Determinants of healthy diet choices during austerity in Greece

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
George Koulierakis ◽  
Anastasia Dermatis ◽  
Nair-Tonia Vassilakou ◽  
Elpida Pavi ◽  
Dimitris Zavras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Consumption ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Employment Status ◽  
Red Meat ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Family Status ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Dietary Choices ◽  
Fast Food Consumption

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the key determinants of dietary choices of the Greek population during a period of financial austerity.Design/methodology/approachData from the 2016 “Health and Welfare” Greek national cross-sectional survey, in a representative sample of 2,003 individuals, were examined. The survey was conducted via computer-assisted telephone interviews. Sociodemographic characteristics and diet knowledge were examined as potential determinants of four dietary behaviours (fruit, fish, red meat and fast food consumption).FindingsFindings showed significant gender differences against men (64.4% were overweight and obese; 57.6% and 18.4% reported red meat and fast food consumption more than twice a week, respectively). Age and financial affordability were the most significant determinants of fruit consumption. Fish consumption was determined by age, financial affordability, and family status (unmarried, living with the parents). Gender, age, family status (unmarried, living alone), employment status (unemployed) and social support affected red meat consumption. Finally, factors influencing fast food consumption were gender, age and employment status (unemployed).Originality/valueThis research incorporates unique and original insight in the determinants of healthy dietary choices during the austerity measures in Greece. Findings could contribute to a better understanding of the main factors that influence healthy eating and help develop policies to encourage healthy dietary lifestyles for the general public.

Exploring inside the box: a cross-cultural examination of stimuli affecting fast food addiction

2019 ◽  
Vol 121 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hania Khalid ◽  
Rab Nawaz Lodhi ◽  
Zahid Mahmood
Keyword(s):  
Food Consumption ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Food Addiction ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Consumption Behavior ◽  
Fast Food Consumption

Purpose The purpose of this paper, a cross-cultural study, is twofold: first, to identify personal, social, demographical and marketing facets that imply fast food addiction in Pakistan and America, and second to explore the reasons of reduction in fast food consumption in Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach The present study followed an explanatory sequential mixed-methods research design. Both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods were used to obtain supportive results of fast food consumption with the help of defining logical relations between independent and dependent variables. Partial least square based structural equation modeling technique was used to analyze quantitative data. For qualitative data, NVivo 11 was used to explore themes. Findings Quantitative findings of Pakistani setting suggested that craving and impulsiveness have a significant relation with addiction and have no mediation effect in both the countries. However, these results contradict with US study. Qualitative findings explored many personal, social, marketing and health factors that have affected fast food market of Pakistan which include low income, price-sensitive market, low quality, poor services, PFA, word of mouth, mood, obesity, environment and cultural influence on the consumption behavior of Pakistani consumers. Research limitations/implications This study is restricted to the consumption behavior of fast food only in two countries the USA and Pakistan. Hence, the results of this study cannot be generalized to other countries’ cultural and traditional values. In addition, this study only focuses on personal, social and marketing factors that implicate fast food addiction. Originality/value The consumption of fast food was the focus of analysis. Therefore, research adds value to service industry and helps in developing growth and marketing strategies for the fast food industry.

Urban Indian adolescents practise unhealthy dietary behaviours

2018 ◽  
Vol 120 (7) ◽  
pp. 1657-1665 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neha Rathi ◽  
Lynn Riddell ◽  
Anthony Worsley
Keyword(s):  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Dietary Behaviours ◽  
Indian Adolescents ◽  
Fast Food Consumption ◽  
Urban Indian ◽  
Meal Consumption

