Man shall not live by bread alone. Understanding the nutritional transition: Spain, 1926–1980

Abstract

The nutrition transition model examines the impact of industrialization and economic development on standards of living through dietary changes. The changes in dietary structure over the last two centuries have been determined. These changes consist of an overall increase in calorie and protein intake and a shift from a diet of predominantly cereals to one with animal-based products. The literature considers that the growth in income is the principal factor explaining dietary change. Although it has also highlighted the importance of other environmental, social, institutional, and cultural factors. Therefore, a quantitative exercise has been made to verify the role of economic factors such as income and prices in the nutrition transition process.