Fast Food and Nutrition Controversies

This assignment explores the topic of fast food and its nutritional implications. It provides a comprehensive reference guide to various studies, articles, and resources that discuss the impact of fast food consumption on human health, including addictive ingredients, calorie analysis, and health risk facts. The assignment also touches upon the perception of restaurant brands by college students and the relationship between neighborhood deprivation and exposure to fast food. Overall, this document aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the controversies surrounding fast food and its effects on nutrition.

CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
“Students might be tired and not feel like cooking and fast food makes it very accessible
for them, and if several students combine to order fast food together, it becomes an even cheaper
option.” (Cooper, 2010) Fast foods are foods that can be prepared and served quickly. These are
popular because they serve foods that taste good and don’t cost a lot of money. However, they
are not aware of the dangers of eating too much fast food and that these types of foods are often
made by cheaper ingredients which are not good for our health.
According to Joshi (2012), meals are eaten by teenagers like pizzas, hamburgers, noodles,
some of the western fast foods which have become popular in the metropolitan cities of the
country. He also noted that fast food can be considered to be nutritious food. However, it should
be continued here that fast food should be eaten only once in a while. He indicated many people
in the urban areas prefer fast food, since it is relatively low-cost food purchased act an outlet
which gives quick service and is convenient.
“When you combine burgers, fried foods, sodas and shakes with your normal diet, your
calorie and nutrient totals may exceed normal limits. Meals that have 1,000 calories or more can
easily make you gain weight, which increases your chances of developing clogged arteries, high-
blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and some forms of cancer. How much fast food is too much? The
U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that one or more fast-food meals per week are associated
with obesity, a significant overweight condition defined by a body mass index of 30 or above.”
(Clarke, 2013)
1

Given the scenario above, the researchers chose to know what factors affect the
dependence of college students in St. Paul University Quezon City to fast food.
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
This study aims to determine the level of dependence of college students of St. Paul
University Quezon City. Specifically, this study aims to answer the following questions:
1. What is the demographic profile of the respondents:
1.1. Age
1.2. Gender
1.3. Weekly Allowance
2. What are the factors that influence their preference on fast food?
2
 Level of
dependence on
fast foods of
college students in
SPUQC.
 Determining the
factors through
survey
questionnaires.
 Profile of the
respondents; age,
gender & weekly
allowance.
 Factors that affect
the dependence on
fast food.
 Health risks in
eating fast food.
 Willingness to
change their
eating habits.

2.1. Accessibility
2.2. Quality of food
2.3. Affordability
2.4. Service time
2.5. Ambiance
3. How often do the respondents consume fast foods?
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
Future researchers – this research will serve as their guide for their future study. It will
help them gather the latest information about their topic. It will benefit them because of the
availability of more sources for their future studies.
Fast food Operator – it will give them the idea to incorporate healthy menu options and
the health risks that may affect the consumers with their products.
Health conscious individuals – it will give them the knowledge to know about the food
they eat and the factors that affect them when they eat in fast foods.
SCOPE AND LIMITATION
The research focuses on the factors that may influence their preferences on fast foods of
college students in SPUQC such as accessibility, quality of food, affordability, service time and
ambiance. It will be conducted from November 2014 to October 2015. Our respondents will be
3

the selected college students of the CBT department of St. Paul University Quezon City. It will
be conducted using surveys and questionnaires.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
The following terms are defined operationally to better understand the study.
Accessibility – This refers to the distance of the restaurant around the school area.
Affordable food – This refers to the price range of the food that is within the student’s budget
and allowance.
Ambiance – This refers to the appearance of the food, lighting and all-over atmosphere of any
given restaurant.
Calories – It is the unit of measurement of the energy we get from food. It is high in
carbohydrates-rich foods like bread and in fast foods.
Convenience – This refers to fitting in well with the customer’s needs.
Dependence – This refers to the reliance on someone or something for support.
Fast food intake – This refers to the average intake of any fast food items a college student eats.
Health awareness – This refers to the ability to feel or to be conscious about what they eat.
Health conscious individuals – This refers to a group of people that are mindful of what they
are eating.
4

