| This study inquires into changes involved in the adoption of dietary innovations as individuals move to new cultural environments. Data were obtained from Chinese students from the People's Republic of China who attended Indiana University in Bloomington. This study analyzes the participants' reactions toward American foods, and identifies the changes which occur in their opinions, attitudes and behaviors in the process of adopting dietary innovations.;The findings of this study suggest that the process of adopting dietary innovations occurs as a series of phases and decision-making stages which evolve successively. The pattern or movement of these stages is cyclical and successive in nature. At each point in the process of decision-making, participants' food selecting behaviors seemed to be simultaneously influenced by multiple factors. The factors which influence this process include the amount of time available for meal preparation activities, food budgets, living arrangements, and the types of desired foods. Changes in dietary behaviors are affected by the duration of exposure to innovations and by earlier experiences of socio-cultural patterns.;The data for the study were obtained through survey questionnaires, interviews, and observations. These inquiries took place in natural contexts where meals were purchased, prepared and consumed. Behavioral, cognitive and affective approaches related to change of dietary behaviors are discussed. The theoretical paradigms guiding this research are the innovation decision-making model from diffusion research and the food habits change model from cultural anthropology. |
