Urbanisation and Food Selection for South Asian Children

Abstract

Changes in diet and activity are supposed to be responsible for the increased prevalence of urbanization related diseases. By comparing determinants of food choice among rural and urban south Asians we can assess the impact of urbanization on food selection process and this information can help in planning nutrition education strategies. This study was conducted to compare the determinants of food choice for South Asian children at different levels of urbanization.Among South Asian groups relative impact of males on family food choice and that of parents on children`s food choice was more pronounced than it was among British Caucasians (BrC) but the influence decreased with urbanization rank (UR). With urbanization children`s likeness for fatty snacks increased significantly. Gender bias in food choice was higher among all south Asian groups as compared to BrC but decreased with urbanization rank. Determinants of food selection for children differ with urbanization status. Influences of children`s own preferences increase with UR. Influence of male family members on family food choice and gender bias in food preference decreases with UR.