02. Difference in Food consumption - DCs and LDCs

Log onto http://time.com/8515/hungry-planet-what-the-world-eats/

Food for thought:

1. What can you observe about the food expenditure in DCs and LDCs?

2. Suggest reasons for the differences in food expenditure in DCs and LDCs.

3. Suggest some impacts of the differences in food expenditure on individuals in LDCs.

4. Would the map be the same 40 years ago? Why?

5. Do you think the map will change 40 years from now? Why?

6. What is your household food expenditure for a week? How does it look like?

Complete the map and legend using your findings on the average food expenditure per person per week (US$) for the different countries below.

Did you managed to get this?

Watch this video on the amount and type of food consumed by several families located in various parts of the world.

1. Classify the countries under Less Developed Countries (LDCs) or Developed Countries (DCs).

2. Describe the difference in food consumption in terms of quantity and quality for the different countries.

Pointers:

• DCs tend to consume more meat (protein).

• LDCs tend to consume more grains (carbohydrates).

• The pricing for meat is generally higher than for vegetables and grains.

• DCs consumed higher quantity of food compared to LDCs.

• DCs consume more processed food than LDCs. For some LDCs, there is no processed food being consumed.

• Several countries have healthy diets i.e., balanced diets in the right quantities e.g., Japan, Germany.

• The diets of several countries are not healthy e.g., Chad due to extremely small amounts and lack of protein; Mexico due to high quantities of sugar in food; USA due the high proportion of processed food and lack of vitamins and minerals.

Reasons for the growth and variations in food consumption:

• Economic

  • disposable income,

  • pricing

• Socio-cultural

  • food preference e.g. organic food and fast food, mitigation

  • population growth

• Political

  • stability of food supply;

  • food safety

Economic growth in China has lead to increased income for the people.Watch the video and reflect on how this has changed food consumption pattern in China as well as food production in America. Does food safety and environmental pollution affects food consumption and production?