Made available in DSpace on 2016-10-13T14:10:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Paulette Siekierski.pdf: 3620851 bytes, checksum: b9326025bf5e4cddccf48bfd3b1b3ddf (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-03-21 / The pivotal question that this thesis attempts to answer is: how do lifestyles influence eating habits associated with consumption of ready meals. It is known that changes in lifestyle of the western world population have increased the demand for convenience in meal preparation. Consumers are working longer hours, spending more time in traffic and they want to maximize leisure time which has been increasingly limited. As a result, they demand products and services that facilitate and support their busy lives (Olsen, 2010). In response to this demand, the food industry has expanded its options for meals (Geeroms et al., 2008). In this context, the objectives of this research are to analyze the influence of socio-demographic variables in the choice of the ready food; study the importance of the factors as health, taste, convenience and tradition in the consumption of ready meals; and to compare consumption habits of ready meals related with lifestyles in São Paulo and Rome. The literature reviews lifestyle, multiculturalism, food habits and consumption of ready meals. In this process, the measurement scale developed and validated abroad deemed most promising for this study were adapted to the context. Electronic instruments have been set up to collect data which were accessible via a link sent by e-mail to residents of São Paulo and Rome. We obtained 200 valid questionnaires in São Paulo and 155 in Rome. According to the results, consumers in the two cities have different styles in relation to food. A study from Vanhonacker et al. (2010) indicates that older populations of southern Europe are traditional in terms of eating habits. Similarly, in this work, consumers from Rome are more concerned with tradition and health, compared to consumers from São Paulo. According to Askegaard and Madsen (1998), the Germanic cultures are more concerned about their health and in Italy, the sensory element matters the most. This study indicated that in São Paulo, there is a greater emphasis on convenience and flavor. The flavor dimension is supported by the anthropologist Da Matta (2001), in the observation that one of the most important Brazilian social mirrors is food, with what he calls "food code" which theoretically expresses the society. According to him, for Brazilians, "knowing how to eat is far more refined than the simple act of eating" (2001, p. 55). The city of São Paulo is proud to be a gastronomic hub of social activities and many of those activities take place in social gatherings that involve food. Therefore, the flavor dimension is easily explained. Simultaneously, the convenience dimension is supported by another feature of the city, the fact that it is a large urban center. Maluf (2001) indicates that the circumstances of contemporary life and the impact of advertising have changed the acquisition and consumption of food, highlighting the relevance of prepared foods in São Paulo. The limitation of this study is the criteria of the convenience sampling. It is believed that these results may be relevant both for the development of new products and for the positioning of products and brands active in these markets, or even to identify new market segments or understand different generations of consumers. / A pergunta central que este trabalho procura responder é: como estilos de vida associados a hábitos alimentares influenciam o consumo de pratos prontos? Sabe-se que mudanças no estilo de vida de indivíduos do mundo ocidental têm aumentado a demanda por conveniência na preparação das refeições. Consumidores trabalham mais horas, gastam mais tempo no trânsito e desejam maximizar o tempo de lazer cada vez mais limitado; exigem, assim, produtos e serviços que facilitem e apoiem a vida agitada (OLSEN, 2010). Como reação a essa demanda, a indústria alimentar tem expandido suas opções de refeições prontas (GEEROMS et al., 2008). Nesse contexto, os objetivos desta pesquisa são: analisar a influência de variáveis sociodemográficas na escolha do produto alimentar pronto; estudar a importância da orientação para a saúde, sabor, conveniência e tradição no consumo de pratos prontos; e comparar hábitos alimentares de pratos prontos de