Gender differences in fast food consumption and nutrition self‐assessment and beliefs of Midwestern college students

Abstract

The influence of gender on fast food consumption and nutrition self‐assessment and beliefs of a group of college students was investigated. Subjects included 101 men and 158 women, 19‐24 years of age, at a Midwestern university. The subjects completed a 12‐item written questionnaire. The predominant reasons given for eating at fast food restaurants were limited time, enjoy taste, eat with family/friends, and inexpensive and economical. Significantly higher (P<0.05) percentages of men than women reported eating at fast food restaurants because they thought these restaurants were inexpensive and economical. Most of the subjects reported eating at fast food restaurants 1‐3 times weekly. The frequency of eating at fast food restaurants was significantly different (P<0.01) for men than women as was the response distribution for considering the calorie content of items on a fast food menu when making their selections. A significantly higher (P<0.0001) percentage of women than men strongly agreed with the statement that the nutrition content of food is important to me. Several gender differences were observed in the fast food consumption and nutrition beliefs of these college students.