How and Why Do Diets Change?How Do Changes in Food Systems Affect Changes of Diets, And

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 isserving rice withvarious dishes.However, severalstudieshave found that during the past 20 yearsthe consumption pattern of the Thai population has changed noticeably. It was reported that the key points that cause the diets change aresocial, cultural value and economic. Thai people, particularly in big city, trend to acceptother gourmet food that comes its way. Delocalization and globalizationtrends 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 isreflectedby 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 industrialsector. Most of the rural Thai or farmers can no longer livesolely 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 groupsare 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 diseasesduring 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 areasthan in those from public schools or ruralcommunities. 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

What action should different stakeholders, including governments, civil society and the private sector, take?

These changes should be adjusted through proper behavior alteration and the campaign of suitable eating practices. The government should use their authority to regulateschools to provide nutritious foods appropriate for their students. School should provide student with guidelines/activities or lessen for eating healthy food and having age-appropriate eating lifestyles. Activities related to healthy food consumption such as fish/chicken farming or growing organic vegetables at school and using these raw materials for school meals should be encouraged. The public health sector should educate parents about the nutritious food choices. In addition, social media should take responsibility in this national problem by creating the proper program/advertisements for healthy eating diets as social media continues to influence consumers’ buying habits,

How to build on the diversity of the existing food systems?

Wild edible plants as well as edible insects are abundant and diverse in Thailand. They could provide food and nutrients to local people. Fish is also one of the best healthy foods. Meals made from the wild edible plants, edible insects and fish should be promoted to diversify the current food schemes.

What is in practice the range of actionable solutions from farm to fork that enable better nutritional outcomes of food systems?

To ensure safety and healthy from farm to the folk that support better nutritional outcomes of food systems, implementation of the Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) in the farms, application of the Good Hygienic Practice (GHP) in food services and using the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) in industrial food production are all encouraged.

References:

1. Cosmopolitan food beliefs and changing eating habits in Bangkok” dissertation by ChulaneeThianthai ( ).

2. The nutrition and health transition in Thailand. 2002. VongsvatKosulwat. Public Health Nutrition: 5(1A), 183–189 (

/PHNThailand-Vongsulvat.pdf).