RACHEL GREEN Factors influencing attitudes to food and eating behaviour

The Role Of Learning Babies are born with taste receptors for sweet, sour, salt, bitter and umami taste qualities. Benton (2002) found that sweet foods actually reduce distress in babies. This suggests that there many be an innate preference for certain food types which is genetically predisposed. Birch (1999) proposes that we are born with an innate ability to associate food tastes and smells with the consequences of eating that food (rather than innate food preference). This means that we learn from experiencing the foods which are good for us and those which aren’t. Birch’s proposal that we inherit an ability to make sure associations suggests an interaction between nature and nurture. We learn through experience what is good for us (nurture), but that learning depends upon brain circuits that are innate (nature)

Parental Attitudes and Food Preferences Parents provide food for the child (usually the mother) therefore it is her attitude to food which effects the child’s preferences. Early experiences are critical, parental eating habits will profoundly affect their child’s eating attitudes. Nicklaus (2004) investigated that correlations between food preferences at age 2 and at age 22 in a longitudinal study of French children. For about 50% of dietary items, there was a clear association between childhood and adult preferences especially for cheese and vegetables. There were clear links between childhood and adult food preferences but there were also some changes showing that childhood experiences are important, but not the only factor involved. Adult preferences were assessed through interview and questionnaires – social desirability possibility

Peer’s Attitudes Once the child reaches school age, peers become an important factor on many aspects of their lives. Lowe, Dowey and Horne (1998) found that modelling using admired peers can increase consumption of fruit and vegetables

Media Throughout childhood, children are exposed to widespread food advertising on television using peer models, animations etc. to make the food more appealing. This is an example of how social learning theory can be used to explain food preferences as children are observing role models. Advertisements are very powerful in shaping food preferences

Mood Food has many other functions besides dietary ones. Studies have shown that people who are stressed or depressed increase the carbohydrate and fat content of their meals. A sustained decrease or increase in appetite can be an important symptom of depression and other mood disorders. Ogden (2007) suggests that dieters who overeat in response to a low mood may be seeking to mask their negative mood with a temporary heightened mood induced by eating. Hunger is associated with increase arousal, vigilance and irritability, while after a meal we feel calm and sleepy. Two mechanisms have been proposed to account for this: The Seretonin Hypothesis which only seems to occur when we take in pure carbohydrates which is extremely rare Benton (2002) and The Opiate Hypothesis such as drugs (e.g. heroin) increase food intake and perceived tastiness of food Gibson (2006).

Culture There are significant differences in diet across cultures which is often because of the availability of certain foods. Globalisation of the food market means that even in remote communities, food choice is increasing but differences are still found. Wardle (1997) surveyed the diets of young adults across 21 European countries and found that in general, the number eating a basic and healthy diet was low, with females doing better than males. Even with the access to a range of foods, different ethnic groups have different diets which demonstrates the influence of culture and dietary history on food preferences.

Key Points Feeding preferences in babies and young children reflect a balance between neophobia (fear of the new) and learning through familiarity. Repeated exposure increases food preferences The mother’s attitudes towards food are crucial. Later, peers become an important model in the social learning of food preferences. The parent’s awareness of health risks associated with diet can influence the child’s attitudes to food. Sweet tasting foods improve mood, especially in depressed and stressed people. Evidence suggests that they active endorphin reward pathways in the brain. Culture can have a significant effect on diet as a result of availability of food, specific environments and religious beliefs.

Mark Scheme comments on IDA The mark scheme from January 2011 looked for: Nature/Nurture Reductionism Free Will/Determinism Cultural Issues Gender Issues