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Other Potential Influences
on Dietary Food intakes
Social Influences on Personal and Familial Dietary Intake: Why Do We
Eat the Way We Do?
Both childhood and adult obesity rates are at all-time high levels. Along
with obesity comes the onset of almost-completely preventable diseases like
diabetes, cancer, stroke, atherosclerosis, heart disease and many more. It's
not just in the United States either; the entire planet is shifting towards
very destructive eating patterns. Let's examine some of the more prevalent
social and family-based influences that are causing the planetary population
to become more and more unhealthy.
Family-based dietary influences:
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Parent education plays a
very large role in the development of poor dietary choices within families.
If parents have never learned to choose healthy food sources, then, quite
naturally, their children will not either.
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Lacking parental
responsibility is another profound factor. It is the responsibility of every
parent to not simply feed their children, but to ensure their health and
safety. Too many parents today do not take the time necessary to plan and
prepare nutritious meals at home.
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Parental eating habits are
handed down to children – and then to grandchildren. Children admire and
imitate their parents. They mimic their habits and take them on as their own
in time. If the parents demonstrate no thought or respect for what they
ingest, and/or the manners in which they eat, then their children will
likewise become irresponsible eaters.
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Children are far too often
permitted to choose what they eat. The fact is that most children have
absolutely no idea of what a nutritious meal should be comprised of. Of
course, most children will choose a Big Mac over a health-packed salmon
steak – or a bowl of ice cream over an apple. Parents need to dictate the
foods that a family eats.
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In many homes, children are
allowed to have access to the food supply at will. Again,
eating times
should be planned for children. If they have no access to foods, then they
cannot develop improper eating habits.
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Portion sizes affect the
eating habits of all people as well. Especially in the US, people have a
tendency to eat far more than they need to. Again, children specifically are
being taught improper eating habits in this regard. They will naturally
learn to eat more and more when foods are piled on their plates. Attention
needs to be given to the proper portion sizes based on the individual's
needs.
Societal influences of eating habits:
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Time constraints affect us
all. Adults and children alike have very busy schedules. That is true.
However, there is still enough time in life to plan and prepare healthy
foods. Each person is capable of watching just a little less TV, or surfing
the Internet just a bit less, or the like, in order to contribute to
development of healthy eating habits and
food preparation.
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The availability of
prepared, processed, microwavable, bleached, sugar-filled, sodium-laden and
otherwise toxic foods is astounding. There has been a major shift towards
these types of foods due to their convenience. However, long-term exposure
to these foods greatly reduces human health levels.
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Our ethnicity also affects
our eating habits. Many foods are selected because people feel some sense of
duty to only eat what they have always eaten. This can be deadly though.
It's important for all people to realize that the foods that we consume
heavily dictate the amount of vibrant health that we experience.
Nutrient-packed, low-fat foods are good for all humans – regardless of their
heritage.
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Mealtime structuring is a
key factor in the development of our eating habits. When families take the
time to sit down together and enjoy their meals, it brings them closer
together – and healthier. Too often, families settle in front of the
television, video games and the like and simply pay no attention to the
manners in which they eat. They hastily
gobble food down with no thought
given. Meals should be consistently structured and enjoyed.
Other factors that influence our eating habits:
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Eating is one of the most
popular forms of entertainment. Almost every social event is in part based
on eating. Family reunions, wedding receptions, church gatherings, dating,
festivals and more all have a central theme of food. We even center
remembering the deceased on eating.
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We eat to express and
accept appreciation. If someone is being honored, a feast is prepared in
their name.
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Holiday celebrations are centered heavily around food. In fact, it has become expected to eat huge
quantities during the holidays, especially
Thanksgiving and Christmas.
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Many people will claim that
they eat non-nutritious foods due to budget restraints. However, if people
choose to plan and prepare their meals at home, their dollars will stretch
significantly further. It costs no more to provide a fine meal loaded with
vitamins and nutrients than it does to take the family out to
McDonald's.
The above social and
familial influences on our eating habits are acting to lessen our vitality.
It is important for all of us to remember that the foods that we eat are
directly responsible for our health levels. Like all animals, we are meant
to eat as a method of survival. We need nutrients and energy in oder to
perform actions, grow, heal and thrive. Of course, there are many ways to
enjoy the foods that we eat as well. We simply must become more aware of the
importance of healthy food choices – and of the manners in which we eat. By
becoming aware of the familial and social influences on our eating habits,
we empower ourselves to modify them in order to live healthier, happier
lives.
What matters most, eating foods in moderation or choosing
the right kinds of foods?
Dangers of developing unhealthy
relationships with food
Emotional & food-based triggers for
overeating
You must seek approval from your doctor
before starting any new diet.
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