Motivation
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the most important causes of mortality
and morbidity in South Africa. The major risk factors are prevalent in both the
developed and developing areas of the world, among all social classes, and are
of similar public health significance in all countries regardless of their level of
development. This indicates that much scope remains for further reducing
coronary heart disease (CHD) death rates in developed countries and for
preventing the emerging CHD epidemic in poorer nations. This study aims at
identifying the beliefs of the South African adult population regarding food and
cardiovascular health and to therefore identify target groups for education
programs.
Objectives
To investigate the beliefs of South African adults towards the importance of the
link between food and cardiovascular health, especially between the different
races, living standards, age and gender groups. Also to determine whether this
population looks for the Heart Foundation symbol on food products, as well as
where the link between food and heart disease ranks in terms of importance
compared to other highly prevalent diseases.
Method
The design of the study was a randomized cross-sectional study. Trained field
workers administrated questionnaires by conducting face-to-face interviews with
consumers in the language of their choice. Two thousand South African
individuals (1 6 years and older) were randomly selected from metropolitan areas
in South Africa. The data was weighted to be representative of the total South
African metropolitan consumer population, based on gender, age and race
distribution (n=10 695 000). The total population was representative of both
genders (5 423 000 men and 5 272 000 women) and major race groups (2 615
000 whites, 6 252 000 blacks, 1 255 000 coloureds and 573 000 Indians), from
different age and living standards groups. The market research group,
MARKINOR, was contracted to collect the data. Quantitive data was statistically
analysed in order to generate the relevant descriptive statistics, cross tabulations
and statistical tests.
Results
The majority of the population found the link between food and cardiovascular
risk related health issues to be important, especially the higher LSM groups
within the different race groups. The link between food and weight loss was
considered the least important compared to other cardiovascular risk factors
(cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, healthy blood vessels). Only 35% of the
study population agreed with the statement that they look for the Heart
Foundation symbol, while 46% disagreed with the statement. There was a
greater tendency for the higher LSM groups to look for the Heart Foundation
symbol than the lower LSM groups. Heart disease was considered just as
important and in some cases more important when compared with HIVIAIDS and
cancer.
Conclusions
This study shows that the metropolitan South African adult population is aware of
the importance of food on CVD. Nutritional education needs to be aimed at both
genders and all ages of the lower socio-economic groups of South Africa.
The reasons why such a large percentage of the South African metropolitan
adults do not look for the Heart Foundation symbol, or are undecided about it,
needs to be investigated and addressed. Prevention programs promoting a
healthy lifestyle, which would address the risk factors associated with CVD,
should be received with a positive attitude. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Nutrition))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:NWUBOLOKA1/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/143 |
| Date | January 2005 |
| Creators | Dolman, Robin Claire |
| Publisher | North-West University |
| Source Sets | North-West University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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