A pilot food store intervention in the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

To improve diet and reduce risk for obesity and chronic disease, we developed, implemented and evaluated a pilot intervention trial with 23 large and small food stores in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (12 intervention, 11 control). The intervention included both mass media (radio announcements, newspaper ads, video) and in-store (cooking demonstrations, taste tests, shelf labeling) components. Consumer exposure to the mass media components was high (65% had heard half or more of the radio announcements, 74% had seen at least one of the newspaper ads).

Psychosocial determinants of food purchasing and preparation in American Indian households.

Objective: Obesity and other diet-related chronic diseases affect American Indians at high rates, yet little is known about food use behaviors in this population, or of psychosocial factors that influence these behaviors. The study objective was to address this gap.

Design: Cross-sectional; part of baseline collection for an intervention trial.

Formative research and stakeholder participation in intervention development.

Objective: To present a model for using formative research and stakeholder participation to develop a community-based dietary intervention targeting American Indians.

Methods: Formative research included interviews, assessment of food- purchasing frequency and preparation methods, and dietary recalls. Stakeholders contributed to intervention development through formative research, a program planning workshop, group feedback, and implementation training.

Sociocultural and household factors impacting on the selection, allocation and consumption of animal source foods: current knowledge and application.

This paper reviews the literature on cultural and household level constraints on the consumption of animal source foods (ASF). Food proscriptions do not appear to significantly limit food consumption in the areas where this question has been examined, with the possible exception of adult women in some settings. Preferential food allocation patterns, based on economic contribution, social valuation and other factors do play a role in limiting the intake of animal source foods for children and women in some settings.

Macro- and microlevel processes affect food choice and nutritional status in the republic of the marshall islands.

Despite its relative isolation from the world stage and lack of resources, the Marshall Islands serve as an example of the interaction between global political power, macroeconomic forces and local cultural factors. At the national level, patterns of food importation and government programs encourage the consumption of high fat foods. These factors have fostered dependency on Western foods and a loss of traditional food practices.