Conditioning factors in the nutritional transition in Western Europe: Barcelona, 1890-1936

Abstract

In this article we critically analyse the effect of the changes in the income in the first stages of the nutritional transition in Western Europe. With this aim, we focus our attention on the evolution of the consumption of food of animal origin in the city of Barcelona between the late 19th century and 1936, and more concretely, in the changes that the consumption of fresh milk and meat experienced in this period. Very briefly, we show that the influence of the incomes in the composition and evolution of the diet is better understood when we consider the intervention of other variables. In particular, the progresses in the scientific and technical knowledge, the weather conditions, the changes in public hygiene and the age structure of the population.