Researchers in Aktobe, Kazakhstan studied what 460 adults eat and discovered that money, age, and gender shape food choices more than we might think. They found four main eating patterns: one focused on healthy foods like chicken and fish, one rooted in traditional Kazakh meals, one heavy on processed meats, and one full of sugary snacks. Younger people and men tend to eat differently than older people and women. The study shows that how often you eat and whether you skip breakfast affects your diet quality. Understanding these patterns helps doctors and health experts create better nutrition advice that fits different groups of people in Kazakhstan.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How money, age, gender, and other life factors influence what people choose to eat in Aktobe, Kazakhstan’s third-largest city
  • Who participated: 460 adults between ages 18 and 65 (210 women and 250 men) living in Aktobe who visited hospitals during the study in 2024
  • Key finding: Four distinct eating patterns emerged: healthy foods (chicken, fish, tea), traditional Kazakh meals (tea with milk, rice), processed meats, and sugary snacks. Women ate more healthy foods and sweets, while younger adults ate more processed meats and fewer traditional meals
  • What it means for you: Your eating habits are shaped by factors beyond just personal preference—your age, gender, and how often you eat matter. Eating regular meals and not skipping breakfast connects to healthier food choices. This suggests that nutrition advice works better when it’s tailored to your specific group rather than one-size-fits-all

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers took a snapshot of what people were eating at one point in time (2024) rather than following them over months or years. They recruited 460 adults from hospitals in Aktobe and asked them detailed questions about their food habits using a special survey designed for Kazakhstan’s food culture. The researchers sorted foods into 11 groups and used a statistical method called principal component analysis to identify patterns—basically, they looked for which foods tend to be eaten together by the same people.

The researchers then examined how different factors (like age, gender, income level, and meal frequency) connected to each eating pattern. They used a statistical tool called negative binomial regression to measure these connections and determine which factors were most important in predicting dietary choices.

This approach allowed the team to see the real-world complexity of eating habits in an urban Kazakhstan setting, where traditional foods mix with modern processed options.

Understanding why people eat what they eat is crucial for creating effective health programs. By identifying specific patterns and the factors that influence them, health officials can design targeted interventions rather than giving generic advice that doesn’t work for everyone. This study captures a moment of dietary change in Kazakhstan—a country experiencing rapid economic growth and urbanization—making it relevant for predicting future health trends.

This study has several strengths: it used a culturally appropriate food survey designed specifically for Kazakhstan, included a reasonable sample size of 460 people, and examined multiple factors simultaneously. However, because it’s a snapshot study (cross-sectional), it can show connections between factors and eating patterns but cannot prove that one causes the other. The study was conducted in hospitals, which might mean participants weren’t fully representative of all Aktobe residents. The findings are most applicable to Kazakhstan and similar Central Asian populations.

What the Results Show

The research identified four distinct eating patterns in Aktobe. The first pattern, called ‘Healthy foods,’ includes chicken, fish, green tea, dried fruits, and onions—foods generally considered nutritious. The second, ‘Traditional Kazakh,’ centers on tea with milk and rice, reflecting cultural heritage. The third pattern, ‘Bar,’ features processed meats and mayonnaise—less healthy choices. The fourth, ‘Energy-dense,’ consists of refined pastries and sweets.

Gender emerged as a major factor: women showed stronger adherence to both the Healthy foods pattern and the Energy-dense (sugary) pattern compared to men. Age also mattered significantly—younger adults were less likely to follow the Traditional Kazakh pattern but more likely to eat the Bar pattern (processed meats). This suggests younger generations are moving away from traditional foods toward modern processed options.

Meal timing proved important: people who ate at shorter intervals (more frequent meals) and those who didn’t skip breakfast were more likely to follow the Healthy foods pattern. This connection suggests that regular eating habits support better food choices. Additionally, people without chronic diseases, with better oral health, and with good physical function were more likely to follow healthier eating patterns.

