Consumer Focused Review of Men's
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Consumer Focused Review Of Men’s Food Behaviour 2014 Men’s Food Behaviour ISBN: 978-1-905767-51-9 Publication date: December 2014 Foreword With the publication in 2008 of the Men’s Health Policy and the formation of an all-island Men’s Health Forum, increased attention has been placed in recent years on the issue of men’s health. Obesity has been highlighted as a key concern for men given their higher rates of overweight and obesity when compared with women, a situation that exists across the island of Ireland. This report focuses specifically on the food-related behaviours of men and highlights key food-related public health issues for men including food safety and nutrition. The report also explores men’s knowledge, attitude and behaviours relating to food, and examines the relevant social and cultural influences. What is evident from this report is that men on the island of Ireland are in general, less engaged than women when it comes to food hygiene and healthy eating, something which is having a detrimental effect on their health. Men eat less healthily than women; consume more salt and fat and less fruit and vegetables. And though men are more likely to be overweight and obese than women, they are less aware of, and less concerned about, their weight. Awareness of excess weight as a major health issue for men needs to be raised. More boys and young men need to be educated on basic food skills such as planning and cooking. And more positive role models for men’s daily involvement with safe and healthy food need to be created, promoted and championed. Collectively, we all have a responsibility to reconsider how we regard men, their food and health. Ray Dolan, Chief Executive Officer, safefood. Table of contents Abbreviations .................................................................................................................................................... i List of Tables ..................................................................................................................................................... ii List of Figures .................................................................................................................................................. iii Acknowledgements .........................................................................................................................................iv 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background to safefood.............................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Rationale for the review .............................................................................................................. 2 1.3 Objective and terms of reference of the review ........................................................................ 3 1.4 The health of men on the island of Ireland ............................................................................... 3 1.5 Gender differences in food and health across the IOI ............................................................. 4 1.6 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................. 14 2 Cultural and societal influences on men’s food-related behaviour ................................................. 15 Key findings .......................................................................................................................................... 15 2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 16 2.2 Masculine identity and health ................................................................................................. 16 2.3 Masculine identity and food .................................................................................................... 17 2.4 Masculine identity and body weight ....................................................................................... 21 2.5 Gender and domestic food-work ............................................................................................. 22 2.6 Gender differences in food preparation training .................................................................... 28 2.7 Media representations of men’s food and health behaviour ................................................29 2.8 Conclusions ............................................................................................................................... 31 3 Men’s nutrition behaviour: knowledge, attitudes and perceptions ................................................ 32 Key findings .......................................................................................................................................... 32 3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 33 3.2 Gender differences in nutrition knowledge ............................................................................ 36 3.3 Attitudes to and perceptions of nutrition and healthy eating .............................................. 36 3.4 Influences on food choice......................................................................................................... 37 3.5 Changing food-related behaviour ........................................................................................... 40 3.6 Conclusions ............................................................................................................................... 41 4 Men’s food safety behaviour: knowledge, attitudes and perceptions ........................................... 42 Key findings ......................................................................................................................................... 42 4.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 43 4.2 Gender differences in food safety knowledge ....................................................................... 46 4.3 Concerns about food safety .................................................................................................... 47 4.4 Food risk perception ................................................................................................................. 47 4.5 Gender differences in food safety practices ........................................................................... 48 4.6 Conclusions .............................................................................................................................. 49 5 How men view the world of food: safefood qualitative research ................................................... 50 Key findings ......................................................................................................................................... 50 5.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 51 5.2 Research background ................................................................................................................ 51 5.3 Influences on men’s food behaviour ...................................................................................... 54 5.4 Men’s food involvement and motivations .............................................................................. 57 5.5 Communicating with men about food .................................................................................... 63 5.6 At risk groups ............................................................................................................................. 63 5.7 The household view and ownership of food-work ................................................................ 66 5.8 Conclusions ............................................................................................................................... 67 6 Conclusions and Recommendations ................................................................................................. 68 6.1 Conclusions .............................................................................................................................. 68 6.2 Recommendations .................................................................................................................... 71 6.2.3 Research recommendations ................................................................................................. 73 7 References ............................................................................................................................................ 75 Abbreviations BMI Body Mass Index BP Blood Pressure CAPI Computer Assisted Personal Interview DRV Dietary Reference Values EU European Union F&V Fruit and Vegetables FFQ Food Frequency Questionnaire FSA Food Standards Agency FSAI Food Safety Authority of Ireland IEFS Institute of European Food Studies IOI Island of Ireland NANS National Adult Nutrition Survey NDNS National Diet and Nutrition Survey NHS National Health Service NI Northern Ireland NSIFCS North South Ireland Food Consumption Survey PA Physical Activity RNI Reference Nutrient Intake ROI Republic of Ireland SES Socio-Economic Status SSB Sugar-Sweetened Beverages UK United Kingdom WHO World Health