Habits and Level of Awareness On Fast Food Consumption As A Contributory Factor To Obesity Among Paulinian Students From The College Level
Habits and Level of Awareness On Fast Food Consumption As A Contributory Factor To Obesity Among Paulinian Students From The College Level
Habits and Level of Awareness On Fast Food Consumption As A Contributory Factor To Obesity Among Paulinian Students From The College Level
A Thesis presented to
St. Paul University Iloilo
College of Hotel, Restaurant and Management, Tourism
and Nutrition and Dietetics
Chapter 1
THE PROBLEM
Introduction
Obese and overweight people dramatically increased over the past three
index (BMI), which is calculated as weight (kg) divided by height 2 (m). Obesity is
a condition where a person has accumulated so much body fat that it might have
higher than it should be, he or she is considered obese. If the Body Mass Index
over, he/she is considered obese. Both can result in a wide range of serious health
employment, education, health care and etc. especially among Tourism students
Among the Asean countries studied in the report, the Philippines has the
second lowest obesity and overweight prevalence at 5.1 percent and 23.6 percent
but despite low prevalence rates, obesity has a strong impact in the Philippines
due to the large number of obese persons in the country—18-million Filipinos are
Obesity in childhood can add up to health problems, often for life. In adults,
overweight and obesity are linked to increased risk of heart disease, type 2
diabetes (high blood sugar), high blood pressure, certain cancers, and other
chronic conditions (Akil, 2011). Fast food can be a contributory factor to these
many people because it is more flavorful and satisfying (Fast Food Facts, 2017).
factors that contribute to the rise in obesity rates over time, weight gain rises from
expends.
fast food chains on weight status of Filipino college students. However, in this
The main problem of this study is: “What are the habits and level of
a. Sex
b. Age
c. Department
2. What are the college Paulinian students’ fast food consumption habits?
1.To determine the habits and level of awareness on fast food consumption as
a contributory factor to obesity among Paulinian students from the college level.
Parents. This study could make the students’ parents be aware of what
their children are eating in school. This will help parents to encourage their children
to eat better food choices and also to provide them with food that are more
nutritious.
students so they may relate well with them. It is known that poor eating habits could
lead to psychological and emotional being of an individual, this is why this study is
important for them to be able to guide their students to the right direction.
The study focuses only among Paulinian students of St. Paul University
Iloilo specifically only from the college level, from first year to fourth year in terms
factor to obesity. The college level includes different departments, namely; College
of HRM, Tourism and Nutrition (CHTN), College of Arts, Sciences and Education
The total population of Paulinian students from the college level is 702
students and the researcher will obtain a sample size from the total population with
This study is only limited to Paulinian students from the college level, from
first year to fourth year and the researcher will make sure that the respondents will
Definition of Terms
The following are defined conceptually and operationally for greater clarity
served quickly. It can come from many places: sit-down restaurants, take-out,
dense food with high sugar, fat, salt content and low nutrient value in terms of
In this study, it refers to high calorie dense food that are served readily for
consumption.
WHO, 2016).
In this study, it refers to being free of disease or disorder but also some
is considered normal or healthy for a certain height. (Facts for Adult Overweight &
Obesity, 2018) An adult who has a BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered
Chapter 2
THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
Nutritional Awareness
which may have an effect on a person's life. It also involves being aware of the
kind of foods an individual eats and the reasons for eating such foods. It is possible
informed food choices and decisions conducive to their health despite their
occupation.
Fast Food
convenient, and tastes good. However, fast food is made with cheaper ingredients
such as high fat meat, refined grains, and added sugar and fats, instead of
nutritious ingredients such as lean meats, whole grains, fresh fruits, and
vegetables. Fast food is also high in salt which is used as a preservative and
makes food more flavorful and satisfying (Fast Food Facts, 2017).
10
In 2016, chicken prices were significantly lower than beef prices, giving
equalized, the success of new chicken items proved to chains that there is a
The most common vegetable served at fast food places is the potato in the
form of French fries. There is no problem with eating fast food occasionally, but if
you are eating it more than once a week, consider ordering some healthier options
of fast food chains have on obesity, there is a significant correlation. They found
that weight gain is more prevalent when the surrounding areas are dense with fast
consumption of green, leafy, and yellow vegetables and vitamin C-rich fruits is low
in the Filipino diet. Although fruits are plentiful in the Philippines, it was shown that
fruits are not a significant part of the daily diet of Filipinos. Fruits are often eaten
It has been found that the landscape of Filipinos’ diet and culture has
transformed over time. Buying of fast food has now become an everyday routine
for most people, especially for middle class earners engaged in productive
activities. However, there has been a lack of strong evidence on the contribution
of fast food chains on weight status of Filipinos. Most fast food establishments are
located in Metro Manila and in several major cities in Central Luzon and Southern
Tagalog. In 2009, there are around thirty-two thousand fast food outlets in Metro
food chains and restaurants are rapidly increasing. It was found that out of 10 fast-
food eaters with ages 20 and above, three are most likely overweight or obese.
