Influences on eating: a qualitative study of adolescents in a periurban area in Lima, Peru

Abstract

BackgroundPeruvian adolescents are at high nutritional risk, facing issues such as overweight and obesity, anemia, and pregnancy during a period of development. Research seeking to understand contextual factors that influence eating habits to inform the development of public health interventions is lacking in this population. This study aimed to understand socio-cultural influences on eating among adolescents in periurban Lima, Peru using qualitative methods.MethodsSemi-structured interviews and pile sort activities were conducted with 14 adolescents 15–17 years. The interview was designed to elicit information on influences on eating habits at four levels: individual (intrapersonal), social environmental (interpersonal), physical environmental (community settings), and macrosystem (societal). The pile sort activity required adolescents to place cards with food images into groups and then to describe the characteristics of the foods placed in each group. Content analysis was used to identify predominant themes of influencing factors in interviews. Multidimensional scaling and hierarchical clustering analysis was completed with pile sort data.ResultsIndividual influences on behavior included lack of financial resources to purchase food and concerns about body image. Nutrition-related knowledge also played a role; participants noted the importance of foods such as beans for anemia prevention. At the social environmental level, parents promoted healthy eating by providing advice on food selection and home-cooked meals. The physical environment also influenced intake, with foods available in schools being predominantly low-nutrient energy-dense. Macrosystem influences were evident, as adolescents used the Internet for nutrition information, which they viewed as credible.ConclusionsTo address nutrition-related issues such as obesity and iron-deficiency anemia in Peruvian adolescents, further research is warranted to elucidate the roles of certain factors shaping behavior, particularly that of family, cited numerous times as having a positive influence. Addressing nutrition-related issues such as obesity and iron-deficiency anemia in this population requires consideration of the effect of social and environmental factors in the context of adolescent lifestyles on behavior. Nutrition education messages for adolescents should consider the cultural perceptions and importance of particular foods, taking into account the diverse factors that influence eating behaviors.

Factors associated with nutritional status and dietary practices of Bangladeshi adolescents in early pregnancy

“…Such interventions need to address the accessibility, affordability, and demand for nutrient‐rich foods for this target group. On the demand side, behavior change communication directed toward adolescents is essential, and at the social environmental level, parents of adolescents can promote healthy eating by providing advice and modeling appropriate food selection and home‐cooked meals . Household vegetable gardens are also associated with improved dietary diversity scores .…”

“…On the demand side, behavior change communication directed toward adolescents is essential, and at the social environmental level, parents of adolescents can promote healthy eating by providing advice and modeling appropriate food selection and home-cooked meals. 30 Household vegetable gardens are also associated with improved dietary diversity scores. 31 Fortification of oil with vitamin A has the potential to address vitamin A deficiency, as oil is consumed widely and in significant amounts, 32 and universal salt iodization and/or provision of additional iodine supplements for pregnant adolescents are also critical.…”

Prevalence of under nutrition and associated factors among female higher secondary students in the schools of costal block panchayat in Kerala

“…A qualitative study by Jinan C Banna et al on influences on eating among adolescents in a periurban area in Lima,Peru in 2015 describes the media influence on nutrition [20]. Jennifer.L.…”

Gestación en la mujer obesa: consideraciones especiales

“…En el Perú, la prevalencia de sobrepeso en adolescentes de 15 a 19 años de edad en 2015 fue 20,5% y la de obesidad 5,1% (aumentó de 19,1% y 3,4%, respectivamente, en el año 2011); 13,6% ya tenían al menos un hijo (16) . Las mujeres que viven en áreas con altas tasas de anemia y desnutrición y que se embarazan durante la adolescencia son más propensas a morir o sufrir complicaciones durante el embarazo y el parto; asimismo, las adolescentes con sobrepeso aumentan el riesgo de problemas neonatales y perinatales (17) . En la ENDES 2015, el sobrepeso y la obesidad en las mujeres en edad fértil representaron 37,5% y 20,9%, respectivamente, porcentajes superiores al año 2011, cuando fueron 35,3% y 17,0%, en cada caso.…”

“…Un estudio mediante encuestas en adolescentes de 14 a 17 años en un área periurbana de Lima buscó los factores que influenciaban sus hábitos de comer. Halló que dichos factores fueron los recursos econó-micos para comprar alimentos, la imagen corporal, conocimientos sobre alimentos individuales, consejería familiar, menús familiares, disponibilidad de alimentos en los colegios -generalmente altos en calorías y pobres en nutrientes-y las redes sociales (34) .…”