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Barriers to healthy eating amongst men: A qualitative analysis

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  • Gough, Brendan
  • Conner, Mark T.

Abstract

Currently, little is known about the meanings men attach to food or to the links between food and health. The burgeoning literature on men's health highlights forms of masculinity (e.g. risk-taking, invulnerability) as a factor (negatively) influencing men's health practices. The aim of this study was to provide an analysis of men's accounts of food and health using concepts pertaining to masculinity. We report on a qualitative analysis of a dataset comprising 24 interviews with UK men from a range of age and social class groups. Our findings suggest two principal barriers to healthy eating in men: cynicism about government health messages and a rejection of healthy food on grounds of poor taste and inability to satisfy. These findings are discussed in relation to masculine ideals such as rationality, autonomy and strength. The implications of our analysis for future research and men's health promotion policy are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Gough, Brendan & Conner, Mark T., 2006. "Barriers to healthy eating amongst men: A qualitative analysis," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 62(2), pages 387-395, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:62:y:2006:i:2:p:387-395
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Courtenay, Will H., 2000. "Constructions of masculinity and their influence on men's well-being: a theory of gender and health," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 50(10), pages 1385-1401, May.
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    2. Mróz, Lawrence William & Chapman, Gwen E. & Oliffe, John L. & Bottorff, Joan L., 2011. "Gender relations, prostate cancer and diet: Re-inscribing hetero-normative food practices," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 72(9), pages 1499-1506, May.
    3. Owusu, Rebecca & Dekagbey, Florence Sefakor, 2020. "Gender Dynamics In Consumer Preferences And Willingness To Pay For Edible Mushrooms In Ghana," APSTRACT: Applied Studies in Agribusiness and Commerce, AGRIMBA, vol. 11(4-5), June.
    4. Klaudia Modlinska & Dominika Adamczyk & Dominika Maison & Wojciech Pisula, 2020. "Gender Differences in Attitudes to Vegans/Vegetarians and Their Food Preferences, and Their Implications for Promoting Sustainable Dietary Patterns–A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-17, August.
    5. Mark Cortnage & Andy Pringle, 2022. "Onset of Weight Gain and Health Concerns for Men: Findings from the TAP Programme," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-15, January.
    6. Gough, Brendan, 2007. "'Real men don't diet': An analysis of contemporary newspaper representations of men, food and health," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 64(2), pages 326-337, January.
    7. Thomas Thurnell-Read, 2013. "‘Yobs’ and ‘Snobs’: Embodying Drink and the Problematic Male Drinking Body," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 18(2), pages 103-112, May.
    8. Craig Donnachie & Helen Sweeting & Kate Hunt, 2023. "A Qualitative Study on Young Men’s Experiences of Intentional Weight-Gain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-15, February.
    9. Ross Barnett, J. & Pearce, Jamie & Howes, Pamela, 2006. "'Help, educate, encourage?': Geographical variations in the provision and utilisation of diabetes education in New Zealand," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 63(5), pages 1328-1343, September.
    10. Reczek, Corinne & Umberson, Debra, 2012. "Gender, health behavior, and intimate relationships: Lesbian, gay, and straight contexts," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 74(11), pages 1783-1790.

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