An anthropological-cultural analysis of nutritional barriers and social health: a mixed-methods study across generations of urban households in Iran
Social Determinants of Health,
Vol. 11 (2025),
1 January 2025
,
Page 1-8
https://doi.org/10.22037/sdh.v11i1.50076
Abstract
Background: Healthy nutrition and social health are key components of sustainable community development. However, cultural and economic barriers, along with generational differences, can significantly affect dietary patterns and levels of social health in urban Iranian households. This study aimed to provide an anthropological-cultural analysis of nutritional barriers and their relationship with social health across different generations.
Methods: This mixed-method study included both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The quantitative phase involved a survey of 400 individuals from urban households representing three age groups (youth, middle-aged, and elderly). The qualitative phase included semi-structured interviews with 20 participants. The number of interviewees was determined based on the principle of data saturation, whereby new interviews no longer produced additional themes or insights. Saturation was reached after approximately 17 interviews, and three further interviews were conducted to confirm this point. Participants were selected purposefully to ensure diversity in age, gender, and socio-economic background. Data were analysed using regression analysis in the quantitative phase and thematic analysis in the qualitative phase.
Results: The findings showed that cultural barriers (β = -0.42, p < 0.001) and economic barriers (β =-0.38, p=0.004) had significant negative effects on social health. In addition, the generational variable was positively associated with social health (β = 0.21, p = 0.026). The qualitative analysis supported these results, indicating that older generations maintained stronger adherence to traditional dietary patterns and family interactions, whereas younger generations demonstrated a tendency toward fast food consumption and individualistic lifestyles.
Conclusion: The results highlight the need for urban health policies to focus on nutrition education, revitalization of family-oriented food culture, and reduction of cultural and economic barriers to healthy eating. Considering generational differences is essential in designing effective interventions.
- Age Groups
- Anthropology
- Communication Barriers
- Culture
- Diet, Healthy
- Nutritional Status
- Social Health
How to Cite
References
Gore MN. The Role of Anthropology in India's Public Health: A Comparative Perspective with the USA and Europe. Anthropology in Action. 2023;30(2):14-8. https://doi.org/10.3167/aia.2023.300202
Seal PP. Food Anthropology in India. Routledge India;2023. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429331589
Mchome Z. An Ethnography of Child Growth: socio-cultural context and meanings attached to child growth in southeastern Tanzania;2021. https://doi.org/10.33612/diss.169360197
Fathi S, Motlagh M. Globalization and Generation Gap (A social study of generation gap by focusing on information and communication technologies). Strategic Studies of public policy. 2011;2(5):145-77. https://sspp.iranjournals.ir/article_2481.html?lang=en
Domosławska-Żylińska K, Łopatek M, Krysińska-Pisarek M, Sugay L. Barriers to adherence to healthy diet and recommended physical activity perceived by the polish population. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2023;13(1):22-40. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13010022
Keyes CL. Mental illness and/or mental health? Investigating axioms of the complete state model of health. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. 2005;73(3):539-548. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.73.3.539
Braun V, Clarke V. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative research in psychology. 2006;3(2):77-101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Braun V, Clarke V. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative research in psychology. 2006;3(2):77-101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Rozin P. The meaning of food in our lives: a cross-cultural perspective on eating and well-being. Journal of nutrition education and behavior. 2005;37:107-112. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1499-4046(06)60209-1
Delormier T, Frohlich KL, Potvin L. Food and eating as social practice–understanding eating patterns as social phenomena and implications for public health. Sociology of health & illness. 2009;31(2):215-28. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9566.2008.01128.x
Popkin BM. Contemporary nutritional transition: determinants of diet and its impact on body composition. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. 2011;70(1):82-91. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0029665110003903
Darmon N, Drewnowski A. Does social class predict diet quality?. The American journal of clinical nutrition. 2008;87(5):1107-17. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/87.5.1107
Drewnowski A, Specter SE. Poverty and obesity: the role of energy density and energy costs. The American journal of clinical nutrition. 2004;79(1):6-16. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/79.1.6
Rahbarinejad P, Sobhani SR, Sangsefidi N, Irankhah K, Mohamadinarab M. Exploring the association between socio-economic and environmental factors and food consumption in Iran: insights from time series data. BMC Public Health. 2025;25(1):2289. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23437-1
Keyes CL. Social well-being. Social psychology quarterly. 1998;61(2):121-36. https://doi.org/10.2307/2787065
Story M, Neumark-Sztainer D, French S. Individual and environmental influences on adolescent eating behaviors. Journal of the American Dietetic association. 2002;102(3):S40-51. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0002-8223(02)90421-9
Fulkerson JA, Story M, Mellin A, Leffert N, Neumark-Sztainer D, French SA. Family dinner meal frequency and adolescent development: relationships with developmental assets and high-risk behaviors. Journal of adolescent health. 2006;39(3):337-45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2005.12.026
Narmcheshm S, Esmaillzadeh A, Babashahi M, Sharegh Farid E, Dorosty AR. Socioeconomic determinants of food insecurity in Iran: a systematic review. Journal of Asian and African Studies. 2024;59(6):1908-1960. https://doi.org/10.1177/00219096231161893
Cockerham WC. Social causes of health and disease. Polity;2007. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=O9v152ddSpwC&oi=fnd&pg=PR4&dq=causes+of+health+and+disease.+Cambridge:+Polity+Press&ots=lJ7-u30OgY&sig=XabTPBp5yDlM7GO6FlgrhyL2nrs#v=onepage&q=causes%20of%20health%20and%20disease.%20Cambridge%3A%20Polity%20Press&f=false
Shim JK. Cultural health capital: a theoretical approach to understanding health care interactions and the dynamics of unequal treatment. Journal of health and social behavior. 2010;51(1):1-15. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022146509361185
- Abstract Viewed: 114 times
- PDF Downloaded: 63 times