The study revealed that health status and dietary patterns are intertwined. Adults who reported better functional ability (ability to do daily activities) and absence of chronic diseases like diabetes or heart disease were more likely to eat healthier foods. People with good oral health also tended to follow healthier patterns, possibly because they can chew a wider variety of foods. These connections suggest that diet and health status influence each other—healthier people may eat better, or eating better may lead to better health.

This study fits into a larger body of research showing that socioeconomic factors (money, education, job status) and demographics (age, gender) shape what people eat worldwide. However, this research is unique because it focuses on Kazakhstan during a period of rapid change. Previous studies in developed countries show similar patterns of younger people eating more processed foods, but this study documents how that’s happening in Central Asia specifically. The finding that traditional foods are being replaced by processed options mirrors trends seen in other middle-income countries experiencing urbanization.

Because this was a snapshot study, we can’t say that one factor causes another—only that they’re connected. The study recruited participants from hospitals, which might mean sicker people were overrepresented compared to the general population. The food survey relied on people remembering what they ate, which can be inaccurate. The study was conducted in one city (Aktobe), so results may not apply to rural areas or other Kazakhstani cities. Additionally, the study didn’t measure actual income or education levels directly, which limits understanding of socioeconomic influences.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, health programs in Kazakhstan should: (1) Create different nutrition messages for different age groups—younger adults need encouragement to eat traditional healthy foods and reduce processed meats, while older adults should maintain their traditional patterns; (2) Emphasize the importance of regular meals and eating breakfast, as these habits connect to healthier overall diets; (3) Design programs that appeal to women’s preferences while addressing the high consumption of sugary foods in this group; (4) Preserve beneficial traditional foods while helping people understand modern processed foods’ health impacts. These recommendations have moderate confidence because the study shows associations but not definitive cause-and-effect relationships.

Health officials and nutrition experts in Kazakhstan and similar Central Asian countries should use these findings to design better public health programs. Adults in Aktobe—especially younger people and women—might benefit from understanding how their eating patterns compare to healthier options. People with chronic diseases should pay particular attention, as the study suggests diet quality connects to disease presence. However, these findings are most relevant to urban populations in Kazakhstan; rural areas or other countries may have different patterns. Individual dietary choices should still be made with a healthcare provider, as this study provides population-level patterns, not personalized medical advice.

Changes in eating habits typically take weeks to months to establish. If someone starts eating regular meals and doesn’t skip breakfast (as the study suggests helps), they might notice improved energy and digestion within 2-4 weeks. Shifting from processed foods to healthier options could show health benefits like better blood sugar control or weight changes within 6-12 weeks. However, establishing lasting dietary change usually requires 3-6 months of consistent effort.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track meal frequency and breakfast consumption daily. Log whether you ate breakfast (yes/no) and count how many hours passed between your first and last meal. Aim for meals spaced 3-5 hours apart. This directly connects to the study’s finding that regular eating and breakfast consumption predict healthier food choices.
  • Set a specific breakfast goal (eat within 1 hour of waking) and use the app to log it daily. Create a meal reminder every 4 hours to maintain consistent eating intervals. When logging meals, categorize them as ‘Healthy’ (chicken, fish, vegetables, tea), ‘Traditional’ (rice, milk tea), ‘Processed’ (deli meats, mayonnaise), or ‘Sweets’ to see your pattern distribution and identify areas for improvement.
  • Weekly, review your meal frequency and breakfast adherence percentage. Monthly, analyze your dietary pattern breakdown to see if you’re shifting toward more healthy and traditional foods and fewer processed and sugary options. Track any changes in energy levels, digestion, or how you feel—the study suggests regular eating habits support better overall health. Compare your patterns to the study’s findings for your age and gender group to see where you align or differ.

This research describes eating patterns and their associations with various factors in Aktobe, Kazakhstan, but does not provide personalized medical or dietary advice. The study identifies correlations, not proven causes. Individual nutritional needs vary based on age, health conditions, medications, and personal circumstances. Before making significant dietary changes, especially if you have chronic diseases, take medications, or have specific health concerns, consult with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian. This study’s findings are most applicable to urban populations in Kazakhstan and may not apply to other regions or populations. The information presented is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical guidance.