The Dining Habits of College Students

Abstract

Eating habits are a thing of concern among college students across the world and the most concern is in the fact that it is not healthy most of the time. This study aims to point out the patterns in dining habits among college students and the determinants behind these habits. Using a sample of 30 local and international students from the Vancouver community college, we seek to find out the habit of eating at restaurants, the age disparities of students that eat at restaurants, the monetary influence behind this habit and the kind of food they eat. An online survey method was used to conduct the study and a qualitative data analysis done afterwards to determine the various results of the study. In the research, we find out that most Vancouver community college go to restaurants to eat Asian food. We also learn that most students who frequent restaurants just eat fast foods a couple of times in a month and that they prefer the quality of food when choosing a restaurant to eat from. It is also apparent from the research that a relatively high number of students spend a maximum of $40 on a meal when they visit a restaurant. From the results is safe to say that the methodology used in this research was relevant as we were able to achieve the objective of finding out the different patterns in dining habits of students in Vancouver community college. 

Introduction

College life is an interesting part of one’s life and is integral in determining how life turns out in the future. It is a license to freedom where most students have a responsibility of making life decisions on their own including several dietary options. College students have a social lifestyle which basically determines the options they make in different aspects of their lives. Their busy lifestyle makes it tough for many to balance different undertakings and responsibilities and to add on this, many survive on a limited income which impacts their dining habits. This is because of the social inequality among various students. The autonomy these students have on their lives may have a long-term health effect on their health. Colleges also have international students who because of change in their normal dietary styles, are affected with dietary decisions that push them to certain unwanted habits. One such habit is frequenting of restaurants by college students which is acceptable considering the lack of cooking facilities on college premises and other personal reasons. My support of this habit is only applicable if students make it their responsibility to eat healthy foods during any such visits. This research hence is meant to address the reasons behind the habit of frequenting restaurants by Vancouver Community College students. A research on this topic is necessary considering the fact that nearly all college students have made a trip to a restaurant and just how often and for what reason is what the research aims at achieving. Using the social media platform, since most students in college has access to such technological advances, an online questionnaire will be sent to participants and the findings will be highlighted in the latter stages of the essay. Consequently, this paper is also going to take us through a variety of eating habits and patterns that are deployed by college students in their dietary habits.

Literature review

Dining behaviors are a result of several factors when college students are the main target. College is a signal of a change in lifestyle from a period when these students were being spoon-fed by parents to a one where they are supposed to make their own decisions in terms of meals. That psychological and environmental stress plays a role in how college students develop eating behaviors is true. For a habit to develop, there has to be an agent that triggers said reaction and this can either be intrinsic or externally influenced (Khosla, 2015). College students are victims of these two applications and the explanation behind it can only be determine by various occurrences. 

To start with, dining habits can be as a result of one’s personal influence. For example, everyone has a preference for food which can greatly influence their choices and this includes students at college level. It is true that taste can determine whether students eat healthy or unhealthy (Daniels, 2015). If one has a taste for French fries, it means that more often they will prefer to have a go at French fries than other foods. This in anyone’s eyes is unhealthy eating but taste can also influence healthy eating as those with a preference to fruits are more at liberty to eat them. This aspect can also be related to self-discipline where a lack of it means that one is going to keep on eating French fries even with the knowledge that it is bad for health (Buxton, 2014).

Dining habits in college students can also be as a result of ones state of mind. Take for example the transition from high school to secondary where one is now out of the guardians cocoon and now has to fend for themselves. It not always mean that a transition to college is a happy one, at least not in the first days. The mental stress that results from this can determine or develop certain habits in new college students that can shape their dietary choices for the rest of their college life (Chiang et al, 2014). This means that one decide to eat just anything as a way of dealing with the situation. Exam periods are also a stressful time and this is when eating habits vary from one student to another. Most of them decide to have fast foods for meals or drop in at a college restaurant for a quick meal (dailymail.co.uk, 2014). Other social college stress can lead one to develop a liking for certain foods for example ice cream for girls after a break-up. 

