Youth Eating Food Culture

Silke Bartsch, Karlsruhe

The eating behaviour of young people depends on their phase of development, in interaction with their environment, which in turn is influenced by history.

The value and significance of food depends on whether it is eaten at home or outside the home. This leads to differences in eating behaviour within and outside the family and the two forms can be complementary. Within the extrafamilial peer group, youth eating behaviour is essentially determined by social differentiation and integration. Eating behaviour is then not of essential importance to the youth, but is only a component of overall experience. It is important not to overestimate the significance of eating outside for youth nutrition, as it is very rare that it affords essential nutrition. This is essentially provided within the family, although it is not exclusively linked to specific meals. Self-catering has become more important. Young people voluntarily take part in family meals, in order to benefit from the possibility of family communication.

Keywords: Eating culture, youth, external consumption, fast food, family meal

Sie finden den Artikel in deutscher Sprache in Ernährungs Umschau 07/10 ab Seite 357.