A qualitative study of the drivers of socioeconomic inequalities in men’s eating behaviours
Abstract Background Men of low socioeconomic position (SEP) are less likely than those of higher SEP to consume fruits and vegetables, and more likely to eat processed discretionary foods. Education level is a widely used marker of SEP. Few studies have explored determinants of socioeconomic inequal...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2018-11-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-018-6162-6 |
| _version_ | 1818792229352767488 |
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| author | Lena D. Stephens David Crawford Lukar Thornton Dana Lee Olstad Philip J. Morgan Frank J. van Lenthe Kylie Ball |
| author_facet | Lena D. Stephens David Crawford Lukar Thornton Dana Lee Olstad Philip J. Morgan Frank J. van Lenthe Kylie Ball |
| author_sort | Lena D. Stephens |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Men of low socioeconomic position (SEP) are less likely than those of higher SEP to consume fruits and vegetables, and more likely to eat processed discretionary foods. Education level is a widely used marker of SEP. Few studies have explored determinants of socioeconomic inequalities in men’s eating behaviours. The present study aimed to explore intrapersonal, social and environmental factors potentially contributing to educational inequalities in men’s eating behaviour. Methods Thirty Australian men aged 18–60 years (15 each with tertiary or non-tertiary education) from two large metropolitan sites (Melbourne, Victoria; and Newcastle, New South Wales) participated in qualitative, semi-structured, one-on-one telephone interviews about their perceptions of influences on their and other men’s eating behaviours. The social ecological model informed interview question development, and data were examined using abductive thematic analysis. Results Themes equally salient across tertiary and non-tertiary educated groups included attitudes about masculinity; nutrition knowledge and awareness; ‘moralising’ consumption of certain foods; the influence of children on eating; availability of healthy foods; convenience; and the interplay between cost, convenience, taste and healthfulness when choosing foods. More prominent influences among tertiary educated men included using advanced cooking skills but having relatively infrequent involvement in other food-related tasks; the influence of partner/spouse support on eating; access to healthy food; and cost. More predominant influences among non-tertiary educated men included having fewer cooking skills but frequent involvement in food-related tasks; identifying that ‘no-one’ influenced their diet; having mobile worksites; and adhering to food budgets. Conclusions This study identified key similarities and differences in perceived influences on eating behaviours among men with lower and higher education levels. Further research is needed to determine the extent to which such influences explain socioeconomic variations in men’s dietary intakes, and to identify feasible strategies that might support healthy eating among men in different socioeconomic groups. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-18T15:23:55Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0a1e0abc16344665a47d48d9f3de1797 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-18T15:23:55Z |
| publishDate | 2018-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-0a1e0abc16344665a47d48d9f3de17972022-12-21T21:03:19ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582018-11-0118111210.1186/s12889-018-6162-6A qualitative study of the drivers of socioeconomic inequalities in men’s eating behavioursLena D. Stephens0David Crawford1Lukar Thornton2Dana Lee Olstad3Philip J. Morgan4Frank J. van Lenthe5Kylie Ball6Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin UniversityInstitute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin UniversityInstitute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin UniversityDepartment of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of CalgaryPriority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Education, University of NewcastleDepartment of Public Health, Erasmus MC, Erasmus University Medical CenterInstitute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin UniversityAbstract Background Men of low socioeconomic position (SEP) are less likely than those of higher SEP to consume fruits and vegetables, and more likely to eat processed discretionary foods. Education level is a widely used marker of SEP. Few studies have explored determinants of socioeconomic inequalities in men’s eating behaviours. The present study aimed to explore intrapersonal, social and environmental factors potentially contributing to educational inequalities in men’s eating behaviour. Methods Thirty Australian men aged 18–60 years (15 each with tertiary or non-tertiary education) from two large metropolitan sites (Melbourne, Victoria; and Newcastle, New South Wales) participated in qualitative, semi-structured, one-on-one telephone interviews about their perceptions of influences on their and other men’s eating behaviours. The social ecological model informed interview question development, and data were examined using abductive thematic analysis. Results Themes equally salient across tertiary and non-tertiary educated groups included attitudes about masculinity; nutrition knowledge and awareness; ‘moralising’ consumption of certain foods; the influence of children on eating; availability of healthy foods; convenience; and the interplay between cost, convenience, taste and healthfulness when choosing foods. More prominent influences among tertiary educated men included using advanced cooking skills but having relatively infrequent involvement in other food-related tasks; the influence of partner/spouse support on eating; access to healthy food; and cost. More predominant influences among non-tertiary educated men included having fewer cooking skills but frequent involvement in food-related tasks; identifying that ‘no-one’ influenced their diet; having mobile worksites; and adhering to food budgets. Conclusions This study identified key similarities and differences in perceived influences on eating behaviours among men with lower and higher education levels. Further research is needed to determine the extent to which such influences explain socioeconomic variations in men’s dietary intakes, and to identify feasible strategies that might support healthy eating among men in different socioeconomic groups.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-018-6162-6Socioeconomic inequalitiesMenEating behavioursNutrition |
| spellingShingle | Lena D. Stephens David Crawford Lukar Thornton Dana Lee Olstad Philip J. Morgan Frank J. van Lenthe Kylie Ball A qualitative study of the drivers of socioeconomic inequalities in men’s eating behaviours BMC Public Health Socioeconomic inequalities Men Eating behaviours Nutrition |
| title | A qualitative study of the drivers of socioeconomic inequalities in men’s eating behaviours |
| title_full | A qualitative study of the drivers of socioeconomic inequalities in men’s eating behaviours |
| title_fullStr | A qualitative study of the drivers of socioeconomic inequalities in men’s eating behaviours |
| title_full_unstemmed | A qualitative study of the drivers of socioeconomic inequalities in men’s eating behaviours |
| title_short | A qualitative study of the drivers of socioeconomic inequalities in men’s eating behaviours |
| title_sort | qualitative study of the drivers of socioeconomic inequalities in men s eating behaviours |
| topic | Socioeconomic inequalities Men Eating behaviours Nutrition |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-018-6162-6 |
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