From regional ethnographies to interdisciplinary approaches - Research on meals in Finland

The paper reviews Finnish research on meals and meal patterns since the tur n of the century. The main research traditions and cases representing vario us methodological approaches- qualitative interview, health behaviour quest ionnaire and dietary survey-are discussed. In line with studies undertaken in other industrialized countries, the Finnish studies show that meal patte rns are related to socio-economic structure, work schedules, lifecourse, li ving conditions and food availability. Meal patterns vary by individual ene rgy needs, and the nutrient contents of meals can be different from those o f snacks. It is difficult to account for all determinants and characteristi cs of meals in a single study. The three cases shed light on the various as pects of the meal. When planning an empirical study on meals the researcher should ask herself/himself at least four questions: (1) who defines the me al?; (2) are meal patterns assumed to vary by time and between subgroups of the study population?; (3) is information on nutrient content of various e ating occasions relevant to the study?; and (4) could information on meals be obtained from existing data sources? (C) 1999 Academic Press.