Nutritional value – This refers to what a food is made of and its' impact on the body.
Obesity – It is 20% above the normal weight.
Overweight – It is 10% above the normal weight.
Quality of food – It is the foods’ over-all taste, texture, and appeal to the customer.
Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) – These restaurants are known for fast and efficient foods at
affordable prices. Many consider the term “quick-serve” as synonymous with fast food.
Service time – This refers to time it takes to prepare and serve the food to the customers.
CHAPTER II
METHODOLOGY
This chapter presents the technique that will be used by the researchers to complete the
study. Parts of these techniques are the research design, the respondents, the research
instruments, the data gathering and data analysis that will be used in the study.
RESEARCH DESIGN
A descriptive research methodology will be used for this study. These are referred to as
correlational or observational studies. It is the most appropriate for the study since it tackles on
the factors that affect the dependence on fast foods of college students.
5

Descriptive research gathers quantifiable information that can be used for statistical
inference on your target audience through data analysis. Most often, organizations will use it as a
method to reveal and measure the strength of a target’s opinion, attitude, or behavior with
regards to a given subject. Another common use of descriptive research would be the surveying
of demographical traits in a certain group (age, income, marital status, gender, etc.).This
information could then be studied at face value, measuring trends over time, or for more
advanced data analysis like drawing correlations, segmentation, benchmarking and other
statistical techniques (Penwarden, 2014). The researchers used the descriptive research method
in describing, gathering, analyzing, and unfolding the facts involved in this study.
RESEARCH INSTRUMENT
The study will make use of survey questionnaire to assess the factors the influence the
dependence on fast food of college students in SPUQC. There are four (4) parts in the
questionnaire: Part I is the demographic profile of the respondents which includes age, gender,
and weekly allowance. For the factors that influence the dependence of fast food such as
accessibility, quality of food, affordability, service time, and ambiance, it on Part II. Part III, on
the other hand, talks about the health risks of eating too much fast food. And the last part is about
their willingness to change their eating habits as indicated on our survey questionnaire.
6

The survey questionnaire will be validated by three (3) faculties, for checking of content
and organization. Pilot testing will be done once the survey questionnaire is approved.
DATA GATHERING PROCEDURE
To be able to attain the goal or objective of the study that was based on the data that was
gathered, the researchers used the following procedures:
1. First and foremost the researchers were to conceive a solid research title which
was approved by our thesis adviser.
2. We gathered all the necessary related literature to support our topic.
3. After, the researchers then started formulating a suitable questionnaire for their
survey.
4. Once the questionnaire has been validated by three (3) faculties, the researchers
will start their survey around SPUQC.
5. Thereafter the researchers will analyze the data that has been gathered via the
survey
DATA ANALYSIS
The results of the survey will be encoded in descriptive and inferential statistics. The
descriptive statistics is the used of frequency and percentage.
Percentage is the proportion expressed in % this is to get the proportion of the whole.
Formula: Percentage (%) = f/N x 100
7

Where: f stands for the frequency of response
N – Number of participants
Weighted Mean refers to the set of data taken from the average of the population.
Formula: WM = TWF/N
Where: WM – weighted mean
TWF – Total weight frequency
N – Number of response
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
From gathered literature, the researchers obtained the following facts based on research
studies to fast food, health risks, and alternative ways to change eating lifestyle.
Fast Food
Fast food restaurants are known for serving food that is generally high in fat and calories,
and the portions tend to be large. In fact, a study published in 2007 in the Journal of the
American Dietetic Association seems to indicate that children who regularly eat in fast food
8

