Abstract

PABON, Giselle Torres. Introductory balance of the literature on the relationship between socioeconomic conditions and food consumption. Rev. colomb. soc. [online]. 2020, vol.43, n.2, pp.267-291.  Epub May 08, 2021. ISSN 0120-159X.  https://doi.org/10.15446/rcs.v43n2.78453.

Food practice -as a system and a process that connects different elements of the reality where circumscribes- involves different stages, processes or sub-processes: food supply, storage, preparation, intake and waste. In turn, each of these elements contains other variables: time, budget, supply places, products, preparations, display on the table, intake and types of waste. Also, each of the previous variables contains other components (prices, income, restrictions, small markets, large stores, raw or cooked products, recycling, etc.) Therefore, it is possible to say that food practice is a complex system.

Food products like fruits, vegetables, meats, flours, sugars, among others, regarding the stages, process, or sub-process of supply, are the products that households acquire to feed themselves. The consumption of food products in households is an extensive analytical field. Therefore, this article aims to present an introductory balance that serves as a guide for analyzing the relationship between socioeconomic conditions and food consumption. First, this article exposes the analysis of this relationship from three interpretative categories; a. position in the economic and social system; b. rational and functional aspects of food consumption; c. changes in food consumption and socioeconomic conditions. Then, based on the conclusions drawn from these sections, an analytical balance is proposed in this article.

In conclusion, there are different micro or macro aspects, material or non-material, dynamic, in time and space from a socioeconomic and stratified perspective that enable or restrict food consumption; thus, it is suggested to the beginning reader on this subject not to lose sight of the complexity of the problem.

Descriptors: food consumption, houses, living conditions, social inequality.

Keywords : food consumption; health; households; patterns; rational choice; social position; socioeconomic conditions.

        · abstract in Spanish | Portuguese     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )