Lesson 7 – Understanding Influences on Food Choices - cns

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Lesson 7 – Understanding

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BackgroundInformation

Americanshaveawidevarietyoffoodchoices,butarealsoheavilyinfluencedby manyfactorswhenselectingandpurchasingfoods.

Someexamplesoftheseinfluences thatcontributetoanindividual’sfoodchoices includeindividual factors,suchasknowledge,personaltastepreference,mood,hunger level,healthstatus,specialdietrequirements,ethnicity,andpersonalincome.

Environmental factors suchasweather,timeofday,theimmediatesetting,or advertisementsalsoinfluencefoodchoices.Restaurantsandmarketsoftentakeadvantage ofthis.Forexample,agrocery

storemightputfoodateye leveltoencourageshoppersto purchaseit.Abuffetrestaurant mightplaceitemsinacertain order,knowingthatcustomers willoftenchoosetotakemore ofthefirstfewitems.Indirect factorsoutsideofone’scontrol mayalsoaffectfoodchoices.

Forexample,government policiesmightinfluencethecost toproducefoodwhichmaythen bepassedontotheconsumer.

Theresultingchangesinprices couldinturninfluencefood purchases.

Anindividualcouldevenbeinfluencedbymultiplefactorsatonce,forexample:

someonewhohasn’teatenallday(hungerlevel),haslittlemoneytospend(personal

income),andisrunninglatetotheirsecondjob(time)mightchooseatwo-for-onespecialat afastfoodrestaurantinsteadofcookingahealthymeal.

Many of these factors are obvious when we consider the National School Lunch ProgramandSchoolBreakfastProgram.Factorsthatinfluencestudents’choicescouldbe thelengthoftheservingline,thepresenceofcolorfulfruitsandvegetablesonthesaladbar, ortimeavailableforpurchasingandconsumingthemeal.

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ConceptsandVocabulary

Environmental factors: Aspectsofa setting,atmosphere,orlocationthat influenceanindividual’schoices,such aslayout,ambiance,marketing,and availability.

Indirect factors:Certainfactorsmaynot immediatelyordirectlycausefoodchoices tochange,butwillstillinfluenceindividual foodchoiceslikegovernmentpolicyand climatechangebyaffectingaspectsoutside ofthecontroloftheconsumer.

Influences: Factors thatcancontributeto anindividual’sfoodchoice,whichareboth individualandenvironmental.

Personal factors: Personalcharacteristics thatinfluencechoices,suchastaste

preference,knowledge,hungerlevel, income,andspecialdietrequirements.

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7.1:LearningActivity

Overview

In this activity, participants will explore influences on food choices. There are six different scenarios that are posted around the room in which different characters make foodchoices.Insmallgroups,participantswillrecordpossibleinfluencesonthecharacter’s choicesbeforerotatingtothenextflipchart.Theactivitycloseswithvolunteersreadingeach of the scenarios and summarizing the influences recorded and the class comparing and contrastingthechoicesmadebythecharactersinthescenarios.

GettingReady

Time Required

45 minutes

Materials Needed

(Materials provided in the curriculum)

For Each Group of 2-4 Participants

Flipchartpaper

Markers,pens,orpencils

For the Facilitator

Timer Optional:

Lesson 7 (PowerPoint) Computer

PowerPointProjector

For the Class

Food Choice Scenarios (Lesson Material 7-A) Preparedflipchartpapers

foreachscenario Flipchartmarkers

For Each Participant

None

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Preparation

Other Materials

1. PrintonecopyofFood Choice Scenarios (Lesson Material 7-A)

2. PrepareoneflipchartforeachofthecharacterslistedontheFood Choice Scenarios (Lesson Material 7-A).Eachflipchartshouldhavethefollowing:numberandname ofscenariowrittenacrossthetop;scenariotapedorpastedtotheflipchart.

