Barriers to home food preparation and healthy eating among university students in Catalonia.

Despite college being a critical life stage for developing enduring healthy dietary behaviours, Spanish university students show poor adherence to a healthy diet. Since research has shown an association between home cooking and healthy eating, the aim of this study was to analyse the main barriers that influence home food preparation and healthy eating among students at three Catalan universities. Focus groups, the photovoice technique and a validated questionnaire were used. Six focus groups (10 female; 14 male; aged 18-22) were conducted. NVivo9, was used to analyse the transcripts using an inductive thematic analysis. In two focus groups, the photovoice technique was used to further explore their perceptions about a healthy diet and their barriers for home cooking and healthy eating. The validated questionnaire was sent out to obtain data on students' diet quality, food environment and cooking self-efficacy for the focus group's design. We found that lack of motivation was the main barrier to healthy eating and home cooking, which was further influenced by the lack of cooking self-efficacy. Young adults lacked the knowledge and skills to prepare quick, affordable, and nutritious meals. Hence, even lack of time was cited as a primary barrier, time constraints seemed to be related to personal priorities. Students did not feel motivated to eat healthy and adopt time-deepening behaviours that influence food-choices. Thus, further research is required to develop context-specific culinary interventions that enhance students' cooking self-efficacy and identify strategies for encouraging students to adopt healthier eating habits.

Mediterranean diet, culture and heritage: challenges for a new conception.

The aim of the present article is to discuss the role of the Mediterranean diet as a part of Human Culture and Intangible Cultural Heritage. Until the present, Mediterranean diet has been observed as a healthy model of medical behaviour. After its proposal as a Cultural Heritage of the Humanity at UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), Mediterranean diet is actually being observed as a part of Mediterranean culture and starting its concept as an equivalent of Mediterranean Cultural Food System or Mediterranean Culinary System. At the candidacy of Mediterranean diet as a World Cultural Intangible Heritage to be presented at UNESCO in 2008, this new conception is making sense. A new point of view that will be capital in the future discussions about the Mediterranean diet, their challenges and their future perspectives.