Day Three - Food Choices and Factors

Several factors influence our food choices.  First and foremost is our family environment, including our heritage and culture, our socioeconomic status, and the eating habits of our parents.  Parents pass on their eating habits to their children, and children learn their eating preferences from the foods that are made available to them as they mature.  Families often have "favorite" meals that they serve during special occasions which may or may not be nutritionally healthy.  In the United States, holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas revolve heavily around food, where the focus of the celebration is on the meal.  American society seems to accept that it is expected to over-gorge at these meals, which can distort the individual's idea of what a "correct" serving size is.

As children grow into adolescents, additional factors such as body image, time constraints, peer pressure, and increased independence can affect food choices.  A teenager who has access to a car and is working as well as going to school may be more likely to choose a fast food drive-through for a meal due to its convenience and affordability, rather than make a more healthy choice at home.  Time constraints for school or other commitments can have an effect on what an adolescent chooses to eat, which can have an effect on their overall health.  According to a study into the food habits of adolescents, "Omitting breakfast was an important indicator of less healthy lifestyle and a food choice leading to a poorer nutrient intake." (Sjoberg, 2003, pg 1578)

Philosophical choices can have a strong influence on what we choose to eat, and can have serious ramifications if nutritial deficiencies are not taken into account.  Vegetarians and vegans, for example, must find alternate sources of protein to provide their bodies with the essential amino acids for the healthy functioning of many organ systems.

Reference:

Sjoberg, A., Halberg, L., Hoglund, D., & Hulthein, L. (2003). Meal pattern, food choice, nutrient intake and lifestyle factors in the goteborg adolescence study. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 57(12), 1569-78. doi: 10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601726

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