In college, time and convenience are of essence as we mentioned earlier that various activities shape dining habits (Nutrition.nyu.edu, 2017). This means that some students would prefer to spend time on a particular activity than cook, especially if the cooking is just for themselves. A student watching a continuous TV show would not want to spend an hour cooking but rather buy some easy to warm food or just cook something that can only last a few minutes. According to…..time not only means engaging in recreational activities but that some students are part time workers and to this effect, they tend to develop certain habits in terms of diet.

Healthy dining in college means more money and not everyone can afford this. College students come from different social classes and as a result, the habit of eating and style is affected by affordability of quality food (Deliens et al, 2014). Those with enough money are afforded the luxury of eating quality and healthy food while the ones who lack are but subjected to mostly junk and other such foods. As we have noted that quality food is expensive, the disparity in spending can be determined by ones preference of a certain food.

Past eating habits also play a crucial role in ones choice of dietary behavior. If a college student has been accustomed to eating at restaurants from an early age, then the possibility is that the same behavior will influence their eating lifestyle at college (Chiang et al, 2014). Same applies to students whose dietary past revolves around cooking their own food or eating snacks when feeling hungry. Past habits don’t die easy and so they extend to college but just that at this level, they are being practiced at a higher level because of the freedom afforded to the student (Daniels, 2015).

In college, one needs a certain level of dietary knowledge in order to be able to alternate eating patterns (Khosla, 2015). If a student does not like vegetables, then they have to gain a habit of eating vegetables as they know that it is healthy hence important. Having a knowledge of what is good and what is not helps to cultivate a habit and this means that most college students would be victims of healthy eating as a result. That personal responsibility is a catalyst of good eating habits is but true. This means that one has to be able to determine their own values in this perspective.

Dining habits can also depend heavily on social or interpersonal effects. This is to say that things like parental control where parents through their influence, shape their children’s eating habits. A lack of parental control or availability thereof can have huge effects on students since while at college, they command a huge amount of personal freedom and this can determine whether a student develops the right habits or not (Daniels, 2015). This also reflects the amount of home education in dining as many students practice what they have learnt from their home confines. A major social influence is the effect of peer influence in shaping certain eating habits (Deliens et al, 2014). Associating with a group of friends that prefer to eat lasagna at a particular restaurant would definitely cultivate ones interest in such a liking.

Physical environments are no doubt an important contribution to eating habits of college students. For instance, the availabity of easily accessed food facilities is more than a temptation to students who would prefer to dine their instead of cooking (Tarullo, 2015). College restaurants provide a wide range of meals that students would benefit the choice of having to choose which to have. The wide range of foods gives a student the luxury of choosing whether healthy or not and cultivates a likeness towards these places (Majors, 2015). Once a student knows that they are able to buy or get variety, then it hard to develop another dietary diet. College residents are also catalysts to certain dining habits since the lack of enough cooking material means that one has to make a choice of frequenting certain restaurants. Lack of enough cooking facilities in these residences means that students are left a choice of eating unhealthy foods like French fries which goes on to develop a habit.

Other than the local students, international students are a special case when it comes to food and eating habits. The change of culture along with the pressure of getting accustomed to the new environment provides a challenge to many of them. Unfamiliarity with food choices may provide a leeway to certain likings hence habits that in most cases is usually unhealthy (Tarullo, 2015). Not knowing the various quality foods available in their new country of residence, a student would choose to eat common junky foods that they are aware of which grows into a liking. International students are the more likely to make a habit of their food and eating because of lack of enough knowledge they lack in this department.

It would be premature to talk about dining habits among college students without talking about the influence of the media in said habits. The media is guilty of a broad range of advertising for junk and fast foods while neglecting other important foods like fruits and vegetables. In as much as college students know that junk food is unhealthy, it is hard for them to ignore the temptation of creating a liking for these foods mostly because of the empty promises of low fat placed on the labels. College students tend to ignorantly eat foods advertised on television and other media outlets and as a result develop a liking for the wrong type of foods (Diliens et al, 2014).

