Being aware of the factors that influence what and how much you eat
can help you make informed eating choices.
High availability of foods. Because food is so
readily available in our culture, it is easy to eat without thinking too much
about food intake. Some experts believe the high availability of foods,
especially fast foods, is responsible for the increasing rates of
obesity and childhood obesity in the United States.
"Supersizing," which is providing very large amounts of food and drink for a
low price, also may contribute to obesity.
Routines. People who eat regular meals tend to
have better diets and be closer to their recommended weight than those who eat
randomly. One of the main barriers to planning regular and balanced meals is a
busy lifestyle. However, taking the time to plan meals can help you improve
your nutrition. Family meals are an important time to share and discuss the
day's events. They demonstrate to children what balanced meals look like and
also teach them how to interact socially.
Marketing. Marketing creates a desire for many
less-than-nutritious foods. Snack foods-marketed not for their nutritional
value, but for their fun and taste-often replace the more nutritious foods in
our diets. Marketing also caters to a busy lifestyle; grocery store shelves are
crowded with frozen and microwaveable meals, instant soups and stews, and
prepackaged lunches. These foods usually contain few fruits and vegetables and
are often high in fat and salt. Marketing often targets children by using
tie-ins between movies, fast-food restaurants, and toys. Children then pressure
their parents to visit certain restaurants and buy foods for them based not on
their nutritional content but on whether they can obtain a desired toy.
Cultural and social meanings. We may eat foods
because we were brought up eating them and find them comforting. Some people
eat, or don't eat, certain foods based on religious, political, or social
beliefs. These factors are also reflected in the food choices parents make for
their children.
Family and living situations. Many people, and
most children, eat meals prepared by others, and food choices often are made by
that meal preparer.
Emotions.
Depression,
anxiety, boredom, and
stress often lead to unhealthy eating habits, both in
adults and children. Our emotions and stress levels, eating habits, busy
lifestyles, and family situations are all closely interrelated. Sometimes
attempts to change eating habits cannot succeed until the emotions and stress
in our lives are managed more successfully. Children who see adults eating in
emotional situations may imitate this behavior.
Knowledge of nutrition. Nutrition information
affects what we eat. Often this information is conflicting and confusing. When
evaluating nutritional information, look at the big picture. Much nutritional
news involves only one study. This needs to be considered along with other
studies and information that is already known. If a single study disagrees with
the larger body of information, you should see how it fits into the larger
picture, not throw away all the information that came before.