restaurants tend to prefer larger portions of French fries, meats, and potato chips and smaller
portions of vegetables. (Food and Nutrition Controversies Today, 2009)
According to Joshi (2009), meals are eaten by teenagers like pizzas, hamburgers, noodles,
some of the western fast foods which have become popular in the metropolitan cities of the
country. He also noted that fast food can be considered to be nutritious food. However, it should
be continued here that fast food should be eaten only once in a while. He indicated many people
in the urban areas prefer fast food, since it is relatively low-cost food purchased act an outlet
which gives quick service and is convenient. (Nutrition and Dietetics with Indian Case Studies |
Shubhangani A. Joshi, 2009)
According to Agregado and Castaneda (2002) adolescent’s needs vary from those of
other age groups. Their food habits or practices pre-determines the questions what, why, when,
and how a person will eat given preferred alternatives.
According to Marian Spears (1991) the most important aspects of satisfying clientele are
the aesthetic factors of taste and appearance of the menu items. Appealing menu can be prepared
by using a wide variety of food of different colors, tastes, and textures. This is not to imply a
menu should have an excessive number of entrees but rather a good selection. (Food Service
Organizations Managerial and Systems Approach, 1991)
Adolescents are the most frequent patrons to fast food restaurants. They are in a stage of
the life cycle in which psychological changes are taking place and social awareness is
9

developing. They have become more calorie conscious and have said to have been attracted to
catchy names and “combo” foods/meals.
Being frequent patrons adolescents are an essential component to the success of an
establishment and their needs must be taken into consideration to ensure the success of the fast
food chain. (Kotshevar, 1988)
“Students might be tired and not feel like cooking and fast food makes it very accessible
for them, and if several students combine to order fast food together, it becomes an even cheaper
option.” (Cooper, 2010) http://www.le.ac.uk/ebulletin-archive/ebulletin/news/press-releases/
2010-2019/2010/01/nparticle.2010-01-11.html
“Many studies show that the food environment landscape in socioeconomically and
geographically disadvantaged areas tends to have easier access, both in terms of proximity
(distance to the nearest location) and coverage (number of different locations within a specific
area) to fast-food restaurants and small food stores (e.g., convenience and corner stores) than to
supermarkets, which offer a selection of healthy foods at lower prices. However, restricting the
estimation of fast-food access to fast-food restaurants may underestimate potential spatial access
to fast-food entrées and side dishes. Notably, in examining the availability of healthier fast-food
options, Creel and colleagues (2008) appear to provide the only study that provides a complete
picture of the fast-food environment by examining multiple retail sources for fast-food items;
namely, traditional fast-food restaurants, convenience stores, and supermarkets/grocery stores.
They found that convenience stores and supermarkets/grocery stores provided more than double
the potential availability of fast foods in a large rural area than provided by traditional fast food
10

restaurants alone.” http://search.proquest.com/docview/902242462/884B31EBE5014342PQ/13?
accountid=33657
“Younger adults have a high consumption of fast food. Individuals aged 19 to 20 years
consumed fewer calories from home and more calories from fast foods as com- pared to
adolescents 12 to 18 years of age. Adults between 20 to 29 years of age had significantly greater
consumption of fast food, approximately four times greater, as compared to those aged 55 years
and older. College students aged 19 to 25 years have reported that the top reasons reported
for fast food consumption were convenience and cost (convenience being to top reason). A
similar study concluded that college students aged 19 to 24 years were consuming fast food for
convenience (which was in the top two reasons for consuming fast food) and males were likely
to choose fast food due to the cost. Males tend to consume more fast food items per week than
females.” http://search.proquest.com/docview/1034971788/10EE552EDF6646A1PQ/1?
accountid=33657
“College students like their fast food restaurants to be above all else clean, friendly, and
inexpensive-yet no chain is positioning itself to be the cleanest or friendliest. It is no secret that
college life and fast food go together. Fast food restaurants are often conveniently located on or
near campuses. They are found in student centers, food courts in student unions, and tucked into
other university buildings. When it comes to fast food, some researchers have found that the
attributes that matter most are: low price, speed of service, consistency, and convenient location.
For adults under age 25, price is the most important determinant for fast food choices.”
http://search.proquest.com/docview/209704834/884B31EBE5014342PQ/79?accountid=33657
11

