SMART INDIAN SCHOOL

CAMBRIDGE

CHALLENGE TOPIC: BELIEF SYSTEM: BELIEFS ABOUT FOOD

INTRODUCTION
• Set of principles and values that guide an individual or a
group's approach to eating.

• Influenced by various factors including cultural, religious,

ethical, health-related, environmental, and personal
preferences.

DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES
Beliefs about food can vary significantly from personal, to
national, to global perspectives

PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE
• At a personal level, beliefs about food often center around
individual health and well-being.
• Personal beliefs about food are often influenced by one's
cultural background and family traditions.
• Some individuals base their food choices on ethical
concerns, such as animal welfare or environmental
sustainability.
• Many people's beliefs about food are influenced by their
religious beliefs.

• Personal beliefs about food may also be influenced by

societal ideals of beauty and body image. This can lead to
various approaches to eating, such as dieting or pursuing
certain body types.

NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE
• Beliefs about food are often deeply tied to a nation's cultural
identity.

Cambridge Lower Secondary Global Perspectives 8 – Laycock © Cambridge University Press 2021 1
 SMART INDIAN SCHOOL
CAMBRIDGE

• Traditional dishes play an important role in shaping a

nation's food beliefs.
• National governments play a role in shaping food beliefs
through policies related to agriculture, food production, etc.
• National perspectives on food include considerations of food
security, which involves ensuring that all individuals have
access to safe, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food.
• Economic considerations, such as affordability and
availability of certain foods, can heavily influence national
food beliefs.

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
• The interconnectedness of the world today means that food
beliefs are increasingly influenced by global trends.
• International organizations, such as the World Health
Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, work to shape global
beliefs about food through initiatives related to nutrition,
food security, and public health.
• As concerns about climate change grow, there is a global
shift towards more sustainable food production and
consumption practices.

Cambridge Lower Secondary Global Perspectives 8 – Laycock © Cambridge University Press 2021 2