Cultural and social influences on eating habits

Abstract

Eating habits are repetitive patterns of food choices influenced by cultural and social factors. Culture determines what is considered acceptable food and how it is prepared and consumed, while social influences include the norms and behaviors of the environment, such as friends, family and community. In this study, surveys were administered to 200 participants from FES Zaragoza, UNAM, to investigate cultural and social influences on eating habits. The surveys showed the importance of cultural and socioeconomic factors, lack of time, motivation and resources in the treatment of obesity. The data, analyzed with SPSS, included age, occupation, educational level, marital status and income. The study was supplemented with relevant literature to understand the factors that influence eating. Cultural and social influences have a profound impact on eating habits and, therefore, on the prevalence of obesity. Understanding these factors is crucial for designing effective interventions to promote healthy eating and reduce obesity at the community and global levels.