A critical review on fast-food consumption pattern among South Asian and Southeast Asian young adults

Fast food consumption trend has become very popular worldwide. Globalization has led to rapid rise in the number of fast-food outlets in Asian countries. The present study focuses on reviewing the consumption pattern of fast food among young adults of South Asian and Southeast Asian countries. Here a shift has been witnessed from consumption of traditional homemade food which included healthy nutritious locally available foods toward fast foods and processed foods. An extensive review of existing scientific studies in several South Asian and Southeast Asian countries was carried out to analyse fast food consumption patterns of young adults. Globalization, affluence, busy schedules, increase in number of working female population, mass media, increase in fast food production and delivery outlets are some of the main reasons contributing to increasing fast food consumption trends. Several western fast-food franchises are now well established in developing Asian countries. Dining out culture has increased in the Asian society and is socially acceptable. A rapid nutritional shift in Southeast Asia may be due to increase in food availability and food purchasing power. Consumption of fast-food items is associated with increasing obesity rates among young adults. Such trends are also associated with the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as indigestion, hypertension, asthma, and other several diseases among South Asian and Southeast Asian adults.

Comparison of dietary habits, perception and consumption frequency of fast foods between youths working part-time at fast food restaurants and other food-related services / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to compare dietary habits, perception, and consumption frequency of fast foods between part-time working youths at fast food restaurants and those at other food-related services. METHODS: The study subjects were part-time working youths in 13 fast food restaurants (n = 118) and in 25 other places including bakeries, cafes, convenience stores, and other restaurants (n = 115) in Cheongju. Demographic characteristics, dietary habits, perception regarding fast foods, and consumption frequencies of food groups and fast foods were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Female youths working at fast food restaurants had unhealthier dietary habits, such as meal skipping and night snacking compared to those working at other places. Consumption frequencies of fruits in males and beans/bean products in females working at fast food restaurants were significantly lower than those working at other places. Perception score on fast foods was significantly lower in males working at fast food restaurants than in males working at other places. However, the consumption frequencies of hamburgers, pizzas, and a total of six fast foods among both males and females working at fast food restaurants were significantly higher than those working at other places after adjusting for confounding variables including age, status, type of residence, allowance, alcohol, smoking, working hours, and hourly pay. CONCLUSION: Part-time working youths at fast food restaurants had worse dietary habits, such as meal skipping and night snacking, and consumed fast foods more frequently than those working at other places. Interventions for part-time working youths at fast food restaurants may be needed in order to reduce fast food consumption and increase the intake of fruits and vegetables.

Factors influencing fast food consumption behaviors of middle-school students in Seoul: an application of theory of planned behaviors

Fast food is popular among children and adolescents; however, its consumption has often been associated with negative impacts on nutrition and health. This study examined current fast food consumption status among middle school students and explored factors influencing fast food consumption by applying Theory of Planned Behavior. A total of 354 (52.5% boys) students were recruited from a middle school. The subjects completed a pre-tested questionnaire. The average monthly frequency of fast food consumption was 4.05 (4.25 for boys, 3.83 for girls). As expected, fast food consumption was considered to be a special event rather than part of an everyday diet, closely associated with meeting friends or celebrating, most likely with friends, special days. The Theory of Planned Behavior effectively explained fast food consumption behaviors with relatively high R2 around 0.6. Multiple regression analyses showed that fast food consumption behavior was significantly related to behavioral intention (b = 0.61, P < 0.001) and perceived behavioral control (b = 0.19, P < 0.001). Further analysis showed that behavioral intention was significantly related to subjective norm (b = 0.15, P < 0.01) and perceived behavioral control (b = 0.56, P < 0.001). Attitude toward fast food consumption was not significantly associated with behavioral intention. Therefore, effective nutrition education programs on fast food consumption should include components to change the subjective norms of fast food consumption, especially among peers, and perceived behavioral control. Further studies should examine effective ways of changing subjective norms and possible alternatives to fast food consumption for students to alter perceived behavioral control.

