Background: There is an increasing trend of obesity in the Philippines with approximately 28.8% of adults considered overweight and 9.6% obese. This is presumably due to a shift in eating patterns towards dining out in restaurants and fast food chains for their convenience. Excess fast food consumption results in diets that are calorie dense yet nutritionally deficient due to their high levels of fat, sugar, and salt leading to increased prevalence of associated diseases such as Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Objective: The researchers determined the effect of presenting the caloric information of fast food items on the total calories ordered among college students in private and public higher education institutions in Quezon City. Methodology: A double-blind experimental research was performed with 179 students by convenience sampling. The participants were randomly assigned to a control group (without caloric labels) and an experimental group (with caloric labels). An online questionnaire was sent to each subject containing their menu and order form along with questions on their demographical data (age, sex, food allowance, BMI, physical activity). Results: Using single linear regression, none of the demographic characteristics were found to be confounding variables. Using multiple linear regression analysis, it was found that the experimental group ordered significantly less calories (p-value = 0.013). Conclusion The results of the study conclude that those presented with calorie labels ordered less calories than the control.
Fast Foods

Based on the open data of China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS), 249 children, adolescents and 249 heads of families who completed two rounds of surveys in 2011 and 2015 were selected in this study. According to the fast food consumption of children and adolescents, they were divided into fast food consumption group and non-fast food consumption group. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between children and adolescents watching Food TV advertising and fast food consumption. After adjusting relevant factors, the results showed that children and adolescents requiring their parents to buy food in TV advertisements (OR=3.122, P=0.001), parents buying food for their children in TV advertisements (OR=4.717, P=0.036), children and adolescents buying food in TV advertisements themselves (OR=3.728, P=0.041), children and adolescents' preference for food in TV advertisements (OR=2.946, P=0.044) and the frequency of children and adolescents reported by their parents asking their parents to buy food in TV advertisements (OR=3.113, P=0.002) were associated with children and adolescents' fast food consumption.
Adolescent ; Advertising ; Child ; China ; Fast Foods/analysis* ; Humans ; Nutrition Surveys ; Television

Objective To investigate the nutritional literacy levels of the takeaway platform practitioners in Chengdu,the takeaway food nutrients,and the correlation between them.Methods We employed a multi-stage random sampling method to investigate the nutritional literacy levels of 100 takeaway platform restaurants in the main urban area of Chengdu and examined the nutritional components of hot set meals in each restaurant.A questionnaire survey was conducted on the nutritional literacy levels of chefs and food matching staff.The correlations of nutrient energy supply rationality with nutritional literacy level and set meal price were then analyzed.Results The total pass rate of nutrition knowledge of chefs/food matching staff was 61.0%.Only 2.0% of the set meals had reasonable total energy supply.The set meals with reasonable energy supply of available carbohydrate,protein,and fat accounted for 3.0%,62.0%,and 21.0%,and those with over energy supply accounted for 97.0%,26.0%,and 73.0%,respectively.The rest set meals provided insufficient energy.There was a positive correlation between the nutritional literacy level and the rationality of protein energy supply(r=0.414,P=0.003).Conclusions The nutritional literacy levels of chefs/food matching staff of takeaway food restaurants in Chengdu are moderate.The hot set meals on the takeaway platform have the problem of excess energy supply.The nutrition knowledge of chefs/food matching staff cannot effectively satisfy rational nutrition matching.The nutritional literacy levels of chefs/food matching staff showed no significant correlation with the rationality of nutrient energy supply.
Fast Foods ; Humans ; Literacy ; Meals ; Nutrients ; Restaurants

