Street Food Consumption Research Articles

Hawker culture ethnocentrism: Building an integrative framework for consumer intention toward hawker centers

This study aimed to identify local diners' perceptions of Singaporean hawkers. It tested an integrated model incorporating place attachment, emotional solidarity, empowerment, and hawker culture ethnocentrism. Using a quantitative process, the dimensional structures of place attachment, emotional solidarity, and empowerment were ascertained. Four of six hypotheses incorporating structural relationships were supported. Interestingly, relationships between place attachment and emotional solidarity, between place attachment and empowerment, and between empowerment and hawker culture ethnocentrism were not signficant. Since this study applied concepts such as place attachment, emotional solidarity, empowerment, enthnocentrism to local street food consumption, this conceptual model is novel. The results of this study are expected to offer managerial implications to understand local patrons’ attitude and behavioral intentions toward hawker centers.

Characterization of lactic acid bacteria isolated from street pickles of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Traditionally fermented pickles are a popular street food in Bangladesh famous for their unique flavors and health benefits. Pickles are often prepared by fermentation using lactic acid bacteria (LAB) that can act as probiotics. The study was aimed to isolate and characterize lactic acid bacteria from pickle samples collected from streets of Dhaka city, as well as assess the microbial quality of pickles for food safety.A total of 30 pickle samples of different kinds were collected from streets of Dhaka city. Isolation and identification were conducted using conventional cultural and biochemical tests, followed by molecular confirmation of identity. Antibiotic susceptibility of isolates was investigated against 7 antibiotics of different groups. Antimicrobial activity of LAB isolates was analyzed by well-diffusion assay and phenotypic enterocin activity assay. Physiological characterizations of LAB were performed to determine their tolerance to temperature, salt, pH, bile, carbohydrate fermentation pattern, proteolytic activity and biofilm formation.Fifty isolates were obtained from pickle samples, of which 18% was identified as LAB, including Enterococcus faecalis (6) and Enterococcus faecium (3). The rest included S. aureus (18), E. coli (11), Klebsiella spp. (5), Salmonella (3), Shigella (3) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1). Antibiotic resistance pattern revealed higher occurrence of resistance against azithromycin among the non-LAB isolates, but none of the LAB isolates were found to resist any of the antibiotics used. Antimicrobial activity of LAB isolates was not observed against the foodborne isolates. All LAB isolates fermented a wide range of carbohydrates and showed adequate tolerance to salt, pH, temperature and bile. Out of 9 isolates, 5 displayed proteolytic activity, and 6 were found as strong biofilm producer.These results suggest that although the LAB isolates from street pickles collected from Dhaka does not have antimicrobial activities, they still have potential to be used as probiotics. It also shows high occurrence of antibiotic resistant foodborne pathogens in pickles, indicating that consumption of such street food can be serious health hazard.

Millennial Street Food Consumption: An Integrated Theory of Reasoned Action Approach

Street food vending is still prevalent in developing countries despite the enormous stride recorded in the areas of food processing. This study investigates the practicality of the extended theory of reasoned action for street-food patronage decisions. The framework is premised on six critical constructs- attitudes, subjective norm, past behaviour, Food safety concerns, patronage intention and actual patronage. Data were collected from 550 consumers in Gauteng to validate the integrated conceptual framework. Structural equation modelling (SEM) technique is used to analyse data relating to the hypothesised relationships in the model. The results indicated that subjective norms and food safety concerns positively and significantly influence patronage intention. Attitude towards street food and past behaviour negatively and insignificantly influenced patronage intention. Lastly, patronage intention had a positive and a significant influence on actual patronage. Drawing from the study’s findings, managerial implications are discussed, and limitations and future research directions are suggested. By and large, this study immensely contributes new knowledge to the existing body of consumer behaviour literature in Africa - a context that is often most neglected by some researchers in developing countries.

