3.5.1.1 Factors which influence food choice GapFill

There are many factors which influence an individual’s food  experiencerestrictionscolourchoice.

These may be health related, connected to a belief system, or based on animal welfare issues or on income and/or lifestyle. Below, we will explore the factors for food choice:

Physical activity level (PAL) of an individual is used to estimate energy  excrementexpectednessexpenditureexpedition over a 24-hour period and is expressed as a number. PAL influences food choices by showing how much energy has been expended and how much energy needs to be put back via food (without weight gain).

•  DesireHealthHappinessWeight can be a governing factor in food choice, either through a need to eat or avoid eating certain foods because of a specific condition or to maintain weight or through a desire for a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Life choices are affected by  peer pressureincomedaysoccasions such as birthdays, religious festivals or parties. Foods consumed during these occasions may differ from day-to-day eating habits, e.g. food may consist of more sweet/sugary foods, snacks, alcohol or fizzy drinks or may be dependent on the celebration.
• A person’s  expenditurepreferencehealthincome can influence their food choice and determine how healthily they eat. A low income consumer may eat fewer foods that are deemed more costly, e.g. organic and free range produce due to a lack of disposable income. They may also choose their foods based on the cost of food, e.g. marketing offers, sales or bulk purchases and even where they shop. For instance, some supermarkets are regarded as being cheaper than others.
•  sellersPreferencesrecipesexperiences affect food choice – some consumers like spicy foods, some may have a sweet tooth and like sugary foods, some consumers may have a fondness for savoury foods. Enjoyment of food is a big factor in food choice for some people. People who love to talk about food, watch food programmes and eat a variety of food products are referred to as 'foodies'. People who are very selective about what they eat and who like to eat good food are called 'gourmets'.
• Food  recipesavailabilityaversionseasonality can be influenced by transport, weather, political issues (such as sanctions imposed on a country’s ability to export), drought, fire or floods. This can affect the food choices of consumers.  amountweatherSeasonalitynight may also be a governing factor if food is available only at certain times of the year, although this is less of an issue in the UK where we import from other countries.
•  educationLifestylesefforttime can be a big factor in food choice. Some people with very busy lives may not be able to eat meals at set times of the day, or have time to prepare or cook food and so may be more inclined to eat on the go, e.g. meal deals, takeaways, fast food or ready to eat food. Furthermore, food choice may also reflect the lifestyle of a household, e.g. fussy children, parent who works nights or those who work longer days. Lifestyle may also include the type of life a person wants to lead; for instance, an active person who plays a lot of sport may be more inclined to eat  healthyhappydryhearty foods in order to impact on their sport or body size/shape.