OBJECTIVES: The rapidly changing dietary environment requires a study that addresses the status of middle and high school students regarding their consumption of convenience food sold at convenience stores. METHODS: This study examined adolescents' lifestyle patterns, dietary habits, and status of consuming convenience food at convenience stores. A total of 659 students (329 middle school students and 330 high school students) in Incheon participated in this questionnaire survey. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 13.7 years for the middle school students, and 16.6 years for the high school students. The gender and grade distributions in the middle and high school students were similar. The middle school students reported that they spent more time using electronic devices (p<0.001) or watching TV (p<0.001) than high school students. More than 60% of middle and high school students consumed convenience food at convenience stores without statistical difference between the two groups. The main reason for consuming convenience food from convenience stores was its convenience followed by taste in both groups. Despite the high frequency of consuming convenience food, the students rarely checked the nutrition labels at the time of purchase. On the other hand, they were still most concerned about the nutritional value of the convenience foods when they consumed convenience foods. The most frequently consumed convenience food was ramyon in both groups. Significant positive correlations were observed between the frequency of consuming convenience food at convenience stores and lifestyle factors for the middle school students, including monthly allowance, time for using electronic devices, and number of private lessons. For the high school students, however, the only monthly allowance had a significant positive correlation with the consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents are increasingly exposed to convenience foods and relevant nutritional issues are a concern. Therefore, a dietary environment that is adequately formed for the healthy development of youth as well as systematic nutrient education that is appropriately designed for both middle and high school students is required.
Adolescent ; Education ; Fast Foods ; Food Habits ; Hand ; Humans ; Incheon ; Life Style ; Nutritive Value

OBJECTIVES: The rapidly changing dietary environment requires a study that addresses the status of middle and high school students regarding their consumption of convenience food sold at convenience stores. METHODS: This study examined adolescents' lifestyle patterns, dietary habits, and status of consuming convenience food at convenience stores. A total of 659 students (329 middle school students and 330 high school students) in Incheon participated in this questionnaire survey. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 13.7 years for the middle school students, and 16.6 years for the high school students. The gender and grade distributions in the middle and high school students were similar. The middle school students reported that they spent more time using electronic devices (p<0.001) or watching TV (p<0.001) than high school students. More than 60% of middle and high school students consumed convenience food at convenience stores without statistical difference between the two groups. The main reason for consuming convenience food from convenience stores was its convenience followed by taste in both groups. Despite the high frequency of consuming convenience food, the students rarely checked the nutrition labels at the time of purchase. On the other hand, they were still most concerned about the nutritional value of the convenience foods when they consumed convenience foods. The most frequently consumed convenience food was ramyon in both groups. Significant positive correlations were observed between the frequency of consuming convenience food at convenience stores and lifestyle factors for the middle school students, including monthly allowance, time for using electronic devices, and number of private lessons. For the high school students, however, the only monthly allowance had a significant positive correlation with the consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents are increasingly exposed to convenience foods and relevant nutritional issues are a concern. Therefore, a dietary environment that is adequately formed for the healthy development of youth as well as systematic nutrient education that is appropriately designed for both middle and high school students is required.
Adolescent ; Education ; Fast Foods ; Food Habits ; Hand ; Humans ; Incheon ; Life Style ; Nutritive Value

PURPOSE: This study examined the prevalence of food allergies and allergenic factors in a selected sample of children living in Seoul, Korea, along with their dietary habits, environmental factors, and diseases as risk factors for food allergy. The results of this study will provide basic data for addressing food allergies.METHODS: We selected 3,004 pre-school and school-age children, aged 0 ~ 12, in the 25 districts of Seoul as the study sample. Structured self-report questionnaires were administered over a two-month period in July-August 2018, and the children's parents recorded the answers on their children's behalf. The research tools in this study included the Korean version of the questionnaire from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC).RESULTS: The physician-diagnosed prevalence rate of food allergies was 14.2%, while 20.4% of the children experienced allergic symptoms at least once and 17.4% reported symptoms within the previous 12 months. The children's symptoms included skin problems (88.1%), gastrointestinal issues (19.2%), oral issues (16.7%), respiratory issues (12.7%), and systemic issues (1.3%). The causes of allergies included eggs, peaches, milk, peanuts, and shrimps. The factors influencing the experience of food allergies were the consumption of cereal (aOR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.09 ~ 2.10; p = 0.013), potatoes (aOR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.33 ~ 2.65; p < 0.001), and fast food (aOR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.10 ~ 2.72; p = 0.017). Having food allergy symptoms was associated with a higher risk of experiencing asthma (aOR, 4.22 95% CI, 3.10 ~ 5.76; p < 0.001), allergic rhinitis (aOR, 2.53; 95% CI, 2.03 ~ 3.15; p < 0.001), and atopic dermatitis symptoms (aOR, 3.56; 95% CI, 2.88 ~ 4.40; p < 0.001).CONCLUSION: Episodes of food allergies warrant examining regular food consumption and placing dietary restrictions through early diagnosis as these episodes may imply the presence of other allergies. Our findings offer basic insights into the patterns, prevalence and symptoms of children's food allergies in Seoul, and our findings will contribute to identifying effective interventions for food allergies.
Arachis ; Asthma ; Child ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Early Diagnosis ; Edible Grain ; Eggs ; Fast Foods ; Food Habits ; Food Hypersensitivity ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Korea ; Milk ; Ovum ; Parents ; Prevalence ; Prunus persica ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Risk Factors ; Seoul ; Skin ; Solanum tuberosum