Purpose The rising prevalence of obesity among Indian adolescents has underscored the need to develop effective strategies to reduce this epidemic. The purpose of this paper is to assess the patterns of snacking, meal consumption and fast food consumption among adolescents in private schools in Kolkata, India. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional, paper-based, self-administered dietary and lifestyle survey was completed by 1,026 year-nine students aged 14–16 years. Cross-tabulation analyses were performed to compare the frequencies of various dietary behaviours across gender. Findings The two most common episodes for snacking among respondents were while watching television (57.9 per cent) and while interacting with peers (54.1 per cent). In contrast, snacking throughout the day (8.7 per cent) and in the middle of the night (7.8 per cent) were minimally practiced by the adolescents. The most regularly consumed meal was lunch (94.6 per cent), whereas the most frequently missed meal was breakfast (14.0 per cent). Fast food was most frequently consumed as snacks (26.8 per cent) but least frequently consumed for lunch (9.2 per cent). Overall, boys exhibited more unhealthy dietary behaviours than girls. Practical implications These findings highlight the need to develop nutrition education programmes for nutritionally vulnerable adolescents which communicate the importance of regular meal consumption, reduced intake of fast food and less snacking on energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods. Originality/value This is the first cross-sectional survey to investigate patterns of snacking, meal consumption and fast food consumption amongst urban Indian adolescents.

The psychological effects of fast food consumption on body image emotions

2018 ◽  
Vol 120 (10) ◽  
pp. 2236-2249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hatice Aydin ◽  
Zeliha Eser ◽  
Sezer Korkmaz
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fast Food Consumption ◽  
Consumer Emotions ◽  
Cultural Pressures ◽  
Moderator Role

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the arousal of negative consumer emotions as a consequence of fast food consumption among individuals with restrained food consumption. Furthermore, a moderating effect of socio-cultural pressure to buffer these relationships is positioned for the first time.Design/methodology/approachThe field study is completed with data collected through an online survey among 353 customers by employing a random sampling technique. The collected data are analyzed through confirmatory factor analysis procedures.FindingsThe hypotheses related to the effects of fast food consumption on body image guilt and shame, body image guilt on planning diet and shame, moderator role of socio-cultural, in terms of shame, are accepted.Research limitations/implicationsA key limitation is data collected from individuals with restrained food consumption in Turkey which limits the generalizability of results to other countries and contexts.Practical implicationsThe results call for paying attention to socio-cultural pressures that enhance shame.Originality/valueThe primary contribution of this paper lies in the fact that fast food consumption is scantly related to the arousal of negative consumer emotions. Furthermore, moderating effects of social pressures and Turkish context are also unique to this study.

Factors influencing Iranian consumers’ attitudes toward fast-food consumption

2018 ◽  
Vol 120 (2) ◽  
pp. 409-423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omid M. Ghoochani ◽  
Razieh Torabi ◽  
Mohammad Hojjati ◽  
Mansour Ghanian ◽  
Miranda Kitterlin
Keyword(s):  
Food Consumption ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Health Consciousness ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Fast Food Consumption ◽  
Fast Food Restaurants ◽  
The Government

Purpose Eating patterns around the world have changed considerably, including food choices and preparation. One of these alterations in food consumption patterns is an increase in desire for fast-food consumption, which has been associated with poor diet quality. In order to analyze consumers’ food consumption behaviors, it is necessary to account for psychological factors (e.g. attitudes) that shape behaviors. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to explore influencing factors on the attitudes of consumers in Isfahan City toward fast-food consumption, so as to understand why consumers use fast-food despite widespread knowledge of the negative health consequences. Design/methodology/approach The predominant paradigm of the present study was quantitative, in that it was a correlational survey. The population of this study consisted of consumers who lived in Isfahan city in June 2015. A total sample of 350 people was selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected through a face-to-face interview with the consumers using a researcher-made questionnaire. Analysis was conducted using SPSS (V20) and AMOS (V20) software and a set of correlation and differential tests. Findings The results revealed that “health consciousness” and “trust” are the main effective factors on the attitudes of the respondents. The results also revealed that the elder and married respondents have more positive attitudes toward fast-food consumption. Originality/value It is worth mentioning that fast-food has become an important part of the Iranian diet. These findings have both academic and policy implications. The results showed that the need for much more consumer education regarding fast-food and mass media could effectively be used. Further, the government should support and subsidize fast-food restaurants so that they may produce healthier food options.

