Factors influencing fast food consumption: a case study of University of Venda Students, Limpopo, South Africa

Eating fast foods more than twice per week is associated with more weight gain and insulin resistance in otherwise healthy young adults. However many consumers see fast foods as symbols of wealth, progress and well-ordered openness of western society. Studies reveal that fast food consumption is the dominant dietary pattern among children and young adults today. However there is little data on the factors influencing fast food consumption in South Africa. Therefore this research paper focuses on factors influencing fast food consumption in South Africa. This is an empirical data which was obtained using exploratory and descriptive research design. Data was collected through unstructured interview of focus groups. The interview involved a direct interaction between the researcher and a group. Participants reported to use fast foods due to the perceived lack of time to prepare one’s own meal. Fast food consumption was found to be more frequent among participants especially during lunch times. The following findings were recorded as factors influencing fast food: Lack of time, change in living conditions, lack of cooking skills & cooking utensils, fun & cravings, socializing and convenience.

Determinants of healthy diet choices during austerity in Greece

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.

HUBUNGAN PENGARUH TEMAN DENGAN FREKUENSI KONSUMSI FAST FOOD MODERN PADA MAHASISWA UNIVERSITAS XYZ DI KOTA DEPOK

ABSTRACTExcessive consumption of fast food can increase the incidence of obesity and other health problems in adolescents. Eating fast food more than twice per week can increase BMI z-score significantly, compared to eating fast food once a week or not eating fast food at all. This study aims to determine the relationship between the influence of friends with the frequency of modern fast food consumption among students XYZ University in Depok. The research method used is quantitative with cross-sectional study design conducted to 148 students XYZ University Depok selected by systematic random sampling. It used questionnaire about individual characteristics, food characteristics, and environmental characteristics, while data of frequency fast food consumption from FFQ. Result showed that 51,4% of respondents consumed fast food often. Furthermore, there is a difference proportion in the influence of friends (p = 0.001) in determining the frequency of fast food consumption. Students with strong friend influences are 3.6 times more likely to eat fast food more often compared to poor friend influences. ABSTRAKKonsumsi fast food yang berlebihan dapat meningkatkan kejadian obesitas dan masalah kesehatan lainnya pada remaja. Mengonsumsi fast food lebih dari dua kali per minggu dapat meningkatkan BMI z-score secara signifikan, dibandingkan dengan yang mengonsumsi fast food seminggu sekali atau tidak mengonsumsi fast food sama sekali. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui hubungan faktor pengaruh teman dengan frekuensi konsumsi fast food modern pada mahasiswa Universitas XYZ di Kota Depok. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah kuantitatif dengan desain studi cross-sectional yang dilakukan kepada 148 mahasiswa Universitas XYZ yang dipilih dengan systematic random sampling. Data karakteristik diperoleh dari kuesioner, sedangkan data frekuensi konsumsi fast food diperoleh dari FFQ. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan sebanyak 51,4% responden mengonsumsi fast food dengan frekuensi sering. Terdapat perbedaan proporsi pada pengaruh teman (p=0,001) dalam menentukan frekuensi konsumsi fast food. Mahasiswa dengan pengaruh teman yang kuat berpeluang 3,6 kali lebih sering mengonsumsi fast food dibandingkan mahasiswa dengan pengaruh teman lemah.

Stakeholder perceptions of strategies to reduce fast food consumption in Cambodian adults

Background: Fast food consumption is one of the major contributing factors effecting overweightness and obesity, leading to many non-communicable diseases. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine strategies for reducing the fast-food consumption of Cambodian adults. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted among adults in Phnom Penh city, Cambodia, in 2018. 10 stakeholders were included from different institutions in Cambodia, mostly health institutions. The tools used in this study were a multidisciplinary meeting with stakeholders and the completion of observation forms. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, data were collected, and a thematic analysis was used. Results: Stakeholders’ viewpoints followed three identifiable themes with regard to approaches to reduce fast-food consumption among Cambodian adults. These comprised: (1) health education and health promotion (focusing on educational institutions), (2) reducing the availability and marketing impact of fast-food, and (3) implementing government policy. Conclusions: Knowing the important contributors to reduce the consumption of the fast food among Cambodia adults was the first priorities for all policy makers and other stakeholders to take action. This study provided essential findings for improving the decision-making abilities of those preparing strategy and policy for reducing fast-food consumption.

Eating Out: Fast Food Consumption and its Impact on Health of Young Generation of Karachi

This paper has measured the impacts of fast food on the health of the young generation. In today’s age where both the genders are working as bread earners of the family, people prefer fast foods because of the convenience factor and eating fast food is affecting and influencing the health of the young generation. The core population, who consume fast food the most frequently is teenage youth. The study is based on value expectancy theory and attempts to develop and test a theory-based questionnaire that identifies factor relating to fast food consumption and impact on health. In this qualitative study, data is collected by interviews with seven persons. The predetermine open-ended questions had been made to investigate the thoughts of respondents and indicate the key meanings that each participant had described his or her experiences. After conducting interviews from participants then identified relevant themes and are further discussed in the results. All findings are supported by the literature review that is related to this study. Moreover, the qualitative study ends with some recommendations to the young generation.