Dining habits, as seen above, can either be healthy or in most cases unhealthy. Studies in colleges have shown that a good number of their students suffer from unhealthy eating habits which has rendered a good number of them obese (Majors, 2015). It is today a matter of concern among universities about the health of their students that some universities have taken the measure of creating programs that promote healthy living. Most colleges across the world including Vancouver community college are faced with the task of educating their students in safe eating habits else they are grooming a society that faces many health risks (Tarnoff, 2013).

We have also learnt that many of these habits are as a result of a certain influence that could either be internally or externally triggered. Getting used to life in college and can more than often trigger certain eating habits that whether healthy or not are meant to stick with college students for a long time. Freedom of choice is also explained to be a factor in the kind of choices students make during their stay in college. Activities that student engage in, be it social or part-time, tend to shape a certain habit in the way college students eat (Diliens et al, 2014). This engagement means that college students have no time to cook or get quality food as they are limited to time. Financial availability as a result of class also determines how these students eat or spend on food hence limiting them to certain eating habit (Tarnoff, 2013). Other influences like parental guidance are also linked to cropping eating habits as well as the institutions facilities and their availability to students.

This research however is aimed at finding the trends of students eating habits in Vancouver community college. These habits are meant to be determined among students who prefer to get their meals in restaurants. The study aims to get a pattern to their favorite kind of food, what time of the day they prefer to eat at restaurants, their financial capability in terms of food prices and just how often they prefer to eat at the restaurant. With the help of the research, students in the hospitality department can use the results to determine and know how they can influence more studies on eating habits and how to influence said habits.

Key search terms and questions

What is your age and gender? How often do you eat at a restaurant and which your favorite meal? Are you an international or domestic student? Are you working or not? How much do you spend on a meal and what is your food preference? How often do you eat fast food and what factors do you consider when choosing a restaurant?

Methodology

The target population of this survey is the student body of Vancouver Community College aged between 17and above years. A sample of thirty students all from different age groups was selected to represent the whole student population of Vancouver Community College. Using an online survey, the use of questionnaires was the preferred mode of data collection. Participation in this survey was completely voluntary and all participants took part upon their own volition. The questionnaires aim is to gauge the various reasons as to why people of varying ages develop a habit of eating in restaurants. Survey Monkey, an online guru was used to set-up and launch the questionnaires through social media.

Data Collection and Analysis

Collection of the data was also done with the help of Survey Monkey which further helped in the analysis process. As a consideration for various ethical shortcomings, questions that participants find uncomfortable to answer would be left blank. All the responses were collected within the stipulated time of the survey giving room for a comprehensive analysis. The analysis was done under the keen eye of Survey Monkey technicians and so regarded as comprehensive and reliable.

Results

After a comprehensive analysis of the findings, several factors were determined. Of the 30 participants, females totaled to 18 (60.00%) while the males totaled the remaining 12 (40%). The difference in numbers shows a bias in terms of women than male. The age difference of participants was not predetermined as they were being chosen at a random. From the research, the participants had varying age brackets starting from age 17 and beyond. To get a better perspective of the research, the ages were classed in four different groups so as to easily determine the habit of eating in restaurants by age. Those between 22-26 years were most susceptible to this habit while those of 32 and beyond had the least habit as shown in table 1.0.

To answer the question of how often they ate at restaurants, the participants responses varied with 20 (66.67%) of them admitting that they do so a few times in a week. The number of those frequenting restaurants was quite high with 8 (26.67%) of the participants. A lower number of 2 (6.67%) admitted to doing a few times every month while none denied having eaten at a restaurant. This shows that many students in Vancouver Community College have a habit of frequenting restaurants. On what meal they do eat when they go to a restaurant, most of the participants, 19 (63.33%) picked on dinner. 9(30.00%) picked on lunch while the remaining 2 (6.67%) picked on breakfast as shown in table 2.0.