scholarly journals Revealing barriers to healthier fast food consumption choices

2014 ◽  
Vol 116 (5) ◽  
pp. 821-831 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Anderson ◽  
Miranda Mirosa
Keyword(s):  
Food Consumption ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Depth Information ◽  
Fast Food Industry ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fast Food Consumption ◽  
Quick Service ◽  
Weight Watchers ◽  
Laddering Interviews

Purpose – In light of growing concerns around obesity, the present work investigates why consumers continue to choose traditional unhealthy fast food options over newly offered healthier fast food alternatives. Design/methodology/approach – A total of 24 value laddering interviews were conducted with people who had just purchased an item from the traditional menu at McDonalds. Individual reasoning for not selecting a healthier Weight Watchers' approved alternative was aggregated across the respondent set to form a summary map which pictorially displays barriers to healthier fast food choices. Findings – Consumers' choices not to purchase healthier fast food options were dominated by Self Direction type values and are heavily influenced by engrained perceptions that fast food is junk food. Practical implications – For the fast food industry, this research highlights that to help shift consumers' choices toward healthier alternatives, they need to reposition themselves as quick service restaurants that offer good tasting food that is both convenient and healthy. Social implications – For public policy makers, this research suggests a need to address the perceptions of personal relevance of obesity and diet related health issues. Originality/value – The valuable in-depth information collected via the value laddering process offers substantial insights into the unexplored area of barriers to healthier fast food consumption.

scholarly journals Eat Fast, Die Young: The Pattern of Fast Food Consumption amongst International Medical Students

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Shantosh Kalidass ◽  
Fatin Aizaa Binti Azhar ◽  
Gan Ann Zee ◽  
Muhamad Noor Zuhairi Bin Noor Hasani ◽  
Madhura T. K. ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
International Medical ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Good Taste ◽  
Fast Food Consumption ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Malaysian Students

Objective: To investigate the factors influencing fast-food consumption amongst the International Medical Students of USM-KLE. Hypothesis: Fast food consumption is deleterious to the overall health of a person, and thus we expect low fast food consumption amongst medical students of USM-KLE. Nevertheless, due to the lack of awareness and poor understanding of the ill effects of fast food consumption, the pattern of fast food consumption is increasing among the medical students of USM-KLE. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted in the month of June 2018 by distributing questionnaires to 326 Malaysian students –from year 1 to year 5 – who are studying in Belgaum, India. The questions touched on the aspects of their profile, driving factors of fast food consumption, routine exercise pattern, and their knowledge on the deleterious effects of fast food on their health. Data was collected for their experience both in Malaysia & India, & these were then analysed using SPSS 16.0 software. Results: In this study, the results were coded & translated according to each question. It is observed that there is a high prevalence of fast food consumption amongst the students; 97% of the students consume fast food. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that despite their knowledge on the poor health effects of these foods. the students prefer to consume fast food mostly on the basis of their hectic schedule, the restaurants’ close distance, the good taste of the meals, as well as their fast availability.

scholarly journals Adolescent-Reported Food Insecurity: Correlates of Dietary Intake and School Lunch Behavior

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 6647
Author(s):  
Naomi Nichele Duke
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
School Lunch ◽  
Student Survey ◽  
Sugar Sweetened Beverage ◽  
Fast Food Consumption

Much of what is known about food insecurity (FI) experiences for young people is based on caregiver report. As such, our understanding of relationships between youth FI and dietary intake (DI) may be limited, particularly among adolescents who often eat away from home. This study examined relationships between youth-reported past-month FI, past-week DI, and school lunch behavior. Data are from middle and high school participants in the 2019 Minnesota Student Survey (N = 125,375), one of the longest-running youth surveys in the US. Logistic regression assessed relationships between FI and DI, including fruit, vegetable, milk, sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB), and fast food consumption, and school lunch behavior, adjusting for demographic, physical, and emotional health indicators. Past-month FI was associated with reduced odds of meeting minimum thresholds for daily fruit, vegetable, and milk intake, and increased odds of daily SSB and frequent fast food consumption. Among food-insecure students, no participation in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or NSLP participation uncertainty was associated with increased odds of skipping lunch. Findings suggest the importance of clinical and community innovations to prevent the loss of nutritional quality in favor of energy density for youth and families experiencing FI.

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