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between HMR use and eating habits in young Korean adults. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 575 adults (232 men, 343 women) in their 20s and 30s in Korea. Their use of HMRs (classified as ready-to-eat, ready-to-cook, and fresh convenience foods) and eating habits were surveyed. The main reasons for HMR use by men and women were convenience (54.7%, 64.4%) and promptness (24.2%, 24.2%), respectively. The most frequent place for HMR purchase was a convenience store (74.1% and 65.0%, respectively). Regarding the frequency of HMR use, 1~2 times a week was the highest for ready-to-eat (40.9%) and ready-to-cook (30.1%), while no eating was the highest for fresh convenience foods (41.0%). HMR preference was the highest (3.8 out of 5 on a 5-point scale) for ready-to-eat, followed by ready-to-cook (3.3 points) and fresh convenience foods (3.3 points). The use frequency and preference of total HMRs, ready-to-eat foods, and ready-to-eat foods were positively correlated with unfavorable eating habits, including unbalanced eating, overeating, salty eating, spicy eating, skipping, and irregular meals. However, fresh convenience foods showed negative correlations with unbalanced eating, overeating, and salty eating. The use frequency and preference of total HMRs, ready-to-eat foods, and ready-to-cook foods were positively correlated with undesirable eating habits. However, fresh convenience food showed a negative correlation with eating habits such as unbalanced, overeating, and salty eating. These results should be considered for favorable food production and consumer guidance to promote healthy food choices.
Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Eating ; Fast Foods ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperphagia ; Korea ; Male ; Meals ; Young Adult

This study provides basic data on how stress impacts the processed convenience foods purchase attitudes and the selection attributes of housewives. The stress consists of 3 factors, which were housework stress, family relation stress and economic stress. The processed convenience food purchase attitude consisted of 2 factors, which were peripheral influence purchase and conviction purchase. The processed convenience food selection attribute consisted of 4 factors, which were quality, convenience, packaging and price. Factor loading confirmation and reliability test were conducted, and the reliability was confirmed with Cronbach's alpha coefficients for all the factors exceeding 0.5. The high stress levels showed significantly high stress factors of housework, family relations and economic stress (P<0.001). The high stress group was shown to make purchases by recognizing peripheral influences (P<0.01). When the selection properties of processed convenience foods depending on different stress levels were examined, it was revealed that among the three groups, the low stress group least considered the price aspect (P<0.01). After deducting the factors, AMOS (Analysis of Moment Structure) was used to conduct the confirmatory factor analysis for verifying validity. The structural equation model was used to determine the path coefficient. From the processed convenience foods purchase attitude, the peripheral influence purchase had significantly positive (+) effects on convenience (P<0.05). Also, conviction purchase was shown to have significantly positive (+) effects on quality (P<0.05). Housework and family relation stress were shown to have negative (−) effects on processed convenience foods selection attribute, and economic stress was shown to have positive (+) effects, although no significant relationships were revealed.
Family Relations ; Fast Foods ; Gyeonggi-do ; Housekeeping ; Product Packaging ; Seoul

