Pleasure, Pursuit Of Health, Or Negotiation Of Identity?

This study identified 6 food choice clusters among women (gourmets, indifferents, health fosterers, ideological eaters, health dieters and distressed dieters).

These groups use health, weight control, pleasure and ideology in making food choices.

The indifferents did not view any of these criteria as particularly important.

The largest group was the gourmets, omnivores motivated by taste and the pleasure of eating.

Gourmets were highly aware of social pressure of being thin and beautiful. Younger gourmets were dissatisfied with their appearance and weight, although they were no more obese than others.

The gourmets and indifferents regarded health to be of moderate importance while all others felt this was very important.

The most prominent ideology that affected food selection among the participants was vegetarianism.

People who are likely to explore their views more than others are more inclined to turn to food ideologies and magical thinking in order to organize and verify their concepts of self and the world.