Contribution of the local and home-food environments on the food practices of white adults in the Eastern suburbs of Tshwane

Abstract

The local urban and home-food environments of white adults living in the Eastern suburbs of the Tshwane Metropole is explored and described. The study focused on the contribution of these environments to the food practices of the study group. The South African population, similar to those of other developing and sub-Saharan countries, is undergoing rapid urbanisation that is closely associated with a number of social structural changes such as migration, modernisation, globalisation, economic advancement and acculturation. As a result food systems and environments simultaneously undergo major changes due to technological advancements, food policies and lifestyle changes of consumers. The urban environment further seems to negatively influence the food patterns of the urban South African population as the majority follow a pattern associated with high intakes of energy, salt, saturated fat and refined sugars with a low intake of fruit, vegetables and fibre. Currently much attention focuses on how the urban food environment influences and shapes consumers’ food intake and subsequent health. As there is limited information on the eating patterns and food-related behaviour of white South African adults, this study fills a gap in the literature. A quantitative research approach is followed in this cross-sectional study to achieve the objectives of the research. An electronic survey questionnaire, consisting of closed and open-ended questions was developed. Information gathered concerned the current eating patterns of the respondents, including aspects related to the local urban food and home-food environments. A total of 230 white adults in Regions 3, 4 and 6 of the Tshwane Metropolis completed the questionnaire. The white adults in Tshwane follow a typical Western eating pattern. The meal patterns consisted of 3 meals a day with in-between snacking. Most respondents eat all their meals at home and the majority consistently eat breakfast every day. Some eat meals away from home daily, either at the workplace or at restaurants. Although the majority consumed a variety of food daily as reflected in the Dietary Diversity Score of 6.20, a low consumption of legumes, fruit and vegetables by some respondents, raises concerns. Urban consumers in Tshwane have easy, adequate access and transport to most food stores. Supermarkets are frequently visited for food purchases and the majority do so at least once a week. The respondents were satisfied with the range of food outlets; including the quality and variety of foods, they have access to in their neighbourhoods. This study group eats family meals together on a daily basis and regarded their homes as places where healthy family meals were prepared and enjoyed. Positive attitudes towards healthy eating and family meals confirmed these findings. This study is significant and valuable and can assist in the development of intervention strategies to promote healthier food choices and further improve the food practices of urban consumers. Recommendations from the results of this study suggest that consumer educators and facilitators should thus target consumer education towards those Food-based Dietary Guidelines for South Africans that do not seem to be followed in the daily food practices of the study group.