Activity Set-up

3. Postthepreparedflipchartpapersinnumericalorderaroundtheroom.

Classroom Set-up

4. Organizetheclassintosmallgroupsof2to4participants.

5. Provideeachgroupwithasheetofflipchartpaperandmarkers,pens,orpencilsto answeropeningquestions/prompts.

Optional

6. Beforeparticipantsarrive,connectlaptoptoprojector.LoadFocus on Food Lesson 7 (PowerPoint).

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OpeningQuestions/Prompts

Small Group Discussion

1. Say: Let’sgetstartedwithLesson7–Understanding InfluencesonFoodChoices!(Slide 1) Tobegin,I’dlike everyonetodiscussanopeningquestionwithinyour group.(Slide 2)Onceyou’vediscussedthepromptwithin yourgroups,wewillcomebacktogetherasaclassand discussyourthoughtsandresponsesasawhole.

ThepromptI’dlikeyoutodiscusswithinyourgroupsis:

• Explainwhatyouknowabouthowourfoodchoices areinfluenced.(Slide 3)

Facilitator Tip: Explain to participants that they may write their answers independently or assign one person in their group to write down everyone’s thoughts. It may be helpful to explain to the class that they will learn more about these topics throughout the lesson.

2. Do: Allow2to3minutesforgroupstodiscusstheprompt.

Class Discussion

3. Say: Asaclass,let’sdiscusswhatyoutalkedaboutin yourgroups.Whatweresomeofyourthoughtsonthe prompt,“Explainwhatyouknowabouthowourfood choicesareinfluenced?”

4. Do: Allowaboutaminuteforparticipantstosharetheir thoughtsonthistopicwiththeclass.

Procedure(Experiencing)

Flip Chart Write and Rotate

5. Say:Nowthatwe’vecompletedouropeningdiscussion, we’llstartontheactivityforthislesson.Thisactivity involvesfactorsthatinfluencefoodchoices.(Slide 4)

• Therearesixflipchartpaperswithdifferent

Slide 1

Slide 3

Slide 4 Slide 2

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differentfactorsthatmightimpactthecharacter’s foodchoices.(Slide 5)

• Youshouldwritethefactorsyoubrainstormonthe flipchartpaper.(Slide 6)

6. Do: Havethelearnerscountofffrom1to6toformsix newgroupsandgotothecorrespondingflipchart.

Facilitator Tip: If you have six groups, feel free to skip the formation of new groups, and have each of the existing groups go to a different flip chart.

7. Do: Allowonetotwominutesforthegroupstoreadthe scenarioandbrainstormatleasttwotothreefactors.Use atimertocountdownthetime.

8. Say: NowI’mgoingtohaveyoumovetothenext

numberedscenario.Thoseatscenario1shouldmoveto 2,thoseat2shouldmoveto3,thoseat6shouldmoveto 1,etc.(Slide 7)

• Readthroughanddiscussthenewscenarioaswell astheresponsesrecordedbypreviousgroups.

• Addanyotherfactorsthatyoufeelmighthave impactedthecharacter’sfoodchoicestotheflip chartpaper.(Slide 8)

9. Do: RepeatSteps3and4everyfewminutesuntileach grouphasdiscussedthreeorfourscenarios.

ActivityWrap-Up(Sharing,Processing, andGeneralizing)

10.Say: Asaclass,let’sdiscussthescenarios. (Slide 9) Can Ihaveavolunteeratthefirstscenarioreadittotheclass?

11.Do: Allowthevolunteertoreadthescenariototheclass.

12.Say: Let’sdiscussthescenario.Whatweresomeof thefactorsthatwerebrainstormedandsomeofthe observationsyouhad?

13.Do: RepeatSteps2and3foreachscenario. Follow thegroup’slineofthinking,andifnecessary,askmore targetedquestions.

• Explainwhatyouobservedaboutthedifferent influences.

Slide 9 Slide 7 Slide 6

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• Explainthesimilaritiesanddifferencesinfood choices.

• Explainthedifferencesandsimilaritiesbetween howchildrenversusadultsmadedecisionsinthese scenarios.

• Explainhowthesedifferentfactorsofinfluences mightimpactwhatastudentchoosesinthelunch line.

• Explainhowwecouldmakechangestothe

environmentofthelunchroomtoinfluencechoices.

Facilitator Tip: If there are any misconceptions remaining in this phase of the lesson, you should address these now.