Street Food vending on Poverty and Unemployment in the Mahikeng Local Municipality, South Africa

The South African street food industry is essential in elevating the socioeconomic standing of sellers. However, most studies on street food vending focused on perception, safety, consumption, and handling of street food. Therefore, it is necessary to fill this gap. The study explores street food vending contribution on poverty and unemployment in the Mahikeng Local Municipality. The study's goal was accomplished by using a mixed research methodology. A sample size of 401 respondents were selected for the study and data was obtained using structured, semi-structured and unstructured questionnaires. The study found that street food vending creates jobs not only for the people involved in the trade, but also for people who would otherwise be unemployed, for example, those who are retrenched. In addition, street food distribution has become a cornerstone for vendors to generate income to supplement family income that improved the standard of living of the vendors. Additionally, some vendors were able to acquire assets such as livestock and landed property from the profit made from the business, contributing to reducing poverty incidence among traders in the area. The paper concludes that street food vending has contributed in creating jobs thus, reducing poverty incidence. However, the street food industry continues to confront obstacles such as lack of cash and credit and location-based business restrictions. Therefore, in order for SFV to be effective, steps must be taken to minimise the difficulties affecting the industry.

Role of dietary habits in menstrual disorders among adolescent girls in Navi Mumbai, Western Maharashtra

BACKGROUND: India is a developing country where malnutrition is the most common problems; we are dealing with emerging problems of consumption of convenience food and street food. These foods are easily available, awesome taste, have some packages and advertisements which attracts the new generations and skipping meals starts. Adolescent girls are getting the problems of overweight, underweight, thyroid disorders, anemia, and other hematological disorders. Ultimate aim of this research is to find out an association about between dietary habits and menstrual disorders in adolescent girls. METHODOLOGY: An observational study was carried out in adolescent girls of MGM School, Navi Mumbai, India, from October 2021 to December 2021, to find out the relation between dietary pattern verses menstrual disorders among adolescent girls. Numerical pain scale, modified women's health questionnaire, and daily diary were used to collect data from 100 adolescent girls. Nonprobability purposive sampling technique was used to select adolescent girls. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 24.0 software. RESULTS: The average age of menarche was 12.9 ± 2.7 years. The study showed that girls experienced moderate menstrual pain (54%), severe menstrual pain (21%), and premenstrual symptoms in 36% of adolescence girls. More than 42% of participants were eating street food and many of the girls had habits of skipping the meals in the afternoon. It was found that there was a significant association between dietary habits and menstrual problems (P ≤ 0.0001). The correlation coefficient between dietary habits and menstrual disorders was identified as r = 0.7 with P < 0.05. CONCLUSION: The menstrual disorders were arising problems among girls of schools of Navi Mumbai. Daily intake of appropriate amount of protein, CHO, fat, vitamins, and minerals can help reduce menstrual problems facing by adolescent girls.

Influence of Thai Street Food Quality, Price, and Involvement on Traveler Behavioral Intention: Exploring Cultural Difference (Eastern versus Western).

Gastronomy tourism has become a phenomenal trend of the global tourism industry in the 21st century. As the tourism industry and its related foodservice businesses flourish, street food has received increasing popularity with its combination of local delights and the cultural value of the destination. This study examined the psychology of street food consumption and assessed the effect of street food quality that is represented by the cultural experience, health and safety of the food, food sensory appeal, staff service, physical environment, the meal menus with perceived reasonable prices, involvement in Thai street food, and repurchase intention from an international tourist perspective. A survey method along with a quantitative structural analysis was used. The findings revealed that Thai street food quality positively and significantly predicted the international tourists' perceived reasonable prices, involvement, and repurchase decisions. Perceived reasonable prices and involvement were found to be important mediators between Thai street food quality and repurchase intentions. Moreover, this research identified the significant moderating role of Eastern and Western cultures.

