Nutrition among Adolescent Spaniards: Healthy and Non-healthy Motives of Food Choice

Abstract

Health is one of the issues which most concern both the general public and institutions. Correct nutrition is a fundamental variable due to its medium and long term effects. The present work focuses on examining the nutrition among adolescent Spaniards, especially the healthy and non-healthy motives of food choice, as well as the effect of this choice on future health problems. In order to confirm the Food Choice Questionnaire's (FCQ) applicability to the sample of young people polled, and examine the possible differences related to the socio-demographic and anthropometric variables (weight and height (BMI)), a two phase methodology was used (Principal Component Factor Analysis (PCFA); ANOVA, t-test, Pearson Chi-Square). Selection of the respondents has been carried out with multistage random sampling in two stages, stratified and cluster, taking into account the type of high school (public or private). The sample was composed of 590 pupils from different high schools in the city of Valencia (Spain), aged between 13 to 18 years old. Our findings show that Spaniards young people choose their food in terms of the sensory aspects and price, without concerning themselves with the effects that their eating habits may have on their weight. Moreover, the findings showed significant differences taking into account gender of the participants and the type of high school they attend. In all the socio-demographic groups studied, the aspects related to the senses are the most important factor in the food choice. The least important factor is related to ethical characteristics of the food producers.