Household Income, Food Marketing and Geographic Location Are 3 Factors That Have Been Identified by Australian Researchers That Are Potentially Influencing Food Choices in Australian Homes.
ECH130: Essay
Household income, food marketing and geographic location are 3 factors that have been identified by Australian researchers that are potentially influencing food choices in Australian homes.
Household Income
The cost of nutrient dense food is a determinant of health (Palermo, 2011). Income determines the household food budget which influences the variety of, and quality of the food purchased. Lee, Ralston and Truby (2011) conducted a study that “examines the effect of food cost on diet quality and risk factors for chronic disease” (Lee et al, 2011) within the Australian population. This study confirms that food prices affect food choices that reflect diet quality that determines disease risks. The cost of health foods has increased in comparison to lesser healthy foods (Lee et al, 2011), this increase in price has negatively affected low income households as their options on selecting healthy food is now limited to what is affordable to them. As a result of unhealthy eating there is an increase chance of diet-related lifestyle diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease among the low income earners. A method to help optimal outcomes on Australia’s health is food price modification. In which pricing is increased on ‘junk’ food and decreased in healthy and nutrient dense foods, Lee et al, states that “food price modification could potentially lead to change in food choices” (2011).
In addition, Giske, Turrell, Patterson and Newman (2002) performed a study to determine the fruit and vegetable consumption of Australian adults, the surveyed 8883 adults aged between 18 -64. Their study showed results that participants from a low income household ate smaller portions of fruits and vegetables and had a lower nutrient intake in contrast to high income households. Giske et al, reported price as the most influential barrier experienced by low income earners (2011), a finding that is also supported by Lee et al, 2011.
Children
Household income, food marketing and geographic location are 3 factors that have been identified by Australian researchers that are potentially influencing food choices in Australian homes.
Household Income
The cost of nutrient dense food is a determinant of health (Palermo, 2011). Income determines the household food budget which influences the variety of, and quality of the food purchased. Lee, Ralston and Truby (2011) conducted a study that “examines the effect of food cost on diet quality and risk factors for chronic disease” (Lee et al, 2011) within the Australian population. This study confirms that food prices affect food choices that reflect diet quality that determines disease risks. The cost of health foods has increased in comparison to lesser healthy foods (Lee et al, 2011), this increase in price has negatively affected low income households as their options on selecting healthy food is now limited to what is affordable to them. As a result of unhealthy eating there is an increase chance of diet-related lifestyle diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease among the low income earners. A method to help optimal outcomes on Australia’s health is food price modification. In which pricing is increased on ‘junk’ food and decreased in healthy and nutrient dense foods, Lee et al, states that “food price modification could potentially lead to change in food choices” (2011).
In addition, Giske, Turrell, Patterson and Newman (2002) performed a study to determine the fruit and vegetable consumption of Australian adults, the surveyed 8883 adults aged between 18 -64. Their study showed results that participants from a low income household ate smaller portions of fruits and vegetables and had a lower nutrient intake in contrast to high income households. Giske et al, reported price as the most influential barrier experienced by low income earners (2011), a finding that is also supported by Lee et al, 2011.
Children
References: 1. Campbell, K.J., Crawford D. A., & Hesketh, K. D., (2006) Australian parents’ views on their 5 – 6-year-old children’s food choices. Health Promotion International, 22(1) Doi 10.1093/heapro/dal0352. 2. Chapman 1 - Chapman, K., Nicholas, P., & Supramaniam, R., (2006) How much food advertising is there on Australian television? Health Promotion International, 21(3), Doi 10.1093/heapro/dal0214. 3 5. Jones, S.C., Tapsell, L., Andrews K.L., Williams, P., Gregory, P. (2009) Australian consumers’ discernment of different sources of ‘healthy eating’ 8. Lee, J.H., Ralston, R.A., & Truby, H. (2011). Influence of food cost on diet quality and risk factors for chronic disease: A systematic review. Nutrition & Dietetics, 68(4), 248-261. Doi 10.1111/j.1747-0080.2011.01554.x9. 9. New South Wales Health. (2002). NSW Childhood Obesity Summit. Parliament House, Sydney: NSW government. 10. Palermo, C. (2011). The cost of nutritious food: a determinant of health. Nutrition & Dietetics, 68 (4),246 -247. 11. Turell, G., Giskes, K. (2008). Socioeconomic disadvantage and the purchase of takeaway food: A multilevel analysis. Appetite, 5(1), 69-81. 12. Ramsey, R., Giskes, K., Turrell, G., & Gallegos, D., (2011). Food insecurity among Australian children: Potential determinants, health and developmental consequences. Journal of Child Health Care,15 (401) Doi10.1177/136749351142385410.