Abstract
Household food consumption is the associative link between ecosystems and anthropogenic activities. In grassland areas, inappropriate food consumption patterns will cause irreversible damage to vulnerable local ecosystems. For this study, we selected three typical transitional grassland areas of Inner Mongolia, China (i.e., meadow steppe, typical steppe, and desert steppe), to analyze spatial heterogeneity in household food consumption and nutritional characteristics. Results showed that: (a) Food consumption structures exhibited zonal gradients from east to west alongside a reduction in grassland conditions. Additionally, the average food consumption quantity also decreased. Available food supplies altered household preferences for vegetables and fruits, meat, dairy products, and other food consumption category types. (b) The nutritional structure implied that grains provided the main source of energy, proteins, and fat for local rural households, while meat, dairy products, beans (including bean byproducts), and oils caused a fluctuation in the nutritional structure of residents. (c) Local food supplies affect short-term local food consumption patterns, while socioeconomic development affects long-term food consumption patterns. This study is intended to provide a reference for the development of sustainable strategies for regional resource management.
Highlights
Food safety is critical for socioeconomic development,and it’s an important strategic basis for national development
The objectives of this study were as follows: [1] to analyze food consumption patterns and the nutritional structure of household residents residing in these three transitional grassland areas; [2] to reveal spatiotemporal characteristic changes within these three different grassland landuse types; [3] to explore food consumption drivers of local residents from a spatial perspective
The region is comprised of nine cities and three leagues
Summary
Food safety is critical for socioeconomic development,and it’s an important strategic basis for national development. While socioeconomic development and population growth have resulted in the diversified development of food consumption trends [1]. Food security is a key component of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the 2015 United Nations General Assembly, and food consumption and nutrition are directly linked to SDG 2 (zero hunger) and SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production). The COVID-19 pandemic has undermined global food security. Nations globally have become increasingly concerned about national food system reliance [2–4]. Much like the Government of China, many
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