ConceptandTermDiscovery/Introduction

Overthecourseofthelesson,participantsshouldbeabletoidentifythe followingconcepts:

• Avarietyoffactorsinfluenceanindividual’sfoodchoices.

• Someinfluencesmightaffectjustoneperson,ormayimpactmany.

• Therearedifferencesandsimilaritiesbetweenwhatmotivateschildren versusadultstomakecertainfoodchoices.

• Environmentalfactorsmayinfluencechoices.

• Changingtheenvironmentisastrategytoencouragehealthierchoices.

The following key vocabulary terms should be discovered by participants or introducedtothem:factorsofinfluence,individualfactors,andenvironmentalfactors.

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7.2:ExpandingKnowledge

Overview

Inthismini-lecture,participantswilllearnmoreabouthowpersonalandenvironmental factorscaninfluencefoodchoices.

GettingReady

Time Required

10 minutes

Materials Needed

For the Facilitator

Lesson 7 (PowerPoint) Computer

PowerPointProjector

For Each Group of 2-4 Participants

None

For the Class

None

For Each Participant

None

Preparation

Projector Set-up

1. Connectlaptoptoprojector.LoadFocus on Food Lesson 7 (PowerPoint).

2. QueuethePowerPointpresentationtoSlide10.

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Procedure

1. Do:GothroughtheExpandingKnowledgepresentationslidebyslide.Thefollowing scriptisavailableforuseifyousochoose.

Slide 10

Nowlet’sreviewsomeconceptsthat welearnedinLesson7,understanding InfluencesonFoodChoices.

Slide 11

Individualsmakefoodchoicesforavariety ofreasons,including,butnotlimitedto:

Taste,Health,Convenience,andPrice.

Inadditiontomorenoticeableinfluences, therearealsolessobviouswaysthatthe worldarounduscanimpactchoices.

Whataresomeinfluencesyoucanthinkof?

[Pausetoallowresponsesfromtheclass.]

Slide 12

Let’sbeginbydiscussingsomepersonal factorsthatmayimpactfoodchoices.

Personalfactorsaredefinedasfactorsthat aredifferentfrompersontoperson.We canalsocallthemindividualfactors.Some examplesincludetastepreferences,genes, age,knowledge,andhealth.Whatare someotherfactorsthatvaryfrompersonto person?

Slide 12 Slide 11 Slide 10

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Slide 13

Environmentalfactorscanalsohavean influenceonourfoodchoices.Theseare aspectsofasetting,atmosphere,orlocation thatinfluenceanindividual’schoices.

Layout,marketing,climate,weather, price,andavailabilityareexamplesof environmentalfactors.Whataresomeother environmentalfactors?

Slide 14

Let’sgooveranexample.Mattandhis daughterGinaareatafamilybarbecue.

Mattchosetoeatspicychickenwingsand carrotsalad.Heavoidsthegreensalad, becauseitcontainscilantro.Mattselectsa plateoffoodforGina.Ginaeatsahotdog (butnotthebun)andsomefruitsalad.She picksoutallthehoneydewandonlyeatsthe watermelon,grapes,andstrawberries.

Nowlet’sdiscusssomeexamplesoffactors thatmayhaveinfluencedMattandGina’s foodchoices.

Whatdoyouthinkmighthaveinfluenced theirchoices?

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Slide 15

Let’slookatpersonalfactorsimpacting Gina’sfoodchoices:Let’sbeginwithher tastepreferences:Ginahatesspicyfood, loveswatermelonandstrawberries.The factthatsheisattheagewherechildren aretypicallyresistanttotryingnewfoods mayalsobeafactorthatinfluencesherfood choices.Somepersonalknowledgemay alsohaveaninfluenceonherfoodchoice.

Forexample,Ginahasheardthatsome foodshelpyourunfast,whichmightmake herwanttoeatthesefoods.Anexampleof ageneticfactorsthatmayimpactherfood choiceisthefactthatGinahasagenethat makescilantrotastebad.

Nowlet’slookatpersonalfactorsimpacting Matt’sfoodchoices:Let’sbeginwithhis tastepreferences:Mattlovesspicyfood, hatescilantro.

