2. 1
Food Affects Life

3. Objectives
Explain how the search for food led to the development of civilization.
Use the steps of the decision-making process to make food choices.
Describe how food relieves hunger and improves wellness.
Outline cultural, social, and psychological influences on food choices.
List factors that affect the food supply.

4. The History of Food Early people formed tribes to hunt together
Farming and herding evolved and the food supply became more dependable
As food became more available, people were able to dedicate time to other activities
Basic trading began, and with it came the development of civilization
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5. The History of Food People searched for food in distant places
Explorers introduced foods in new lands and brought back foods from other lands
Foods that were native to one place are now found in many places
© Laborant/Shutterstock

6. Think Further What foods do you eat that came from other countries?
© Kongsak/Shutterstock
© tacar/Shutterstock

7. Making Choices About Foods
You can use the following steps of the decision-making process to make choices about foods, activities, or any other topics:
1. Identify the problem or decision
2. Consider your alternatives
3. Think about how your alternatives relate to your goals
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8. Making Choices About Foods
Determine which alternatives are acceptable
Choose one alternative
Evaluate your decision
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9. Think Further
What is an example of a decision you might make about food?
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10. Food Meets Physical Needs
Food is needed to
maintain vital functions
provide energy for muscle movement
build and repair tissues
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11. Food Meets Physical Needs
Food relieves hunger
A hunger signal stimulates your stomach to produce hunger pangs
Appetite influences what foods you choose to ease your hunger
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12. Food Meets Physical Needs
Food improves overall wellness, which includes
physical health—your body
mental health—your mind
social health—relationships with other people
One sign of overall wellness is an ability to handle stress

13. Cultural Influences on Food Choices
One factor that affects food habits is culture
Each culture that is part of U.S. society contributes unique customs and beliefs to the nation
© Joe Gough/Shutterstock
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14. Cultural Influences on Food Choices
National origin
U.S. immigrants often settled together based on nationality, resulting in regional specialties
Religion
Certain food customs determine what and how people should eat
Fasting has long been a religious custom
Holidays
Holiday celebrations abound with food traditions

15. Think Further
What are examples of food customs based on national origin, religion, or holidays?
© Timothy R. Nichols/Shutterstock

16. Social Influences on Food Choices
For many people, preparing and eating food are social activities.
© Elena Elisseeva/Shutterstock

17. Family
Food choices are often a reflection of family values and customs
Many food habits are formed around family customs
Busy lifestyles limit the amount of time family members have to share meals

18. Friends
You may feel peer pressure to eat the same foods your friends are eating
Friends may also encourage you to try new foods and preparation techniques
© Jaimie Duplass/Shutterstock

19. Mass Media Mass media can affect food choices by advertising products
reporting health and nutrition information
fostering food fallacies and fads

20. Food Product Trends Health Convenience
A consumer concern for health has fueled the trend for functional foods
Convenience
Since consumers do not have a lot of time for food preparation, convenience is a key to the success of new food products
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21. Food Product Trends Great taste
Consumers are not willing to give up taste for health or convenience
Food manufacturers are constantly introducing new and improved flavors of foods

22. In Your Opinion… How are your food choices affected by family?
friends?
mass media?
food product trends?
© Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock

23. Psychological Influences on Food Choices
The way you think and feel about foods will influence what foods you choose
Odors as well as events create memories that affect food choices
Psychology affects why you eat as well as what you eat
Psychology even plays a role in food preparation

24. In Your Opinion…
What are some of your pleasant and unpleasant memories involving foods?
© Jaimie Duplass/Shutterstock

25. Factors That Affect the Food Supply
Many factors affect the supply of foods available when you go to the store
© Hannamariah /Shutterstock

26. Agriculture and the Environment
Successful agriculture requires a suitable environment to produce crops and livestock for food
Practicing sustainability in all areas of society will help ensure a productive and profitable food supply

27. Government
Laws govern the way foods are grown, processed, packaged, and labeled
The food supply in the United States is overseen primarily by
the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

28. Economics The law of supply and demand effects food supply
Producers will provide products as long as consumers are willing to pay for them
Consumer demand for some food products affects much more than local stores
Economics plays a role in the complex problem of world hunger

29. Technology Researchers are using technology to affect food’s
nutrient content
availability
safety
© branislavpudar/Shutterstock

30. Review
1. How did the search for food lead to the development of civilization?
Early people formed tribes to hunt for food together. Farming and herding evolved, creating a more reliable food supply. As food became easier to obtain, people were able to learn other trades, which allowed for civilization to develop.

31. Review 2. What are the steps of the decision-making process?
Identify the problem or decision
Consider your alternatives
Think about how your alternatives relate to your goals.
Determine which alternatives are acceptable
Choose one alternative
Evaluate your decision

32. Review 3. What are two ways food meets physical needs?
food relieves hunger and improves wellness
4. What are three social influences on food choices?
(List three:) family, friends, mass media, food product trends

33. Review 5. What are five factors that affect the food supply?
agriculture, environment, government, economics, technology

34. Glossary
agriculture. The use of knowledge and skill to tend soil, grow crops, and raise livestock.
alternative. An option a person might choose when making a decision.
appetite. A psychological desire to eat.
culture. The traditions and beliefs of a racial, religious, or social group.

35. Glossary custom. A typical way of behaving.
decision-making process. A method for thinking about possible options and outcomes before making a choice.
environment. Interrelated factors, including air, water, soil, mineral resources, plants, and animals, that ultimately affect the survival of life on earth.

36. Glossary fad. A practice that is very popular for a short time.
fallacy. A mistaken belief.
fasting. Denying oneself food.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The federal agency that ensures the safety and wholesomeness of all foods sold across state lines, except meat, poultry, and eggs.

37. Glossary
functional food. A food that provides health benefits beyond the nutrients it contains.
goal. An aim a person tries to reach.
hunger. The physical need for food.
lifestyle. The way a person usually lives.
peer pressure. Influence that comes from people in a person’s social group.

38. Glossary stress. Mental tension caused by change.
sustainability. Practices that are productive and profitable while still caring for the environment.
technology. The use of knowledge to develop improved methods for doing tasks.

39. Glossary
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The federal agency that enforces standards for the quality and wholesomeness of meat, poultry, and eggs.
value. An item or idea that a person or group considers important.
wellness. A state of being in overall good physical, mental, and social health.