This is an indication that many students in VCC have a tendency to eat dinner in restaurants because of environmental or other personal activities that prevent them from cooking.

Considering that the ratio of international students to local ones in most colleges is close to 50:1000, the fact that 14 (46.67%) of the participants were international students shows that this group of students in Vancouver Community College frequent restaurants at an expected alarming rate. The remaining 16 (53.33%) were local students. There was also the question of if the participants were working to measure which group most frequented restaurants. From the study, many of those who frequented restaurants were either not working or were working on part-time basis as there were 12 (40.00%) for each group. The high numbers are probably because of the fact that these two groups have enough time to seek food outlets than the 6 (20.00%) who claimed to be working full-time like it is in table 3.0.

Another relevant question posed for the participants was how much they spend on a meal and their respective food of preference. A respective number of the participants 15 (50.00%) admitted to spending between $20-$40 dollars a meal which shows that quite a good number of students in Vancouver Community College are well of in terms of money. It is also of note that 12 (40.00%) which is also a relatively big number when translated to the whole student body spend between $5-$20. 2(6.67%) spend between $40-$60 while only 1 (3.33%) spend beyond $60. The participants were also asked to say which kind of food they choose when they go to a restaurant and the results varied as follows. 23 (79.31%) said that they mostly eat asian food everytime they go to a restaurant while the least 3 (10.34%) choose to eat fast food. Vegetarians were 5 (17.24%), those who eat any light meal were 8 (27.59%) and 6 (20.69%) eat European food. The numbers show that the participants have a preference but on occassions order various types of food.

A question wanting the participants to state how often they eat fast food found out that 18 (60.00%) of the participants eat fast foods less than a few times a month which is a positive trend that shows how conscious students at Vancouver Community College are about their health. One participant conceded to never eating fast foods while 7 (23.33%) eat it a few times a month. 4 (13.33%) of the participants do eat fast foods a few time every week. Another question about why they go to a particular restaurant also yielded varying responses. 22 (75.86%) of the participants said that they go to a certain restaurant because of the quality of food which shows that many of them have healthy eating habits. Those that frequent because of the environment of the place and healthier options accounted for 11 (37.93%) each. 10 (34.48%) said that price determines their preference of a certain restaurant. It is of note that 3 (10.34%) of the participants do so because of local foods. From this figures also, it is easy to see that in as much as participants have their own reasons on why they frequent a restaurant, their habit is also as a result of other influences like shown in table 4.0.

Discussion

The purpose of this research was to determine dining habits of Vancouver Community College students. More specifically, we sought to determine the habit of frequenting restaurants, why they prefer certain restaurants and the type of food they prefer in these restaurants. The results of this research aim to help students of Vancouver College especially in the hospitality department on how to influence good dining habits in the college community. From the research, it is evident that many factors play a role in preference of certain foods in restaurants and the habit of frequenting certain restaurants. These factors as we have found out from the results of the research are both intrinsic (food preferences) and extrinsic (health awareness) just like it was mentioned before. 

To the best of my knowledge, this is the first research of its kind to be done in Vancouver Community College and its success is a welcome prospect and reason for more research in the future. Following the research, it safe to say that from our earlier notes in this paper, students develop habits as a result of various things. The study brings to our knowledge the fact ones financial ability determines which kind of food they eat at a restaurant and factors behind this. We find that quite a big number spend as low as $5 on a meal in restaurants which brings into perspective the issue of social disparities in class among college students. The fact that many of the participants choose the quality of food as a reason to frequenting certain restaurants shows a positive trend in dining habits. The other factors behind the preference of a certain restaurant like environment, taste and others are reminiscent of our earlier discussion. It is encouraging though that many students don’t have a habit of eating fast foods which is a good eating habit. All in all, the research has been able to provide the factors behind dining habits especially among restaurant goers in Vancouver Community College and provides a platform for more such research initiatives and most of all Dining habits and how they can be improved.

References

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