Abstract
Background
Food choices can be influenced by psychosocial factors.
Objective
To investigate the relationships between social support and social capital with food consumption.
Method
This is a population-based cross-sectional study with a random sample of 1098 adults (≥18 years old) from a medium-sized city in southern Brazil. Social support was measured by Medical Outocomes Study (MOS) scale and social capital was assessed by social cohesion, neighbor support, informal social control, political effectiveness, and social action. For the assessment of food consumption was applied a scale based on the food guide for the Brazilian population.
Results
The mean age of the sample was 44 years (SD [Standard Deviation] = 15.8) and adequate food consumption was identified in 38.6% (95% CI: 35.7 to 41.5). After adjustment, there was a 40% higher probability of adopting adequate (healthy) food consumption among individuals with higher level of social support (OR = 1.47; 95% CI: 1.07 to 2.03), cohesion. social (OR = 1.40; 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.92) and support from neighbors (OR = 1.45; 95% CI: 1.04 to 2.02).
Conclusion
Both individual and contextual psychosocial aspects can play an important role in healthy food consumption in adults.
Keywords:
psychosocial aspects; social capital; social support; food consumption