Barriers to the implementation, uptake and scaling up of the healthy plate model among regular street food consumers: a qualitative inquiry in Dar-es-Salaam city, Tanzania

IntroductionThe healthy plate model is considered one of the practical approaches to reduce the average portion of staple food in main meals, consequently reducing the risks associated with diabetes and other Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs). Despite its potential benefits, studies on the implementation of the healthy plate model are limited in Africa. An inquiry explored barriers to implementation, uptake, and scaling up of the healthy plate model among street food vendors and consumers in three districts of Dar-es-Salaam city in Tanzania.MethodsA qualitative research design was adopted. Qualitative data collection techniques were employed including; Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with purposefully selected food and nutrition stakeholders at the National, Regional, District and Ward levels. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted with purposefully selected street food consumers and vendors. A total of (13) KIIs were conducted as well as (6) FGDs with street food vendors (2 FGDs) and consumers (4 FGDs). Interview data was managed using Nvivo 12 Software and analyzed thematically.ResultsThree key themes emerged from participants’ accounts: (i) strategic policy barriers, (ii) food production and preparation environment barriers (producers and vendors), and (iii) individual barriers (consumers and vendors). The strategic policy barriers included absence of guidelines and regulations that focus on NCDs linked to nutrition and lack of education guidance for vendors and consumers. The food production and preparation environment barriers included safety and risks concerns regarding the quality of water used for irrigation and washing fruits and vegetables and the areas where vegetables and fruits are grown and prepared. Individual barriers included low consumer income, knowledge on nutrition, unhealthy eating practices and; low vendors’ knowledge as well as low investment capital.ConclusionImplementation, uptake and scaling up of the healthy plate model for street food consumers in Dar es Salaam City continues to be constrained by barriers in policy, food production and preparation environment, and individual obstacles. Strengthening of food and nutrition policies, ensuring safety of the food production and preparation environment and, consumer and vendor awareness creation and income generation efforts, provide useful entry points for the successful scaling up of a healthy plate model. This could consequently contribute towards prevention of diet related NCDs, including diabetes.

Food safety knowledge, self-reported hygiene practices, and street food vendors’ perceptions of current hygiene facilities and services - An Ecuadorean case

Street food consumption is growing substantially, particularly in developing countries, but represents a public health risk when street food vendors do not meet the hygiene requirements. This study assessed street food vendors' knowledge about the requirements to produce safe food, their self-reported personal and food hygiene practices, and their perceptions of the currently provided hygiene facilities and services. A two-step study design was applied in Ambato, Ecuador. A validated semi-structured questionnaire was administered among 99 street food vendors at different local markets about their knowledge of hygiene requirements and how frequently they applied them. Face-to-face in-depth interviews with 25 other street food vendors assessed their perceptions of the current hygiene facilities and services at the local markets. Overall, more than two-thirds of the street food vendors were knowledgeable about most personal and food hygiene requirements and self-reported that they always applied these. The in-depth interviews indicated that the street food vendors perceived water supply conditions and sanitary facilities as supporting personal and food hygiene practices. However, they mentioned inadequacies in services such as garbage removal and pest control, which may compromise the safety of street food. Our findings can support decision-making by the local government regarding the allocation of resources for improving services and facilities and tailored training activities to further increase street food safety knowledge and practices.

Knowledge and attitudes towards type 2 diabetes and prevention strategies among regular street food consumers: A cross sectional study in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

ABSTRACT This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude of Regular Street Food Consumers (RSFCs) towards type 2 diabetes prevention strategies and the influence of knowledge and attitude on metabolic risk factors. We conducted a cross-sectional study among 560 RSFCs in Dar-es-Salaam. Data on demographic characteristics, behavioural risks for type 2 diabetes, anthropometric and biochemical measurements, knowledge and attitude data were collected. Using linear regression, we assessed the factors associated with the outcomes of interest. Significant factors associated with increased knowledge scores were being between 41 and 64 years old, having secondary/college education and high income. Positive attitude scores were associated with being female, having secondary/college education and being married/cohabiting. Combined scores were a blend of the separate scores related to knowledge and attitude; age, sex, education, income and marital status were significantly associated with this parameter. The prevalence rates of low knowledge, negative attitude and low combined low knowledge and negative attitude were 78.3%, 32.0% and 68.8%, respectively. Those found with combined good knowledge and negative attitude were significantly more likely to have increased: fasting blood glucose levels, body mass index and waist circumference. Among the study participants, knowledge was low, and attitudes was negative towards preventative measures for type 2 diabetes among RSFCs. Furthermore, having adequate knowledge and positive attitude towards non-communicable diseases including type 2 diabetes did not influence risk factors for type 2 diabetes. We recommend awareness campaigns and interventions that can influence behavioural change among RSFCs and vendors towards type 2 diabetes prevention.

