Theories of Food Choice Influences

Theories of Food Choice Influences Food is essential for growth and bodily functions (Wahlqvist and Briggs, 2010). Therefore, in this paper, theories that influences food choices will be discussed and applied to my food choices. Lastly, this paper will conclude on my understanding on others food practices and what changes can improve their food choices. Based on the food choice model, the first medium that influences ones food choice is developmental. Food choices are often developed and influenced through exposure over the individuals developmental lifespan. From the child is born, his family would be the primary medium for his exposure and socialization to the food that he consumes. Usually, the food consumed would belong to the culture which the child family stemmed from. Rarely would the child be allowed autonomy over the choice of food. (Fieldhouse, 1998). Applying this to an Asian context which I was born in; since young, I was exposed to Chinese cultural foods where lard, soy sauce, sugar and salt was often used to enhance the flavour and fragrance of meals. I was used to eating these daily and never would have thought I would be exposed to other food choices. This exposure came when I progressed into adolescence where a secondary type of socialisation took place school, media, friends or an older sibling. When a child enters school, and gets exposed to friends and the media, they will observe what their peers consume and get exposed to food advertisements on the media, all which grabs their attention and leads them to change in their food habits (Fieldhouse, 1998; Ogden, 2010). Remembering vividly back to high school, if my peers or elder sister ordered a meal, I would order the same meal as them due to my perception that they know what food tasted better. In addition, when shown food advertisements, it often makes me crave a bite. The second medium is our cognition. Based on the Theory of Reasoned Action (Ogden, 2010, p44), it posits that an individuals attitude and his subjective norms drives his intention to perform the behaviour which then leads to the individual performing the behaviour. Again, applying it to Chinese cuisine, it is the subjective norm that one should use all parts of the animal (e.g. chicken)-including the organs- during cooking as they have nutritional values. Therefore, I feel it is normal to cook every part of the chicken (attitude towards behaviour). Given that a whole chicken can be conveniently bought at any supermarket, I would turn the various parts into different dishes for my family (performing of specific behaviour). Despite, knowing that animal organs for example are high in saturated fat and can cause heart diseases (Jesus, 2015). The third medium is psychophysiological. Food choices can be based on the 5 senses: sight, smell, taste, hearing and touch. (Ogden, 2010) Hearing food sizzling, coupled with the smell and sight increases our likelihood of consuming the food. When food touches the tongue, pleasure is obtained from the texture, perceived sweetness or saltiness of food. Food choices can also be influenced by ones mood and stress. (Ogden, 2010) Personally, intense stressors from school would cause me to engage in mindless eating as a mood booster. Convenience is defined as the accessibility to food products. After living in different countries, it got me appreciating how different countries have different accesses to food products. For countries with supermarkets conveniently located near train stations, it is easy for the residents to get a wide array of food choices. This is unlike countries where supermarkets are scarce with limited food choices. Cost can also influence food choices. It is of relevance to the individual socio-economic status; with more access to money, one can made more food choices. But, being a student with no source of income, I must be thrifty and limit my choices. Food choices can also affect how one manages their relationship with others. Given that most of my peers and family love fried food, I would cook them frequently to satisfy their taste buds. By doing so, I am bonding with them even though I know that it is unhealthy. After understanding the influences in my food choices, the basics of the theory of planned behaviour (Ogden, 2010, p45) could be used to explain how my choices changed. During a lecture, I learnt that consuming healthy food would improve ones health (i.e. healthier weight, positive mind set, decrease in blood pressure and cholesterol level) and reduces the likelihood of developing chronic diseases. With so many health benefits, this has motivated and drive me to make the change. Based on the theory, I am showing a