Monitoring trends in food utilization: application of an archaeologcial method

Archaeological methods were utilized to monitor trends in food purchase and utilization behavior in Tucson, Arizona households through the analysis of household refuse. As a supplement to traditional methods of collecting data on food consumption, the study of household refuse can provide information on short-term trends in behavior and on food discard. Between 1973 and 1975, households studied decreased the amount of food brought into the home and decreased their purchase of selected animal protein foods. Lower-income tracts, in addition, increased their purchase of grain products, substituted cheaper for more expensive food intems, and decreased food discard. While these data do not reflect nutritional status, they provide a unique view of the socioeconomic and behavioral patterns that in large part determine nutritional status.