Operational Characteristics of Women Street Food Vendors in Rural South Africa.

ObjectiveTo characterize the operations of the street food enterprise in the Vhembe district, focusing on business profile, sold foods, inputs, pricing, record-keeping practices and total running cost.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional face-to-face study of 511 vendors was done using a structured researcher-administered questionnaire comprising demographic and operational characteristics. Convenience sampling was used to choose the vending sites. Chi-square tests were conducted between four categorical variables (gender, age, marital status and citizenship) and operational characteristics. P-values were considered significant at p < 0.05. However, a Bonferroni adjustment decreased the significant value to p < 0.013.ResultsThe findings highlight the dominance of single middle-aged (35–44) women (63.1%) with some high school education. About 14% migrated from Zimbabwe. Most vendors were owners (86.1%), with 70.0% in business for at least 1–10 years. Food sold included mielie pap (stiff porridge) served with beef or chicken, sometimes with vegetables. Plate prices were R40.00 (2.6 USD) for a full plate and R30.00 (2 USD) for half a plate. The typical street food consumers were government officials, middlemen, and schoolchildren. Social media such as Whatsapp were used to communicate between the street food vendors and customers. The results highlight poor managerial skills as only 15.5% kept records, most of which were sales records (59.5%). On average, street vendors made a monthly profit of R3200.00 (213 USD) while spending R1800.00 (120 USD) on daily running expenses. There were statistically significant variations in some operational characteristics of vendor variables and gender, age, marital status, and citizenship.ConclusionsThere is a need for capital and management for small businesses and food training for rural street food vendors. Therefore, government officials, policymakers, and NGOs could target street vendors to offer training and microfinance to improve their business skills while promoting food safety and consumption of nutritious foods.

The Influence of Health, Social, and Economic Determinants on the Obesity to Teenagers during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Obesity is fat accumulation in the human body that increases or excessive weight. This case may cause diseases appearing in the human body, such as hypertension, cardiovascular, diabetes, and stroke. The number of obesities increased when the Covid-19 virus started to infect Indonesia. This study was conducted in October 2021 to discover the dominant factor of health, social, and economic determinants on the obesity that increased during the pandemic, especially to the first grade in SMKN 7 Malang. This study is used analytical observational with the cross-sectional study approach. This study's population is 465 students; however, the study divides them into the sample using purposive sampling with inclusion and exclusion criteria. Hence, the final samples of the study are 102. There primarily taken from interviews and observations, also secondary data related to the name, age, gender, address of respondents. The data collection will analyze by multivariate analysis. This study found that the father's education level/mother and parents' income do not influence obesity. Then, food management, physical activity, and street food consumption have influenced obesity. In addition, the considered variable can explain the obesity variable on the teenager around 37,2%.

