Using interpretative phenomenology to understand the food-related experiences and beliefs of a select group of low-income UK women.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to provide an in-depth account of the beliefs and experiences pertaining to food and health from a specific group of low-income women in the United Kingdom.


METHODS
Data for this in-depth, qualitative study were collected using audiotaped semistructured interviews.


METHODS
Fourteen white, European women (aged 40 to 60 years) from a defined low-income group were recruited using systematic, nonprobabilistic sampling. Participants lived in a small city in a largely rural region of the United Kingdom.


METHODS
Interview transcripts were analyzed using an interpretative phenomenological approach. They were evaluated independently by several investigators, and, following discussions, a series of "shared themes" were agreed upon.


RESULTS
All of the shared themes identified could be grouped into three superthemes or "drivers," which seemed to govern the women's attitudes and behaviors toward food choice and health. "Egocentric systems" related to the uniqueness of the participants and the social worlds they inhabit. "Information characteristics" described what information the participants were exposed to and how it was processed. Finally, "control issues" described how perceptions of control influenced attitudes toward food and health.


CONCLUSIONS
The study highlights the need for health professionals to consider the different value systems of target groups in health promotion policies. The impact of "New Age" beliefs and the Human Genome Project on public health nutrition are two areas that particularly merit further research.
Dibsdall
Louise Anne
LA
Institute of Food Research, Norwich Research Park, Colney, Norwich, NR4 7UA, United Kingdom.
Lambert
Nigel
N
Frewer
Lynn Jayne
LJ
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002755:Choice Behavior; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D011203:Poverty / Q000523:psychology*; D013637:Tape Recording; D006113:United Kingdom; D014675:Vegetables