The Symbolization of Eggs in American Culture: A Sociologic Analysis

Abstract

Objective: To demonstrate that the recent decline in egg consumption in the United States was, in part, the result of a food scare that began in the 1960’s.

Methods: Using the Reader’s Guide to Periodical Literature, the frequency of articles about eggs, dietary cholesterol and heart disease in popular magazines was obtained. A content analysis was performed on a random sample of these articles.

Results: The increased trend in magazine articles and public statements by groups such as the American Heart Association linking eggs, blood cholesterol and heart disease is associated with the downward trend in egg consumption.

Conclusions: Public exposure to negative messages about particular foods can contribute to a decline in their consumption. Exposure to more consistently positive messages about foods can bring about an increase in the consumption of those foods.

• food scare
• eggs
• dietary cholesterol
• heart disease

I would like to thank Aronow & Polluck Communications as well as Teresa Ray and Jeff Jordan in the Department of Rural Sociology for their assistance in performing this research.

Notes

An honorarium was provided for support of this manuscript by the Egg Nutrition Center.

Presented, in part, at a meeting sponsored by the American Egg Board and Egg Nutrition Center held at Amelia Island, FL on February 25–27, 2000.