen (2009) the findings that the social environment influences largely body weight has remained a core issue worth discussing. Welch et al. (2008) believe that it is the food environment that influences and regulates who humans become about body weight. In this viewpoint, it is argued (by those who support it) that cultures that encourage production of foods that increase body weight such as fatty foods are more likely to record high number of obesity cases among other problems. According to Prendergast, Grønhøj and Bech‐Larsen (2009), in environments that have myriad companies producing beef products and other foods rich in fats, individuals in such areas are more likely to become overweight. This view is supported by the counter-comparison research that Skinner, Hanning, and Tsuji (2006) to explore the influence of the environment in determining eating behaviors. Welch et al. (2008), however, vehemently dispute this by arguing that body weight is a result of individuals activities and eating habits as opposed to the environment. He claims that people may be in an environment crowded with fatty foods but remain within their ideal weights owing to activities such as regular exercises and eating a balanced diet. To him, it is, therefore, pointless to argue the environment has as much influence as it is made to be. Kharof, Meurer and Nelson (2014) support this argument highlighting the importance of personal regulations in eating. It is sound to argue that, according to Widome, Neumark-Sztainer, Hannan, Haines and Story (2009), infancy nutritional care is a great enhancer of positive health and development. In a study carried out to discover how proper dieting contributes to positive health among infants, Hammer, Vallianatos, Nykiforuk and Nieuwendyk (2015) found out that children whose caregivers fail to feed them on sufficient and balanced diets grow up with a myriad complications that result from poor nutrition. Gellar, Schrader, and Nansel (2007) support this having conducted a study aimed at exploring some of the issues that contribute largely to childhood health. In the conclusion, Atik and Ozdamar (2011) state that caregivers should focus on providing a comprehensive care to children directed towards building their dietary wellbeing. The argument that attitudes towards food are formed at the primary stages of life has received mixed responses from various scholars. According to Welch et al. (2008), children develop specific attitudes and perceptions towards certain foods during socialization. This, according to, Gellar, Schrader, and Nansel (2007) is the reason children brought up in different regions might find it hard to adapt to new environments. For example, children America may struggle to adapt to regions such as the Middle East and other Asian nations owing to cultural differences. Atik and Ozdamar (2011) do not support this conception arguing that children have the capability to be trained to absorb new eating styles; eating behaviors that are positive for their health. He further notes that children may be assimilated to accept certain eating habits that are detrimental to their health but that can be unlearned if the corrective belief systems are fostered. In summary, the above-synthesized literature has broadly explored the issue of perception towards healthy eating and how it may contribute to health living. Many have contrasted and supported the argument that healthy eating is a behavior that can be learned and unlearnt in equal measure. All the arguments however, trail down to one point: healthy lifestyle that which is free from chronic lifestyle diseases can be achieved if people begin to be conscious of what and how they eat. Section Three: Research Questions Research Aim The major focus of this study is to explore the perception youths (ages 20-40 years) in Denham, WA have towards positive and healthy eating. Significance of Study This study is important in establishing the exact nature of perception the population hold towards healthy eating. The findings will be significant in directing the health stakeholders in formulating policies as well as strategies that can help improve the community health of the population. Research Questions Main Research Question What are the perceptions of healthy eating amongst adults aged between 20 to 40 years old living in Denham, Western Australia? Sub-Questions i. What impact does knowledge on healthy eating have on people aged between 20 and 40 years in Denham? ii. What are the perceptions of people aged between 20 and 40 years living in Denham about healthy eating? iii. What attitudes do people aged between 20 and 40 years living in Denham have towards healthy eating? The above-highlighted research questions are relevant and explorative as they seek to cover critical issues that the study aims at determining. In a research of this nature, it is vital key issues that underpin the functionality of phenomena such as perception and attitude formation be outlined with utmost meticulousness. Section Four: Definition and Measurement of Key Concepts Perception According to Skinner, Hanning and Tsuji (2006), perception is one’s stance in how they view/construe and interpret their environment. It is the ability to give meaning through mental processing of an object or event. For example, pizza may be interpreted by different people variedly depending on their mental schemata. This interpretation and perception influences the preference and food choice that one makes. Ultimately, depending on what one views