Sociocultural Factors Flashcards
(21 cards)
Family
- Families influence young people’s eating habits through patterns, behaviours, and role modelling.
-When parents choose healthy foods, eat breakfast, and teach cooking skills, it encourages youth to eat healthily.
Family
Barrier
Regularly eating unhealthy foods (e.g. takeaway, sugary snacks).
Skipping meals like breakfast.
Making poor food choices when shopping or eating out.
Family
Enabler
Role modelling healthy eating (e.g. choosing nutritious foods, eating breakfast).
Providing balanced meals at home.
Teaching young people how to cook healthy meals.
Peer group
As youth become more independent, peers play a bigger role in shaping eating habits.
Young people often eat what their friends eat, especially when eating out.
Peer group
Enabler
Friends choosing healthy foods can influence others to do the same.
Health-conscious peers can promote balanced eating habits.
Positive peer pressure can encourage portion control and healthy choices when eating out.
Peer group
Barrier
Pressure to be thin may lead to skipping meals or avoiding certain foods.
Social norms may promote unhealthy, processed foods.
Peer influence can cause distorted or restrictive eating patterns.
Income
Low-income groups may experience food insecurity, meaning they lack regular access to nutritious food.
Income can influence what an individual is able to afford.
Income
Enabler
High income allows greater food choices, including nutritious and organic options.
Ability to afford a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables year-round.
Income
Barrier
Low income can lead to food insecurity.
Energy-dense, unhealthy foods are often cheaper and more accessible.
Limited transport can restrict access to healthy food options.
Fast food is often more available in low-income areas.
Education
access to formal learning and the development of health literacy.
knowledge and understanding young people gain about health, nutrition, and lifestyle behaviours.
supports informed decision-making about food and overall health.
Education
Enabler
Higher education improves knowledge of nutrition and healthy habits.
Better income from higher education allows purchase of nutritious foods.
Increases awareness of important nutrients.
Education
Barrier
Low education may limit understanding of a balanced diet.
Youth may not know which nutrients are important or what foods contain them.
Skipping meals due to lack of knowledge can result in nutrient deficiencies.
Religion
Enabler
Religious practices may encourage balanced diets if properly managed.
Structured dietary rules can lead to mindful and disciplined eating habits.
Religion
a system of spiritual beliefs and practices followed by individuals or communities.
specific rules or traditions around food consumption.
avoiding certain types of meat, following specific preparation methods, or fasting during certain periods.
Religion
Barrier
Avoidance of certain foods (e.g., meat) without proper nutritional substitutes can lead to deficiencies (e.g., protein, iron).
Restrictions on food types (e.g., halal/kosher only) can limit food availability or access.
Extended fasting periods (e.g., during Ramadan) may pose challenges for individuals with certain health conditions.
Cultural group
customs, traditions, and social behaviours of particular groups
Food choices often reflect traditional dishes common in a person’s country or region of origin
strongly influences the types of foods people eat.
Cultural group
Enabler
Some cultures promote diets rich in vegetables, meats and other healthy choices (eg Japan)
Traditional cooking methods may encourage fresh, home-prepared meals.
Cultural group
Barrier
Some cultures favour energy-dense or high-fat foods (e.g., sausages, fried foods), which may affect health.
Cultural food preferences may limit exposure to other nutritious options if not balanced.
Gender
social and cultural differences between males and females that influence behaviours.
Differences in health-related beliefs and behaviours between genders start during youth.
influence the types and amounts of food males and females consume.
Gender
Men
Consume less fruit, vegetables, fibre, and low-fat foods compared to females.
Drink more soft drinks.
Face barriers like limited time, cost concerns, lack of cooking skills, and poor understanding of serving sizes.
Marketing often links masculinity with eating animal products (e.g., meat-pie ads targeting men).
Gender
Women
Tend to have better understanding of healthy eating.
Are more concerned about food choices, possibly due to cultural ideals valuing thinness.
