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Social Norms Influencing the Local Food Environment as Perceived by Residents and Food Traders: The Heart Healthy Hoods Project

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  • María Sandín Vázquez

    (Surgery and Medical and Social Sciences Department, School of Medicine, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, 28871 Madrid, Spain
    Social and Cardiovascular Epidemiology Research Group, School of Medicine, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, 28871 Madrid, Spain)

  • Jesús Rivera

    (Social and Cardiovascular Epidemiology Research Group, School of Medicine, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, 28871 Madrid, Spain
    Sociology and Communication Department, Social Sciences Faculty, Salamanca University, 37008 Salamanca, Spain)

  • Paloma Conde

    (Social and Cardiovascular Epidemiology Research Group, School of Medicine, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, 28871 Madrid, Spain)

  • Marta Gutiérrez

    (Sociology and Communication Department, Social Sciences Faculty, Salamanca University, 37008 Salamanca, Spain)

  • Julia Díez

    (Social and Cardiovascular Epidemiology Research Group, School of Medicine, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, 28871 Madrid, Spain)

  • Joel Gittelsohn

    (Center for Human Nutrition and Global Obesity Prevention Center (GOPC) at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Manuel Franco

    (Surgery and Medical and Social Sciences Department, School of Medicine, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, 28871 Madrid, Spain
    Social and Cardiovascular Epidemiology Research Group, School of Medicine, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, 28871 Madrid, Spain
    Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

Abstract

Exploring subjective elements of the food environment remains key to understand why and how residents purchase food. Our aim was to explore and describe the social norms relating to the local food environment and food purchasing behaviors, as perceived by residents and food traders in Madrid, Spain. This qualitative study took place in a middle socioeconomic status neighborhood of Madrid between January 2015 and May 2016. We conducted 35 semi-structured interviews. We used stratified purposive sampling to recruit residents, neighborhood workers ( N = 20) and food traders ( N = 15) representing different levels of involvement with food purchasing behaviors. We analyzed these data using an interpretative phenomenological analysis approach. Participants highlighted social aspects of the food environment in relation to food purchasing behaviors. First, interpersonal and relational food environment elements were emphasized, including trust and tradition. Participants also identified generational demographic trends in relation to changes in the way residents purchased food: the new pace of life and the lack of time to buy fresh food and to cook at home. All these elements were influenced by the economic crisis. Food environment interventions aiming to improve food purchasing behaviors and residents’ diets should consider intermediate social aspects of the food environment like trust and tradition and the fast pace of life of younger generations.

Suggested Citation

  • María Sandín Vázquez & Jesús Rivera & Paloma Conde & Marta Gutiérrez & Julia Díez & Joel Gittelsohn & Manuel Franco, 2019. "Social Norms Influencing the Local Food Environment as Perceived by Residents and Food Traders: The Heart Healthy Hoods Project," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-13, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:3:p:502-:d:204876
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Catherine Paquet, 2019. "Environmental Influences on Food Behaviour," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-4, August.

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