UNIT VIII STUDY GUIDE Food & Agriculture Course Learning Outcomes for Unit VIII Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to: 2. Evaluate the role and impact globalization has on environmental, cultural, spatial, and geopolitical issues within the three tiers of the world system. 2.1 Identify the revolutionary phases of agriculture impacted by globalization and technology. 2.2 Discuss food policy, ethics, and culture in a globalized society as it relates to food availability and quality. Reading Assignment Chapter 9: Geographies of Food and Agriculture Unit Lesson In Unit VIII, we will study food and agriculture and their relationship to geography and society . Food is often an important part of social gatherings. It is a key factor in determining health and is a basic need at all income levels. Because of food’s central role in society, changes in production, distribution, and consumption can have significant sociological implications. These changes over the last several decades have benefited billions of people. However, due to quantity and quality of food now being consumed, a new epidemic of obesity is spreading globally. In the textbook reading, you were introduced to the different agricultural revolutions, from the earliest hunting and gathering societies to societies in which agriculture is the domain of relatively few people. This evolution has involved three distinct agricultural revolutions. In addition to producing more food, more processed foods were also developed through industrialization of agriculture. Furthermore, the industrialization, in due time, led to the rise of agribusiness, a system in which transnational corporations manage the food supply chain with a focus on generating profits. One arguably positive outcome of agribusiness is the availability of a wider variety of foods at lower prices . In addition, all grocery stores now offer fruits that are unavailable or out of season locally, but are made available by importing. For example, oranges can commonly be found throughout the U.S., but they are only grown in a few places in the U.S. This greater availability of food varieties at lower prices makes it easier for families to eat a healthy diet within their budgets. The greater variety and lower cost of food has also had negative, unanticipated consequences . Among the types of foods available are a large number of fast food restaurants . The prevalence of fast food restaurants has grown in the U.S. and around the world. Fast foods are very often high in calories, fat, sugar, and salt. Moreover, fast food restaurants may be available where healthy grocery options are not . These geographic areas in society that lack access to healthy foods are called food deserts (Knox & Marston, 2016). Food deserts can be found in both rural and urban areas, and are more predominant in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. People living in food deserts need to rely much more on convenience stores and fast food restaurants. Even people not living in food deserts have, over the years, changed their diets to be less healthful. Changes in diet include eating more calories, a greater percentage from carbohydrates, fewer vegetables, and more saturated fat. It has become harder for many to make healthy food choices for themselves and their families due to time constraints (Pearce & Witten, 2010). With both adults often working outside of the home, it becomes more convenient to pick up processed or fast food that is less healthy than food prepared in the home. SOC 2010, Cultural Geography 1 UNIT x STUDY GUIDE Title Fa s t Food (Keko64, 2013) The widespread adoption of poorer diets, together with less physical activity and increased screen time has led to an epidemic of obesity and its associated diseases (Pearce & Witten, 2010). Knox and Marston (2016) state, “Since the late 70s the rate of obesity and diabetes among US children has doubled” (p. 328). This is not just a trend in the US. It is a global trend. Figure 9.26 “Obesity on the Increase” on p. 329 of the textbook shows this growing global trend of obesity. So why is this so important? It is important because of the health risks it poses for us and our children and the economic costs to society . Obesity is known to contribute to things like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and joint pain. Knox and Marston (2016) state, “The consequences range from increased risk of premature death to grave chronic conditions that reduce the overall quality of life” (p.328). One study found that 18% of deaths among black and white people ages 40 to 85 were blamed on obesity (Sifferlin, 2013). The total economic cost of obesity in the U.S. is a staggering $147 billion annually (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] , 2014). This raised big societal questions about the food we are promoting in our society and how we produce our food. Governments and activists have taken notice of the effects of poor diet . A number of proposed solutions have been attempted. In some cases, certain types of marketing of foods have been banned, especially to children. New York City attempted to ban large-sized soft drinks, but the courts struck down the regulation. “Since 2012, Peru, Chile, Uruguay, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Mexico have enacted a variety of policies, including imposing taxes on sugary beverages, banning Happy Meal toys and junk food in public schools” (Taylor, Parento, & Schmidt, 2015, p. 4). Besides banning certain sales and imposing taxes, legislators have also explored regulations in public education, labeling, and advertising restrictions. For example, much like the mandated warnings on U.S. cigarette ads, a 2007 French law requires ads for unhealthy food to include a government-created health message (Taylor et al., 2015). An analysis by the National Bureau of Economic Research suggests that banning fast food ads to children could cut obesity rates in children by 18% (Fox, 2008). What do you think about these attempts to curtail obesity ? Should the government be allowed to regulate advertisements and whether certain foods can be sold? How do you think society should combat the global epidemic of obesity? References Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Adult obesity facts. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html SOC 2010, Cultural Geography 2 Fox, M. (2008, November 19). Fast-food ad ban could cut child obesity: U.S. study. UNIT xReuters. STUDY Retrieved GUIDE from http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/11/19/us-obesity-advertising-idUS TRE4A Title I8Y T20081119 Keko64. (2013). Classic hamburger sandwich [Image]. Retrieved from http://91ef69bade70f992a001b6054e05bb416c 4c4b6f3b0ef3e0f71d.r93.cf3.rackcdn.com/classic -hamburger-sandwich100188772.jpg Knox, P. L., & Marston, S. A. (2016). Human geography: Places and regions in global context (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Pearce, J., & Witten, K. (Eds.). (2010). Geographies of obesity: Environmental understandings of the obesity epidemic [ebrary]. Retrieved from http://www.ebrary.com Sifferlin, A. (2013, August). The good and bad news about obesity: It’s no longer rising, but it’s more dangerous than ever. Time. Retrieved from http://healthland.time.com/2013/08/16/the-good-and-badnews-about-obesity-f-as-in-fat-obesity-is-no-longer-rising-but-its-more-dangerous-than-ever/ Taylor, A.L., Parento, E.W., & Schmidt, L.A. (2015). The increasing weight of regulation: Countries combat the global obesity epidemic. Indiana Law Journal, 90(1), 257-291. Learning Activities (Nongraded) Visit the National Geographic webpage called “What the World Eats.” http://www.nationalgeographic.com/what-the-world-eats/ It shows the consumption patterns of several different nations around the globe over the past 50 years. Review the consumption patterns of several core and periphery/semi-periphery nations at the “What the World Eats” website and answer the following questions. What do you notice about the caloric intake in developing nations versus more developed nations? What consumption trends do you notice over time in the countries? What surprised you or concerned you about the consumption patterns? Explain. This is an alternative assignment to get you thinking more critically . This is not a written assignment that you turn in. You can write a one page essay discussing your responses to the above questions. Nongraded Learning Activities are provided to aid students in their course of study. You do not have to submit them. If you have questions, contact your instructor for further guidance and information. SOC 2010, Cultural Geography 3 
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