Knowledge and awareness about food safety, foodborne diseases, and microbial hazards: A cross-sectional study among Bangladeshi consumers of street-vended foods

Maintaining quality and safety of street-vended foods (SVFs) is a challenge and a public health priority in low-and middle-income countries due to its affordability, availability and association with foodborne diseases and microbial hazards. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and awareness of food safety, foodborne diseases, and microbial hazards among Bangladeshi consumers of SVFs. A cross-sectional survey was administered among 650 Bangladeshi adults who purchase and consume SVFs. The mean food safety knowledge score of consumers was 10.73 (SD = 2.84, range: 3–18), indicating moderate knowledge. Multiple linear regression analysis found that male consumers (B = - 0.549, p < 0.030), consumers with ‘no formal education’ (B = −1.815, p < 0.045), and consumers with ‘secondary education’ (B = −1.476, p < 0.016) were less knowledgeable about food safety compared to their counterparts. Older consumers (36–45 years) were more knowledgeable about food safety compared to younger consumers (18–25 years) (B = 1.300, p < 0.011). Three-quarters of the respondents (76.9%) were not always confident about food safety issues when they bought SVFs, and affordability was the main reason (37.8%) for purchasing SVFs. Increased education and awareness on food safety education for Bangladeshi consumers of SVFs is needed, specifically targeting young adult males, and individuals with lower educational backgrounds. • Overall, food safety knowledge (FSK) of street food consumers was moderate. • Being a male and aged 18–25 years were associated with lower FSK. • Having lower educational attainment was a risk factor of low FSK. • Street food consumers had lower knowledge and awareness about microbial hazards. • Affordability was the main reason for purchasing street-vended foods.

Application of the extended theory of planned behavior to street-food consumption: testing the effect of food neophobia among Indian consumers

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to find out how food neophobia, perceived risk and perceived value affect their consumers' attitude and consumption intention toward street-food, when researching tourists' food consumption.Design/methodology/approachThe framework is tested using primary data collected from 445 tourists drawn from a main urban center of Jammu situated in northern India. Structural equation modeling (SEM) technique was used to analyze data using partial least squares (PLS) method.FindingsFindings of the study provide evidence that perceived value of the street-food vendor through word of mouth (WoM) positively influenced tourists 2019 attitudes and intention to consumer street-food, while food neophobia lead to negative attitude and intention to consume. The findings further indicate that a significant negative relationship exists between perceived risk and intention to consume street-food.Originality/valueAlthough several studies have been conducted in the past related to the food experiences of tourists at various destinations, the current study is the first attempt to offer an Asian perspective on and fresh insights into factors affecting tourists' street-food selection in unfamiliar environments. The paper is useful for both practitioners and academicians interested in tourist consumption behavior and food tourism, as it would help in developing effective marketing and operational strategies to develop tourism through street-vending management.

English

Nigeria&#39;s local food economy was affected by state-imposed restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19 in communities. Street food vendors and consumers are among local food system actors impacted by such restrictions because their livelihood and food security are contingent on daily operations on the street. Informed by a descriptive qualitative approach, we interviewed 31 street food vendors and consumers who shared their experiences on how the lockdown impacted them. Vendors reported various impacts, including losing income, customers, customer trust, and social connection. Street food consumers reported difficulties meeting their food needs and developing multiple coping strategies, including cutting back on fruit and vegetable consumption and food sharing. Both vendors and consumers would like to see measures put in place to allow them to operate safely in a future lockdown event. This study is timely as the country strives to balance human and economic health amid the pandemic.&nbsp; &nbsp; Key words: Street food vendors and consumers, livelihood, food security, COVID-19, Nigeria.

Evaluation of sanitary risks associated with the consumption of street food in the city of Yaoundé (Cameroon): case of braised fish from Mvog-Ada, Ngoa Ekélé, Simbock, Ahala and Olézoa

An investigation was performed to evaluate the braising fish practices and the level of hygiene of the sellers in the city of Yaoundé. Thereafter, five braised carp samples were collected from each of the five selected sites and their microbiological quality assessed. The results showed that all the braising sites do not satisfy the Good Hygiene and Manufacturing Practices. Pathogenic microorganisms such as coliforms (2.17 ± 0.08 to 5.94 ± 0.38 Log cfu/g), E. coli (3.71 ± 0.20 to 6.21 ± 0.48 Log cfu/g) and Salmonella spp. were found in braised carp samples at levels higher than the microbiological criteria of the European Commission which are 1, 1 and 0 Log cfu/g, respectively. Spoilage microorganisms such as yeasts (2.39 ± 0.18 to 3.09 ± 0.23 Log cfu/g) and moulds (2.30 ± 0.10 to 2.92 ± 0.18 Log cfu/g) as well as spore-forming (3.02 ± 0.18 to 4.86 ± 0.35 Log cfu/g) and anaerobic (3.74 ± 0.28 to 4.52 ± 0.38 Log cfu/g) bacteria were also found at higher levels. The study highlights the poor microbiological quality of braised fish sold in the city of Yaoundé.