A Comparative Study on Fast Food Consumption Patterns Classified by Age in Busan / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study was carried out to investigate the fast food consumption patterns classified by age in Busan. The survey was conducted from October 15 to November 15, 2006 by questionnaires and data analyzed by SPSS program. The results are summarized as follows: Forty one point five percent of the elementary group, 40.5% of the high school group, 24.1% of the 30's, 35.0% of the 40's and 18.1% of the 50's took fast foods over once a week. Seventy two point five percent of the elementary group, 61.5% of the high school group, 16.8% of the 30's group, 10.0% of the 40's, and 14.6% of the 50's preferred fast foods. There was a significant difference in the basis for selecting menus among the groups. The most important basis for selecting menus was 'price' in the elementary group and the high school group, but was 'preference' in the adult groups. As their age increased, they spend more money for fast food. Forty six percent of the elementary group and 49.5% of the high school group, 32.1% of the 30's, 36.5% of the 40's, 34.7% of the 50's thought that fast food can substitute for a meal. The age affected significantly the substitutability for the meal of the fast food (p < 0.001). In the high school group, the ratio of skipping breakfast is higher than in the other age groups. Dietary attitude has direct effects on the preference of the fast foods. Nutrition knowledge, degree of unbalanced diet, and obesity rate have direct and indirect effects which were mediated by dietary attitude. Nutrition knowledge showed the greatest total causal effect in relation to the preference of the fast foods. Therefore, nutrition education for the subjects is needed to encourage them to choose more nutritious food and have healthier dietary pattern.

Nutrient Density of Fast-Food Consumed by the Middle School Students in Cheongju City / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study was to investigate fast-food consumption and it's nutrient density, and the correlation between subject's characteristics and consumption frequency of fast-foods among middle school students. The questionnaires were distributed to 150 male and 190 female students in Cheongju city. The data were analyzed using SAS and statistics used were percent of frequency, chi-test, t-test, and pearson's correlation coefficient. The main reasons for using fast-food restaurants were 'good taste' and 'convenience'. The major concerns when the subjects choose fast-foods were 'taste (65.9%), price (20.3%) and 'nutrition' (6.0%). The consumption pattern of fast-foods go as follows: twice a month (42.3%), once a week (31.5%), and less than once a week. The number of fast food items that the subjects ate for one meal was two (46.0%) or three (33.2%). The most frequently chosen combination of foods for number of two choices was beefburger and cola . The mean average energy intake from fast foods for one meal was 620.7 kcal for male, 504.5 kcal for female. The energy ratio of carbohydrate :protein :fat from fast foods was 49 :14 :43, which means fat intake is much higher than recommended level (20%). Fiber was appeared to be the lowest on the nutrient density which was 17.7% of the recommended level for Koreans, vitamin C was next (22.8% for male, 20.7% for female). In mineral, iron was the lowest (71.8% for male, 67.1% for female), and protein was over 100% for both males and females. Frequency of fast food intake was positively correlated with eating frequency of the salty, the sweets, ham, caffeine containing foods, instant noodles, and cookies. In conclusion, frequent consumption of fast foods can lead unbalanced nutrient intakes for middle school students, and those who consumed fast foods frequently showed undesirable food habits in their daily meal. Therefore, nutrition education for middle school students should be needed to encourage them to choose more nutritious food and have healthier dietary pattern.

Nutrient Density of Fast-Food Consumed by the Middle School Students in Cheongju City / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study was to investigate fast-food consumption and it's nutrient density, and the correlation between subject's characteristics and consumption frequency of fast-foods among middle school students. The questionnaires were distributed to 150 male and 190 female students in Cheongju city. The data were analyzed using SAS and statistics used were percent of frequency, chi-test, t-test, and pearson's correlation coefficient. The main reasons for using fast-food restaurants were 'good taste' and 'convenience'. The major concerns when the subjects choose fast-foods were 'taste (65.9%), price (20.3%) and 'nutrition' (6.0%). The consumption pattern of fast-foods go as follows: twice a month (42.3%), once a week (31.5%), and less than once a week. The number of fast food items that the subjects ate for one meal was two (46.0%) or three (33.2%). The most frequently chosen combination of foods for number of two choices was beefburger and cola . The mean average energy intake from fast foods for one meal was 620.7 kcal for male, 504.5 kcal for female. The energy ratio of carbohydrate :protein :fat from fast foods was 49 :14 :43, which means fat intake is much higher than recommended level (20%). Fiber was appeared to be the lowest on the nutrient density which was 17.7% of the recommended level for Koreans, vitamin C was next (22.8% for male, 20.7% for female). In mineral, iron was the lowest (71.8% for male, 67.1% for female), and protein was over 100% for both males and females. Frequency of fast food intake was positively correlated with eating frequency of the salty, the sweets, ham, caffeine containing foods, instant noodles, and cookies. In conclusion, frequent consumption of fast foods can lead unbalanced nutrient intakes for middle school students, and those who consumed fast foods frequently showed undesirable food habits in their daily meal. Therefore, nutrition education for middle school students should be needed to encourage them to choose more nutritious food and have healthier dietary pattern.