They make up roughly 31.1 percent of respondents having a BMI greater than or
equal to 25. The study showed that there are more obese females with a
percentage of 34.4 percent in the adult age range and 27.6 percent obese or
2000). College life creates a new environment for meal preparation, planning, and
quantity option for the lowest cost, but neglect to recognize how much fat and
calories are actually being consumed (Irimia et al., 2016). College students must
develop coping mechanisms to deal with the stress of independence as they are
no longer dependent upon parents or guardians for home-cooked meals, and often
these mechanisms include putting aside health and eating whatever is quickest,
requirements of nutrients attained in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. The 1995
National College Health Risk Behavior Survey found that only 26% of students had
eaten five or more servings of fruits and vegetables, leaving the majority of
There are many factors that contribute to the college-aged group consuming
more fast food meals. It is observed that fast- food restaurants are accessible to
college students who have limited time and those with busy schedule will most
likely visit these restaurants. Also, college students will benefit with the social
aspect of eating fast food with friends. There was sufficient evidence that shows
increasing the energy dense food in a diet with behavior characteristic of college
students, such as eating out and snacking, promote weight gain (Dingman, et al.,
2014).
13
nutrition information and select smaller portion sizes. This may be because women
have been reported as more likely to be trying to lose weight than men, especially
bodily health. This concept is reflected in a study that attests to the difficulties of
convincing men to adopt healthier diets. In their study, it was demonstrated that
males are considered relatively stronger than females, which is reflected in both
According to Levi et al. (2006), they conclude that food decisions are often
male and female perceptions of ideal physique are inverse. For women, a smaller
or slimmer figure is desirable, while the opposite holds true for men (Harring et al.,
2010).
14
Obesity
alive, grow, keep warm and move around provided by the food that we eat and
beverages that we drink. It comes from the fat, carbohydrate, protein and alcohol
the diet contains. Energy requirements may differ from one person to another. It
depends on factors such as age, sex, body composition and physical activity level.
It is the sum of the basal metabolic rate (the amount of energy expended while at
complete rest), the thermic effect of food (TEF, the energy required to digest and
absorb food) and the energy expended in physical activity. In order to maintain
one’s body weight, it is necessary to balance the energy derived from food with
that energy expended in physical activity. To lose weight, energy expenditure must
exceed intake, and to gain weight, energy intake must exceed expenditure (Home,
2011).
According to Sampey et al. (2011), high fat diets are usually tested in
several animal models. They used rodent models and fed them a diet consisting
15
energy dense foods such as cookies, chips, and processed meats. They found
significant differences between male Wistar rats fed with cafeteria diet and rats fed
with traditional lard-based high-fat diet. The rats that were fed with lard-based diet
displayed inflammation in white fat, brown fat, and liver, along with exaggerated
to fibrosis and cirrhosis, are both present within the diagnosis of Nonalcoholic fatty
food meals has a direct impact on health. In a study, it was found that majority of
students who engaged in only low levels of activity were either overweight or obese
over the past three decades. The increased calorie intake is a leading cause of
obesity worldwide. If caloric intake is not controlled, health issues are going to rise
in the coming years as more people will become obese eating unhealthy fast food
(Darcey, 2017).
big part of the obesity problem. It has been shown that the frequent visits of
a 15-year study of 3,000 adults, people who visited fast food restaurants more than
twice per week gained roughly 9 to 11 pounds more than people who visited them
16
less than once per week. The reason behind the weight gain is that fast food is
less healthy than other food, but this assumption is only partially correct.
Consuming mainly refined grains may increase your visceral adipose tissue
(VAT), a type of fat found around your organs that may eventually lead to diabetes
and heart disease. Participants who consumed at least three servings of whole
grains per day had approximately 10 percent less VAT than people who consumed
insulin resistance, and Type-2 diabetes become more clearly defined, medical
According to Kruger et al. (2008), based on the 2004 Styles survey, the
reducing consumption of fast food can help people to maintain lower weights.
Mozaffarian et al. (2011) found that consumption of French fries and soft drinks is
According to Shanik et al. (2008), most fast food contains a large amount
of sugar, fats and carbohydrates and less minerals and vitamins. This means that
you are taking in large amount of unhealthy calories in the shape of fast food which
leads to weight gain and ultimately obesity. Fast foods have exceeding levels of
sugar and fats which are directly associated with increasing weight.
17
Studies have shown that in poorer areas and those areas with greater
does not differ between male and female and the rate of going to fast-food
restaurants is high for both genders. It was found that 25.8 percent of the
participants eat at fast food restaurants a couple of times a week, 44.3 percent
participants visit fast food restaurants only a few times in a month. It was also
consumed fast food for 4 days a week and more than one-fifth of the study eat fast
food every day. Fifty four percent of the respondents skipped their breakfast due
to a variety of reasons including class pressure and had fast food after finishing
their classes, either from varsity canteens or other fast-food outlets. Though 98
percent of the students were well informed about the negative effects associated
with excessive fast food consumption, they were still profoundly addicted to it.
