From diversity to uniformity: comparing nutritional transition of food consumption in four regions in Senegal

Abstract

ABSTRACT Rapid changes in the social and economic environment in the last few decades have resulted in a nutrition transition observed in many African countries, revealing large shifts in diet. Central to this evolution is the concept of homogenization of diet reflecting a notable trend toward increased uniformity in present-day food choices. As food changes are fundamental during the last generations, it is essential to collect oral narratives on foodways as long as older people can share their differentiated food knowledge from the past, and to study the impact of these changes in various African contexts, as well as the local reactions to these changes. This paper looks at the historical dynamics of what food consumption patterns was like in the past up to this present time in different regions of Senegal using different ethnographic methods. We argue that the diet of the present time has become more homogeneous thus affecting the pattern of food consumption options. Our findings showed that food consumption pattern over the last few decades has undergone changes due to the changing food production system. Moreover, the current households’ diets in the Senegalese villages are converging toward an increased reliance on vegetable oil and refined staple grains.