Thefactthathedidn’teatbreakfastandis veryhungrybylunchtimemostlikelyalso impactedhisfoodchoices.Somepersonal knowledgemayalsohaveaninfluenceon hisfoodchoice.Forexample,Mattknows thatcarrotsaregoodsourceofvitaminA.An exampleofageneticfactorthatmayimpact hisfoodchoiceisthefactthatMatt,like Gina,hasagenethatmakescilantrotaste bad.

Slide 15

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Slide 16

Nowlet’stakealookatenvironmental factorsimpactingGinaandMatt’sfood choices:

Theremaybesomeagriculturefactors thatinfluencedGina&Matt’schoices.For example,watermelonandstrawberriesare inseason.Theplacementoffoodcanalso beanenvironmentalfactor.Forexample, allofthefoodislaidoutonasingletable.

Thereisonelonglinetogetfood.Timeis anotherfactor.Forexample:Matthurries whenselectingfoodsinceothersare waitingandGinaishungry.Thesettingof theBBQmayalsoinfluencechoice.For example,thebarbecueisatapark&Gina rushestoeatherlunch,soshecanplay ontheplaygroundequipment.Parkrules mayalsobeafactor.Forexample,glass containersareprohibited,soMattbrings cannedbeverages.Finally,Weathermay beafactor:Thefactthatitis88degrees andhumidareenvironmentalfactorthat mostlikelywillaffectMattandGina’sfood choices.

Slide 17

Itisimportanttonotethatmanyofthese influencesarenotsetinstone.Even personaltastepreferencescanchange.

Whataresomeexamplesoftheway influencesonourfoodchoicescanchange overtime?

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Slide 18

Whydoesthismatter?Bybeingmoreaware ofenvironmentalandpersonalfactors,we canmakesmarterchoices.

Slide 18

Slide 19

Let’sgooversomeexamplesofhowwe canuseenvironmentalfactorstoimprove foodchoices.Ifyourememberthefoodat theBBQthatMattandGinaattendedwas servedononelongtable,Mattmaynothave beenmakingthebestchoicesbecausehe wasrushedtogetthroughtheline.

Howcouldthefoodhavebeenarranged differentlytoencouragesmarterchoices?

[Pausetoallowresponsestotheclass.]

Slide 19

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7.3:GoalSettingActivity

Overview

In this activity, participants will use what they’ve learned to set goals about being moreawareofinfluencesontheirfoodchoicesandinfluencesonstudentfoodchoicesinthe lunchroom.

GettingReady

Time Required

5 minutes

Materials Needed

For the Facilitator

Optional:

Lesson 7 (PowerPoint) Computer

PowerPointProjector

For Each Group of 2-4 Participants

None

For the Class

None

For Each Participant

Goal Setting – Understanding Influences on Food Choices (Activity Sheet 7-B)

Optional:

Focus on Food Lesson 7 Newsletter (Handout 7-C)

Preparation

Handouts

1. Makecopiesofthefollowinghandouts:

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Optional

2. Connectlaptoptoprojector.LoadFocusonFoodLesson7(PowerPoint).

3. QueuethePowerPointpresentationtoSlide20.

Slide 21

Procedure

1. Say:Nowlet’smoveontoGoalSetting!(Slide 20) We’vetalkedabouthowavarietyoffactorscan

influenceourfoodchoices.Thenextstepistosetsome goalsandmakeaplan.IamgoingtodistributeaGoal Settinghandoutthathasthefollowingquestions:(Slide 21)

• Whataresomewaysyoucanbemoreawareofthe influencesonyourfoodchoices?

• Whataresomewaysyouhavetheopportunityto influencestudentfoodchoicesintheschoolmeal program?

2. Do:ProvideacopyoftheGoal Setting – Understanding Influences on Food Choices

handout (Activity Sheet 7-B) toeachparticipant.Allow participantsafewminutestocompletethehandout.

3. Say:Wouldanyoneliketosharethegoalstheysetfor themselves?

Optional:

4. Say:I’mgoingtodistributeonelasthandout,whichis anewsletterwithsomeextrainformationyoumightbe interestedin.ThankyouallforparticipatinginLesson7!