OBJECTIVES: The rise of one-person households may have consequences for food consumption patterns, and eating habits. This study investigated the home meal replacement (HMR) use and eating habits among adults in their 20s-30s living in one-person households.METHODS: A total of 247 adults aged 26–39 years participated in this study. The subjects were divided into three group according to the household type; one-person households (n=80), two-person households (n=49), and multi-family (three and more members) households (n=118). Their use of HMRs (classified as ready-to-eat, ready-to-cook, and fresh convenience foods) and their eating habits were all compared.RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 30.5 years, 47.8% were male, and there was no significant difference in age, gender, occupation, and monthly income according to the type of household. The intake frequency of total HMR and ready-to-eat foods was significantly higher in one-person households among the three groups. People in one-person households consumed more HMRs alone, and spent more money to buy HMRs. Undesirable dietary habit scores like unbalanced eating (p<0.05) and eating salty foods (p<0.05) were significantly higher in the one-person households. Among the total subjects, the unbalanced eating scores showed a significant positive correlation with the intake frequency of ready-toeat foods, while the unbalanced eating scores showed negative correlation with the preference of fresh convenience foods. The scores for eating salty foods showed a significant positive correlation with the intake frequency and preference of ready-to-eat foods and ready-to-cook foods, while there was negative correlation with the intake frequency and preference of fresh convenience foods.CONCLUSIONS: Adults in their 20s–30s in one-person households consumed more ready-to-eat foods than those in multi-family households. In addition, people with one-person households had more unbalanced diets and ate more salty foods, and these undesirable eating habits showed a significant positive correlation with the use of ready-to-eat or ready-to-cook foods. These results should be addressed for producing healthier ready-to-eat/ready-to-cook foods and implementing nutrition education for making healthy food choices of one-person households, which are steadily increasing.
Adult ; Diet ; Eating ; Education ; Family Characteristics ; Fast Foods ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Male ; Meals ; Occupations

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated dietary and lifestyle factors associated with the weight status among Korean adolescents in multicultural families.METHODS: This cross-sectional study analyzed 1,751 multicultural families' adolescents who participated in the 2017–2018 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Surveys. Information on dietary and lifestyle factors was self-reported using a web-based questionnaire and this information included breakfast and foods consumption, perceived health status, alcohol drinking, smoking, physical activity, and weight control efforts. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated based on the self-reported height and body weight (kg/m²). Weight status was assessed according to the 2017 Korean National Growth Chart: underweight (weight-for-age <5(th) percentiles), overweight (85(th)≤ BMI-for-age <95(th) percentiles), and obese (BMI-for-age ≥95(th) percentiles). Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the dietary and lifestyle factors associated with weight status after adjustment for covariates.RESULTS: Among Korean adolescents from multicultural families, the prevalence of overweight/obesity was 20.9%, whereas about 7% of adolescents were underweight. The weight status did not show differences according to gender, school level, area of residence, and household income. Compared to adolescents who did not have breakfast during the previous week, those who had breakfast 3–4 days/week and ≥5 days/week had a 42% (p=0.021) and a 37% (p=0.009) lower prevalence of overweight/obesity, respectively. The adolescents who frequently consumed carbonated soft drinks (≥5 times/week) showed an odds ratio (OR) of 1.69 (95% CI=1.01–2.83) for overweight/obesity relative to those adolescents who did not consume carbonated soft drinks. The OR of being underweight for adolescents who ate fast food ≥3 times/week was 1.97 (95% CI=1.04–3.71) compared to those adolescents who had not eaten fast food during the previous week.CONCLUSIONS: Dietary and lifestyle factors were associated with overweight/obesity as well as underweight among Korean adolescents in multicultural families. Our findings could be used to design and provide nutrition interventions for this specific population.
Adolescent ; Alcohol Drinking ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Breakfast ; Carbon ; Carbonated Beverages ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Family Characteristics ; Fast Foods ; Growth Charts ; Humans ; Korea ; Life Style ; Logistic Models ; Motor Activity ; Odds Ratio ; Overweight ; Prevalence ; Risk-Taking ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Thinness