How and why do diets change? How do changes in food systems affect changes of diets, and therefore health and nutritional outcomes?
Thailand has been regarded as the Land of Gourmet Food. The traditional Thai-style diet is serving rice with various dishes. However, several studies have found that during the past 20 years the consumption pattern of the Thai population has changed noticeably. It was reported that the key points that cause the diets change are social, cultural value and economic. Thai people, particularly in big city, trend to accept other gourmet food that comes its way. Delocalization and globalization trends also caused changes in Thai dietary patterns.
In big city, the online shopping and social media has developed rapidly. Technology is essential to consumers and this is an issue that will continue. The delocalization process is reflected by the acceptance of new kinds of foods, as well as dining out and ordering food through delivery services. The traditional food revival trend can be known as the reformation of Thai traditional food practices. In both countryside and urban area, it has been found a shift in the section of spending on meals prepared at home to the ready-to-eat food. As a result of this change, Thai staples and side dishes are being substituted by diets having a higher amount of fats and meat.
The economic structure has also shifted from agricultural sector to industrial sector. Most of the rural Thai or farmers can no longer live solely on their farm land. Half of their food has to be attained by purchasing. Thus, the household food purchase and individual consumption of the poorer socio-economic groups are likely influenced by food prices, household income, access to the food market, food habits and cultural restrictions, nutrition information and advertisement, tastes and preferences. This situation does not support an adequate consumption of healthy diet.
In considering the diet-related degenerative diseases during the past 20 years, the occurrence of overweight and obesity among kids and young people has increased profoundly. The problem is more obvious in kids from private schools and urban areas than in those from public schools or rural communities. For adults, the problem of overweight and other risk issues for cardiovascular disease have increased considerably.
It is also observed that men and women have their own believes. The young female adolescents and adults are taking upon the idea that good-looking women should be thin. This attitude results in the unhealthy consumption behaviors
Dr. Patcharin Raviyan