The effects of the Wigan Borough Healthy Business Award on the dietary attitudes and behaviours of awardees
Authors
Bashall, EmmaAdvisors
Ellahi, BasmaCommane, Daniel
Publication Date
2010-07
Metadata
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Aim: The study aims to investigate whether the Wigan Borough Healthy Business Award (HBA) influences the dietary attitudes and behaviours of awardees. Objectives are to: investigate the dietary attitudes of awardees prior to the HBA intervention; investigate the dietary behaviours of awardees prior to the HBA intervention; investigate the dietary attitudes of awardees post intervention; investigate the dietary behaviours of awardees post intervention; assess whether the HBA intervention has influenced attitudes and/or behaviours - positively, negatively or no change; gain a basic overview of the links between dietary attitudes and behaviours; form a set of recommendations based on the findings from the above objectives to inform best practice. Methodology: Case - control study, using purposive sampling of businesses undertaking the HBA, conducted using a pre and post intervention questionnaire and short supplementary post intervention semi structured interview, which seeks to assess whether the HBA affects the dietary attitudes and behaviours of awardees. Main findings: 6 staff from HBA businesses were compared with 7 staff from none HBA businesses. From the interview data, most participants demonstrated positive dietary attitudes and behaviours though not always directly linked with the HBA. Key themes included appreciation of learning and support, enablement to promote healthier options, benefits to the business and customers, other influences on dietary attitudes and behaviours, such as weight, family, health, individual responsibility, practical barriers such as time and society and upbringing. Where participants indicated the HBA had no direct impact on them as individuals, they still showed positive attitudes towards the receipt and recognition of the award, wanted to promote healthier options for customers and were positive about the award. Statistical analysis of the baseline and follow up questionnaire data showed the results were not significant, however due to the small sample size the relevance of this analysis for making generalisations, and identification of trends is limited. Overall conclusions: Participants involved in the HBA demonstrated positive dietary attitudes and behaviours manifesting from a range of influencing factors. The factors that linked with the HBA highlighted some key insights into the impact of the HBA and the complex interrelationship between dietary attitudes and behaviours. Whether the HBA positively influenced individuals dietary attitudes and behaviours or not, overall participants found the intervention to be worthwhile.Publisher
University of ChesterType
Thesis or dissertationLanguage
enCollections
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