Socio-economic status and health awareness are associated with choice of cooking oil in Costa Rica

Abstract

In developing countries, the major source of fat is cooking oil1,2. The type and amount of oil consumed are important predictors of plasma lipid profiles and cardiovascular disease 3–6. Traditionally in Costa Rica, as in many other developing countries, the major source of cooking oil has been palm oil7 . During the 1990s an important decrease in palm oil consumption was recorded, where Costa Rican household consumption dropped by 72% per capita; consumption of other vegetable oils, mainly soybean oil, experienced a simultaneous increase of 86% 8. Little is known about the characteristics of the consumers of each type of oil during this national shift in oil use. As rates of mortality from ischaemic disease increase in Costa Rica and Latin America 9–11, it is important to understand the determinants of cooking oil choices in order to inform nutrition policies and target messages to populations at risk. Only a few studies have examined the characteristics of people who consume different types of oils; they have shown a high consumption of palm oil among rural and poor Costa Rican populations 12 – 14, but other factors relating to lifestyle or health awareness may also be important determinants of oil choice15,16. In the light of dietary changes in cooking oil preferences, the present study examines the socio-economic and lifestyle determinants of the choice of cooking oil during this important dietary change in cooking oil.