consumidores de São Paulo e de Roma. São revisadas as literaturas de estilo de vida, multiculturalismo, hábitos alimentares e consumo de pratos prontos. Neste processo, as escalas de mensuração desenvolvidas e validadas no exterior julgadas mais promissoras para este estudo foram adaptadas para o contexto em questão. Foram configurados instrumentos eletrônicos de coletas de dados, acessíveis via link enviado por e-mail para residentes em São Paulo e em Roma. Obtiveram-se 200 questionários válidos de São Paulo e 155 de Roma. De acordo com os resultados, os consumidores das duas cidades apresentam diferentes estilos no tocante à alimentação. Estudo de Vanhonacker et al. (2010) indica que populações mais idosas do sul da Europa são tradicionais no tocante à alimentação. Similarmente, neste trabalho, consumidores de Roma apresentam maior preocupação com a tradição e saúde, comparativamente a São Paulo. Para Askegaard e Madsen (1998), as culturas germânicas são mais preocupadas com a saúde, sendo que na Itália importaria o elemento sensorial. Este estudo indicou que, em São Paulo, há maior ênfase na conveniência e no sabor. A dimensão sabor encontra suporte no antropólogo Da Matta (2001), na observação de que um dos mais importantes espelhos sociais brasileiros é a comida, havendo o que denomina de código da comida que exprime teoricamente a sociedade. Segundo esse autor, para o brasileiro, o saber comer é muito mais refinado do que o simples ato de alimentar-se (2001, p. 55). A cidade de São Paulo orgulha-se de ser um pólo gastronômico e muitas das atividades sociais do habitante da cidade se dá em confraternizações que envolvem a alimentação. Portanto, a dimensão sabor é facilmente explicável. Simultaneamente, a dimensão conveniência é suportada por outra característica da cidade: o fato de ser um grande centro urbano. Maluf (2001) indica que as circunstâncias da vida contemporânea e os impactos da propaganda têm alterado a forma de aquisição e de consumo dos alimentos, destacando a relevância dos alimentos preparados na cidade de São Paulo. Como limitação deste estudo, destaca-se o critério de amostragem por conveniência. Acredita-se que os resultados apresentados possam ser relevantes tanto para o desenvolvimento de novos produtos como para o posicionamento de produtos e marcas atuantes nesses mercados, ou, ainda, para identificar novos segmentos de mercado ou compreender diferentes gerações de consumidores.

Tse Man. / Accompanying booklet titled: Dietary assessment food portion booklet. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 101-122). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Acknowledgements --- p.i / Abstract --- p.ii / Abstract (Chinese version) --- p.iv / Table of contents --- p.vi / List of figures --- p.x / List of tables --- p.xi / List of abbreviations --- p.xiv / Chapter Chapter one: --- Introduction --- p.1 / Breast cancer trends in Hong Kong --- p.1 / Risk factors for breast cancer occurrence --- p.4 / "Body weight, obesity, hormones and breast cancer" --- p.4 / Evidence for postmenopausal women --- p.4 / Evidence for premenopausal women --- p.6 / Hormones and breast cancer --- p.7 / Dietary factors: Foods and nutrients --- p.11 / Animal foods and fats --- p.11 / Dietary fats --- p.13 / Other animal foods --- p.14 / Fruit and vegetable intakes --- p.14 / Positive family history --- p.15 / Alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking --- p.15 / Physical Activity --- p.17 / "Cancer, obesity and immunity" --- p.17 / Aims and scope of the study --- p.19 / Chapter Chapter two: --- Methodology --- p.22 / Questionnaires and their derivation --- p.22 / Literature derivation of the questionnaires --- p.22 / Pretest of the questionnaires --- p.25 / Research ethics --- p.26 / Subject recruitment --- p.26 / Anthropometric measurements --- p.27 / Interviews --- p.28 / First interview --- p.28 / Second and third telephone interviews --- p.29 / Immunoassays --- p.30 / Materials for immunoassays --- p.30 / Immunophenotyping of cells --- p.30 / MultiTEST´ёØ four-color direct immunofluorescence reagent kit --- p.32 / Human tumor neurosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) Quantikine® high sensitivity enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit --- p.33 / Methods for immunoassays --- p.33 / Flow cytometric analysis --- p.34 / TNF-α Quantikine® high sensitivity ELISA assay --- p.35 / Data management --- p.35 / Statistical methods --- p.35 / Data analysis --- p.36 / Dietary analysis --- p.36 / Definition of weight status --- p.37 / Measurements of immune cell levels --- p.37 / Chapter Chapter three: --- Results --- p.39 / Participation rate --- p.39 / Characteristics of the patients --- p.40 / Demographics --- p.40 / Pregnancy and breast-feeding experiences --- p.42 / Medical history --- p.43 / Body weight and obesity status --- p.45 / Dietary patterns --- p.46 / Fat and oil removal habit when eating meat and poultry --- p.46 / Perceived fat consumption --- p.46 / Eating out habits --- p.47 / Vegetarian diet adoption and food allergy or intolerance --- p.48 / Cooking methods --- p.48 / Alcohol consumption and supplementation habits --- p.50 / Preferences and perceived amounts of consumption on food groups --- p.51 / Cooking oils used at home --- p.52 / Nutrient intake patterns from dietary recalls --- p.53 / Soy intakes --- p.55 / Meal locations --- p.55 / Energy intakes by weight status --- p.56 / Food group intakes by FFQ --- p.57 / Food items not covered by FFQ --- p.62 / Top ten fat and fiber contributors by FFQ --- p.63 / Daily fruit and vegetable intakes by FFQ and 3 days' dietary recalls --- p.64 / Correlation of FFQ and 3 days' dietary recalls by food group intakes --- p.64 / Correlation of FFQ and 3 days' dietary recalls by fat and fiber intakes --- p.65 / Fat and fiber intakes by weight status --- p.66 / Other lifestyle patterns --- p.68 / Exercise participation and smoking habits --- p.68 / Daily activities' participation by weight status --- p.69 / Immune status / Overview of general immune cell levels --- p.71 / Immune status and BMI weight grouping --- p.72 / Immune status and overweight --- p.74 / Immune status and percent body fat --- p.76 / Immune status and waist-hip ratio --- p.77 / "Weight status, adiposity and immune status: summary" --- p.78 / Immune status and protein intakes --- p.82 / Immune status and fat intakes --- p.83 / Immune status and fiber intake --- p.84 / Immune status and vitamin C intake --- p.85 / Immune status and menopausal status --- p.86 / Chapter Chapter four: --- Discussion / Implications of findings --- p.88 / Interpreting the Immune status of the subjects --- p.88 / Lymphocyte and NK cell levels --- p.89 / Regulatory T cell (Treg) levels --- p.89 / TNF-α levels --- p.90 / Immune status and nutrient intakes --- p.90 / Typical dietary patterns of the subjects --- p.91 / Physical activity patterns --- p.94 / Weight status --- p.95 / "Subjects' fat, fiber intakes and anthropometric measurements compared to previous research" --- p.96 / Limitations of the study --- p.96 / Future directions of research --- p.98 / Chapter Chapter five: --- Conclusion --- p.99 / References --- p.101 / Appendices --- p.123 / Chapter A1 --- Questionnaire (Chinese version) --- p.123 / Chapter A2 --- Questionnaire (English version) --- p.138 / Chapter B1 --- Food frequency questionnaire (Chinese version) --- p.153 / Chapter B2 --- Food frequency questionnaire (English version) --- p.156 / Chapter C --- Dietary assessment food portion booklet --- p.160 / Chapter D1 --- 3 days dietary recall questionnaire (Chinese version) --- p.161 / Chapter D2 --- 3 days dietary recall questionnaire (English version) --- p.174 / Chapter El --- Consent form (Chinese version) --- p.187 / Chapter E2 --- Consent form (English version) --- p.189 / Chapter F --- Results of patient invitation to participate during recruitment period --- p.191

價值觀與生活型態是消費者從事各項消費行為的基礎，透過價值觀及生活型態可以解釋及預測消費者行為，因此對於研究消費者行為是相當重要的基礎主題之一。Rokeach (1973) 認為價值觀是一種持久的信念，這樣的信念使個人或社會對於某些特定的行為模式或是事情的結果產生偏好。Lazer (1963) 將生活型態定義為一種有特性的生活模式，代表某一個群體或社會有別於其他群體之特徵，這些特徵之差異來自於文化、價值觀及資源等綜合影響的結果。過去學者研究消費者的價值觀及生活型態時，多半以單一國家的消費者為主，雖然也有學者比較跨文化的消費者生活型態，但仍以美歐等地之研究居多。因此，本研究藉由交換至法國的機會，於當地進行消費者調查，取得第一手資料，以瞭解當地消費者生活型態及消費價值觀，並與台灣消費者進行跨文化比較。 本研究採滾雪球法抽樣，深度訪談十三位法國消費者及十九位台灣消費者。訪談內容為消費價值觀及生活型態等主題，包括工作與休閒生活、家庭及朋友關係、消費模式及金錢分配方式，並導出相關命題如：台灣人較法國人之價格敏感度高、台灣人較法國人具有品牌意識、台灣人在消費時較法國人具他人導向、台灣人較法國人具投資理財觀、台灣人較法國人重視工作所帶來的金錢滿足以及台灣人較法國人對婚姻關係有較高的期待等命題。 此外，本研究並探討消費價值觀如何具體影響消費者的生活型態及消費模式，透過本研究可發現：價格敏感度高的消費者，會隨著折扣或低價而調整其消費頻率；具他人導向的消費者會傾向購買外顯性的名牌產品，也較易受他人影響而產生衝動性消費行為。 藉由本研究可瞭解兩地消費價值觀及生活型態之差異，廠商進入兩地市場時，可參考本研究結果設計適合當地消費者之行銷策略，以期更貼近消費者需求。 / Values and lifestyles can be the foundation of most kinds of consumptions. Therefore, studying values and lifestyles is of importance for marketers to explain and predict consumers’behavior. According to Rokeach (1973), a value is defined as “an enduring belief that a specific mode of conduct or end-state of existence is personally or socially preferable to an opposite or converse mode of conduct or end-state of existence.”As for lifestyle, it is defined as“a distinctive or characteristic mode of living (Lazer, 1963). Past studies concerning values and lifestyles mostly focused consumers in one country. Even though some studies dealed with cross-cultural comparison, they usually compared two or more markets in American and European. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the lifestyles and consumption values of consumers in Taiwan and France to do a cross-cultural comparison between Taiwanese and French consumers. Thirteen French consumers and nineteen Taiwanese consumers were interviewed during this study. The interview questions were regarding to lifestyles and consumption values, such as respondents' work and leisure life, relations with family and friends, consumption patterns and the way to allocate money. Some important propositions are derived based on content analysis: Taiwanese consumers have higher price sensitivity, more brand consciousness, higher other-oriented degree and more saving and investment concept than French consumers. Besides, Taiwanese people place more importance on the salary of work and have higher expectation about marriage than French consumers. Furthermore, this study also discusses how consumption values influence consumers' lifestyles and consumption patterns. It reveals that consumers with higher price sensitivity will adjust their consumption patterns according to discount frequencies. Besides, people-oriented consumers tend to choose prestige brands and have more impulsive consumptions under the influence of friends. The findings of this reseach can provide suggestions to marketers in these two markets to develop marketing strategies corresponding with the values and lifestyles of local consumers.

中、東歐十國加入歐盟後，發展引起世界關注，而擁有最多人口的波蘭更是備受矚目；近年來波蘭中產階級增加，消費力提高，令研究者興起瞭解波蘭消費者的念頭。消費者的價值觀與生活型態會影響消費行為，對研究消費者行為是十分重要的主題。然而過去與消費者價值觀與生活型態相關的研究大多以單一國家之消費者為主，跨文化比較以歐美研究為多，故研究者利用到波蘭交換的機會，進行消費者生活型態與消費價值觀之調查研究，以取得第一手資料，然後與台灣消費者作比較。 本研究以滾雪球法進行抽樣，深度訪談15位波蘭消費者與19位台灣消費者。訪談內容涵蓋生活型態與消費價值觀各面向，經過分析後發現兩地消費者於金錢配置、儲蓄理財觀、信用卡使用習慣、價格取向、他人導向、品牌觀、服飾消費模式、婚姻觀、家庭觀、工作觀、宗教觀、環保觀、助人觀等方面的差異，並推導出相關命題，如：台灣消費者的價格敏感度和他人導向程度較波蘭消費者高；台灣人和波蘭人相比，與原生家庭的關係較為密切、對婚姻關係也有較高的期待，並且更具環保概念等。 除此之外，本研究也探究消費價值觀、生活型態及消費行為間的關係。本研究發現價格敏感度高的消費者傾向選擇於較便宜的通路，以及在特價的時候購物，消費次數較一般人來得少，也少有衝動性消費與犒賞自己的行為產生，而且消費時不太在意品牌，通常是購買平價的品牌；然而注重價格之餘，這些消費者也會注意商品的質感，不希望別人發現該商品很廉價。另外，具環保觀念的人，傾向有需要才購物；在衣著方面，購買次數不多，且重視品質、材質與持久性，不願買路邊攤，但也不會買很貴品牌的服飾，也不會跟隨潮流；而這些具環保理念的人與其他人相比，較注重健康或養生。 本研究結果在學術上有助於拓展國內碩士論文的跨文化研究領域，以及建立跨文化消費價值觀與生活型態之訪談大綱；在實務方面，能夠提供欲進入兩地市場的廠商一些開發市場與行銷策略的建議。 / Central and Eastern European countries have attracted worldwide attention since 10 Central and Eastern European countries joined the European Union. Among these countries, Poland, the country with the largest population among these nations, gains the most attention. In recent years, the middle class in Poland has increased, and consumer purchasing power has enhanced. These have raised more and more researchers’ interests to investigate Poland consumer’s bevaviors. Values and lifestyles affect consumer behavior. Therefore, Values and lifestyles are important subjects in consumer behavior research. However, past studies concerning values and lifestyles mostly focused on consumers in a single country. Furthermore, the literature about cross-cultural comparative analysis emphasizes on comparing more than two markets in American as well as those in Europe. Thus, this study aims to compare the lifestyles and consumption values between Taiwanese and Polish consumers. This study uses snow ball method to find appropriate samples. 