Food, culture and health: An anthropological perspective

Abstract

This article explores the complex interplay among food, culture, and health. It examines how dietary habits have evolved, from hunter-gatherer societies to the globalization of Western diets, and their profound effects on cultural traditions and human health. While global markets reshape local diets, anthropological evidence suggests nutrition programmes work best when they build on cultural food knowledge rather than replace it. Our findings point to a pressing need for public health approaches that recognize food's role beyond mere sustenance – though implementing such culturally aware interventions remains challenging in practice.