Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
4
The Influence of
Culture and Customs
on Food Choices
Cindy M. Imai, Dustin J. Burnett,
and Johanna T. Dwyer
contents
Abstract .................................................................................................................... 45
Introduction.............................................................................................................. 46
The Role of Food and Social Structure in Food Choices......................................... 47
Developing the Social Identity of Foods............................................................. 47
Geography and Environment as Determinants of Food Choices ........................ 49
Staple Foods of the World........................................................................................ 50
Modern Challenges Influencing Food Choices........................................................ 50
Biology and Physiology as Determinants of Food Choices................................ 50
The Senses as Determinants of Food Choices .................................................... 54
Developing Taste Preferences ............................................................................. 54
Role of Other Senses in Food Choices................................................................ 55
Social Influences on Food Choices ..................................................................... 56
Food as Symbols and Influence on Food Choices............................................... 56
Technological Influences on Food Choices......................................................... 57
Economic Influences on Food Choices ............................................................... 58
Political Influences on Food Choices .................................................................. 59
Psychological Influences on Food Choices......................................................... 60
Conclusions.............................................................................................................. 63
Study Topics ........................................................................................................64
References................................................................................................................64
AbstRAct
This chapter emphasizes the role of food in social structure, and highlights key cul-
tural factors that influence food choices. They include geography and environment,
biology and physiology, the senses, technology, politics, economics, and social and
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