change in my attitude towards the behaviour (i.e. a healthy lifestyle). This change towards a healthier food choice was further made easy through the context that I am in. Having peers that were studying the same course who hold similar goals to have a healthy diet -, it thus seems like a subjective norm to have healthier food choices. I am also blessed to have housemates that are supportive to my changes. Making the move here to Adelaide alone had also given me full control over food choices. To start the change of food choices, one needs to have adequate knowledge. Through my research on the healthy eating guidelines, I have learned to consume a wide range of reduced fat dairy products, vegetables, fruits, wholegrains, lean meats, have ample of plain water and reduce consumption of foods high in saturated fat, salt and sugar. (Commonwealth of Australia, 2015) A second change that I made was through how I did my grocery shopping. Prior to purchasing any food, I would read the ratings and food labels. As healthier products are costlier, I would purchase fresh vegetables and healthy products that are on offer to reduce my expenditure whilst eating healthier. A third change that I made was in modifying my food practices arising from the Chinese culture. It dawned on me that Chinese cuisines are usually high in salt due to the salt and soya sauce combination added into the dish. To ensure that I eat healthier while still satisfying my sensory needs, I created variations like omitting salt if soya sauce is used, using olive oil and different spices. I have also substituted white rice for brown rice for its health benefits and replaced junk food (e.g. chips) with baked nuts (e.g. walnuts). By making such changes in my food choices decisions, it has changed how I view food. I have learnt to appreciate food for their natural taste, am more conscious on what I eat. It has also made it harder for my peers or the media to influence my current palate. Having been to the outskirts in Thailand; Chiang Rai, I will be analysing their food practices. In Chiang Rai, there are limited food options for the locals. As supermarkets are usually located in town and there are no public transports available; one would have to drive about an hour to get fresh groceries. Due to these inconveniences, the food options for locals are preserved foods as it is affordable and can be stored longer. In addition to limited food options, the locals are also presented with a reduction in their food choices. As most locals hold manual labour jobs, their food choices were mainly limited to an increased consumption of carbohydrates (e.g. white rice); as it is presumed that higher consumption of carbohydrates will keep one full for prolong hours. It was also hard to incorporate fresh food into their diet as they do not have the appropriate storage place (e.g. fridge) to prevent the food from turning bad. Lastly, the locals at Chiang Rai differs in their cooking practices. The meals prepared are often seasoned either with sugar or salt as they believe that this is the only way to ensure that the meal tasted delicious. After analysing their food practices, it can be deduced that their diet resulted from poor accessibility to food choices, awareness on healthy diet, money and the proper amenities to store their products. The individuals accessibility to the supermarket is of first importance. The government should target such population and make public transport available. This will allow greater accessibility to other food choices. If creating a public transport route is not feasible, another alternative would be for the supermarkets to offer free delivery services. Not only would this be beneficial to busy working adults, but this will also be of great help to elderlies who has decreased strength and mobility and are unable to lug heavy groceries home. Of second importance is educating them. When I started making the change, I enriched myself with healthy eating guidelines. Therefore, I believe that with adequate education on how to prepare healthy meals with affordable ingredients and introducing them other natural alternatives that enhances their meals (e.g. herbs and spices); making healthy food choices (e.g. reading food labels) and changing their perceptions (e.g. educate them to choosing high fibre food which can help them to be full easily too) towards food. Making groceries more affordable would be of third importance, supermarkets can consider selling seasonal vegetables and products that are expiring within two months at a cheaper price. Lastly, there could be community funding projects conducted to raise funds for such population to afford a fridge to keep their fresh groceries.

