A College Fast-Food Environment and Student Food and Beverage Choices: Developing an Integrated Database to Examine Food and Beverage Purchasing Choices among College Students

Abstract

Universities typically offer residential students a variety of fast-food dining options as part of the student meal plan. When residential students make fast-food purchases on campus there is a digital record of the transaction which can be used to study food purchasing behavior. This study examines the association between student demographic, economic, and behavioral factors and the healthfulness of student fast-food purchases. The 3781 fast-food items sold at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte from fall 2016 to spring 2019 were given a Fast-Food Health Score. Each student participating in the university meal plan was given a Student Average Fast-Food Health Score; calculated by averaging the Fast-Food Health Scores associated with each food and beverage item the student purchased at a fast-food vendor, concession stand, or convenience store over a semester. This analysis included 14,367 students who generated 1,593,235 transactions valued at $10,757,110. Multivariate analyses were used to examine demographic, economic, and behavioral factors associated with Student Average Fast-Food Health Scores. Being of a low income, spending more money on fast-food items, and having a lower GPA were associated with lower Student Average Fast-Food Health Scores. Future research utilizing institutional food transaction data to study healthy food choices is warranted.

What’s to Eat and Drink on Campus? Public and Planetary Health, Public Higher Education, and the Public Good

“…It is, therefore, not surprising that students’ food choices both on and near campus are also generally unhealthy. Most surveys have found that student purchases of food on campus (excluding dining halls) and near campus were associated with unhealthy foods, such as SSBs and fast foods high in fat and added sugars [ 41 , 42 , 43 ]. A survey of 209 first-year PHEI students found that 64% considered their eating habits off campus healthy, compared with only 56% on campus [ 44 ].…”

Healthy Food Policies Documented in University Food Service Contracts

“…Previous research suggests college students have low intakes of fruits and vegetables [ 13 ], high intakes of fats [ 13 , 14 ], and high intakes of added sugars [ 14 ]. Most universities offer meal plans and food retailers on campus to provide students the convenience of staying on-site for meals; however, there is often limited support for healthy eating [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. College students are more likely to be influenced by unhealthy food environments due to limited time for grocery shopping, inadequate cooking skills, and budget constraints [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ].…”

Price Sensitivity, Perceived Food Quality, and Intention to Purchase Fast Food in the Context of Health-Consciousness of University Students

“…Young adults, such as university students, purchase fast food at increasing levels due to low prices and time and budget constraints. Also, they complain about the unavailability of tasty, healthy, and affordable foods on-campus (Racine et al, 2022).…”

“…However, even if fast-food restaurants offer healthier options, will consumers choose them over other alternatives? It is unclear whether providing consumers with healthy food options will result in their choice (Racine et al, 2022). Thus, marketing managers of fast-food restaurants may be hesitant to invest in healthy alternatives.…”