Food for thought: a study of food consumption in postmodern US culture

Abstract

The objective of this research is to examine the symbolic meanings of contemporary food consumption and provide an in-depth understanding of related practices. Specifically, we view food as a prominent cultural category representative of postmodernism and approach our study using a postmodern perspective. The paper provides an insight into how US consumers relate to food and highlights the symbolic dimension of food in a culture that is often depicted as highly individualistic. Offering a theoretical framework rooted in an ethnographic account of food consumption we uncover its postmodern complexities that take into account social, cultural, and contextual dimensions. Food is discussed in the context of relationships, desire, and a globalized commodity.

Family Support and Subjective Well-Being: An Exploratory Study of University Students in Southern Chile

“…In spite of and sometimes because of the abundance of food available, food still occupies a considerable part of an average person's life in terms of time and resources (Grunert et al 2007). Food fulfills a utilitarian function for the body but at the same time it acts as a product for pleasure and social construction (Hausman 2005;Kniazeva and Venkatesh 2007). Hargreaves et al (2002) stressed the emotional dimension of food associated with celebrations and social interaction.…”

Satisfaction with Life and Food-Related Life in Persons of the Mapuche Ethnic Group in Southern Chile: A Comparative Analysis Using Logit and Probit Models

“…Considering the relation between health and food (Buchwald et al 2004;American Dietetic Association 2005;Grunert et al 2007) and between social interaction and food (Warde and Martens 2000;Casotti 2005;Hausman 2005;Kniazeva and Venkatesh 2007), the present work is intended to demonstrate a positive relation between foodrelated satisfaction and people's satisfaction with life. In this respect, it may be expected that a healthier diet and life style will have a positive influence on satisfaction with life.…”

“…Hargreaves et al (2002) stress the emotional dimension of food associated with celebrations and social interaction. Food is prepared in the expectation that it will be shared and enjoyed in company (Kniazeva and Venkatesh 2007), day by day with the family, and at weekends with friends (Casotti 2005). Eating out is associated principally with pleasure, and a rest from working in the kitchen (Warde and Martens 2000;Hargreaves et al 2002); the frequency with which people eat out is closely related to their sociodemographic level, thus people with higher incomes, a higher level of education, young people in full-time employment, childless couples and single people eat in restaurants more frequently (Warde and Martens 2000).…”

Tipologias de consumidores según el estilo de vida en relación a la alimentación: un estudio exploratorio en el sur de Chile

“…Al respecto, los alimentos son preparados con la expectativa de ser compartidos y disfrutados en compañía, día tras día con la familia, y en los fines de semana con amigos (29), siendo congruente con el hecho de que las personas obtienen placer al comer reunidos con la familia (13). La baja puntuación de esta tipología en el componente "gusto por cocinar" es congruente con que las comidas fuera del hogar se asocian con placer y descanso de las labores de cocina, lo que se da con mayor frecuencia en parejas que no tienen hijos pequeños (29), situación que caracteriza a esta tipología. La mayor proporción de personas extremadamente satisfechas con su alimentación confirmaría que la alimentación no sólo se vincula con la salud, sino que además se asocia con la capacidad de disfrutar los alimentos y al significado hedónico que éstos tienen (10,12).…”

“…Los bajos puntajes en "conveniencia" y "gusto por cocinar" son congruentes con la mayor frecuencia de consumo en locales de comida rápida y en puestos ambulantes y, de compra de comida preparada. Se ha descrito que en la medida que aumenta el consumo de alimentos fuera del hogar disminuye la calidad de la dieta (29). Esto, junto a la menor presencia de participantes que restringe el consumo de alimentos asociados a enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles y que presenta una baja frecuencia de consumo de bebidas y jugos una vez por semana, daría cuenta de hábitos alimentarios no saludables.…”