Diet Pattern and Dyslipidemia Among Type II Diabetes Mellitus Patients Diagnosed More Tthan One Year Visiting Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital

Introduction: Dyslipidemia is a risk factor for coronary artery disease, a leading cause of mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study aims to study the dietary pattern and dyslipidemia of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients visiting Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital. Materials and Methods: Quantitative study was done to find out the dietary pattern and dyslipidemia of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients visiting Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus diagnosed for more than one year were included in the study. Results: The percentage of dyslipidemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus was found to be 88.5%. Dyslipidemia was found to be significantly associated (p&lt;0.05) with alcohol consumption, regular dietary management, sedentary behavior, waist-hip ratio, body mass index, glycated hemoglobin, and hypertension. Dyslipidemia was also found to be significantly associated (p&lt;0.05) with the dietary habit (vegetarian and non-vegetarian), consumption of cereals and its product, consumption of fruits, consumption of fast foods and street foods, consumption of red meat, and consumption of oilseeds. Conclusions: This study indicates the importance of dietary awareness and lifestyle modification for the management of dyslipidemia among type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Contamination of street food with multidrug-resistant Salmonella, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

BackgroundGastrointestinal infections are a global public health problem. In Burkina Faso, West Africa, exposure to Salmonella through the consumption of unhygienic street food represents a major risk of infection requiring detailed evaluation.MethodsBetween June 2017 and July 2018, we sampled 201 street food stalls, in 11 geographic sectors of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. We checked for Salmonella contamination in 201 sandwiches (one per seller), according to the ISO 6579:2002 standard. All Salmonella isolates were characterized by serotyping and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and whole-genome sequencing was performed on a subset of isolates, to investigate their phylogenetic relationships and antimicrobial resistance determinants.ResultsThe prevalence of Salmonella enterica was 17.9% (36/201) and the Salmonella isolates belonged to 16 different serotypes, the most frequent being Kentucky, Derby and Tennessee, with five isolates each. Six Salmonella isolates from serotypes Brancaster and Kentucky were multidrug-resistant (MDR). Whole-genome sequencing revealed that four of these MDR isolates belonged to the emergent S. enterica serotype Kentucky clone ST198-X1 and to an invasive lineage of S. enterica serotype Enteritidis (West African clade).ConclusionThis study reveals a high prevalence of Salmonella spp. in sandwiches sold in Ouagadougou. The presence of MDR Salmonella in food on sale detected in this study is also matter of concern.

Tasty but Nasty? The Moderating Effect of Message Appeals on Food Neophilia/Neophobia as a Personality Trait: A Case Study of Pig Blood Cake and Meatballs.

Given the development of food tourism, food culture has become an important motivation for tourists. This study focuses on food tourism and examines the effects of message appeal and personality traits (food neophilia or neophobia) on tourists’ willingness to consume pig blood cake (PBC) and meatballs, two rice-based Taiwanese street foods. A total of 181 valid questionnaires were administered to foreign tourists in Taiwan (the majority of subjects were Europeans and Americans) through snowball sampling. The questionnaires were analysed using the AMOS 6.0 statistical software package. Foreign tourists’ food neophobia or neophilia was found to significantly affect their willingness to consume rice-based Taiwanese street food (PBC and meatballs) and to strongly regulate the effect of message appeal on their willingness to consume the two delicacies. Past studies on food neophobia/neophilia traits have mostly focused on Western and European foods and have rarely investigated the effect of message appeal on the consumption of traditional rice-based street food in Eastern Asia (e.g., Taiwanese special delicacies). This study’s most important contribution is that food neophilia or neophobia moderates the message appeal effect on foreign tourists’ intention to consume local delicacies. This finding has implications for the hospitality industry and relevant government agencies in Asia for the marketing and promotion of food tourism.

