An examination of the factors influencing nutrition and food choice of the population in the United Kingdom (with particular reference to the period since 1951 and the influence of nutritional knowledge upon choice)

Abstract

With the return of a free economy in the 1950's it became increasingly clear to nutritionists and health educators that freedom of choice to the consumer did not necessarily mean sound nutritional intake. The purpose of the research has been to explore the factors influencing choice during the period since 1953; to examine how past experience might be used to influence food choice and nutritional status in the future; and to establish the level of nutritional knowledge amongst the population and assess the impact of this knowledge on behaviour. It is hoped in this way to produce more effective guidelines by which food choice in the future may be influenced in the interests of health. The methods used have involved historical reviews; the appraisal of data collected in the commercial world; nationally quantified surveys using structured questionnaires studies in depth of various sub-groups; and the application of modern techniques and knowledge from a broad spectrum of the social sciences to the food and nutrition scene. The research indicates - the type of data to be collected before attempts at change are made; - the sort of problems likely to emerge and provides suggestions of the ways change may be achieved; - the level of nutritional knowledge during the period and a review of the extent to which it has influenced choice; - the factors influencing food habits of minority groups and the research suggests they are unlikely to be helpful in changing habits of the country overall; - new techniques for the study of historical and contemporary data in relationship to food consumption; - the level of influence of price upon food choice.