Dietary Beliefs and Practices: A Study of Working‐class Women in North‐east England

Abstract

The perceived relationships between diet and health amongst a sample of working‐class women in North‐east England are examined, highlighting the impact of “food scares” current at the time of the research fieldwork on dietary beliefs and practice. Economic constraints are a major barrier to “healthier eating” in certain working‐class subcultures, but social conceptions of “good” food also often conflict with dietary advice. The findings of the research presented here demonstrate that this conflict may be heightened by the confusion and controversy attendant on “food scares”, causing anger and resentment amongst women, the principle recipients of dietary information.