You Are What You Eat? Dietary Selection, Food Preferences, and Personal Attitudes

Abstract

This thesis aims to examine the prior social science work done on the study of foodways, and contribute to further understanding in the field. The goal of this study is to elucidate individuals’ personal perceptions of their dietary decisions. Prior research has suggested various models to account for the decision-making processes regarding food selection. Most can agree that food selection is a multi-faceted process with a large set of influences. This research conducted a survey to examine behaviors and attitudes relating to eating and food selection as well as perspectives of identity and social interactions. The findings assert the validity of the food choice process model for explaining dietary selection practices.