Quality aspects of fast foods and their consumption pattern among teenagers of rural-urban region of Sabour block in Bhagalpur district of India

Abstract

A comparative study of Indian Fast Food (IFF) and Western Fast Food (WFF) consumption among teenagers (girls and boys) was formulated to understand the quality aspects and trends of consumption of fast food among teenagers. For this 250 boys and 250 girls (12-18 years) were randomly selected and interviewed. It was found that girls (87.6%) and boys (86.8%) liked fast foods nearly equally i.e. and largely consumed both IFF and WFF (girls, 62.4% and boys, 60.4%). Among the IFF, girls (45.2%) and boys (54.4%) liked chat, pokora, samosa, patties, panipuri and while out of WFF, pizza was liked mostly (girls, 30% and boys, 45.2%). IFF was consumed for its taste (girls, 27.6% and boys, 53.6%) while WFF, it was largely as alternative food for girls (31.6%) and taste for boys (43.2%). IFF was taken occasionally by girls and boys, 29.6% and 33.2%, respectively, while WFF was taken occasionally, girls, 24.8% and boys, 52%. The satisfaction with IFF among girls and boys was 50.8% and 60%, respectively, and WFF (girls, 9.2% and boys, 5.2%). Reason for satisfaction with IFF was its deliciousness (girls, 64.4% and boys, 59.6%) followed by taste of food is indianized (girls, 20.4% and boys, 22%) in case of WFF, it was deliciousness (girls, 54% and boys, 59.6%), comparatively cheaper (girls, 7.6%; boys, 10.8%), and as a status symbol (girls, 2.4%; boys, 3.6%). This study would be helpful in formulating the strategies related to fast food consumption by teenagers.