Assessing the determinants of unhealthy dietary habits among a sample of survey participants in Jamaica

Bibliographic Data

ID14965699
AuthorsAlthea La Foucade (The University of the West Indies, Saint Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago), Althea LaFoucade (0000-0001-8416-224X, University of the West Indies, corresponding author), Samuel Gabriel (0000-0003-2841-8145, The University of the West Indies, Saint Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago), Vyjanti Beharry (0009-0000-5084-4496, The University of the West Indies, Saint Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago), Christine Laptiste (0000-0002-3438-1994, The University of the West Indies, Saint Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago), Charmaine Metivier (0000-0001-5733-0404, The University of the West Indies, Saint Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago), T Alafia Samuels (0000-0001-6047-189X, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica), Karl Theodore (The University of the West Indies, Saint Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago), Patricia Edwards-Wescott (The University of the West Indies, Saint Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago)
Year2022
Volume46
Pages1
Publication date2022-08-25
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueRevista Panamericana de Salud Pública (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1020-4989 • E-ISSN: 1680-5348
PublisherPan American Health Organization (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.26633/rpsp.2022.72
PMID36042708
OpenAlexW4293092704
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited15

Objective. To identify and assess the determinants of unhealthy dietary habits among a sample of survey participants in Jamaica. Methods. Because of resource constraints, this cross-sectional assessment is based on a three-stage non-probability sample of 374 survey respondents in Jamaica aged ≥18 years. Firstly, three administrative areas (parishes) were randomly selected. Secondly, the main commercial areas within the selected parishes were identified, from which a non-probability sample of establishments was drawn. A broad selection of establishments covering public, private, and nongovernmental organizations was chosen. This array of establishments was selected to capture a sample of respondents that was as representative as possible. Patrons and employees in the selected establishments were asked to complete a questionnaire. Results. Respondents’ self-assessment of their general consumption revealed that 48.4% were unhealthy eaters. Among these, the top reasons for generally unhealthy dietary choices were greater accessibility of unhealthy foods (63.5%) and limited time to prepare healthy meals (61.3%). Additionally, 52.5% indicated “unhealthy foods cost less,” and 47.0% identified affordability as the main factor in the food choice equation. Findings revealed that the determinants of eating unhealthily tended to vary across income, age, and gender. Female, younger, and lower-income respondents have a higher likelihood of being impacted by the factors. Conclusions. The largest proportions of the sample identified limited time to prepare healthy meals and the ease of access to unhealthy foods as the foremost determinants of unhealthy eating habits. These barriers to healthy eating are more likely to impact survey participants in the 18–34 age group

Environmental health · Geography · Sample (material · Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations · Medicine · Nutritional Studies and Diet · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Psychology · Gerontology

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