With non-communicable diseases (NCDs) weighing heavily on the Caribbean, a UWI Cave Hill researcher is serving up some serious food for thought. PhD Stephanie Whiteman, is digging into the availability of healthy food options in Barbados, uncovering what’s truly on the menu for consumers.
Whiteman believes that what we eat isn’t just about what’s on the shelf. Factors like culture, affordability, accessibility, taste, safety, labelling, and marketing all have a hand in shaping our diets. Yet, there is a dearth of research on food availability in Barbados. This is alarming, considering 90% of the population isn’t getting enough fruits and vegetables – the building blocks of a balanced diet.
Her research zeroes in on items sold by wholesale outlets, supermarkets and grocery stores, and minimarts or convenience stores.
Using the Nutrition Environment Measurement Survey (NEMS) Tools, she analyzed 19 food categories, including fresh produce, dairy, bread, meats, canned goods, and staple foods like rice and pasta. Healthier alternatives – aligned with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines – earned points based on availability, price, and quality.
The list was then expanded to accommodate eating habits in Barbados and included roots and tubers, rice, pasta, flour, canned vegetables, canned fruits, meats/seafood, and oil. Whiteman said the healthful alternatives were in line with WHO guidelines for a healthy diet and the food labelling guidelines were those of the United States Food and Drug Administration.
Points were “served” based on how many healthy food items and alternatives were available, as well as their pricing and quality. In other words, the “healthier the store, the higher the score”. For example, healthier swaps for pre-packaged foods like milk, bread, rice, and pasta earned two points, while one point was given if more than two healthy options were on the shelf. Stores that “expanded their healthy horizons” by offering extra shelf space for nutritious foods also earned points, as did those that priced healthier alternatives at a more affordable rate.
At a medical student research symposium in January 2022, Whiteman presented her preliminary findings, which is part of a larger research project titled “Assessing the Foodscape of a Small Island Developing State: The Case of Barbados”.