(Slide 22)

5. Do:ProvideacopyoftheFocus on Food Lesson 7 Newsletter (Handout 7-C) toeachparticipant.

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Lesson Material 7-A

FoodChoiceScenarios

Joanna

Joannaisa35-year-oldwomanlivinginsunny Arizona.Afteralongandstressfuldayatwork, shehopsinhercarandblaststheA/C.Hercar thermometerreads108°F.Onherwayhome shedecidestostopbytheself-servefoodbarat thelocalsupermarket.Herfoodoptionsinclude meatloafandmashedpotatoes($5),vegetable barleysoup($3),orafreshChinesechickensalad ($5).Herbeveragechoicesincludehotcoffee

($2),bottledwater($1),orice-coldlemonade ($1.50).Sheselectsthesaladandlemonade.

Assheispayingforhermealatthecheck-out counter,shespotsadoublechocolatebrownie ($1)anddecidestopurchasethat,too.

WhatfactorscouldhaveinfluencedJoanna’s

choicesfordinner?

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Maria

Mariais11-years-oldandinsixthgrade.One ofherfavoriteactivitiesistoplayatradingcard gameaboutmagicalanimalswithherfriends

duringthe20-minutelunchperiod.Therearethree lunchlinesinthecafeteria.Thefirsttwolineseach haveasaladbar,followedbyhotfoodchoices.In theselines,studentshaveachoiceoftwoentrée selections,severaldifferentsides,andnon-fat

chocolatemilkorlow-fatwhitemilk.Oneoftoday’s entréeselectionsispepperonipizza,Maria’s

favorite.Thethirdlineisagrab-and-goline.This lineservesSouthwestspinachsaladtoppedwith dicedchicken,corn,peppers,andblackbeans.

Thesaladcomespackagedwithawhole-grainroll, anapple,andlow-fatwhitemilk.Mariaseesthat thegrab-and-golineistheshortest,andchooses thisone.Onceshehasherlunch,shehurriesto joinherfriends.

WhatfactorscouldhaveinfluencedMaria’s

choicesforlunch?

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Conner

Connerisa19-year-oldJewishcollege

studentlivinginNewYork.Hisalarmclockgoes offat7am.Afterhittingthesnoozebuttonthree times,herollsoutofbedandgetsreadyforhis morningclassattheuniversity.Bundledupinhis warmestwintercoat,Connerdecidestostopby thelocalconveniencestoretopickupsomething toeatonhiswaytoclass.Hisbreakfastchoices includeahamandcheesebreakfastsandwich ($3),aneggandpancakeplatter($5),afruitand yogurtparfait($3),oradonut($1).Hisbeverage selectionsincludechocolatemilk($1),water($1), andcoffee($1).Connerpurchasesthecoffeeand adonutandrushestoclass.

WhatfactorscouldhaveinfluencedConner’s

choicesforbreakfast?

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Joey

Joeyisafive-year-oldboy.Hisfavorite commercialstarsapandabearthatloves toeatpeanutbutterandchocolateflavored cereal.Oneevening,Joeygetsdroppedoff athisgrandma’shouse.Hisgrandmaistired andisnotfeelingverywell,sosheletsJoey selectanythinghewantsfromthepantry fordinner.Thepantryisfullofitemssuch astrailmix,vegetablesoup,granolabars,

instantmacaroniandcheese,cannedsalmon, peanutbutterandjelly,andawideselection ofcereals.Joeyselectsthepeanutbutterand chocolateflavoredcerealfordinner.

WhatfactorscouldhaveinfluencedJoey’s

choicesfordinner?

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Daniel

Danielisa42-year-oldfatheroffour childrenundertenwhomakesamodest salaryforaliving.Itishisnighttotakecare ofthechildren,includingselectingwhat

restauranttheywilleatatfordinner.The familydinnerchoicesincludeatacospecial thatincludestwotacosandafreequesadilla withthepurchaseofalargedrinkatafast foodrestaurant($5),anall-you-can-eatsushi buffetmealatasit-downrestaurant($20),or acompletefreshfishmealincludingthecatch oftheday,jasminebrownricewithherbs,

grilledlocalvegetables,andbottomless strawberryinfusedwater($25).Daniel choosesthetacoplaceforhisfamily.