15 Polish respondents and 19 Taiwanese respondents were interviewed in this study. The interview covers various aspects with regards to lifestyles and consumption values. The results showed that there are differences between Polish and Taiwanese consumers in money arrangement, credit card usage, clothing consumption patterns, brand perception and so on. Besides, some propositions that are derived from content analysis include: Taiwanese consumers are more price sensitive and other-oriented, and have higher expectations about marriage, closer relationships with their family of origin, and are more conscious about environmental protection than Polish consumers. This study also discusses the relationship among consumption values, lifestyles and consumer behavior. It reveals that consumers with higher price sensitivity prefer to make purchases in places that sell cheaper things, and in stores with discounts. They expend less frequently than most people, and seldom have impulsive consumption behaviors or reward themselves. They do not really care about brands and usually buy cheap brands. Furthermore, people who are environmentally friendly tend to go shopping only when they have actual needs. In clothing aspect, they do not buy frequently, and put emphasis on quality, material and persistence. They are not willing to buy clothes from street vendors, but they also do not buy from expensive brands. Moreover, they do not follow the trend. Compared with others, they pay more attention to keep their health well. This study helps to expand the domain of cross-cultural research and develops an interview outline for cross-cultural consumer values and lifestyles. More importantly, this study provides some suggestion to those who are willing to enter Taiwanese or Polish markets.

This study examined lifestyle changes as related to the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in Chinese students at Oregon State University (OSU). The study population included male students or scholars from the People's Republic of China who were attending OSU during spring term 1992. Fifty subjects were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire included eight categories of information: (1) bodyweight and blood pressure, (2) diet, (3) alcohol consumption, (4) cigarette smoking, (5) physical activity, (6) psychological stress, (7) acculturation factors, and (8) demographic factors. Results indicated that for this group of Chinese students, bodyweight, consumption of dietary fat, dairy products, soft drinks, and psychological stress had increased significantly during their stay in the US. Meanwhile, the level of physical activity had decreased. These changes, especially if continued, may have the potential to increase their risk of developing CHD. On the other hand, there were no significant changes in blood pressure and alcohol consumption. For cigarette smokers, smoking had decreased. In their responses to the open-ended questions, the reasons given for bodyweight changes included diet, decreased physical activity, and increasing age. Diet changes were attributed to food availability, relative price, and convenience. For decreased cigarette smoking, lack of smoking environment was considered to be the most important factor. Automobile use, limited spare time, and no friend to play with were the reasons for decreased physical activity. Finally, pressure in school, financial difficulty, and worrying about future were considered to be the reasons for increased psychological stress. Multiple regression analysis indicated that the length of US stay and decreased physical activity were significant predictors for bodyweight gain. The length of US stay was also a significant predictor for changes in total dietary fat. Having financial aid from school was associated with decreased physical activity. Living as single was significantly associated with increased psychological stress. This study failed to identify any significant associations between acculturation factors and changes in the CHD risk factors. / Graduation date: 1993

Befolkningen i Sverige består till cirka 17 procent av äldre individer över 65 år. Att åldras med hälsa är en central byggsten inom det hälsofrämjande arbetet. Vid kartläggning och undersökning av de äldstas hälsa, levnadsvanor och livsstil kan hälsofrämjande insatser tillämpas, riktade mot dess behov. Goda levnadsvanor kan främja hälsa och förbygga sjukdomar och funktionsnedsättningar. Syftet för uppsatsen var att redogöra för skillnader mellan levnadsvanor, kön och att vara ensamboende i förhållande till hälsa i den äldsta befolkningen 85-99 år. Detta är en epidemiologisk studie med en kvantitativ ansats som baseras på ett slumpmässigt urval på 480 personer över 85 år i Västmanlands län, varav 249 (52 %) personer svarade på enkäten. Materialet utgår från den nationella befolkningsenkäten Hälsa på lika villkor med tilläggsfrågor från enkäten Liv och hälsa. Kvinnor har ett sämre allmänt hälsotillstånd jämfört med män och de äldsta som är fysiskt aktiva har i större utsträckning