The Success Factors Affecting Street Food Stalls for Gastronomic Tourism Competitiveness: A Case of Petaling Jaya Old Town

Recently, worldwide demand for food provided on streets is growing swiftly. Realizing the need to recognize the mindset and market tastes of consumers towards street food stalls as street food is now strongly associated with tourism and is considered a significant motivator for travelers to visit the destination. The local cuisine served by these food stalls provides a direct and sincere connection by experiencing local history, society, and people through food and beverages. This research project, therefore, explore street food stall vendors for their success variables in a small town called Petaling Jaya Old Town of Selangor as a case study zone. This location is selected as street food stalls are numerous and can be of generational origin. Notwithstanding its varied culinary offerings, this area was not fully known as a renowned gastronomic destination in Malaysia. By adopting the aforementioned case study approach, there were a total of five in-depth interviews with street food stall owners regarding trader profile and marketing strategies, and a sample of 100 street food consumers participated in a structured questionnaire where they were asked about their attitude and food preference to street food stalls. The key results indicated that the drivers investigated in this research project directed to the success factors of street food stalls in terms of gastronomic tourism while examining data that aimed to function as a guideline for food vendors and policymakers alike, seeking a better understanding of customers ' food preferences and behaviors outside consumer numbers. Focusing on the competitiveness of a tourist destination in Petaling Jaya Old Town should therefore also be recognized as a method rather than a complete condition, as it requires time and resource effort, and analysis on ways of effectively managing the street food market in the upcoming requirements with more thought.

Prevalence and Correlates of Cardio-Metabolic Risk Factors Among Regular Street Food Consumers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

BackgroundRegular street food consumers (RSFCs) in Africa are at an increased risk of unhealthy eating practices, which have been associated with intermediate risk factors of cardio-metabolic diseases. However, knowledge of the magnitude and correlates of these risk factors is limited in Tanzania. This study aimed to fill this gap using data collected from RSFCs in Dar es Salaam, the largest city in Tanzania.MethodologyA cross-sectional study was carried out among 560 RSFCs in three districts of Dar es Salaam between July and September 2018. Information on socio-economic factors and demographics, behavioral risks, anthropometric and biochemical indicators was collected. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) and prevalence ratio (PR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using multivariable binary logistic and modified Poisson regression models, respectively.ResultsOn average, participants consumed 11 street food meals/week. The prevalence (95% CI) of cardio-metabolic risk factors was 63.9% (60.6–69.9%) for overweight/obesity, 42.5% (38.3–46.9%) for raised blood pressure, 13.5% (10.9–16.8%) for raised triglycerides and 6.6% (4.9–9.3%) for raised glucose levels. The correlates of overweight/obesity were female vs male sex (APR=1.3; 95% CI 1.2–1.5), age of 41–64 vs 25–40 years (APR=1.4; 95% CI 1.2–1.6), high vs low income (APR=1.2; 95% CI 1.04–1.3), being married/cohabiting vs other (APR=1.2; 95% CI 1.01–1.4) and family history of diabetes vs no family history (APR=1.2; 95% CI 1.01–1.3). Age 41–64 vs 25–40 years, was the only significant factor associated with raised blood pressure APR (95% CI) 2.2 (1.7–2.9) and raised glucose AOR (95% CI) 3.9 (1.5–10.5).ConclusionOur study revealed that RSFCs are at risk of cardio-metabolic health problems, especially women, middle-aged people and those with higher incomes. Transdisciplinary studies to understand the drivers of street food consumption are needed in order to inform interventions to mitigate the risk of developing cardio-metabolic diseases. These interventions should target both street food vendors and their consumers.