JAN 11, 2021 2:05 PM EST

Psychosocial and Cultural Factors Influencing Dietary Intake and Patterns

Speaker
  • Cheryl Anderson, PhD, MPH, MS

    Professor and Dean, UC San Diego Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science; Director Center of Excellence in Health Behavior and Equity
    BIOGRAPHY

Abstract

In January 2021 our nation is in the midst of mitigating pandemic of SARS-CoV-2, is witnessing violence and outrage at the US Capitol in response to recent presidential election results, and is acknowledging structural anti-Black racism as a public health crisis. There is also persistent increasing population diversity driving a need for recognition and appreciation of different cultures. Now more than ever, we need to understand and address the impact of psychosocial and cultural factors such as toxic stress, belief systems, and traditions on dietary intake. A public health framework, such as the socioecological model, can be used to understand the complex interplay between biological, behavioral, psychosocial, and cultural factors. These factors can operate at the level of the individual, provider, or healthcare system and robust nutrition research should assess these dimensions. Norms and behavioral customs around food can be potential targets for nutrition interventions; and to achieve health equity they should be removed if they are identified to be root causes of disparities in dietary intake across population groups.