“Fast food franchises dominate the food and beverage industry, and there are currently
thirty-two thousand fast food restaurants in Metro Manila. The most commonly used promotion
tools of these restaurants are window dressing, free delivery, and radio, TV, and flyer
advertisings. The success of Manila's fast food industry lies in its standard processes, limited
menus, and enhancement of values, speed, swift services, and distribution right. Fast food
industry has successfully changed most people's daily habits in many big cities.
Nevertheless, fast food franchises are reluctant to develop in suburban areas. Regarding this,
there is still plenty of room for fast food industry to expand in the Philippines.”
http://search.proquest.com/docview/867266202/7A38024847EF49E5PQ/32?accountid=33657
“Fast food items are cheap and mass produced, so they are pumped full of flavor
enhancers and colorings to make this cheap food appealing and edible to consumers. Below is a
brief guide to help you better understood what these addictive ingredients are and the effects they
have on your body. Many advocates for better health in America, and the world, believe that fast
food is addictive due to the immense amount of sugar, fat, and salt packed into each greasy
serving. Although standard in restaurant and home cooking, these ingredients often come highly
processed in fast food in the form of high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated and partially
hydrogenated oils. Both high fructose corn syrup and partially hydrogenated oils contribute to
weight gain and leads to increased bad cholesterol.” http://www.onegreenplanet.org/natural-
health/addictive-ingredients-in-fast-food-and-their-effect-on-your-body/
“Studies of food addiction have focused on highly palatable foods. While fast food falls
squarely into that category, it has several other attributes that may increase its salience. This
review examines whether the nutrients present in fast food, the characteristics of fast food
12

consumers or the presentation and packaging of fast food may encourage substance dependence,
as defined by the American Psychiatric Association.” http://www.researchgate.net/
publication/51722472_Is_fast_food_addictive
Health Risks
“Most people realize that stopping at the drive-thru for fast food isn’t the healthiest
choice. It’s no secret that fast food is typically high in fat, sodium and sugar, and low in fruits,
vegetables and fiber. But it’s convenient and often affordable. The downside, however, is more
than just an unbalanced meal. Especially with long-term consumption, fast food can negatively
affect you physically and emotionally.” http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/fast-food-affects-
negatively-1728.html
“When you combine burgers, fried foods, sodas and shakes with your normal diet, your
calorie and nutrient totals may exceed normal limits. Meals that have 1,000 calories or more can
easily make you gain weight, which increases your chances of developing clogged arteries, high-
blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and some forms of cancer. How much fast food is too much? The
U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that one or more fast-food meals per week are associated
with obesity, a significant overweight condition defined by a body mass index of 30 or above.”
(Clarke, 2013) http://www.livestrong.com/article/442066-diseases-caused-by-eating-too-much-
fast-food/
“There has been increase in the consumption of convenience-style foods. This change has
occurred concurrently with global ride in obesity rates which has led to some researchers
blaming the increased consumption of ‘big brand’ fast foods (such as McDonald’s) for
13

expanding waistlines. Nutritional profiling in the initial study showed that the energy provided in
a typical fast food meal seemed ‘appropriate’ in terms of a general daily intake but that increased
meal sizes, poor ordering decisions and choice of fast food restaurant could influence energy
balance and long-term health outcomes.” https://digital.library.adelaide.edu.au/
dspace/bitstream/2440/.../02whole.pdf
“Fast food is an affordable and convenient way to fill you up when on the run. Although
you shouldn't feel guilty for an occasional indulgence, regularly eating fast food can seriously
damage your health. Coupled with low nutritional value, the high fat, calorie and sodium content
of these foods can lead to a variety of health problems. With statistical associations to weight
gain, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular conditions and all-cause mortality, regularly eating fast
food can be a dangerous thing. A typical fast food meal is extremely high in fat and calories.
Weight gain occurs when you consume more calories than you burn in a day. In a 2004 study
published in "The Lancet," researchers found that eating more than twice per week at fast food
restaurants is linked to significantly more weight gain over time than occasional visits. Similarly,
researchers at the University of California, Berkeley in 2009 noted that living near a fast food
restaurant is linked to a 5.2 percent greater risk of obesity.” http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/
statistics-health-risks-eating-fast-food-3290.html
“Fast food is part of the American lifestyle. One in four adults reported eating fast food in
a study published in the April 2004 issue of the “Journal of the American College of Nutrition.”
But eating too much fast food can have health consequences. A number of studies have linked
fast food to health problems, including an increased risk of obesity, poor nutrition, diabetes, heart
disease and stroke. It’s wise to limit consumption of fast food to reduce the health risks. To
14

