Fulfilling food practices: Applying the capability approach to ethnographic research in the Northern Netherlands

Often, food practices are evaluated in terms of their healthiness or lack thereof, but fulfilling based on other values and influenced by family members’ capabilities overlooked. This study analyses families with low socio-economic status, aims to explain how households come prioritise one practice over another. We conducted an ethnographic using the capability approach as analytical framework. In-depth interviews observations concerning patterns health-related choices members from three generations were analysed. Two dimensions which emerged our having a healthy well harmonious meal. The under tended meals meals, despite attempts mothers serve meals. choice can be understood perspective capabilities, such being able enjoy eating what everybody else eats region, avoiding conflicts, creating good relationships children serving organising ease. Within cultural environment, there prevailed tendency not care too much about nutritional outcomes, also supported preference for In decision whether have meal, children's agency often outweighed voices parents grandparents. helped unravel complexity role intergenerational dynamics setting status. Acknowledging multi-dimensional nature practices, including beyond domain, harmony at dinner table, contribute better understanding this complexity. It helps shed new light opportunity deprivation households, example relation agency, should accounted health interventions.