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Dietary beliefs in the Baltic republics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 September 2007

Joceline Pomerleau ,
Martin McKee ,
Aileen Robertson ,
Kamelija Kadziauskiene ,
Algis Abaravicius ,
Roma Bartkeviciute ,
Sirje Vaask ,
Iveta Pudule  and
Daiga Grinberga
Joceline Pomerleau
Affiliation:
European Centre on Health of Societies in Transition, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 50 Bedford Square, London WC1B 3DP, UK
Martin McKee*
Affiliation:
European Centre on Health of Societies in Transition, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 50 Bedford Square, London WC1B 3DP, UK
Aileen Robertson
Affiliation:
WHO Regional Office for Europe, Scherfigsvej 8, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
Kamelija Kadziauskiene
Affiliation:
National Nutrition Centre, Kalvariju str. 153, 2042 Vilnius, Lithuania
Algis Abaravicius
Affiliation:
Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Vilnius University, Ciurlionio str. 21/27, 2009 Vilnius, Lithuania
Roma Bartkeviciute
Affiliation:
National Nutrition Centre, Kalvariju str. 153, 2042 Vilnius, Lithuania
Sirje Vaask
Affiliation:
Public Health Department, Ministry of Social Affairs, Gonsiori str. 29 EE0100, Tallinn, Estonia
Iveta Pudule
Affiliation:
Health Education Division, Health Promotion Centre, Skolas 3, LV-1010 Riga, Latvia
Daiga Grinberga
Affiliation:
Health Education Division, Health Promotion Centre, Skolas 3, LV-1010 Riga, Latvia
*
*Corresponding author: Email martin.mckee@lshtm.ac.uk
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Abstract

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Objectives

As beliefs and knowledge about the possible effects of foods on health can influence food behaviours, this study examined selected dietary beliefs in the Baltic countries and the association of beliefs related to salt intake and to types of fat with food behaviours.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Setting

Data from three surveys conducted in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in the summer of 1997 were used to describe the prevalence of dietary beliefs in these countries and to investigate the association between beliefs and behaviours (using logistic regression).

Subjects

Representative national samples of adults were selected in each country (Estonia, n=2018; Latvia, n=2308; Lithuania, n=2153).

Results

Misunderstood concepts (myths) related to dietary salt, types of fat, meat consumption and bread and potatoes were observed in high proportions of the population. Education level was an important correlate of beliefs related to salt intake and types of fat, people with a higher education level being more likely to be familiar with these issues. Correct beliefs were not consistently associated with healthier behaviours (e.g. less frequent use of salt at the table and use of non-animal fats for cooking), except for salt intake in Estonia.

Conclusions

Several misunderstood dietary concepts (myths) are still prevalent in the Baltic countries. Correct beliefs related to salt intake and types of fat were not consistent predictors of healthier food behaviours. In-depth qualitative investigations are needed to better describe and understand dietary beliefs and attitudes in the Baltic countries, and to identify barriers to the adoption of healthy food habits.

Keywords

EstoniaLatviaLithuaniaBeliefsDietary saltDietary fats
Type
Research Article
Information
Public Health Nutrition , Volume 4 , Issue 2 , April 2001 , pp. 217 - 225
Copyright
Copyright © CABI Publishing 2001

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