TITLE:
Relationship between Socio-Demographic Factors and Eating Practices in a Multicultural Society
AUTHORS:
Stephanie M. Krige, Fawzi M. Mahomoodally, Anwar H. Subratty, Deerajen Ramasawmy
KEYWORDS:
Sociodemographics; Eating Practices; Out of Home Meal; Socio-Economic; Mauritius
JOURNAL NAME:
Food and Nutrition Sciences,
Vol.3 No.3,
March
21,
2012
ABSTRACT: There is currently a dearth of information pertaining to socio-demographic factors and eating practices in a multicultural country like Mauritius. This study was therefore undertaken to probe the different eating practices among an adult sample population in Mauritius in an endeavor to establish significant relationships, if any, with common socio-demographic and socio-economic factors. A self-designed questionnaire, (randomly distributed to n = 387 adults), pertaining to socio-demographic variables, vegetarianism, breakfast patterns, eating out of home meals (OHMs), food frequency questions and dieting practices were asked. Males (21 - 40 yrs) had a significantly (p 0.05) to adherence to the recommendations for the consumption of fish. The socio-demographic factors most influential towards eating practices were gender, age and socio-economic status represented by education and occupation. In conclusion, relationships recorded in the present study were comparable to Western eating practices and the availability of certain foods has compelled Mauritians to develop its own and unique eating patterns which can be of relevance in providing accurate health targets for future nutrition interventions in Mauritius.