3 results
Dietary beliefs in the Baltic republics
- Joceline Pomerleau, Martin McKee, Aileen Robertson, Kamelija Kadziauskiene, Algis Abaravicius, Roma Bartkeviciute, Sirje Vaask, Iveta Pudule, Daiga Grinberga
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- Journal:
- Public Health Nutrition / Volume 4 / Issue 2 / April 2001
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 27 September 2007, pp. 217-225
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Objectives
As beliefs and knowledge about the possible effects of foods on health can influence food behaviours, this study examined selected dietary beliefs in the Baltic countries and the association of beliefs related to salt intake and to types of fat with food behaviours.
DesignA cross-sectional study.
SettingData from three surveys conducted in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in the summer of 1997 were used to describe the prevalence of dietary beliefs in these countries and to investigate the association between beliefs and behaviours (using logistic regression).
SubjectsRepresentative national samples of adults were selected in each country (Estonia, n=2018; Latvia, n=2308; Lithuania, n=2153).
ResultsMisunderstood concepts (myths) related to dietary salt, types of fat, meat consumption and bread and potatoes were observed in high proportions of the population. Education level was an important correlate of beliefs related to salt intake and types of fat, people with a higher education level being more likely to be familiar with these issues. Correct beliefs were not consistently associated with healthier behaviours (e.g. less frequent use of salt at the table and use of non-animal fats for cooking), except for salt intake in Estonia.
ConclusionsSeveral misunderstood dietary concepts (myths) are still prevalent in the Baltic countries. Correct beliefs related to salt intake and types of fat were not consistent predictors of healthier food behaviours. In-depth qualitative investigations are needed to better describe and understand dietary beliefs and attitudes in the Baltic countries, and to identify barriers to the adoption of healthy food habits.
Patterns of body weight in the Baltic Republics
- Joceline Pomerleau, Iveta Pudule, Daiga Grinberga, Kamelija Kadziauskiene, Algis Abaravicius, Roma Bartkeviciute, Sirje Vaask, Aileen Robertson, Martin McKee
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- Journal:
- Public Health Nutrition / Volume 3 / Issue 1 / March 2000
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 02 January 2007, pp. 3-10
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Objective
Previously recorded rates of obesity in the Baltic Republics have been among the highest in the world although little is known about how they vary within the population. This study investigates the distribution of body mass index (BMI) and obesity in these countries.
DesignThree cross-sectional surveys conducted in the summer of 1997.
SettingEstonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
SubjectsRepresentative national samples of adults with measured weight and height (Estonia: n = 1154; Latvia: n = 2292; Lithuania: n = 2096).
ResultsBetween-country differences are particularly large among women: women from Latvia and Lithuania are approximately three times as likely to be obese as those from Estonia (17.4%, 18.3%, 6.0% respectively); only about one-third of this difference is explained by the sociodemographic and behavioural factors studied. In men, the prevalence of obesity varied only slightly among countries (Estonia: 9.9%; Latvia: 9.5%; Lithuania: 11.4%). While the prevalence of obesity increases with age within each republic, particularly in women, it is not associated with nationality or urban/rural region, and no consistent association is observed with income. Obesity is inversely related to education in Latvia and in Lithuanian women. Latvian men and women and Lithuanian men who smoked had a lower prevalence of obesity than non-smokers. Leisure time physical activity was not associated with obesity.
ConclusionsObesity is a major health problem in the Baltic Republics, particularly among Latvian and Lithuanian women. The lack of association between obesity and most demographic, socioeconomic and behavioural factors suggests that the problem is generalized. Health promotion strategies aiming at preventing and controlling excess weight gain in the Baltic Republics will need to target the general population.
Food security in the Baltic Republics
- Joceline Pomerleau, Martin McKee, Aileen Robertson, Sirje Vaask, Iveta Pudule, Daiga Grinberga, Algis Abaravicius, Roma Bartkeviciute
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- Journal:
- Public Health Nutrition / Volume 5 / Issue 3 / June 2002
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 02 January 2007, pp. 397-404
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Objectives:
Food insecurity has become an important issue in many countries of the former Soviet Union following the transition to a market economy. This study examined three aspects of food security in the Baltic Republics: reasons for choosing foods; level of dependence on home-grown or raised foods; and use of home-grown vegetables.
Design:Cross-sectional surveys.
Setting:Data from surveys conducted in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in the summer of 1997 were used to describe the three aspects of food security and their socio-economic correlates (using descriptive statistics and logistic regression).
Subjects:Representative samples of adults were selected in each country (Estonia, n = 2018; Latvia, n = 2308; Lithuania, n = 2153).
Results:Cost was the most commonly reported reason for choosing foods, particularly in Lithuania (67%) and Latvia (60%) (Estonia 41%), and especially among people with lower income levels. In each country, large proportions of respondents depended partially or entirely on home-grown or raised foods (Latvia 47%, Lithuania 42%, Estonia 32%) or used home-grown vegetables frequently (Lithuania 66%, Latvia 53%, Estonia 29%); this was particularly the case in rural areas.
Conclusions:The issue of food security needs to be examined further in the Baltic Republics and other transitional economies as increased access to safe, healthy foods for all could help improve dietary intake and reduce the high mortality from non-communicable diseases. Access to affordable, high-quality fresh foods by different social groups should be monitored and the potential contribution of home-grown and raised foods to reduce food poverty should be explored further1.
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