Complex, mixed-method research for investigating food environments- examples from a multi-campus study in South Africa
1
School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Belville, Cape Town, South Africa
2
SAMRC/Wits Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science (PRICELESS SA),, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
3
Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Limpopo, Limpopo, South Africa
4
Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, University of the Western Cape, Belville, Cape Town, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3727
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Food environments profoundly influence individual food practices and rates of nutrition-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) which are increasing in South Africa (SA) and other African countries. There is limited knowledge about food environments at universities in African countries; and methods investigating the nature and influence of food environments, that are appropriate for use in low- and middle-income countries, are still being developed. This study aimed to characterise the complex food environments, and their influences on food practices at three universities in South Africa.
METHODS:
This comprehensive mixed methods study was guided by participatory research principles. It employed quantitative food inventory audit surveys of retail outlets, focus group discussions with students, interviews with university staff and food retailers, and participant observation of day-to-day engagement with food environments. A review of existing policies guiding food procurement, sales and marketing was conducted.
RESULTS:
A retail food inventory audit survey, and how it was adapted from a high-income country to the South African context, will be presented. A demonstration of the quantitative REDCap data collection tool will be conducted, including discussion of data collection procedures, definitions and quality assurance measures. Ethnographic participant observation guides, and the settings in which they were used, will be presented. In small groups participants will discuss examples of observation data and the unique insights it provided within the mixed-method study. Participants to this session should develop knowledge of, and build capacity to employ, the conceptual and methodological tools employed within and adapted to the socio-cultural contexts of a South African university food environment study.
CONCLUSIONS:
Unhealthy eating habits formed by students may persist into adulthood, whilst universities as a workplace contribute to the NCD risk. Innovative methods are required to examine the university food environment to inform and implement policies that support healthy food choices.
Food environments profoundly influence individual food practices and rates of nutrition-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) which are increasing in South Africa (SA) and other African countries. There is limited knowledge about food environments at universities in African countries; and methods investigating the nature and influence of food environments, that are appropriate for use in low- and middle-income countries, are still being developed. This study aimed to characterise the complex food environments, and their influences on food practices at three universities in South Africa.
METHODS:
This comprehensive mixed methods study was guided by participatory research principles. It employed quantitative food inventory audit surveys of retail outlets, focus group discussions with students, interviews with university staff and food retailers, and participant observation of day-to-day engagement with food environments. A review of existing policies guiding food procurement, sales and marketing was conducted.
RESULTS:
A retail food inventory audit survey, and how it was adapted from a high-income country to the South African context, will be presented. A demonstration of the quantitative REDCap data collection tool will be conducted, including discussion of data collection procedures, definitions and quality assurance measures. Ethnographic participant observation guides, and the settings in which they were used, will be presented. In small groups participants will discuss examples of observation data and the unique insights it provided within the mixed-method study. Participants to this session should develop knowledge of, and build capacity to employ, the conceptual and methodological tools employed within and adapted to the socio-cultural contexts of a South African university food environment study.
CONCLUSIONS:
Unhealthy eating habits formed by students may persist into adulthood, whilst universities as a workplace contribute to the NCD risk. Innovative methods are required to examine the university food environment to inform and implement policies that support healthy food choices.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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