Document Type : Research
Authors
1
PhD Candidate in Sociology, Khalkhal Branch, Islamic Azad University, Khalkhal, Iran
2
Assistant Professor of Demography, Population Economics and Human Capital Research Group, National Population Research Institute, Tehran, Iran
3
Associate Professor of Migration and Urbanization, National Population Research Institute, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
One of the most important factors shaping the dietary pattern of a community is the set of habits, food culture, and the nutrition of its people, so the food security of households and planning to ensure healthy nutrition are among the most fundamental concerns of today's societies. However, rising urbanization, growing work responsibilities of women, and the prevalence of fast and pre-cooked foods have led to the formation of the nutritional transition phenomenon (the transition from healthy to unhealthy or undesirable nutritional patterns and behaviors). In this regard, the present research aims to explore the determinants of undesirable dietary behaviors in Iran. For this purpose, a meta-analysis research method has been employed. The statistical population consists of studies conducted on undesirable dietary behaviors and habits in Iran in the period from 2007 to 2020. After designing specific stages (search, screening, eligibility, and inclusion), sampling was conducted, and a total of 25 studies were selected as the final sample. For post-coding data analysis, the comprehensive meta-analysis software (CMA2) was used. The prevalence of fast and ready-to-eat food patterns has led to the phenomenon of nutritional transition (the shift from healthy dietary patterns and behaviors to unhealthy or undesirable ones. The research findings suggest that variables that wield the highest effect on undesirable nutritional habits and behaviors in Iran are: cultural factors (media advertising, body awareness and attitudes, religiosity, media usage), economic factors (socio-economic status and economic capital), demographic factors (age, place of residence, marital status, level of education, sex), and social factors (social capital and social support). In the components of cultural factors, media advertising (0.541), in economic factors, socioeconomic status (-0.314), in demographic factors, age (-0.224), and in social factors, social capital (-0.280) exert the highest impact on undesirable dietary patterns and behaviors.
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