Chapter_2_Food_Resources_-_Is_Technology_a_Panacea_for_Food_Shortage_

GATEWAY 1: How and why have food consumption patterns changed since the 1960s? How do food consumption patterns vary between DCs and LDCs over time? ● Food ​ refers to any nutritious substance that is consumed by the body. ● Global food consumption patterns vary between developed countries (DCs) and less developed countries (LDCs) over time. ● These can be seen in terms of the indicators of food consumption and changing food preferences. Indicators of Food Consumption ● Food consumption per capita ​ refers to the average amount of food a person consumed per year. Usual unit for measurement is kilogrammes per capita per year. ○ DCs usually have higher food consumption per capita than LDCs. ● Total daily calorie intake ​ represents the total number of calories obtained from food consumed per person per day. ○ People in DCs usually have higher total daily calorie intake than people from LDCs. ● Starchy staples as a percentage of all calories ​ can be used a a measure of food consumption because staple foods usually form the main part of the diet. ○ People in DCs have a larger portion of their diet composed of starchy staples as opposed to people in LDCs. Changing food preferences ● Food preference ​ is the choice of one food type over another. Food preferences change due to a variety of reasons, such as an increase in income. When a country is more developed economically and its citizens have a higher disposable income, there is a change in diet from crop-based products to meat-based products. ○ For instance, China today consumes less cereals but more eggs, meat, eggs, fish and fruits and vegetables. ● Cereals ​ are crops harvested for their grain and they are the most important food source in the world, composing a large percentage of global calorie intake. ○ Consumption of cereals per capita declines at higher income levels. ○ One type of cereal is often substituted for the other at higher income levels. ● Meat ​ is the meat of domesticated animals such as cows pigs and sheep. ○ Increase in income usually leads to an increase in meat consumption. ○ In LDCs, people are increasingly starting to eat meat because of a rise in disposable income. ○ In DCs, red meat consumption is beginning to decline because it has been linked to health diseases. ● Fruits and vegetable ​ consumption has risen for both DCs and LDCs, in the latter’s case due to increase in disposable income. Why do food consumption patterns vary between DCs and LDCs? (PES) Political Factors ● Stability of food supply ​ may cause variations in food consumption. A country has a stable food supply when safe and nutritious food is available to all people at all times. ○ Stability of food supply can be ensured by the following methods. ■ Increasing of food production ​ through means like the improving of technology to the use of more agricultural land can help ensure food supply. ■ Increasing amount of impo