Fast Food in Deakin University - Assignment Example

A study into the fast food of student in Deakin Submitted to: Submitted by: ID: Class: Date of submission: Word count: 2010 Table of Contents Word count: 2010 1 Table of Contents 2 1.0 Introduction 2 1.1 Aim 2 1.2 Background 3 2.2 Primary sources 4 2.2.1 Subjects 4 2.2.2 Questionnaire 5 2.2.3 Procedure for administering questionnaire and collecting the results 5 3.0 Results and Discussion 6 3.1 Result 1: Reason for Eating Fast Food 6 3.2 Result 2: If Fast Food Is Good For the Body 8 3.3 Result 3: How it feels to eat Fast food 9 4.0 Conclusion 12 References 13 Appendices 14 Appendix 1: Questionnaire 14 Appendix 2: Copies of Original Text Referenced 17 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Aim The aim of this report is to investigate fast food in Deakin University amongst the students as well as their health consequences. The respondents were asked how fast food outlets were affecting their day-to-day life. For people seeking to live a long life must eat and live healthy, but the contemporary world is focusing on foods that negatively affect the health and wellbeing of a person. 1.2 Background To a large extent, urbanization and globalisation have affected people eating habits and scores of people have be forced to consume high calorie and fancy fast foods, commonly referred as junk foods. A number of studies have provided evidence of possible health hazards brought about by consumption of fast foods, but in spite of these evidences no effective measure has been taken to alleviate the situation. Besides that, junk food has resulted in various chronic diseases, especially in developed countries such as Australia. As mentioned by Thornton (2012), fast foods result in unhealthy life because of the various chronic diseases it brings about like obesity and overweight, some cancers as well as cardiovascular disease. Poor eating habits can result in attention difficulties, constipation, high blood pressure, weight gain, and fatigue, especially amongst the teenagers. According to Victoria Police (2005), “fast foods attract drunk drivers within the Australian community.” This was noted after the local police set up a strategy in the fast food outlets’ surrounding areas with the intention of reducing property damage and anti-social behaviour caused by drunk drivers who frequent the fast food outlets. During the operation, more than 500 people were arrested around the fast food joints in the vicinity of such premises between 23rd and 25th October 2003. The operation results proved that scores of drunk-drivers go to fast food outlets with the intention of purchasing cigarettes and take-away food; this results to more negative effects on the health. Whereas fast food must be consumed in small quantities, young people busy lives have forced them to eat more junk foods and continue to depend on convenience as well as take away foods. In view of this, governments must introduce new measures so as to make it possible for people to select healthier foods and stop using fast food. For this reason, this research tries to investigate fast food in Deakin University amongst the students in addition to their health consequences. This report has four sections; the first section is the introduction that provides a brief overview of the study (aim and background); the second section is the method that highlights how the research was conducted; the third section is the study results and discussion; and the last section is the conclusion providing a summary of the whole study. 2.0 Method 2.1 Secondary sources Secondary sources were used to discuss, describe, summarize as well as process information about fast food. In this case, secondary sources included magazines and online articles about fast food from websites such as Deakin University, Better Health Channel, Victoria Police, and WorkSafe Victoria. The articles were helpful for understanding about fast food in Melbourne Australia. In order to develop the questionnaire, other Internet sites were searched 2.2 Primary sources 2.2.1 Subjects The questionnaires were distributed to twenty local Australians who study at Deakin University, Melbourne. The respondents included ten males and ten females aged between 19 and 25. 2.2.2 Questionnaire Before developing the questionnaire, we first brainstormed the topic by using information located in the Internet. In view of this, the questionnaire was developed in four steps: firstly, the questions were chosen through operationalizing concepts, such as deciphering abstract concepts into measurable concrete questions; secondly, the concepts were operationalized by including a set of choices with regard to nature of measurement and points of focus; thirdly, the concept was broken down into a number of dimensions or components so as to specify what should be measured; finally, each component are placed in form of questions. The questionnaire had eight questions, which included multiple choices, ranked priority as well as open question. The questions were imposed to the respondents with the purpose of getting their opinions. 2.2.3 Procedure for administering questionnaire and collecting the results The interviewing process took place at Deakin University, and each interview every interview took about ten to fifteen minutes. This was concluded in one day and the results were gathered as presented below. 3.0 Results and Discussion 3.1 Result 1: Reason for Eating Fast Food Fig 1: Percentage of People who Like Fast Food As evidenced in fig one, 75% of respondents agreed that they like fast food while 20% were not sure. In Australia, obesity rates in have rapidly increased, and eating a lot of fast food has resulted in the increasing prevalence of adverse health conditions such as diabetes as well as obesity. Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data in 2009 exhibited that $30 is the average amount spent on fast food weekly by an average Australian household; therefore, a staggering $1500 is spent by every household yearly on fast food. Most of the young people consume junk food daily ranging from high-kilojoule snacks to sugar-sweetened drinks. Fig 2; How often do you eat fast food each As evidenced by figure one and two the number of students at Deakin University who eat fast food is very high, with 75% agreeing that the like fast food and most of them (48%) take it three to four times a day. The reason why most students for fast foods is because they are quick, fashionable, tasty, convenient and simplicity; moreover, they can be prepared easily. Besides that, Advertising has played a key role in luring in students and other young teenagers to the fast food outlets. In Australia, people in the past used to eat food that was freshly and healthy prepared with their families at the home. However, these days the majority of the youths prefer fast food like, pizza, fried chicken, hamburgers and others. Fast food according to majority of the respondents is tasty and stimulates their taste buds; thus, making them desire for more. Although, fast food lacks nutritional value, many youths prefer it mainly because of its taste and lack of desire to cook. Imperatively, majority of the people eat fast foods because it makes their appetite grow; hence, making them desires more. That’s why most of the respondents (48%) eat fast food between three and four times a day. Another reason why many people eat fast food is because they are cheaper; in contrast with other restaurants, junk food is very cheap. Considering that students are operating under tight budget, they prefer eating fast food so as to save money. Moreover, fast food provides services swiftly and efficiency and this saves time and reduces wastage as compared to that generated by restaurants selling healthy food. Many people are attracted to the idea of ordering food at the counter, and getting their meal within seconds; thus, they do not have to seat and wait to be served as in the traditional restaurants. 3.2 Result 2: If Fast Food Is Good For the Body Fig 2: if fast food is good for the body When asked if they think fast food is good for their body, 60% said no meaning that most of people who east junk food know that it is not good for their health. Fast food allows the students to eat with no planning since they eat when having spare time rather than during the meal time. Fats food contain high fat content, especially salts, sugar and cholesterol, which have adverse health effects. For instance, high calorie content can result in obesity while food with dense sugar may lead to diabetes and dental cavities. Besides that, fast foods results in lack of energy since no important nutrients are offered by such food. When consuming foods that are high in sugar as well as carbs, acids are generated by bacteria that reside in the consumer mouth. Basically, such acids may result in the damage of the tooth enamel, leading to dental cavities. Upon losing the tooth enamel, it cannot be replaced bearing in mind that poor oral health is associated with other health problems. Therefore, fast foods offer no or little nutritional value because they are high in calories. Considering that many people have replaced their nutritious foods with fast food, they are suffering from poor health, poor nutrition and have gained a lot of weight. As mentioned by Better Health Channel (2015), comprehending factors that have effect on the eating habits is crucial in coming up with suitable strategies that promotes healthy eating. 3.3 Result 3: How it feels to eat Fast food Fig 4: How it feels to eat fast foods When asked how they feel when they eat fast foods, most students said they feel happy (40%) and normal (35%). Only one said he regrets eating fast food while 20% purported that they fell active after eating a junk food. Easy access to fast foods has increased its consumption around Melbourne. The taste of such food leave those eating more hungry rather than being satisfied because of high level of sugar and salts. Many people without a doubt eat sweet foodstuffs because they make them happy. The comfort brought about by fast foods and happiness is the main reason why people are eating junk food. Undeniably, foods full of fat, high in sugar, salt or carbohydrates make people feel satisfied and happy. Following a long day at class, the majority of the students rush to fast food outlets for cookies, chips or pizza. Even though, fast foods are very tasteful good and make the consumers happy in the short term, its eventual term effects are exceedingly severe. Result 4: Reason why people eat fast foods despite knowing their health effects Fig 5: Reason why people eat fast foods despite knowing their health effects As indicated in fig 5, the respondents named a number of reason why they eat fast foods despite knowing their health effects; cost (25%), sweet taste (25%), choosing convenience (20%), cravings brought about by lack of sleep (15%), addiction (10%), and to ease anxiety (5%). Undeniably, busy schedules at school normally reduce the amount of time students have to prepare meals that are nutritious and healthy; therefore, they opt for junk food which is more convenient. Convenience has turned out to be a habit for many students and it has become a necessity to maintain a fast-paced society. This routine can be disrupted only for those with enough time, but majority of the respondents prefer going for faster option, which is fast