ett bättre allmänt hälsotillstånd jämfört med de som är fysiskt inaktiva. Det allmänna hälsotillståndet påverkades inte om de var ensamboende eller av deras alkoholvanor. Det allmänna hälsotillståndet och levnadsvanorna påverkas av många faktorer som samvarierar. Resultaten ur denna studie kan användas genom att öka kunskapen om de äldstas hälsa och levnadsvanor. / The population of Sweden consists of about 17 percent of elderly individuals over 65. Aging with health is an important area in health promotion. By getting new information about the conditions of older peoples health, improved health promotion programs can be created, that are focusing on the elderly’s needs. Healthy lifestyles can prevent people to get diseases or disabilities. The purpose of this paper was to describe the differences between lifestyles, living alone and the general health in the oldest population 85-99 years. This is an epidemiological study with a quantitative approach based on a random sample of 480 people aged over 85 in Västmanland County, of which 249 (52%) people responded to the survey. The material is based on the national population survey Hälsa på lika villkor with additional questions from the survey, Liv och Hälsa. Women have a poorer general health compared to men. Physically active people have a better general health compared with individuals who are physical inactive. The general health was not affected if they were living alone or of theirs drinking habits. The general health and lifestyle habits are not affected by only one factor but several factors that correlates with each other. The results from this study can be used by increasing the knowledge of the oldest people’s health and lifestyles.

Befolkningen i Sverige består till cirka 17 procent av äldre individer över 65 år. Att åldras med hälsa är en central byggsten inom det hälsofrämjande arbetet. Vid kartläggning och undersökning av de äldstas hälsa, levnadsvanor och livsstil kan hälsofrämjande insatser tillämpas, riktade mot dess behov. Goda levnadsvanor kan främja hälsa och förbygga sjukdomar och funktionsnedsättningar. Syftet för uppsatsen var att redogöra för skillnader mellan levnadsvanor, kön och att vara ensamboende i förhållande till hälsa i den äldsta befolkningen 85-99 år. Detta är en epidemiologisk studie med en kvantitativ ansats som baseras på ett slumpmässigt urval på 480 personer över 85 år i Västmanlands län, varav 249 (52 %) personer svarade på enkäten. Materialet utgår från den nationella befolkningsenkäten Hälsa på lika villkor med tilläggsfrågor från enkäten Liv och hälsa. Kvinnor har ett sämre allmänt hälsotillstånd jämfört med män och de äldsta som är fysiskt aktiva har i större utsträckning ett bättre allmänt hälsotillstånd jämfört med de som är fysiskt inaktiva. Det allmänna hälsotillståndet påverkades inte om de var ensamboende eller av deras alkoholvanor. Det allmänna hälsotillståndet och levnadsvanorna påverkas av många faktorer som samvarierar. Resultaten ur denna studie kan användas genom att öka kunskapen om de äldstas hälsa och levnadsvanor. / The population of Sweden consists of about 17 percent of elderly individuals over 65. Aging with health is an important area in health promotion. By getting new information about the conditions of older peoples health, improved health promotion programs can be created, that are focusing on the elderly’s needs. Healthy lifestyles can prevent people to get diseases or disabilities. The purpose of this paper was to describe the differences between lifestyles, living alone and the general health in the oldest population 85-99 years. This is an epidemiological study with a quantitative approach based on a random sample of 480 people aged over 85 in Västmanland County, of which 249 (52%) people responded to the survey. The material is based on the national population survey Hälsa på lika villkor with additional questions from the survey, Liv och Hälsa. Women have a poorer general health compared to men. Physically active people have a better general health compared with individuals who are physical inactive. The general health was not affected if they were living alone or of theirs drinking habits. The general health and lifestyle habits are not affected by only one factor but several factors that correlates with each other. The results from this study can be used by increasing the knowledge of the oldest people’s health and lifestyles.

