CONTRASTS IN FOOD CONSUMPTION
DIET
The way food is consumed and the types and amount of food that is consumed varies greatly between MDCs and LDCs.
In MDCs, food is an industry, and consumers purchase food as a product. That food is VERY farm from its source and rarely looks like it did when
harvested
In LDCs, many people eat the food they farm themselves. Some purchase food as a product, but many eat the food at its source.
Food consumption varies in two primary ways: total amount and source of nutrients. And that variation comes from three factors:
Level of Development
Physical Conditions
Cultural Preferences
People in MDCs tend to consume greater
amounts and varieties of food than people
in LDCs
Climate influences what can be grown, but
in MDCs, food can be shipped MUCH
GREATER distances from source to
consumer than LDCs
Some food attractions and taboos
influence food choices without regard for
economics or climate
TOTAL
CONSUMPTION
Dietary Energy Consumption is the amount of food that an individual consumes, and it is
measured in calories.
Most humans derive their daily caloric need from cereal grains (grass that yields grains for
food). The three leading cereal grains account for 90% of all grain production and 40% of
all dietary energy consumed:
WHEAT
RICE
MAIZE
OTHER CROPS
It’s the principle grain of Europe
and North America as well as the
dry areas of Central and
Southwest Asia
It’s the principle grain in the wet
and tropical areas of East, South
and Southeast Asia
It’s actually the leading crop by
production in the world, but
most is not for human use. It’s
dominant in su-Saharan Africa.
A number of countries in subSaharan Africa grow cassava,
sorghum, millet, plantains, or
sweet potatoes instead.
SOURCE OF
NUTRIENTS
Humans need protein to survive and grow and maintain the body, but the primary sources for protein vary between MDCs and LDCs.
MEAT SOURCES
GRAIN SOURCES
In MDCs, the leading source of proteinis from meat sources
(beef, pork, poultry and fish). Meat accounts for 33% of
protein in MDCs but only 10% in LDCs
In LDCs, cereal grains provide the largest source of protein.
NUTRITION
Food Security is physical, social and economic at all times to safe, nutritious food
sufficient to meet dietary needs, food preferences and an active and healthy life.
At present, about 12% of the world’s population is not food secure.
The average individual needs to consume about 1800 calories per day to survive.
Currently, the world average is 2800 calories per day.
Residents of MDCs consume an average of 3600 calories per day, whereas residentsof
LDCs consume an average of 2600 calories per day.
Food insecurity rises in as percentage of income spent on food increases.
UNDERNOURISHMENT
Undernourishment is caloric consumption below the level necessary to
maintain physical activity and lead a healthy life.
Currently 870 million people worldwide are undernourished.
99% of the world’s undernourished live in LDCs. Countries with particularly
large concentrations are: India (225 million) and China (130 million).
While the percentage of undernourished people has been decreasing, the total
number has not (due to population growth).
East Asia (China!) leads the way in decreasing levels along with Southeast Asia,
while South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa lead with increases.