gender Essay -- essays research papers

Gender Roles   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  For many years society has embraced the idea that the difference between men and women were biologically determined. Thou through traditions, media, and peers we act accordingly to how others view us. Each individual has pressure placed upon them based on their gender. Our sex is determined by genetics while our gender is programmed by social customs. Some theories interpret that a women is tender and a loving mother while on the other hand men are aggressive hunters and are the dominant one of the family. People who support this theory seems to believe that men and women are happier when fulfilling the roles nature determined for them. Women are to be nurturing and men are to be providers by nature. An individual gender role is molded through socialization. Individuals learn the ways, traditions, norms, and rules of getting along with others. A person environment has a big influence on the roles deemed accurately for men and women. Parents, media, teachers, and peers are important socializing agents for teaching the young their gender roles. Children are viewed through â€Å"Gender-Colored† glasses by their parents that focus on gender differences that do not exist. Meaning that a glass is clear and depending upon what you want to see through it is what you will see through it. Most children are raised with the belief that girls are pretty in pink and boys are rough and tough in blue. As infants grow older, their parents’ notions about gender stereotypes continue to influence how parents treat their children. Mothers and fathers tend to look at their baby girls as more fragile than their boys. There area several reasons for the differential treatment, but one can only assume that parents want their boys to be tough, and their daughters are to be neat and very lady like, in their behavior. Parents treating their infants differently are displaying socialization. Socialization is the process by which all people learn what is expected of them through their interactions with others. The household chores that are assigned by our parents are one way to shape a child’s gender role for the future. In many households, boys do the taking out trash, mowing the grass, shoveling the snow, and what the parents feel like are manly duties. While girls, clean the house by doing the dishes, cooking, babysitting the younger siblings, an... ...s a child can develop how he/she follows rules and regulations or how they unify with society. When a person learns how he/she should behave in society and accepts it, then they can be rewarded by positive approval, acceptance, and admiration. When one has a particular role he/she have certain privileges and obligations associated with that particular role.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The roles of men and women and the social rules that dictate appropriate behavior for each are not shaped by biology itself. Determining that biology only plays apart so much and also your environment. Productive work is shared by men and women now, but for women it is primarily defined in terms of their maternal and family role. For women who participate in productive activities beyond the housekeeping has tended to bring women a greater measure of equality, but the load gets heavier from them to carry job, household, and children. Lately the outlook has changed on women dedicated their lives to homemaking. Jobs were initially generated for men because they were strong. But now the barrier is being broken and socially accepted for who they are and not for the role they are to play in society.

Trends in Cybercrime

Introduction Cybercrime is nothing to new in this day and time; this has been a problem for many since the early onset of the 80’s. Although much seems to have been done to combat cybercrime over the years, criminals still have an advantage edge. With IT experts, companies see now just how important it is to involve law enforcement in the efforts to fight against computer crime. Computer cybercrime as we know it today is now used as potentially illegal activities. Many issues surrounding this kind of crime has maintain a significant profile mainly toward hacking, copyright and infringement, for the most part this type of computer crime can be placed in two different categories. Crimes that target computer networks or devices directly (i. e. malware-malicious code, denial of service attacks, and computer viruses); Richtel, M and S Robinson, 2002) and crimes facilitated by computer networks or devices, the primary target of which is independent of the computer network or device (i. e. cyber stalking, fraud and identity theft, an information warfare). Messmer, E 2002) According to the 2009 cybercrime forecast it was said that the global recession will lead to a rise of cybercrime worldwide, the attention to cybercrime was back than deflected toward more pressing economic problems,(Matthew Harwood, 2009) Describing a cybercrime trend that society is confronted with today within this paper will address the following key elements; the types of scams are associated with the cybercrime, are there certain profile that cybercriminal have who commits this type of cybercrime. Are law enforcement initiatives to combat this crime enough, the penalties for committing these crimes what are they. Trends in cyber-crime In today business world the economy and national security have become heavily dependent on the internet, and will continue to be adversely impacted by cybercrime. With the internet being vulnerable to malicious codes, the