Posted: April 1st, 2015

Healthy Eating Habits

Paper Outline

1. Introduction

Ii.Qualitative Data Gathering and Analysis

iii.Eating Habits Based on

1. a) Gender.
2. b) Education.
3. c) Income.
4. d) Social status.

Healthy Eating Habits

Introduction

Over the years, many people in various parts of the world have not been practicing healthy eating habits, especially the teenagers. This has resulted to the emergence of numerous dietary-related complications among the people (Insel, Turner and Ross, p.106). This study focuses on encouraging healthy eating habits among the teenagers as well as how qualitative data may be used to collect and analyse data.

Qualitative Data collection and Analysis

Data regarding healthy eating habits may be gathered and analysed using qualitative data technique. In this technique, multiple source of information regarding healthy eating among the teenagers is used. Under this method, data on healthy eating habits may be collected using interview, observation, enumeration and sampling. In interviews, conversation normally takes place between the participants and the respondents may be asked questions regarding the eating habits. Under observation, eating habits among different families are observed. Notes and videos are also taken upon prior permission from the respondents. For example, videos of video of people who are eating may be taken. The data gathered is then analysed, interpreted and necessary recommendations made thereafter. In enumeration, actual counting of events takes place; for example, ceremonies attended by teenagers and what they were eating in those ceremonies. Under documentation, documents regarding people past eating habits and any other relevant documents concerning people eating habits may be gathered. Finally, the data collected is analysed qualitatively. Unlike other techniques, qualitative data analysis is a continuous process and start on the fast day of data collection. This is because, qualitative data normally accumulates extremely fast; hence, making it difficult and overwhelming to analyse (Hitchcock, Schubert and Sue, p.64).

Different Eating Habits

Gender is the defining characteristic of a social group. Recently it had been observed that gender influence the eating habits among the social groups. For example, men are more susceptible to be smokers than women. This may lead to having cases of more men suffering from lung cancer than women. Additionally, men are more likely to suffer from stroke than women. This is because, and women tend to eat fewer fats and carbohydrates more than men (Wister, p.74). In connection to the above scenario, the level of education may influence the healthy eating habits. The lower level of education the higher the likelihood of being diagnosed with dietary-related complication such as lung cancer as a result of smoking. This is because; lower education level may be attributed to smoking and lack of knowledge of symptoms of diseases (Goody and Drago, p.56). The level of income also influences eating habits. Low income earners are less likely to afford healthy food and are more susceptible to suffer from stress. This may make them resolve to alcohol consumption as a way of coping with life leading to heart diseases and other complications. Social status also affects healthy eating habits among the people. Higher quality diet such as lean meat, whole grains, fish, low fats and dairy products are associated with greater affluence. In contrast consumption of refined grains and added fats has been associated with the poor people. The poor eating habits among the poor have contributed to an increase in health problems (Weidner, p.75). Conclusion

To address the problems of unhealthy eating habit among teenagers and among the other people at large, the government should promote the purchasing power of its people so that they can afford a balanced diet. Additionally, the government and health practitioners should collaborate and educate the public on the significance of healthy eating habits.