Whatfactorscouldhaveinfluenced

Daniel’schoicesforhisfamilydinner?

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Fatima

Fatimaisa23-year-oldwomanthathappens tobelactose-intolerant.Sheisexcitedforhertrip toCaboSanLucas,Mexico.Duringhertaxi-rideto theairport,Fatimaseesabillboardwithafamous supermodeladvertisingaluxuryshoecompany.

Whilewaitingforherflight,sheflipsthrough herfashionmagazinefilledwithslimmodels.

Lunchtimearrivesandshedecidestobuylunchat theairport.Herlunchchoicesincludeaburgerand fries($9),asmallgreeksaladwithlow-fatcheese ($12),afruitandyogurtparfait($6),oraweight lossbar($4).Fatimapurchasestheweightloss barforlunch.

WhatfactorscouldhaveinfluencedFatima’s

choicesforlunch?

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Handout 7-B

GoalSetting–UnderstandingInfluencesonFood Choices

1. Whataresomewaysyoucanbemoreawareoftheinfluencesonyourfood choices?

2. Whataresomewaysyouhavetheopportunitytoinfluencestudentfood choicesintheschoolmealprogram?

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Handout 7-C

FocusonFoodLesson7Newsletter

The optional newsletter on the following pages is designed to help reinforce the conceptslearned.Ifofferingthiscourseinasingleworkshop,youmaywishtodistribute thelessonnewslettersweeklyinordertohelprefreshparticipants’memoryandsolidifythe concepts.

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Understanding Infl uences on Food Choices

FocusonFood Issue7

Inthisissue...

PersonalFactors EnvironmentalFactors HowDoRestaurantsUse TheseConceptstoInfluence Choices?

ButWhatAboutthe Lunchroom?

WhichFactorsHaveMoreof anInfluenceonYou:Personal orEnvironment?Takeour QuiztoFindOut!

FactorThis

Youmaynotnoticethem,butthereareseveralfactors ofinfluencethatcomeintoplaywhileyou’remaking decisionseveryday.Certainfactorsareespecially importantwhenyou’remakingfoodchoices.Think aboutthelastthingyouate.Whydidyoueatit?

Wereyouextrahungry?Wasthatfooditemthemost convenientbecauseyouwereinahurry?Didyousee anadvertisementthatmadeyouwantacertainfood?

Orwasitsomethingelse?Understandingthedifferent factors,personalandenvironmental,thatinfluence ourfoodchoiceswillhelpyouunderstandwhywe choosetoeatcertainfoods.

Turn the page to learn more about factors of inﬂ uence!

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Did you know?

Evenourgeneshavean

influenceonthefoodchoiceswe make.Somefoodstasteyummy tosomepeople,butbitterto others.Althoughthisdoesnot accountforthemajorityoftaste preferences,itdoesplayarole inwhytherearecertainfoods somepeoplejustdon’tlike.

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PersonalFactors

Personalfactorsinfluencefoodchoicesdifferentlyfrompersontoperson.Theremaybe onefactor,suchasknowledge,thatisveryimportanttooneperson,butdoesnotmatter toanotherperson.Thevariabilityinwhatcaninfluencefoodchoicesattheindividuallevel issomethingthathelpsmakeusuniquefromoneanother.Belowisanexampleofhow personalfactorsinfluenceJustin’sfoodchoices.

Health Status

Justinisveryhealthy andtriestomaintain hisweightwitha balanceddiet.Due tothis,heismore likelytochoosemore nutrient-densefoods.

Genes

Justinhasagenethatmakes bitterfoodstastereallybitter.

Duetothis,therearecertain foodshewillpassoneverytime.

Special Diet Requirements

Justinhasnospecial dietrequirements.

Thisindividualfactor doesnotinfluence hisfoodchoice,but maybeimportantfor anotherperson.

Mood

Justinisinagreat mood!Duetothis,he ismorewillingtogo outwithfriendstoeat.

Hunger Level Justinisvery

hungry!He’slooking forwardtoalarge meal.

Ethnicity

JustinispartItalian andisalwayswilling toeatItaliancuisine.