possibility for a money-making opportunity for cybercrime will continue to increase. When an opportunity for a profit to be made is available cybercrime will exist, cybercrime should not be allowed to intimidate our confidentiality and wealth. It is going to be important that we step up with more resources to protect the security of computer systems that include the internet. This most require sole responsibility from individuals and organizations. It will not be enough just for individuals and organizations to do their parts; with the help of the resource cooperation from the private sector industry and the resources from the government. It is necessary to lower the susceptibility of the internet, there is going to be a move with such strategies to be set forth in order for the national strategy to secure cyberspace and prevent cyber-attacks against our critical infrastructure. It is important that the national vulnerability to cyber-attacks have very little damage and enough time from cyber-attacks that will allow recovery time to be implemented. Should this not happen cybercrime havoc will continue on the economy with straight financial losses, production losses, and the stealing of identities and intellectual property. There can be an enormous risk to run of having a tragic failure of the weakening of our critical infrastructure; what’s good about all this is the technological resources that we have can meet the challenge along with a tremendous intellectual. Taking advantage of the leadership and being persistent with our efforts, the tables can be turn on cybercrime. Types of scams are associated with the cybercrime Using the internet is the most important thing of this day and times, without them we are lost, with many different types of cybercrime today we find that we are exposing ourselves to the many threats out there. The scams that are used today if not knowledgeable about computers or the in’s and out of the internet scam first hand it is going to be difficult to spot it right away, as you get to understanding many of the mechanisms that these schemes entails you will quickly see that the scammers are always the same, with some small differences occasionally. Many of the crimes usually are not bad as one might imagine. They are however common place, those that are very serious will carry a felony charge with it. Of the eight know cybercrimes I have listed I will give briefly what each one does mean. Spam with email spam laws being fairly new, the laws on the books regarding â€Å"unsolicited electronic communications† for years this one is most common of the types of cybercrime. Fraud again another common form of cybercrime, this would consist of credit card fraud. Certain computers viruses can log keystrokes on your keyboard and send them to hackers, what happens next comes with the using of your Social Security number, credit card numbers and your home address. Information of this kind is used by the hacker on for his or her purposes only. Cyber Bullying this form of cybercrime has been increasing with teenagers, simply look back at the cheerleader who got her mother involved in her problem with another young girl who trying out for the cheerleader squad, it is differently a growing problem with teens, in Europe and many of the States in the United States have rules to reprimand anyone who harass someone over the internet. Drug Trafficking one would ask how is it possible to enter act any type of drug dealing over the internet. Traffickers only use encoded email or password secure messaging boarding to handle up on any drug deal they are arranging. Cyberterrorism usually it takes a smart hacker that can break into a government website, but there are several forms of Cyberterrorism, for the most part it is a group of likeminded internet users that will crash a website by drowning it with traffic. Although it may appear to be harmless it is not, it is differently illegal. Piracy most talked about form of cybercrime, pilfering, stealing, yes copying music from music websites is illegal and it is a form of cybercrime. Assault by threat this one I believe we all should take very seriously, no one wants or like to be threaten in any fashion certainly to be in fear of your life or that of a family member or members safety, not just the safety of your family but what about that of your community, friends, employees, through the use of a computer network, such as e-mails videos, or even phones. What Might the prof

Viking Settlements How the Norse Lived in Conquered Lands

The Vikings who established homes in the lands they conquered  during the 9th-11th centuries AD used a settlement pattern that was based primarily on their own Scandinavian cultural heritage. That pattern, contrary to the image of the Viking raider, was to live on isolated, regularly spaced farmsteads surrounded by grain fields. The degree to which the Norse and their following generations adapted their agricultural methods and living styles to local environments and customs varied from place to place, a decision that influenced their ultimate success as colonists. The impacts of this are discussed in detail in the articles on Landnà ¡m and Shieling. Viking Settlement Characteristics A model Viking settlement was located in a place near the coastline with reasonable boat access; a flat,  well-drained area for a farmstead; and extensive grazing areas for domestic animals. Structures in Viking settlements—dwellings, storage facilities, and barns—were built with stone foundations and had walls made of stone, peat, sod turfs, wood, or a combination of these materials.  