Education Influencing Diet Choices

Education takes place in the classroom, at home, in the office and even on the playground. While incorporating education on nutrition in the school may help students make healthier dietary choices, it is not the only factor to take into consideration.

Education and Income Level

Research collected by Cambridge University, British Food Standards Agency and the "Journal of the American Dietetic Association" all agree that higher education, which is often associated with a higher income, leads to individuals making more nutritious dietary choices. The 1998 edition of "Public Health Nutrition" published a 1993 study that examined the influencing factors surrounding "healthy" eating patterns. Participating in the study were 5,553 individuals between the ages of 16 and 74. Researchers discovered that 59 percent of individuals with a higher education level consumed a healthier diet compared to 47 percent of the group less-educated. One explanation is that less-nutritious foods are more costly than nutrient-dense foods, according to "Journal of the American Dietetic Association."

Media Influence

Media influences consumers' dietary choices based on the premise that a certain beverage will make them look "cool," or Paris Hilton lost weight on the "cookie diet" and so can you. Product choices are often based on a favorite commercial or a featured magazine advertisement showcasing a popular celebrity. Lack of education in the nutrition department may make individuals more susceptible to false advertisements.

Social Environment

An individual's social environment, which includes the home as well as external peer pressure, may also have an impact on dietary choices. While some schools offer students courses on nutrition, much of what is learned about food and proper nutrition takes place in the home. For instance, if children grow up around fruits and vegetables, they are more likely to carry those healthy eating habits well into adulthood. Likewise, peers play an influencing role in diet choices. According to a study published in the 2001 edition of "Health Education Research," researchers discovered that peers affected an individual's consumption of various food products, such as snacks, soft drinks, fruits, juice and vegetables.

Accessibility

Another determining factor in an individual's dietary choices includes accessibility. If a bag of chips are sitting on the counter within arm's reach, and a trip must be made to the grocery store for fresh fruit, most individuals would go with the most convenient option, which is the bag of chips. On a larger scale, certain communities have greater access to health food products. According to Dr. Thomas A. LaVeist, director of the Hopkins Center for Health Disparities Solutions at John Hopkins University and author of "Minority Populations and Health: An Introduction to Health Disparities in the United State," impoverished communities, populated predominantly by minorities, lacked quality resources for making better food choices.