Americans enjoy one of the most bountiful and affordable food supplies in the world. Yet, with this abundance comes overconsumption of total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol.
Solutions begin with understanding consumer behavior and the factors that influence food choices.
The introduction to a recent FoodReview describes how America's food choices and eating habits have changed dramatically over the last 100 years, reflecting changes in our culture and our lives. Changes over the years in the food choices of individuals affect not only the lifestyle and well-being of their households but also have implications for society that extend far beyond the family dinner table. Changes in food choices and preferences have meant changes for farmers and the food production and marketing systems, as changing food consumption patterns signal producers as to which crops to grow and which foods to provide. For example, the long-term shift toward eating more chicken instead of beef has led to structural changes in production, such as growing consolidation and vertical integration in poultry production. The food sector responds to other types of changes in demand as well.