Religious structures were also present in Viking settlements. Following the Christianization of the Norse, churches were established as small square buildings in the center of a circular churchyard. Fuels used by the Norse for heating and cooking included peat, peaty turf, and wood. In addition to being used in heating and building construction, wood was the common fuel for iron smelting. Viking Communities were led by chieftains who owned multiple farmsteads. Early Icelandic chieftains competed with each other for the support from local farmers through conspicuous consumption, gift-giving, and legal contests. Feasting was a key element of leadership, as described in the Icelandic sagas.   Landnà ¡m and Shieling The traditional Scandinavian farming economy (called landnà ¡m) included a focus on  barley  and domesticated sheep, goats, cattle, pigs, and horses. Marine resources exploited by Norse colonists included seaweed, fish, shellfish, and whale. Seabirds were exploited for their eggs and meat, and driftwood and peat were used as building materials and fuel. Shieling, the Scandinavian system of pasturage, was practiced in upland stations where livestock could be moved during summer seasons. Near the summer pastures, the Norse built small huts, byres, barns, stables, and fences. Farmsteads in the Faroe Islands In the Faroe Islands, Viking settlement began in the mid-ninth century, and research on the farmsteads there (Arge, 2014) has identified several farmsteads that were continually inhabited for centuries. Some of the farmsteads in existence in the Faroes today are in the same locations as those settled during the Viking landnà ¡m period. That longevity has created farm-mounds, which document the entire history of Norse settlement and later adaptations. Toftanes: an Early Viking Farm in the Faroes Toftanes (described in detail in Arge, 2014) is a farm mound  in the village of Leirvik, which has been occupied since the 9th-10th centuries. Artifacts of Toftanes original occupation included schist querns (mortars for grinding grain) and whetstones. Fragments of bowls and saucepans,  spindle whorls, and line- or net-sinkers for fishing have also been found on the site, as well as a number of well-preserved wooden objects included bowls, spoons, and barrel staves. Other artifacts found at Toftanes include  imported goods and jewelry from the Irish Sea region and  a large number of  objects carved from  steatite  (soapstone), which  must have been brought with the Vikings when they arrived from Norway.   The earliest farm on the site consisted of four buildings, including the dwelling, which was a typical Viking longhouse designed to shelter both people and animals. This longhouse was 20 meters (65 feet) in length and had an internal width of 5 meters (16 ft). The curved walls of the longhouse were 1 meter (3.5 ft) thick  and constructed out of a vertical stack of sod turfs, with an outer and inner veneer of dry-stone walling. The middle of the western half of the building, where the people lived, had a fireplace that spanned nearly the entire width of the house. The eastern half lacked any fireplace at all and likely served as an animal byre. There was a small building constructed off the southern wall that had a floor space of about 12 square meters  (130 ft2). Other buildings at Toftanes included a storage facility for craft or food production that was located on the northern side of the longhouse and measured 13 meters long by 4 meters wide (42.5 x 13 ft). It was constructed of a single course of dry-walling without turfs. A smaller building (5 x 3 m, 16 x 10 ft) likely served as a firehouse. Its side walls were constructed with veneered turfs, but its west gable was wooden. At some point in its history, the eastern wall was eroded by a stream. The floor was paved with flat stones and covered with thick layers of ash and charcoal. A small stone-built ember pit was located at the eastern end. Other Viking Settlements Hofstaà °ir, IcelandGarà °ar, GreenlandBeginish Island, Irelandà th Cliath, IrelandEastern Settlement, Greenland Sources Adderley WP, Simpson IA, and Và ©steinsson O. 2008. Local-Scale Adaptations: A Modeled Assessment of Soil, Landscape, Microclimatic, and Management Factors in Norse Home-Field Productivities. Geoarchaeology 23(4):500–527. Arge SV. 2014. Viking Faroes: Settlement, Paleoeconomy, and Chronology. Journal of the North Atlantic 7:1-17. Barrett JH, Beukens RP, and Nicholson RA. 2001. Diet and ethnicity during the Viking colonization of northern Scotland: Evidence from fish bones and stable carbon isotopes. Antiquity 75:145-154. Buckland PC, Edwards KJ, Panagiotakopulu E, and Schofield JE. 2009. Palaeoecological and historical evidence for manuring and irrigation at Garà °ar (Igaliku), Norse Eastern Settlement, Greenland. The Holocene 19:105-116. Goodacre, S. Genetic evidence for a family-based Scandinavian settlement of Shetland and Orkney during the Viking periods. A. Helgason, J. Nicholson, et al., US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, August 2005. Knudson KJ, O’Donnabhain B, Carver C, Cleland R, and Price TD. 2012. Migration and Viking Dublin: paleomobility and paleodiet through isotopic analyses. Journal of Archaeological Science 39(2):308-320. Milner N, Barrett J, and Welsh J. 2007. Marine resource intensification in Viking Age Europe: the molluscan evidence from Quoygrew, Orkney. Journal of Archaeological Science 34:1461-1472. Zori D, Byock J, Erlendsson E, Martin S, Wake T, and Edwards KJ. 2013. Feasting in Viking Age Iceland: sustaining a chiefly political economy in a marginal environment. Antiquity 87(335):150-161.