food. Besides that, anxiety makes the body to use more energy, resulting to hunger for calorie-dense nourishment, which drives students to eat sugary, fatty junk food. A number of students said that sleep deprivation always stimulates them to choose fast foods over healthy foods. Besides that, students may as well choose fast foods for the reason that they become addicted to it. This has become a habit; therefore, students are neurochemically driven to eat fats food rather than healthy ones. When a person eat foods high in fat and sugar, they mentally start craving for more of such foods and start experiencing withdrawal-like symptoms when they are not able to access it. Being addicted to fast food is similar to other addiction such as that for drugs and cigarettes, therefore withdrawal can be very challenging. As recommended by Australian Guide to Healthy Eating it is imperative to eat healthy as well as avoid fast foods because they are full of sugar, salt and fat. Regrettably, a number of Australians, especially socioeconomic disadvantaged people disregard healthy diet (Hume, Ball, Crawford, McNaughton, & Stephens, 2008). 4.0 Conclusion In conclusion, it has been evidenced that even though fast food are cheap, convenient and taste good, consuming it often can lead to health problems like diabetes or obesity. Basically, fast food contains high fat, sugar and salt content which cannot be handled by the body; thus, resulting in health problems. Still, fast food has become an integral part of life in the lives of Deakin University students, and may lead to increased obesity as well as other associated problems. Students should learn to choose healthy food rather than fast food, and regulations should be put in place to reduce the number of sources where students eat unhealthy food so as to reduce the rate of obesity. As evidenced by the study results, many students eat junk food despite knowing its health effects, but this is attributed mainly by cost, sweet taste, choosing convenience, cravings brought about by lack of sleep, addiction, and also its ability to ease anxiety. References Better Health Channel. (2015). Eating tips for teenagers . Retrieved from Better Health Channel: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/eating-tips-for-teenagers Hume, C., Ball, K., Crawford, D., McNaughton, S., & Stephens, L. (2008). Why do some women of low socioeconomic position eat better than others? Retrieved from Deakin University: http://www.deakin.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/306982/summary-9.pdf#search=fast%20food%20and%20health Thornton, L. (2012, September 5). Fast food v councils: the battle for hearts, minds and bellies. Retrieved from Deakin University: https://blogs.deakin.edu.au/deakin-speaking/2012/09/05/fast-food-v-councils-the-battle-for-hearts-minds-and-bellies/ Victoria Police. (2005). victoria police annual report. Retrieved from Victoria Police: http://www.police.vic.gov.au/files/documents/356_Victoria-Police-Annual-Report-2003-2004.pdf Appendices Appendix 1: Questionnaire A study into the fast food of student in Deakin University:   Sex :-                (      ) male                    (       ) female   Age :-     (       ) 18-25    (      ) 26-35         (       ) 36-45          (       ) 46-55      (   ) over 56   Q1-Do you like fast food?            (        ) yes          (        ) no              (        ) don’t know   Q2-How often do you eat fast food each?     (      ) 1-2 times       (        ) 3-4 times             (        ) 5-6 times      over 7 times   Q3-How much do you think we should spend on fast food? (       ) $10-20 (        ) $20-30   (      ) $30-40 (      ) over $40 Q4-What is your favourite fast food?       (        ) burgers           (        ) frays          (        ) fish and chips       (         ) pizza     (      ) other…..  On which times you eat fast food? (     )  Breakfast        (    ) Lunch            (     ) Dinner             (  ) other Do you think fast food is good for the body? (  ) Yes               (  ) No                  Why or Why not ………………………………………………………… Q5- How long you think fast food takes to affect your body? (     ) 0-3 months     (       ) 4-11months    (      ) 1- 2 years (           ) Over 2 years Q6- How do you feel when you eat fast food? (       ) Happy         (        ) Sad     (        ) Active    (     ) normal (        ) Other …………………. Q7- How bad or good is the fast food in Melbourne on a scale from one to ten, which one is very bad and ten very good   1        2         3         4          5            6            7          8        9      10   Q8-Why do you think people eat fast food when they know it is not good for their bodies? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………   Appendix 2: Copies of Original Text Referenced Better Health Channel. (2015). Eating tips for teenagers . Retrieved from Better Health Channel: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/eating-tips-for-teenagers Hume, C., Ball, K., Crawford, D., McNaughton, S., & Stephens, L. (2008). Why do some women of low socioeconomic position eat better than others? Retrieved from Deakin University: http://www.deakin.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/306982/summary-9.pdf#search=fast%20food%20and%20health Thornton, L. (2012, September 5). Fast food v councils: the battle for hearts, minds and bellies. Retrieved from Deakin University: https://blogs.deakin.edu.au/deakin-speaking/2012/09/05/fast-food-v-councils-the-battle-for-hearts-minds-and-bellies/ Victoria Police. (2005). victoria police annual report. Retrieved from Victoria Police: http://www.police.vic.gov.au/files/documents/356_Victoria-Police-Annual-Report-2003-2004.pdf Read More