Introduction to Understandings of Healthy and Unhealthy Food

Harrison Esam Awuh*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

The introductory chapter begins by making a strong case for the food system transformation based on the argument that food system transformation currently has a very limited focus on social sustainability. More importantly, there is a lack of sufficient recognition for the inclusion of consumers’ perspectives in pathways for food transformation. In addition, the chapter argues for explicit and diverse transition pathways regarding food systems. Drawing on the dearth of knowledge in connection with what (un)healthy food means in some contexts, the chapter argues for a more inclusive global vision of (un)healthy food as a pathway for achieving a diversified transformation but also pluralising the voices within the transition process. By raising six key questions, the chapter further explains the geographic notions of place and space as the conceptual basis for describing the study's contexts. In conclusion, the chapter quizzed whether place or space has much influence in framing meanings of what is healthy or unhealthy. Without pre-empting the data gathered, the theory of sensemaking is also employed to explain plausible meanings of what is (un)healthy.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationGeographies of Food
Subtitle of host publicationGlobal Visions of Healthy and Unhealthy Food
EditorsHarrison Esam Awuh, Samuel Agyekum
PublisherSpringer
Chapter1
Pages1-14
Number of pages14
Edition1
ISBN (Electronic)978-3-031-49873-2
ISBN (Print)978-3-031-49872-5, 978-3-031-49875-6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 10 Feb 2024

Publication series

NameSpringer Geography
PublisherSpringer
ISSN (Print)2194-315X
ISSN (Electronic)2194-3168

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024.

Keywords

  • Consumers
  • Food meaning
  • Healthy
  • Inclusion
  • Place
  • Sensemaking
  • Space

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