Interviews of senior females ranging in age from 55 through 72 were conducted between September 2004 and April 2005, in order to determine what lifestyle options this group would like made available to them. The participants represented a sample of senior females who had different backgrounds, including culture, education level, and economic circumstance. Although all the participants had very different lifestyles at the time of their interviews, most were satisfied with their current lifestyles but wanted to change something about it. The research results indicate that there are three desired lifestyle options that senior females want: socializing, improving their health, and traveling, with the ability to travel being the most highly desired lifestyle option.

The present study aims at the discussion of the contemporary forms of construction of selfidentity through the perspective prompted by the transformations ocurring in the health field. The increasing influence of the health promotional discourses in the media is reflected in the personal sphere, through the popularization of the “healthy lifestyles”. These are understood as supporting the construction of late modern identities. Within this phenomenon, we discuss the specific implications of the health eating discourse as portrayed in a specialized publication, attempting to the overlapping connections between lifestyle, food and discourse in the shaping of self-identities. Through this perspective, food is approached as bearing fundamental implications to the constitution of the individual. The present study is placed within the sociological theories on late modernity, the discourse analysis theories and the media as the provider of the symbolic content. / O presente estudo tem por objetivo discutir as formas de construção de identidade pessoal na contemporaneidade através da perspectiva das mudanças que ocorrem no campo da saúde. A crescente influência do discurso da promoção da saúde na mídia se reflete na esfera pessoal através da popularização dos “estilos de vida saudáveis”, que são observados como oferecendo um suporte para as identidades na modernidade tardia. Dentro deste fenômeno, discutimos as implicações específicas do discurso acerca da alimentação saudável em uma publicação especializada, atentando para as relações que se sobrepõem entre estilos de vida, comida e discurso como centrais para a constituição da identidade. A comida, nesta perspectiva, é vista a partir de suas implicações simbólicas para a constituição do indivíduo. Este estudo posiciona-se dentro das teorias sociológicas sobre a modernidade tardia, as teorias da análise de discurso e o campo da mídia como provedor do material simbólico. / Den aktuella studien syftar på att diskutera nutida form av konstruktion av självidentitet i mediala texter. Från det här perspektivet utgör hälsofrämjande diskurser ett verktyg för att bygga uppfattningar om sig själv där mat är ett särskilt viktigt symboliskt objekt i detta projekt. Inom detta fenomen, diskuteras den specifika innebörden av meddelanden kring hälsosam kosthållning som framförs i ett specialiserat tidningsmagasin. Fokus är på de överskridande förhållandena mellan livstil, mat och diskurser i skapandet av självidentitet. Studien befinner sig inom sociologiska teorier om senmodernitet, teorier om diskursanalys och media som en instans där symboliskt innehåll om subjektiviteter kan hittas.

Whereas there has been much interest amongst anthropologists in the West in studying diseases such as Type II Diabetes Mellitus, there appears to be a paucity of local anthropological studies that analyse the social and cultural dimensions of this disease. In this country, according to the South African Diabetes Association, this disease is most prevalent in the South African Indian population. This study focuses on the South African Indian community in the suburb of Reservoir Hills, Durban, and examines socio-cultural issues around diabetes. Previous research conducted overseas has demonstrated a strong link: between rapid socio-economic changes that affect diet and lifestyle, and increases in the incidence of this disease among particular communities. This dissertation represents an attempt to: 1. Document salient features of the lifestyle, food beliefs and habits of the Indian population. 2. Discuss significant changes in lifestyle and diet that may have contributed to the rise of this disease among the Indian population. 3. Through an analysis of common discourse, analyse and record the thoughts and feelings of research participants regarding the disease and the manner in which they cope with diabetes. Case studies are used to support the author's arguments and an attempt is made to use the research findings to identify ways for community members to better cope with the disease. A number of suggestions and recommendations from medical experts with an interest in diet and lifestyle on prevention and management of diabetes are included in the study. The author argues that a few relatively simple lifestyle/diet changes may have the effect of lowering the high incidence of diabetes in the South African Indian population. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2001.