Social class differences in food consumption
Social class can be examined according to defining factors — education, income, or occupational status — or subjective components, like perceived rank in society.
[4] In contemporary Western society, social class differences in food consumption follow a general pattern.
[6] According to French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu, the food consumed by the upper classes reflect "tastes of refinement",[7] and its perceived value in society.
[8] The diet of lower class groups, who had little access to meat, mostly consisted of grains (e.g., barley and rye) and vegetables (e.g. cabbage and carrots).
The high cost of transporting these spices limited access to the rich; thus, both the amount and type of meat consumed became a signal of status.
[5][4] There is some documented evidence for this claim: Upper class groups, relative to lower class groups, were more likely to endorse eating foods that were outside of their native culture [13][14][15] and show a preoccupation for the perceived authenticity of foreign cuisine,[16] preferring dine-in establishments over fast food chains.
[22] Turrell and colleagues[23] noted that income, as opposed to education and occupational status, was the only significant indicator of low-income groups purchasing foods that met recommended dietary guidelines.
[24][25] Nevertheless, scholars have not been able to identify specific micronutrients (i.e., vitamins, minerals) and macronutrients (i.e., carbohydrates, fat) that consistently contribute to the inflated price of a healthy diet.
[30] Higher education is related to a better diet and is thought to improve eating behaviors by increasing susceptibility to health messages.
Is it solely a socioeconomic position (i.e., median income, distance from the federal poverty level) or is it a psychological state of mind (i.e., self-perception and culture)?
[39] According to sociologist, Thorstein Veblen, conspicuous consumption is the audacious display of wealth to mark one's social standing.
[42] Buying and eating organic foods not only requires a certain degree of expendable money,[43] but it also suggests that the middle class consumer possesses some nutritional knowledge and the ability to access the same grocery markets as the rich.
[44] In the United States, one way of defining low social class is reporting an income level lower than the federal poverty threshold.
[48] Low income families do not regularly meet the required daily servings of nutrient-rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains,[49] and this issue spans far beyond the United States.
[50] In the US, the United States Department of Agriculture developed a set of guidelines designed to help all Americans meet their nutritional needs.
[53] Fatty meats, potatoes, pasta, canned corn, rice and cereal are among the most common foods purchased by many low income families.
[58] In urban areas, vast income inequality makes purchasing healthy foods more difficult for low-income groups, especially among racial minorities.
[61][62][20] On the other hand, another issue facing many low-income communities is the growing prevalence of fast food restaurants, which pose major health risks.
[76] There is emerging evidence that the psychological experiences of poverty and low status can directly influence the foods that one eats.
One survey by the American Psychological Association found that nearly 40% of US adults reported overeating or eating unhealthily in response to stress.
[78] Many scholars believe that stress is a key mechanism in the relationship between low social class and poor eating behaviors.
