Abstract
The purpose of this research was to assess money spent and calories consumed by college students from fast food restaurants located on and around a southern college campus. A convenience sample (n = 152) of undergraduate college students (aged 18 - 24) at a southern university participated in a survey that measured dietary intake from seven local fast food chains using a researcher developed food frequency questionnaire and a lifestyle behavior survey that collected data on health practices. A strong positive correlation was found between total monthly fast food expense and total monthly fast food caloric consumption (r(150) = 0.94, p t test comparing the mean monthly fast food restaurant expense males to females found a significant difference between the two groups (t(150) = 4.19, p < 0.05).The more money spent by college students contributed to a higher amount of calories consumed from fast food in a typical month. Future research needs to determine if college students are contributing to the high obesity rate and if limiting fast food restaurants on and around college campuses would help decrease fast food consumption in college students.
Highlights
Consumption of fast food, prevalence of obesity, and related health problems have risen greatly over the past several decades [1]
The more money spent by college students contributed to a higher amount of calories consumed from fast food in a typical month
Most fast food restaurants offer some healthier options, this may not have an effect on food selection and the healthier choices provided by fast food restaurants remain higher in sodium, calories, and saturated fat than what is recommended for a 2000 calorie based diet [7]
Summary
Consumption of fast food, prevalence of obesity, and related health problems have risen greatly over the past several decades [1]. Over a 15 year period, individuals that consumed fast food more than twice a week gained approximately 10 pounds and had twice the increase of insulin resistance, which has been linked to type 2 diabetes, than individuals that consumed fast food less than twice a week [3]. Americans who consumed three to six meals per week from fast food had a significantly higher body mass index (BMI) than those who consumed none or one to two meals per week from fast food [4]. Adults who reported any fast food consumption were significantly more likely to be overweight [5]
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