to be socially accepted, their choice of food shall have been influenced massively. Perception (in this study) will be measured by providing a list of questions exploring the beliefs the participants have towards eating styles. Attitude This is a set of ideas in terms of preference an individual may have towards particular objects and events (Gellar, Schrader & Nansel, 2007). For example, a person may have a negative attitude towards certain meals owing to the perceptual association they have formed having associated it with an unpleasant feeling. This will as well be measured through a range of explorative questions. Healthy Eating According to Andersson and Bryngelsson (2007), healthy eating is described as an act in which a person’s diet is well balanced and results to positive health outcomes as opposed to illness. This can be measured by evaluating the quality of the foods consumed as well as their outcomes on health. Food and Nutrition Food and nutrition is a key player in sustaining human growth and health. Food includes all the living organisms consume in order to stay alive and grows (Healey, 2008). It is through the food that we eat that our cultures are exhibited and the role of food and eating in cultural expression cannot be downplayed. Although everyone may have intrinsic preferences, much of its regulations come from the external environment. Section Five: Study Participants In a small town in the far west of Australia, youths (aged between 20-40 years) form the larger portion of the population. The town has a population of about 600 with much of these constituting young adults. The study seeks to focus on this economically, socially and politically active age group. Since perception may vary from gender to gender, the study will mix male and females in the ratio of 3:4 owing to the fact that women represent a relatively larger population compared to men. Body weight is a construct that cannot be ignored while assessing eating habits. This study will therefore include persons whose weight are 45kgs and above. Finally, the study will be restricted to only those living in Denham, Western Australia. This is due to the unique socioeconomic and cultural practices found in the area. Other characteristics that the target sample will have include: must have stayed in town for more than 6 months, and is, therefore, well versed with the culture of the community, the samples should include both the lower and the upper socioeconomic class, should also include individuals working or directly involved in diverse industries (as students, workers among others) and finally the target sample should constitute individuals from diverse religious backgrounds. These diversities will help cover virtually all social factors that could contribute to the perception the population have towards healthy eating. Age Gender Body Weight Location Between 20 to 40 years A mixture of male and female in a ratio of 3:4 respectively. Participants should be a mixture of varied body weights 45+ kgs. The study will be conducted in Denham, Western Australia. Participants should be inhabitants of this region. References Andersson, A., & Bryngelsson, S. (2007). Towards a healthy diet: from nutrition recommendations to dietary advice. Food & Nutrition Research, 51(1). doi:10.3402/fnr.v51i1.1607 Atik, D., & Ozdamar, Z. (2011). Childrens perception of food and healthy eating: dynamics behind their food preferences. International Journal Of Consumer Studies, 37(1), 59-65. doi:10.1111/j.1470-6431.2011.01049.x Gellar, L., Schrader, K., & Nansel, T. (2007). Healthy Eating Practices: Perceptions, Facilitators, and Barriers Among Youth With Diabetes. The Diabetes Educator, 33(4), 671-679. doi:10.1177/0145721707303807 Guptill, A., Copelton, D., & Lucal, B. (2013). Food & society. Malden, MA: Polity. Hammer, B., Vallianatos, H., Nykiforuk, C., & Nieuwendyk, L. (2015). Perceptions of healthy eating in four Alberta communities: a photovoice project. Agric Hum Values. doi:10.1007/s10460-015-9583-1 Head, H. (2013). Healthy eating. Mankato, Minn.: Sea-to-Sea. Healey, J. (2008). Food and nutrition. Thirroul, N.S.W.: Spinney Press. Hearty, Á., McCarthy, S., Kearney, J., & Gibney, M. (2007). Relationship between attitudes towards healthy eating and dietary behaviour, lifestyle and demographic factors in a representative sample of Irish adults. Appetite, 48(1), 1-11. doi:10.1016/j.appet.2006.03.329 Kharof, R., Meurer, J., & Nelson, D. (2013). Perceptions About Eating Healthy in WIC Participants. Clinical Pediatrics, 53(4), 403-406. doi:10.1177/0009922813482180 Prendergast, G., Grønhøj, A., & Bech‐Larsen, T. (2009). Adolescents perceptions of healthy eating and communication about healthy eating. Health Education, 109(6), 474-490. doi:10.1108/09654280911001158 Skinner, K., Hanning, R., & Tsuji, L. (2006). Barriers and supports for healthy eating and physical activity for first nation youths in northern Canada. International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 65(2). doi:10.3402/ijch.v65i2.18095 Welch, N., McNaughton, S., Hunter, W., Hume, C., & Crawford, D. (2008). Is the perception of time pressure a barrier to healthy eating and physical activity among women? Public Health Nutrition, 12(07), 888. doi:10.1017/s1368980008003066 Widome, R., Neumark-Sztainer, D., Hannan, P., Haines, J., & Story, M. (2009). Eating When There is Not Enough to Eat: Eating Behaviors and Perceptions of Food Among Food-Insecure Youths. Am J Public Health, 99(5), 822-828. doi:10.2105/ajph.2008.139758 Read More