Factors influencing food consumption dagger Bahrain
The food consumption pattern of Bahraini households is affected by many factors. Industrialization led to a decline in the agricultural and fishing products with the result of more dependence on imported foods. Income and prices of foods limited the purchasing power of the households, particularly low social classes. The high population growth and family size affect the quantity of food consumed by different household members. Educational level of housewife and husband has also a potent effect on the food consumption pattern. Immigrants have their influence too. They introduced many dishes which have become popular in the Bahraini community. Television advertising of food products and utensils also plays an important role in modifying the food consumption of Bahraini households. This paper discusses some of the factors influencing food consumption in Bahrain.
Socio-Cultural and Economic Factors Affecting Food Consumption Patterns in the Arab Countries
Several factors have been found to determine the dietary habits of the people in the Arab world. Food consumption pattern has dramatically changed in some Arab countries as a result of sudden increase in income from oil revenue. It is believed that food subsidy policy has adversely affected the food habits in the Gulf states by encouraging the intake of fat, sugar, rice, wheat flour and meat. Socio-cultural factors such as religion, beliefs, food preferences, gender discrimination, education and womens' employment all have a noticeable influence on food consumption patterns in this region. Mass media, especially televised food advertisements, play an important role in modifying the dietary habits. The migration movement, particularly that which was carried out during the 70s has a great impact on the food practices in many Arab countries. Comprehensive studies on social, cultural and economic factors associated with food consumption patterns in the Arab region are highly recommended.
Book Review: Improving Food Marketing Systems in Developing Countries: The Experience from Latin America
This book wraps up a decade of team experience of local professionals with MSU staff and students in the adaptation of marketing technology to "foodsheds" in Puerto Rico, Northeast Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, and Costa Rica. The book is an important element in the tool kit of development specialists faced with practical challenges of identifying opportunities for improving agricultural production and distribution systems in developing countries, designing strategies and devising systematic coordinating mechanisms for implementation of projects consistent with national goals and priorities, and "marketing" the reforms to the concerned publics. Based on the belief that a question well asked is half the answer, the authors summarize seven common marketing system development problems that keep rural marketing costs high and make coordination difficult: