Nutrition as a socio-economic institution

Abstract

Abstract. Purpose. The article describes the economic component of routine eating behavior. Based on the ideas of the structural-functional paradigm and classical economic institutionalism, as well as the data of a sociological study conducted by the authors using the original methodology, the analysis of nutrition as a socio-economic institution that directly affects the distribution of resources and household costs is presented. Methods. To test the hypothesis of the formation of institutionally regulated food practices in modern society, the authors conducted a sociological study in September 2020. An integrative research strategy was applied using qualitative and quantitative methods of collecting social information, ensuring the quality and reliability of the data obtained. Implementing qualitative methods, we used narrative interviews, included observation, focus groups and written surveys (provoked by researchers essays on nutrition problems, presented by respondents in free form). The quantitative method was presented by a pilot smart survey (N = 75). Results. Conclusions: on the formation of a model of healthy nutrition in the majority of respondents and that nutrition increasingly acquires the features of a social institution and depends on the functioning of other social institutions in the economic, political, social and cultural spheres. First of all, the role of the state, the institution of property, education, culture, science is increasing, and their role in the formation of ecological healthy consumption of various population groups is increasing. Scientific novelty. Programs of social and economic support of vulnerable segments of the population, creation of conditions for an exit from “coronavirus crisis” are necessary. The problem of food security requires innovative programs for the development of the agro-industrial complex, modernization of logistics supply chains of food “from field to counter”, the creation of large wholesale distribution centers and investments in agricultural science.