Event Title
Social Influences Involved in Adherence to a Paleolithic Lifestyle
Location
Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall
Description
PURPOSE: In a society filled with quick and processed food options along with increasingly common health issues as a result, the Paleolithic lifestyle has begun to gain attention among those attempting to minimize health risks and gain a more naturalistic approach to dietary intake. Since food is not only necessary for survival but is also a social phenomenon evading all areas of life, the understanding of social influences and their effect on adherence to diet is crucial. This study examined these social impacts present. SUBJECTS: Adult females (n=4) who had sustained strict adherence to the Paleo diet for a period of six months or longer in the past two years were recruited via social media. METHODS: Subjects participated in individual, semi-structured interviews. Participants were asked to respond orally to open-ended questions provided by the researcher and responses were video-recorded for transcription purposes. ANALYSES: Interviews were transcribed and coding techniques were utilized to identify themes among the subjects within the study. RESULTS: Major themes included greater success when social supports were present; difficulty in maintaining dietary guidelines when engaging in social functions; lack of support resulting in upset and attention being undesirable; creativity being needed to combat social pressures and influences; and overall, a long-term impact on dietary consumption of participants, regardless of current level of Paleo adherence. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this research imply that social influences do in fact play a large role in maintaining the Paleo diet but regardless of length of adherence, the lasting effects from engagement of this lifestyle are great.
Social Influences Involved in Adherence to a Paleolithic Lifestyle
Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall
PURPOSE: In a society filled with quick and processed food options along with increasingly common health issues as a result, the Paleolithic lifestyle has begun to gain attention among those attempting to minimize health risks and gain a more naturalistic approach to dietary intake. Since food is not only necessary for survival but is also a social phenomenon evading all areas of life, the understanding of social influences and their effect on adherence to diet is crucial. This study examined these social impacts present. SUBJECTS: Adult females (n=4) who had sustained strict adherence to the Paleo diet for a period of six months or longer in the past two years were recruited via social media. METHODS: Subjects participated in individual, semi-structured interviews. Participants were asked to respond orally to open-ended questions provided by the researcher and responses were video-recorded for transcription purposes. ANALYSES: Interviews were transcribed and coding techniques were utilized to identify themes among the subjects within the study. RESULTS: Major themes included greater success when social supports were present; difficulty in maintaining dietary guidelines when engaging in social functions; lack of support resulting in upset and attention being undesirable; creativity being needed to combat social pressures and influences; and overall, a long-term impact on dietary consumption of participants, regardless of current level of Paleo adherence. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this research imply that social influences do in fact play a large role in maintaining the Paleo diet but regardless of length of adherence, the lasting effects from engagement of this lifestyle are great.