Core Topic 3 Diet Evaluation and Food Selection Key Idea 1: Many Factors influence food choices and nutritional status

Psychological Status and Nutrition Nutritional status is influenced by a number of psychological factors including: Values Culture Attitudes Habits Emotions Self-concept Experiences Sensory Factors These factors are formed throughout the lifecycle and are influenced by society to an extend.

Values ‘To value something is to hold it in high regard or to feel it is worthwhile.’ (Magee, & Oliver 2010) The Australian Government values good health and promotes it through the Dietary Guidelines and the media. Q. How can values influence food choices? For example, a person may value material possessions such as cars and houses and use their money to acquire those goods. A person may value health and spend time investigating healthy eating plans Valuing ecological sustainability may lead to individual’s choosing environmentally friendly foods that are fresh, minimally processes and minimally packaged.

Beliefs ‘Are based on what people believe to be true and vary considerably throughout the world’ (Magee & Oliver 2010)

Culture Cultural factors including food habits and religion influence: The type of meal served (e.g. potatoes, rice and pasta) The patterns of eating (e.g. main meal for breakfast) How it is eaten (e.g. knives and forks, chopsticks) Q. Provide an example of a cultural factor influencing food selection: Occasionally lead to food restrictions. For example, The Muslim and Jewish community avoid pork, yet pork is highly prized by the Chinese.

Australian Food Habits Traditional Aboriginal eating patterns are varied and nutritious Generally low in saturated fat unlike current Australian eating patterns Plant Foods Animal Foods Fruits Berries Vegetables Seeds Roots Nuts Flowers Birds Insects Reptiles Seafood

Australian Food Habits Australian food habits heavily influenced by European and Asian migration. ‘For more than 200 years, influences from countries and cultures around the world have broadened Australia’s cuisine: our contemporary cuisine reflects this diversity of influence and embraces a wide range of new foods, tastes and products.’ (Chapter 3 Food in Australia)

Hinduism The followers of Hinduism have a code of belief called Sanatana Dharma, which means eternal law. Eternal law involves working hard, telling the truth and recognising obligations to family. Given they refuse to kill, many Hindus are strict vegetarians Cows are sacred to Hindus and so they avoid beef ‘The cow is a symbol of the Earth, the nourisher, the ever-giving, undemanding provider. The cow represents life and the sustenance of life. The cow is so generous, taking nothing but water, grass and grain. It gives and gives and gives of its milk…’

Judaism The Torah is the teaching of god. Many Jews eat Kosher (chicken, lamb or beef) The animal is slaughtered in a way that limits pain to the animal Animals for consumption must have four legs, cloven hoofs and chew cud. Animals including cattle, sheep and goats are considered clean No pork or pork products are eaten Fish must have scales and fins. The Jewish community are not permitted to eat squid and octopus or shellfish such as oysters and prawns. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZwwPN2Q9ec Cud = Partly digested food returned from the stomach to the mouth for further chewing

Judaism Meat is eaten separately from dairy products. Not used in the same recipe and several hours are left between eating the two types of food. Separate kitchen equipment is used Milk products must be rennet free.

Islam Fasting from dawn to dusk during the 30 days of Ramadan ‘Muslims all over the world abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs during the daylight hours. As a time to purify the soul, refocus attention on God, and practice self-sacrifice, Ramadan is much more than just not eating and drinking.’ Pork and pork products are not to be eaten Alcohol is not permitted Milk products must be rennet free which is widely used in cheese making Meat must be slaughtered in a particular way. Muslims must eat Halal beef, chicken and lamb.

Buddhism Presents a way of living, which focuses on the cessation of suffering. Traditional conduct prevents killing, stealing, engaging in sexual misconduct, lying and drinking liquor. In turn, most Buddhists are vegetarian and some are vegans.

Attitudes Attitudes to foods will determine what is selected and when. Family and the society people live in strongly influence attitudes and habits about food Attitudes and habits change with new inventions, technology and research. The type of food and where it is eaten has changed considerably in the last 20 years.

Attitudes Q. What habits influence what and when you eat at home? Q. Make a list of changes that have occurred, which have influenced changes in our eating patterns. Multiculturalism Technology Less time dedicated to food preparation Both parents working Development of fast food chains Advertising

Self-Concept – Body Image ‘Body image is a combination of how a person perceives and feels about their body’ (HEIA 2008). Concerns of body image may lead to the use of dangerous diets and weight loss methods, low self-esteem and eating disorders. Several cultural, social and psychological factors contribute to body dissatisfaction.

Advertisements Television and print advertisements tend to use models that reflect a slim ideal for women and a muscular ideal for men. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEB-TeiHwhA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46U http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_I17cK1ltY

Influences on Body Image

Emotions ‘Emotional eating is when people use food as a way to deal with feelings instead of to satisfy hunger.’ (Kidshealth 2013) Q. How might emotions influence one’s food choices? ‘Yes, people often turn to food when they're stressed out, lonely, sad, anxious, or bored. But emotional eating can be linked to positive feelings too, like the romance of sharing dessert on Valentine's Day or the celebration of a holiday feast.’ (Kidshealth 2013) Emotional status, self concept and previous experiences influence food choices and resulting nutritional status

Emotions ‘Emotional eating patterns can be learned: A child who is given candy after a big achievement may grow up using candy as a reward for a job well done. A kid who is given cookies as a way to stop crying may learn to link cookies with comfort.’ (Kidshealth 2013)

Past Experiences Q. Can you provide examples? Connecting past memories with food experiences may deter a person selecting a particular food. Q. Can you provide examples? Smell – E.g. Fish Markets Feeling unwell – E.g. Food Poisoning Special occasion – E.g. Fairy bread for a birthday