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Bogard JR, Downs S, Casey E, Farrell P, Gupta A, Miachon L, Naughton S, Staromiejska W, Reeve E. Convenience as a dimension of food environments: A systematic scoping review of its definition and measurement. Appetite 2024; 194:107198. [PMID: 38176442 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2023.107198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Convenience is a major driver of food choice throughout the world, yet it is often inconsistently conceptualised, defined and measured. This limits the scope for food systems policy and interventions to leverage convenience to improve diet and nutrition outcomes. We conducted a systematic literature review to determine how convenience is both defined and measured in food environment and nutrition research. Six databases were systematically searched and studies were screened by two independent reviewers based on pre-defined eligibility criteria, yielding 243 studies for inclusion in the final review. 77% of studies did not explicitly define convenience. Among those that did, the dimensions and components within definitions varied. 83% of studies used perceived measures of convenience rather than objective measures. Convenience was most commonly measured in high income countries (64%) and in relation to the home food environment (53%), followed by formal retail (40%). Very few studies measured convenience in relation to the informal retail or cultivated food environments, and no studies considered convenience in relation to wild food environments. The vast majority of studies did not consider the validity or reliability of the measures of convenience. Based on our findings we propose a definition of convenience as a characteristic that results in reduced requirement for resources including time, physical effort, mental effort and skills by the consumer in relation to the planning, acquisition, preparation, storage, transport, consumption or clean-up of food. This definition can be used to help guide the development of measurement tools that can be used to assess convenience across different dimensions and contexts in a more comprehensive way. We also propose a framework for considering convenience as an entry point in food systems to improve diets and nutrition outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica R Bogard
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Shauna Downs
- Department of Health Behavior, Society and Policy, Rutgers School of Public Health, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Elodie Casey
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Penny Farrell
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy, Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Adyya Gupta
- Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, Institute for Health Transformation, School of Health & Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lais Miachon
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Shaan Naughton
- Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, Institute for Health Transformation, School of Health & Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Wiktoria Staromiejska
- Department of Health Behavior, Society and Policy, Rutgers School of Public Health, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Erica Reeve
- Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, Institute for Health Transformation, School of Health & Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
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Cabral D, Moura AP, Fonseca SC, Oliveira JC, Cunha LM. Exploring Rice Consumption Habits and Determinants of Choice, Aiming for the Development and Promotion of Rice Products with a Low Glycaemic Index. Foods 2024; 13:301. [PMID: 38254602 PMCID: PMC10814881 DOI: 10.3390/foods13020301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Current consumption drivers, particularly those related to health and wellbeing, have been influencing trends for the lower consumption of cereals, particularly rice, due to their typical high glycaemic index (GIs) and consequent impacts on obesity. To satisfy this consumer concern, more food innovations that promote healthy eating habits are required. Such innovations must be consumer-oriented to succeed, understanding the dynamics of consumer habits and responding to consumer expectations. This study explored these habits, from acquisition to consumption practices, and the expectations of the European market from the perspective of the major European consumer, Portugal, to obtain insights that support the development of low glycaemic index (GI) rice products. A mixed-methods approach was applied. For the first quantitative questionnaire, 256 Portuguese rice consumers aged 18-73 years were recruited. Twenty-four individuals were selected according to their gender and rice consumption profiles for in-depth interviews. The results confirmed that rice was the main side dish for the participants and was mainly consumed at home, cooked from raw milled rice. The drivers of consumption differ according to the provisioning process stage. In the acquisition stage, participants reported benefits from the rice's dynamic market by comparing products on price, brand, and rice types. In the preparation stage, participants reported the adequacy of the recipe and occasion, while in the consumption stage, participants enhanced their sensory preferences, depending on the rice dish. Although the GI concept was unknown to half of the participants, it was perceived as interesting and positive for healthy eating. Consumers showed concern about the taste and naturalness of the product, preferring it to be as close to a homemade dish as possible. The negative perceptions we verified were interpreted to be due to a lack of knowledge about the GI concept. Therefore, awareness actions and informative campaigns are recommended to promote low-GI rice products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diva Cabral
- GreenUPorto—Sustainable Agrifood Production Research Centre/Inov4Agro, Rua da Agrária 747, 4485-646 Vila do Conde, Portugal; (D.C.); (A.P.M.); (S.C.F.)
- DGAOT, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4485-646 Vila do Conde, Portugal
| | - Ana P. Moura
- GreenUPorto—Sustainable Agrifood Production Research Centre/Inov4Agro, Rua da Agrária 747, 4485-646 Vila do Conde, Portugal; (D.C.); (A.P.M.); (S.C.F.)
- DCeT, Universidade Aberta, 4200-055 Porto, Portugal
| | - Susana C. Fonseca
- GreenUPorto—Sustainable Agrifood Production Research Centre/Inov4Agro, Rua da Agrária 747, 4485-646 Vila do Conde, Portugal; (D.C.); (A.P.M.); (S.C.F.)
- DGAOT, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4485-646 Vila do Conde, Portugal
| | - Jorge C. Oliveira
- School of Engineering and Architecture, University College Cork, College Road, T12 YN60 Cork, Ireland
| | - Luís M. Cunha
- GreenUPorto—Sustainable Agrifood Production Research Centre/Inov4Agro, Rua da Agrária 747, 4485-646 Vila do Conde, Portugal; (D.C.); (A.P.M.); (S.C.F.)
- DGAOT, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4485-646 Vila do Conde, Portugal
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Agarwal V, Joshi I. Need for Nutritious Convenience Foods for the Elderly Population: A Review. CURRENT NUTRITION & FOOD SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.2174/1573401316999201009144719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Worldwide, the population of elderly persons is rising at a very fast rate. Elderly people
have difficulties in performing day to day activities as the aging process deteriorates the normal
functioning of their body. There is risk of inadequate nutrition because of difficulties in shopping
for food, cooking a meal, chewing and putting food in mouth. Vision loss makes cooking, and even
eating, more difficult. Some elderly people live alone or with their spouses. Cooking for one or two
persons/s is not very stimulating. These changes have a great role to play in changing the eating
habits of the elderly which may affect their nutrient intake. All these factors may cause nutritional
deficiencies, malnutrition and other health problems among them. There are major opportunities to
develop convenience food products in order to meet the changing needs of aging population. In order
to get maximum product acceptance, it is important to combine the elements of convenience
and affordability. While designing products for elderly, it is desirable to modify the food consistency
to assist in swallowing, make it nutrient-dense and design it in a way that it can be easily handled
and eaten. The packaging can be easy to open, information written in large fonts and contrasting
colours to help in easy reading. The availability of nutritious ‘ready-meals’ can serve as an opportunity
for elderly people who do not want to cook or have low interest in cooking. This can provide
a variety of healthier food choices to them and help to reduce malnutrition. Access to nutritious
convenience food products can facilitate a positive intervention to the aging consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vyoma Agarwal
- Department of Home Science, IIS (Deemed to be University), Jaipur 302020, India
| | - Ila Joshi
- Department of Home Science, IIS (Deemed to be University), Jaipur 302020, India
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