Eating to Belong: Food Practices, Identity, and Social Structure among Contemporary University Youth. An Approach from the Anthropology and Sociology of Food

Abstract

This article studies the eating styles and practices of young university students from two interrelated fields: anthropology and sociology. The eating practices and habits acquired during such a crucial stage of life as youth are determinants of health in adulthood. Beyond its biological function, food serves as an instrument of socialization and identity construction among young people. The methodology chosen for this research was a literature review from the perspective of the anthropology and sociology of food, and an in-depth, semi-structured questionnaire administered to 40 young university students between the ages of 18 and 25. The questionnaire was structured around three dimensions: (1) food, identity, and personal trajectory; (2) social, cultural, and media influences on eating choices; and (3) the values and meanings attributed to the act of eating, including health, ethics, and sustainability. The results indicate that young people's dietary choices and eating habits are influenced, among other factors, by their socioeconomic context and the influence of social media, which exerts substantial pressure on their image and eating habits. Furthermore, the results also reflect the coexistence of traditional diets, such as the Mediterranean diet, with newer eating patterns. Finally, it was found that students with knowledge of nutrition or food science are less susceptible to media pressure regarding eating practices.