Lesson 1.03 Influences in Food Habits

The nineteenth and early part of the twentieth century posed challenges in food supply. Much of the focus was on producing sufficient quantities of food and preserving it well. Agricultural systems were being developed to accommodate for a growing population. The pace was slow, however. Food spoilage was an issue as pesticides and preservatives were used far less frequently than today.

In the early twentieth century, there was also a concern over an adequate supply of nutrients, particularly protein and energy. In the 1930s, there began a focus on including the provision of protective foods: those rich in vitamins and minerals. The push for using diet to prevent nutritional deficiency lasted through World War II and through the 1970s.

After World War II, farming, fishing, and other food production activities became large-scale enterprises. The modernization of transport and communications, as well as the emergence of food-processing and food-packaging industries, made it possible to extend food trade on a global scale. After the expansion of the industrial trade, American diets became more diverse.

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A variety of foods were more consistently available to a greater number of people. This, in combination with an abundance of land, lead to over-production of food. Although this was beneficial to our economic development, it also contributed to overconsumption of food.

Today, many of our nutrition issues in society center on over consumption of food. Because of this, Americans have suffered from diseases related to overeating. Obviously the first thing that comes to mind is obesity, which, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) is an epidemic in this country. One in four Americans is considered obese. The CDC indicates that the decade of the 1990s showed a sharp increase in the amount of diabetes associated with obesity, which continues through to today. Also, Americans have been shown to lead more sedentary lives. Despite this, as a result of modern medicine, the life expectancy of Americans has actually increased over the past century.

Chronic disease such as obesity, diabetes, joint problems, and intestinal disease may be increasing due to poor food habits, convenience, or improper education. Most people today are consuming foods that are not healthy, are disease-promoting, and are a major contributor to the nutrition-related diseases in this country today. There is a growing trend towards alternative medicine as an additional method to educate people on better nutrition practices in combination with natural remedies, which bring the body into balance.

Discussing alternative medicine brings us to the topic of what challenges we face with nutrition. First and foremost is the concern regarding our increasing population and decreasing available land on which we can produce food. In the year 2050, our population is predicted by rise by 60%, to almost 500 million people. Our land, water, and energy resources are already unsustainable with the current population. American eating habits will dramatically change, as well as how much food we import. This will most likely increase the amount of grains, fruits and vegetables while decreasing the amount of protein we eat.

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So, what life situations might cause you to make specific food choices? Most people would think of foods that we typically eat during holidays, festivals, and other special occasions like weddings. For example, someone who came from a large family and perhaps did not have a lot of money growing up might have gotten pizza, soda, and pie every year as a special birthday dinner. To this day, pie may still be a comfort food for them, because it is tied to strong childhood emotions.

Having certain health problems can cause us to make different food choices. Many patients faced with chronic disease, like irritable bowel syndrome, may have to omit certain things from their diet. The same is true for someone who is allergic to or becomes sensitive to a type of food. As they age, many people become lactose intolerant, which means they have trouble digesting the sugar in milk (lactose); they must either limit or avoid dairy altogether.

Sometimes a person may suddenly find himself or herself in the position to make a change in their health: maybe they fell out of shape or the scale is not tipping in their favor. As our body's engine changes, we have to moderate what we eat. The goal may be to lose weight, feel better, or to eat less. A common remark at these points in life is, "I can't get away with eating as much as I used to."

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Healthy People is a government initiative promoted by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Disease Prevention and Promotion. The organization has brought several focus areas to public attention. These are health-related issues that are of concern to our society. Healthy People 2020

Please go to Healthy People 2020. You will notice several focus areas in the Topics & Objectives Index page. These are topics that the government would like to emphasize for public education, to bring about a healthier nation. There are topics they want you to be aware of and about which to be further educated.

Open the link Adolescent Health. Read each of the three sections:

• Overview,
• Objectives, and
• Interventions and Resources.

The objective tab identifies objectives the government is addressing to improve adolescent health.

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Think about your personal food choices: The how, when, and why you eat. When a person eats to maintain health and to satiate hunger, it is called homeostatic eating. Our bodies will recognize the food as fuel and will use this fuel as needed. Homeostatic eating is referred to as eating to live. The opposite of eating to live is when we choose to eat for pleasure, comfort, entertainment, or boredom. This type of eating is referred to as hedonic eating.

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