World Food Patterns

World Food Patterns identifies social, cultural, religious, ethnic and personal influences on the food choices of individuals, families and societies. You will learn that differential nutritional status, by making some people more fit than others, has widespread economic, political and social consequences. You also will investigate causes of hunger and under nutrition in developed and developing countries.

The overall goal of the course is for you to begin to examine the food patterns of different cultures considering the impact of social, cultural, religious practices, political influences and economics on the nutrition status of populations.

• Appreciate food habits of various cultures of the globe.
• Outline the process involved in forming food patterns of individuals and families.
• Discuss the social, religious, economic, political and cultural factors which affect food patterns and nutritional status.
• Appreciate the relationships among availability of food, nutritional status, health and behavior.
• Appreciate the interrelatedness and inter-dependency of cultures with a special focus on food behavior.
• Discuss the impact of traditional and changing roles of individuals within a society on the nutritional status of each member of the society.
• Discuss the effects of increasing population and limited food supply on the environment and the world's population.
• Begin to question assumptions about people different from themselves.
• Understand cultural variables to improve interaction and understanding when interacting with others.
• Implement effective change.