Changing fortunes: changing food choices.

摘要

The paper presents a study on assessing the short and long term impact of a change in household income on food habits, food preferences and attitudes to healthy eating. The study was conducted in Glasgow and Reading through interviews of an income increase group (IIG) (n=53) and an income decrease group (IDG) (n=97). Results indicate a change in income has a destabilizing effect on food habits. A decrease in income was associated with a change in the variety and quantity of foods eaten, a reductionin intake of several foods currently recommended for a healthy diet and a gain in body weight in women. The IIG reported a number of changes consistent with a healthy varied diet, an increase in eating out and higher intake of pre-cooked meals.