Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 2

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Identify factors affecting food choices in Ghana.
• Analyze cultural, economic, and social influences on diet.
• Evaluate your personal food choices.
• Propose strategies to improve dietary habits.

Lesson summary

This lesson explores the complex reasons behind why we eat what we eat. Every day, from the moment we wake up, we make decisions about food. Is it just about hunger? Or are there other forces at play? We will investigate the personal, economic, environmental, and social factors that influence our food choices. Understanding these factors is the first step towards making conscious, healthier decisions for ourselves and our communities. For a Ghanaian student, this means understanding why we might choose *waakye* over a salad, why certain foods are eaten during festivals like Homowo or Eid, and how the price of tomatoes in the market affects our mother's cooking.

Lesson notes

The factors that influence our food choices are numerous and interconnected. We can group them into four main categories, which can be remembered with the acronym P.E.E.S: Personal, Economic, Environmental, and Social/Cultural. A. Personal Factors

These are factors related to an individual's own body, mind, and preferences. Taste and Preference: This is the most common reason for choosing a food. We are more likely to eat foods we find delicious. For example, you might choose fried yam with *shito* simply because you love the spicy and savoury taste. Health and Wellness: A person's health status or belief about health can be a powerful motivator. A student athlete might choose more protein-rich foods like eggs and beans to build muscle. Someone with hypertension (high blood pressure) will be advised to choose foods low in salt, like boiled plantain instead of salted fried plantain. Psychological and Emotional State: Our mood affects our food choices. When stressed or sad, some people crave "comfort foods" like ice cream or pastries. When happy and celebrating, we might indulge in special meals. Knowledge and Beliefs: What you know or believe about food matters. If you have been taught that kontomire (cocoyam leaves) is rich in iron, you are more likely to eat it. Conversely, myths and misinformation (e.g., "mangoes cause malaria") can cause people to avoid healthy foods. B. Economic Factors

These factors relate to the financial aspects of obtaining food. Cost of Food: For most Ghanaian families, price is a major determinant. When the price of tomatoes or onions goes up, the quantity used in stews may be reduced. People may opt for cheaper alternatives, like buying *gari* instead of rice when money is tight. Income Level: The amount of money a family earns directly impacts their food choices. A high-income family can afford to buy a wider variety of foods, including expensive imported fruits, lean meats, and processed foods from supermarkets. A low-income family's diet might be less varied and based on staple foods like cassava, maize, and plantain. Occupation: A person's job can influence what and when they eat. A construction worker ("mason") in Accra needs a high-energy, heavy meal like *gari* and beans (*gɔbɛ*) to sustain them through hard labour. An office worker might prefer a lighter lunch like a chicken wrap or a simple rice dish. C. Environmental Factors

These factors relate to the physical environment and accessibility of food. Availability and Seasonality: We tend to eat what is readily available. In coastal towns like Elmina or Axim, fresh fish is abundant and a staple part of the diet. In the Northern Region, guinea fowl and shea butter are more common. During mango season, mangoes are cheap and widely eaten. When it's not the season, they are scarce and expensive. Geographical Location (Rural vs. Urban): A person living in a rural farming community in the Bono Region will have easy access to fresh yams, cassava, and vegetables from the farm. Their diet is often based on fresh, unprocessed produce. Someone in a city like Kumasi or Accra has access to supermarkets, fast-food restaurants (KFC, Papaye's), and a wider variety of processed and international foods, but fresh produce may be more expensive. Food Infrastructure: This includes roads, storage facilities, and markets. If a village has poor roads, it is difficult to transport fresh produce to the market, leading to spoilage and limited choices for people in other areas. Cold storage facilities allow for the preservation of fish and meat, making them available for longer. D. Social and Cultural Factors

Evaluation guide

• Analyse the factors that affect food choices.
• Critic
• al Thinking and Problem Solving: Learners engage in thorough thinking as
• reasoning