At the Factory, at the Table: Dietary Beliefs and Practices of Thai Industrial Workers

Abstract

The present article explores some of the ways Thai industrial workers view their diet and eating patterns in the context of their lives as industrial workers. Our purpose in the study was to understand the interaction between dietary practices, economic circumstances, and social conditions. We use a biocultural approach and draw on survey questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and narratives about health practices. Content analysis revealed information concerning the impact of factory life on eating practices, perceptions of the relationships among health and nutrition, and issues related to food insecurity and coping strategies.

KEYWORDS:

• Thailand
• industrial workers
• dietary practices
• coping strategies

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Research for this article was supported by the University of Oregon Center For the Study of Women in Society, a Fulbright Hays Senior Scholar Research Award, and the Faculty of Public Health of Burapha University. We gratefully acknowledge the support of these granting agencies. We also acknowledge and give special gratitude to the industrial workers and Factory managers for their collaboration in this project.