Factors Influencing the Consumption of Fast Food among Young Adults

Background: The habit of consuming the fast- foods and packed foods are increased among the people in developing countries. Besides, several studies showed that the fast- food eating brings higher risks for developing the physiological imbalances such as obesity, over – weight even in younger generation. The fast foods ensure for important features such as easy availability, tastes good, convenient, and has friendly- packing than the traditional food items. Due to such kind of life style modifications, the ratio of fast – food habitats in younger and adolescents are highly increasing in compare to the older and middle aged people. The increase is inevitable in different age groups in recent years. These food habit modifications make a turn in traditional systems and attract the great attention against the public health concern. Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the factors that influence the fast-food consumption in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out to examine the preference, prevalence and pattern of fast food consumption among the young adults. Results and Discussion: The study showed that many of the students unavoidably skipping the morning foods due to study pressure, morning – hurry and they had them at late- morning hours from the fast- foods outlets such as canteens or other hotels. Though, 90.7% of the students know the importance and negative consequences of break- fast skipping that are related to consumption of excessive fast- food habits, they have been severely addicted with the fast- foods. Conclusion: As a conclusion, the present study showed the importance of initiating the specific health programs, dietary guidelines and effective awareness for addressing the unhealthy issues related with the fast- food consumption among the student community.

1500Determinants of dietary behaviour and physical activity in Australian adolescents

Background The increased prevalence of obesity, unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyles among Australian adolescents has become a public health concern. This study investigated the associations between socio-economic status, screen-time, social networks, sleep, and wellbeing and subsequent health behaviours. Methods A cohort of 582 adolescents aged 13-19 years from Sydney were prospectively followed for 22-weeks (8 November 2019 – 19 April 2020). Study factors were collected via mobile phone app using weekly ecological momentary assessments (EMAs). Multi-level mixed effects logistic regression model assessed associations between baseline characteristics of participants, socio-economic status, screen-time, sleep, and wellbeing and subsequent dietary behaviour and physical activity. Results TV watching (odds ratio [OR]=1.22, 95% CI: 0.98-1.5), social media and internet use (OR = 1.22, 95% CI: 0.97-1.53) were associated with fast food consumption. Participants who spent more than four hours a day on social media were also less likely to be physically active for ³60 minutes (OR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.6-0.94). Fast food consumption was associated with lower vegetable (OR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.43-0.85) and fruit intake (OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.61-1.01), and was also more prevalent in participants with a job (OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.09-1.86). There was no substantial effect of psychological distress, positive emotions, social relationships and sleep on any health behaviour. Conclusions The present study has shown that lifestyle behaviours had a stronger effect on dietary behaviour and physical activity than some of the socio-demographic factors. Key messages Future studies with a balanced sample in terms of sex, age and cultural background are needed.

Internal Influences on Consumer Behavior of Burgarooh Restaurant: A Case in the Fast Food Industry of Oman

Internal Influences on Consumer Behavior of Burgarooh Restaurant: A Case in the Fast Food Industry of Oman Nasser Juma Al Harthi MBA, Middle East College Email: [email protected] Dr. Maria Teresa Matriano Assistant Professor, Department of Post-Graduate Studies, Middle East College, Oman Email: [email protected] Abstract Purpose:- The Sultanate of Oman is one of the countries where the restaurant and fast food sectors are active. The study aims to analyze the factors affecting customers' choice of fast food. This research measures both personal and psychological elements on buying fast food in the Sultanate of Oman. This project is concerned with the internal influences of personal factors and factors that interact with the individual consumer. Design / methodology / approach:- The research has attempted to sample 486 customers of the restaurant from its various branches and used survey questionnaire and online interviews for data collection. Interviews were facilitated with group of customers in the restaurant branches in the Governorate of Muscat. Findings:- The study concluded that the most critical factor in choosing a burger for the consumer is that it is a means for family and friends' participation by 44%. In comparison, 43% of the participants considered that the preparation speed is one of the main factors in choosing burger meals. The study also indicated that the product's price is one of the least influencing factors for selecting the product. Moreover, the study has also concluded that fast food consumption is based on community participation and accessibility rather than direct personal choices. Research limitation / Implications:- The study indicated that product's price is the least influencing factors for selecting the product and concluded that fast food consumption is based on community participation and accessibility rather than direct personal choices. Originality / value:- There are no previous studies conducted on internal influences on consumer behavior. The study places psychological factors, which represent convictions and beliefs, at the forefront of the factors affecting the consumer's buying decision.