reduce fast food health risks, the American Heart Association recommends visiting the websites
of fast food chains to identify the healthiest choices and avoiding super-sizing your order, which
increases the amount of fat, sodium, sugar and calories you’ll consume. A grilled chicken
sandwich is a good choice – the American Heart Association says it will be leaner than the meat
used in most burgers. Skip deep-fried sides, such as fries, and order a small salad; drink water,
low-fat milk or diet soda instead of sweetened soft drinks. The Academy of Nutrition and
Dietetics noted in 2012 that fast food menus are becoming healthier and more varied, so choose
fast food carefully.” http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/fast-food-health-risk-6158.html
Alternative ways to change eating lifestyles
Many studies have reported that providing nutritional information has a positive
influence on the purchase of packaged or restaurant food items. For example, a study by Burton,
Creyer, Kees, and Huggins (2006) revealed that consumers were more likely to select healthier
items and their intention to buy food items containing high fat and calorie contents decreased
when they were provided with nutritional information. (Foodservice Business Research, 2013)
“Nutritional knowledge is defined as the personal level of knowledge about nutrition.
Several studies have examined the relationship between nutritional knowledge and food choice
behavior. The result of a study by Wardle, Parmenter, and Waller (2000) revealed that
respondents’ nutritional knowledge was significantly and positively related to healthy eating
behavior. In their study, participants with the highest level of nutritional knowledge were almost
25 times more likely to choose fruit, vegetables, or low-fat foods than people with lowest level of
nutritional knowledge. This study implies that nutritional knowledge is an important factor in
15

food decision-making, and that more knowledgeable consumers tend to be healthier eaters than
those with nutrition knowledge.
“Increased awareness of diet and health among Americans has an influence on
consumption patterns. In general, wellness-oriented individuals tend to pursue a healthy lifestyle
and tend to be concerned with their nutrition, physical fitness, stress, and environment (Kraft &
Goodell, 1993). As a related construct, health consciousness is defined as ‘ the degree to which
health concerns are integrated into a person’s daily activities, which is evaluated in terms of
personal health-management characteristics’ (Jayanti & Bums, 1998).” Nutrition and Diet
Therapy, 2009
“It is clear fast food corporations don’t care about anybody-not the workers, not the
animals, not the environment, and of course not people’s health. It’s all about making a profit.
We would like to tell people not to buy from these fast food giants, but we know that might not
always be possible. When there is no choice it is still possible to make a difference by making
sure to ask for a vegan option.” http://www.foodispower.org/fast-food/
“Everyone eats fast food even knowing that it is not healthy for them. Reasons are
because of speed, convenience and price. However, fast food has many hidden costs, including
the high price of bad health. Not to mention the fact that for such cheap food, you're actually
being overcharged by a big amount. So the real reason is not price, but convenience. You can get
much cheaper foods by cooking for yourself, but you are not always at home to do the cooking,
or you do not always feel like cooking.” http://www.bargainist.com/deals/2007/09/12-cheap-
alternatives-to-fast-food/
16

“Conceptual models of health behaviors post that behaviors are influenced by an
individual's ability to make healthy behavior choices, his/her motivation to do so and
environmental opportunities. Thus, where people have the same environmental opportunities,
individual differences in health behaviors remain due to variations in ability and motivation.
These factors can operate at multiple levels (e.g. individual, household, social) and many of these
have already been linked to healthier eating. Members of a household and other social
connections can positively influence the motivation to eat and provide healthy foods if they
directly encourage and model healthy eating, while having regular family meals has been shown
to facilitate healthier eating. Outside the home, other built environment factors such as the
presence of healthy food stores may discourage the purchasing of fast-food through the provision
of healthier alternatives, while perceptions of local food environments also play a role. What
remains largely unknown is to what extent such factors are important to a healthier diet in an
environment that is supportive of frequent fast-food consumption.” http://search.proquest.com/
docview/1448524518/B480C7275224460DPQ/1?accountid=33657
“When you’re hungry and on the run, fast food can really hit the spot. It’s cheap, tasty,
and, best of all, convenient. But it’s also loaded with calories, sodium, and fat—often enough in
one meal for an entire day. Fast food menus are tricky when you’re watching your weight or
your health. Finding a healthy, well-balanced meal in most fast food restaurants is a challenge.
But there are always healthier options hidden among the diet disasters. You just need to know
where to look and how to order.” http://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-eating/healthy-fast-
food.htm
17