Studies have also shown that hamburgers is the first in fast food products
to come to mind. 97.47 percent of the students continued to consume fast food
although they know the harmful effects of it. It was shown that male students prefer
fast food restaurants more than female students do. They have found that 11
18
percent of the students eat several times a year at fast food restaurants, 35 percent
once or twice a month, 38 percent several times a week and 7 percent several
Lifestyle
A sedentary lifestyle and poor nutrition contribute to obesity, a risk factor for
diabetes, stroke, and some cancers. Sedentary behaviours are those that involve
games, and driving/riding in cars are some of the largest contributors (Must et al.,
1999).
2009).
In the literature, the food environment has been generally defined to mean
(Lake et al., 2006), or any opportunity to obtain food that includes physical, socio-
19
cultural, economic and policy influences at both micro and macro levels (Spilkova,
2016). This has also been referred to as the ‘foodscape’ (Dolphijn, 2004) and it
weight status. Some researchers argue that “food deserts”, areas with little or no
provision of fresh and healthy food, may contribute to disparities in obesity and
One of the goals of their research has been to shape effective strategies to improve
access to healthy foods or decrease access to unhealthy foods to help tackle the
countries, and on the rise in poorer countries as well (Bader et al., 2010).
popularity of fast food is the taste of menu items. Fast food cuisine is often
enhanced with copious amounts of fats and sugars. In Western societies, taste
mechanized food production system enabling excess calories (Rimer et al., 2008).
economic characteristics. Overall, it is thought that poor people are more affected
mobility, which can have implications for their ability to make healthful food
foods. In a comparison of energy density of food to the energy cost of food, it has
been shown that energy-dense diets is lower in cost than nutrient-dense diets. This
study revealed a lower daily diet cost with higher levels of fats and sweets and an
increase in daily diet cost with higher intakes of fruits and vegetables (Drewnowski
et al., 2004).
groups purchase fewer amounts of fruits, vegetables, and milk products than
extinguish hunger with palatable foods while conserving monetary resources, thus
purchasing foods such as inexpensive sources of fats and sweets which are often
Some studies show that availability influences food choice. One Canadian
produce items and fewer healthy foods in general (Latham et al., 2007).
establishments and obesity among 1295 adults living in the southern region of the
United States. The prevalence of obesity was lower in areas that had supermarkets
and higher in area with small grocery stores or fast food restaurants. Its findings
are consistent with other studies showing that types of food stores and restaurants
21
et al., 2009).
actions. It involves being aware of the kind of foods an individual eats and the
Fast food is made with cheaper ingredients such as high fat meat, refined
grains, and added sugar and fats, instead of nutritious ingredients such as lean
meats, whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables and is very high in sodium. Fast
food restaurants are a big part of the obesity problem. It has been shown that the
weight.
option for the lowest cost, but neglect to recognize how much fat and calories are
actually being consumed. They develop coping mechanisms to deal with the stress
home-cooked meals, and often these mechanisms include putting aside health and
females, which is reflected in both food choice and portion size. Food decisions
22
are often of greater importance to women, while men remain ignorant or uncaring
increased rapidly over the past three decades. The increased calorie intake is a
leading cause of obesity worldwide. If caloric intake is not controlled, health issues
are going to rise in the coming years as more people will become obese eating
A sedentary lifestyle and poor nutrition contribute to obesity, a risk factor for
Food
CHTN students
Consumption
CBIT students Habits
Level of
CASE students
Awareness on
CPT students fast food
consumption as
CON students a contributory
factor to obesity
Statement of Hypothesis
Chapter 3
METHODOLOGY
Research Design
The setting will be inside St. Paul University Iloilo, General Luna Street,
Iloilo City. Survey forms will be distributed in the hallway outside the cafeteria area.
Cafeteria tables will be available for the students to write on and pens will be
The sampling method that will be used for this study is the stratified random
sampling method. Stratified random sampling will be applied in taking the number
of respondents per department. The total population of Paulinian students from the
college level, from first year to fourth year is 702 students. To determine the size
of the study population, the researcher will use the Slovin’s formula (n= N/ [1+Ne2]),
where n is the size of the sample, N is the size of the population, e is the margin
25
of error. The margin of error will be 5%. The sample size is 255 students, hence,
Research Instrumentation
A 5-point Likert-type scale will be used to develop the survey. The scale
options will be (1) Not At All Aware, (2) Slightly Aware, (3) Moderately Aware, (4)
Very Aware, and (5) Extremely Aware. The researcher will provide a researcher-
Scale Description
4.1-5.0 Extremely Aware
3.1-4.0 Very Aware
2.1-3.0 Moderately Aware
1.1-2.0 Slightly Aware
0-1.0 Not At All Aware
The Paulinian students from the college level will be the respondents for
this study. The Paulinian students are subdivided according to their department.
The researcher will then use the Slovin’s Formula to determine the population size
provided by the researcher. The survey form will determine the habits and level of
Paulinian students from the college level. The researcher will use a 5-point likert
scale for the respondents to answer according to their level of awareness and fast
26
food habits. The data that will be gathered will then be subjected to descriptive
data analysis. The descriptive analysis includes the frequency and percentage
distribution.
Statistical Tools
The data that will be gathered will be subjected to descriptive data analysis.
The descriptive analysis includes the frequency distribution and percentage. The
descriptive analysis will be used to determine the habits and level of awareness
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