Chapter 1

The Problem and its Background

Introduction

Eating habits is the way a person eats and it can also refers to what types of food they eat. The
encyclopedia state precisely the term eating habits as to why and how people eat, which foods they eat,
and with whom they eat, as well as the ways people obtain, store, use, and discard food. Individual,
social, cultural, religious, economic, environmental, and political factors all influence people's eating
habits.

The effects of eating habits is extremely important. This can lead you to whether a good lifestyle or
not. It will depend on a person of what could be their habits in eating, it could be a healthy one or
unhealthy. Their way of eating can immensely affects a persons immune system, bone health and athletic
performance.This kind of problem exist in the locale of Cristo Rey High School to infer the Grade 11
HUMSS students.

According to an article by Jonathan VanDam your body needs fuel in the form of food every day,
but the wrong kind of fuel can lead to health problems. A balanced diet consists of fruits, vegetables, low-
fat or fat-free dairy, whole grains, protein and fats, but it limits cholesterol, saturated fats, trans fats and
sodium. When poor eating habits spiral out of control, it could cause serious health problems down the
road.

On the other hand, a website, Questia, stated that Eating habits are linked to acceptable patterns of
behavior, known as table manners or etiquette, which differs across cultures. In some countries it is rude
to drink straight from the bottle and repulsive to chew and talk with open mouth, in others eating with
bare hands and from communal plates is a norm. Eating modes also depend on whether the food is served
on formal, informal or special occasions. Meals are structured combinations of food items served at a
definite time throughout the day. The general eating pattern is three meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) a
day with snacks between meals. However, healthy eating includes five to six small meals rationed
throughout the day helping reduce overeating and burn more calories.

People eat food either in small quantities shortly after the purchase or keep it in fridges and cellars
and eat it over time. Some people eat food past its shelf life, others throw leftovers away but there is a
growing awareness of the need to reduce food wastage, especially taking in mind the uneven food
distribution across the globe. Home-made food is healthier than packaged and processed food as it uses
more fresh ingredients and less salt and sugar. Eating in a good company is also a better choice than
eating alone as food is more delightful and tasty, more easily absorbed and thus healthier.

What we eat depends on our personal likes and dislikes, on family customs and social and cultural
settings. Certain foods are acceptable and even considered delicacies (dogs, turtles) in some cultures and
are rare or inappropriate in others. People who are accustomed to some types of food are more eager to
eat it. For instance, seafood is common and largely preferred in coastal areas. Still, personal preferences
have their say in the choice of food as some people would try different food and flavors regardless of
whether it is available, while others would eat only specific types and food combinations.

Eating habits also depend on the social group one belongs to and the values and culture he/she
shares with that group. A swimmer will eat certain foods when doing it with friends and other foods when
eating with a coach or a fellow swimmer. In the second case, the choice of food will depend more on the
swimmers' diet. Eating habits are also linked to religious practices. Many Buddhists are vegetarians as
eating meat is largely associated with killing the animal, which is contradictory with their main principle
of causing no harm. Some Buddhists also avoid eating leek, garlic and onion as these foods are believed
to cause anger and incite sexual desire. Buddha also guides monks to avoid eating ten types of meat
including horse, lion, tiger, snake and elephant meat.

Healthy eating habits include eating the right food or the proper intake of nutritious substances and
eating it in a manner that enhances metabolism and improves one's overall health condition. Eating fatty
and spice foods before bedtime, eating while watching TV, staring at your laptop or talking over the
phone, eating too fast and eating a lot are bad eating habits that should be avoided.
(https://www.questia.com/library/science-and-technology/health-and-medicine/food-and-nutrition/eating-
habits)