REFERENCES:
BOOKS:
Corinne B. Cataldo, Linda K. DeBruyne, Eleanor N. Whitney (2009). Nutrition and Diet
Therapy Sixth Edition
(2013). Foodservice Business Research
Janet M. Colson (2012). Clashing Views in Food and Nutrition Second Edition
18

Kotshevar (1988). Quality Food Purchasing
Marian Spears (1991). Food Service Organizations Managerial and Systems Approach
Mark A. Goldstein M.D. (2009). Food and Nutrition Controversies Today: A Reference Guide
Shubhangani A. Joshi (2009). Nutrition and Dietetics with Indian Case Studies
ONLINE:
Anand, R. (2011). A study of determinants impacting consumers food choice with reference to
the fast food consumption in india.Society and Business Review, 6(2), 176-187.
doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/17465681111143993
Andrea K. Garber, Robert H. Lustig (2011). Is fast food addictive?
http://www.researchgate.net/publication/51722472_Is_fast_food_addictive
Chen, M., Chen, K., & Liu, C. (2010). Expansion trend of fast food franchises in metro
manila. Journal of Global Business Management, 6(1), 1-12. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/867266202?accountid=33657
Emily Cardiff (2013). Addictive Ingredients in Fast Food and their Effect on Your Body.
http://www.onegreenplanet.org/natural-health/addictive-ingredients-in-fast-food-and-their-
effect-on-your-body/
Heidal, K. B., Colby, S. E., Mirabella, G. T., Al-Numair, K., Bertrand, B., & Gross, K. H.
(2012). Cost and calorie analysis of fast food consumption in college students. Food and
Nutrition Sciences, 3(7), 942-946. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/1034971788?accountid=33657
19

Ivy Moris, How Fast Food Affects You Negatively. http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/fast-food-
affects-negatively-1728.html
Jan Sheehan. Fast Food Health Risk Facts. http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/fast-food-health-risk-
6158.html
Knutson, B. J. (2000). College students and fast food--how students perceive restaurant
brands. Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly, 41(3), 68-74. Retrieved
from http://search.proquest.com/docview/209704834?accountid=33657
Matthew Lee. Statistics of Health Risks from Eating Fast Food.
http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/statistics-health-risks-eating-fast-food-3290.html
Melinda Smith, M.A., Lawrence Robinson, and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D. (2014). Healthy fast food:
Tips for Making Healthier Fast Food Choices. http://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-
eating/healthy-fast-food.htm
Nancy Clarke (2013). Diseased Caused by Eating Too Much Fast Food.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/442066-diseases-caused-by-eating-too-much-fast-food/
Sharkey, J. R., Johnson, C. M., Dean, W. R., & Horel, S. A. (2011). Focusing on fast food
restaurants alone underestimates the relationship between neighborhood deprivation and
exposure to fast food in a large rural area. Nutrition Journal, 10, 10.
doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1475-2891-10-10
Thornton, L. E., Jeffery, R. W., & Crawford, D. A. (2013). Barriers to avoiding fast-food
consumption in an environment supportive of unhealthy eating. Public Health
Nutrition, 16(12), 2105-13. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1368980012005083
20

Unknown (2007). 12 Cheap Alternatives to Fat Food.
http://www.bargainist.com/deals/2007/09/12-cheap-alternatives-to-fast-food/
Unknown (2012). Fast Food. http://www.foodispower.org/fast-food/
21