The food environment has a strong influence on our food choices, particularly for children, adolescents, and those from low socio-economic backgrounds. Opportunities to eat healthfully within communities varies greatly across different areas. Studies have shown that types of food stores are different in across these areas, with more takeaway stores known to provide foods high in fat, salt and sugar. Our work has shown that suburbs classified as more disadvantaged offer less availability of health foods, less information to support healthy eating, and a different pricing structure—healthy alternatives (for example, wholemeal bread) are often premium priced (given a higher price) in comparison to their less healthy equivalents (such as white bread).
Some adults have occupations that prevent them from preparing their own meals everyday (such as shift workers, fly-in fly-out workers, and the military). They spend time working away from home, often for long periods, and are heavily reliant on catered food services, or nearby food outlets—which often do not support healthy eating. Their occupational duties can be demanding and provide only short meal breaks. If they are new in the role, they may be experiencing a time of change and disruption, after moving away from home, and having to adjust to a new work pattern. This can lead to comfort eating which often involves consuming foods that are not considered central to a healthy diet.
Some behaviours that contribute to dietary patterns are subject to automatic or low-level conscious actions. Cues in the physical eating environment and social sphere can trigger hunger, choice of one item over another, and the amount of food eaten. People choose foods that are visually stand out, and that are easy to serve, or eat. This is especially so when people are tired, busy, or distracted.