Personal Taste Preference

Justinlovesspicyfood.

Hewouldliketoeat somethingreallyspicy.

Age

Justinis22yearsold.Heis interestedintryingdifferent ethniccuisinesandnew trendyfooditems.

Personal Income

Justinisafull-timecollege studentandworkspart- timeatthemovietheater.

Afterpayingforschooland rent,hedoesn’thavemuch moneyleftforfood.

Knowledge

JustinreadsLocal HealthDepartment reportsonline regularly.These reportshelphim determinewhether he’dliketotryanew restaurantornot.

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EnvironmentalFactors

Environmentalfactorsinfluencefoodchoicesa littledifferentlythanindividualfactorsbecause theycanapplytoeachpersonortoanentire groupofpeople.Also,environmentalfactorsmay influenceyourfoodchoiceswithoutyoueven realizingit.Belowareafewexamplesofdifferent environmentalfactors.

Canyouthinkofanyothers?

Weather

Evercraveicecreamon ahotday?Whatabouta warmbowlofsoupwhen it’scold?

Thesefoodchoicesare influencedbytheweather.

Ambiance

Theambianceofa locationmayalso influenceifyouchoose toeatthere.Fora

specialoccasion,doyou wantanelegantcandle litdinnerorsomething morecasual?

Government Policies

Government

policiescandirectly affectotherfactors whichinturncan

Availability

Sometimesthefoodyouactually wantmaynotbeavailable.You willthenhavetodecidetoeither makeasubstitutionornothave thatfoodatall.Ontheotherhand, therearefooditems,suchas apples,thattendtoregularlybe available.Knowingthatyoucan almostalwaysgetafooditemmay influenceyourdecisionaswell.

How do restaurants use these concepts to

infl uence choices?

Althoughsomefactorsofinfluence maybemoreeasilyidentifiedas environmental,likeweatheror climate,othersmaysurpriseyou.

Forexample,abuffet-style

restaurantmightplaceitemsina certainorderknowingthatpeople

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But What About the Lunchroom?

Studentshaveseveralchoicesinthe

lunchroom.Examplesofthefactorsthatmay playaroleintheirdecision-makinginthe lunchroomarehighlightedbelow.

Length of the serving line

Thelengthoftheservinglinemayinfluence astudent’sfoodchoice.Astudentina rushmayoptfortheshortestlinewhilea studentwhosefavoritefoodisbeingserved maybewillingtowaitinalongerline.

Presence of colorful fruits and vegetables on the salad bar

Visualappealisveryimportantto

students.Fruitsandvegetablesthatare colorfulandlookfreshmaydrawmore studentstothesaladbar.

Time available for purchasing and consuming the meal

Timeplaysaroleinstudents’foodchoices inthelunchroom.Somestudentsmay wanttopurchaseandeatlunchassoon aspossibletogetouttorecessfaster.

Otherstudentsmaywanttopurchasetheir foodquicklyinordertohavemoretimeto consumethemeal.

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WhichFactorsHaveMoreofanInfluence onYou:PersonalorEnvironmental?

TakeourQuiztoFindOut!

The Results Are In!

TotalupthenumberofA’sandB’sthatyou selected.

If you chose mostly A’s:

Yourfoodchoicesaremoreinfluencedby personalfactorsthanbyenvironmental factors.Forareviewofindividualfactors, seepage2.

If you chose mostly B’s:

Yourfoodchoicesaremoreinfluencedby environmentalfactorsthanbypersonal factors.Forareviewofenvironmental factors,seepage3.

If you chose the same number of A’s and 1. Yourfavoritefoodisyourfavorite

because…

b. Itremindsyouofsomethingyou ategrowingup.

c. tisalwayseasytofind.

2. Therearecertainfoodsyoueat because…

a. Theyarehealthyandnutrient- dense.

b. YousawanadvertisementonTV forthem.

3. Whenfiguringoutwhattoeat,the mostimportantthingis…

a. Thetasteofthefood.

b. Howmuchtimeyouhavetoeat thefood.

4. Youbuylocalproducebecause…

a. Itischeaperandyou’reona budget.

b. Itsupportslocalfarmsand agriculture.

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