Title: Assessing the Dietary Habits of University of Ghana Students: An Analysis of the

Consumption of Fast Food.

GROUP MEMBERS

AWAH-MENSAH EUGENIA MARTEKIE

ABOTSI PATRICIA DZIFA

AGBALENYO BLESS YAWO

APPIAH- GYIMAH PENIELLIE AWURAKUA

YANKEY HELLEN OFORIWAA

BAIDOO JESSICA AKUA

ADU JANELLE AKOMA

BEKOE BENISSA GLORIA

MUSAH BRIDGET ANGULU

RAMAT IDDRISU
 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

The rapid process of urbanization, coupled with the busy modern lifestyle and advancements in
technology, has significantly transformed the way people live, including those in developing
nations such as Ghana. These changes have led to significant shifts in dietary habits, with an
increasing reliance on fast food as a convenient and affordable option for daily sustenance. Fast
food, characterized by limited menus and production-line techniques, has become popular among
various populations, including university students. Fast food restaurants, both local and
multinational, have emerged in Ghana, offering a range of exotic dishes such as pizza,
hamburgers, fried chicken, and French fries. These fast-food establishments are typically located
in busy areas of cities and gas stations, catering to the diverse tastes and preferences of
consumers.

Fast food refers to a category of food that is produced in large quantities for commercial resale,
with a primary emphasis on quick service. It is a commercial concept that applies to food sold in
restaurants or stores, typically using frozen, preheated, or precooked ingredients, and packaged
for takeout or takeaway. Fast food originated as a business tactic to cater to the needs of busy
commuters, travelers, and employees with limited time.

The epitome of "fast food" can be found in pre-cooked meals that minimize waiting times to just
a few seconds. Other fast food establishments, notably hamburger chains like McDonald's, rely
on mass-produced and pre-prepared ingredients such as pre-packaged buns, condiments, frozen
beef patties, and pre-washed, pre-sliced vegetables. These ingredients are cooked fresh and
assembled upon order, ensuring a quick service experience.

Fast food as we know it today has its origins in the United States in the early 20th century. The
concept of serving prepared food quickly for on-the-go consumption can be traced back to
several different sources:
Drive-in restaurants: The concept of drive-in restaurants, where customers could place their
orders from their cars and have their food brought to them, is often credited to Kirby's Pig Stand,
which opened in Dallas, Texas, in 1921 (Vaughn, 2015). This idea gained popularity in the
1930s and 1940s, with iconic chains such as A&W and McDonald's opening their doors during
this time. (Scanlon, 2010)

Automats: Automats were popular in the early 20th century and were essentially self-serve
restaurants where customers could insert coins into slots to unlock compartments containing pre-
prepared food. The first automat in the United States opened in Philadelphia in 1902, and the
concept spread to other cities across the country, with chains like Horn & Hardart becoming
well-known. (Klein, 2012)

White Castle: White Castle, founded in 1921 in Wichita, Kansas, is often considered to be the
first fast-food chain. It introduced the concept of the modern hamburger, with a standardized
menu and an assembly-line system for preparing food quickly. White Castle is still in operation
today and is recognized as a pioneer in the fast food industry. (Kelly, 2015)

This concept has spread beyond the U.S. to other regions of the world, contributing to a global
fast food market that was estimated in 2020 to be worth USD 529.5 billion, with projections
indicating a steady compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6% from 2021 to 2028. The
market expansion is primarily propelled by increased consumer spending and the growing impact
of food delivery apps. (Grandviewresearch.com, 2020)

The most evident advantages of fast food are its convenience, speed of service, easy availability
as an alternative to home-cooked meals, and affordability. Consumers turn to fast food to save
time, satisfy their hunger, indulge in pleasure, and engage in social interactions. In the past,
people had to buy numerous ingredients from the market and prepare food at home to serve their
families on time, but fast food has become a convenient substitute. This is evident among
university students, who are known to lead busy and hectic lives, often juggling academic
commitments with social and extracurricular activities. To them, fast food may appear as a
convenient option for quick meals in between classes, during study breaks, or when socializing
with peers. However, despite their convenience and economic appeal in modern times, fast foods
also come with concerning disadvantages. They tend to be high in calories, fat, saturated fat, and
salt, which have been identified as major contributors to heart disease, diabetes, and obesity in
humans.

This has led critics of fast food to urge consumers to refrain from its consumption, prompting
several fast food chains to introduce healthier meal options or modify their menus accordingly.
Additionally, due to the emphasis on speed, uniformity, and cost-effectiveness in the concept of
fast food, the ingredients used often undergo extensive food engineering, including the use of
additives and processing techniques that significantly alter the original form of the food and
reduce its nutritional value.

Rapid urbanization and globalization in Ghana have led to changes in dietary habits and
lifestyles, particularly among university students. With the proliferation of fast-food outlets on
campuses and in urban areas, understanding the consumption patterns of fast food among
Ghanaian university students is crucial. However, there is limited research that has specifically
assessed the dietary habits of university students in Ghana, particularly in relation to fast food
consumption.

Therefore, this study aims to assess the dietary habits of the University of Ghana students, with a
focus on the consumption of fast food.

1.2 Statement of the problem

All over the world, a significant percentage of people patronize and consume fast food. Fast food
is popular due to being accessible, affordable, and tasty. However, it frequently uses refined
grains in place of whole grains and is heavy in sodium (salt), a preservative that gives the meal
more flavor and satisfaction while also containing saturated fat, cholesterol, and added sugar.
Over the years, fast food companies have capitalized on this perceived convenience of fast food,
which has resulted in tremendous patronage and sales for fast food globally, including in African
countries like Ghana.
However, while fast food may seem like a good choice of food, it can lead to unhealthy
situations. Diets high in sodium have been known to lead to water retention and bloating. In
addition, the excessive calories found in fast food can contribute to weight gain and ultimately,
obesity. This can have a range of negative consequences, including respiratory problems such as
asthma and shortness of breath.

It is documented that the youth patronize fast foods more due to its ease of preparation,
convenience, and low cost without being aware of the possible health risks it poses to them, as is
the case with the University of Ghana students.

It is therefore important to find out the level of patronage and consumption of fast food among
university students so that, in case there is any cause for nutritional concern, stakeholders will
know where to begin intervention. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of fast food
consumption, the factors that influence it, and its association with students' nutritional status and
health outcomes. Understanding these factors is crucial in developing appropriate interventions
to promote healthy eating habits and prevent diet-related diseases among university students in
Ghana.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The aim of this study is to assess the dietary habits of the University of Ghana students, with a
focus on the consumption of fast food, and to identify the factors that influence their food
choices.

The specific objectives are to:

1. Determine the prevalence and patterns of fast-food consumption among the University of
Ghana students.
2. Identify the factors that influence the consumption of fast food among the University of
Ghana students.
3. Assess the nutritional implications of fast-food consumption among the University of
Ghana students.
1.4 Research Questions

1. What is the prevalence and pattern of fast-food consumption among the University of
Ghana students?
2. What factors influence the consumption of fast food among the University of Ghana
students?
3. What are the nutritional implications of fast-food consumption among the University of
Ghana students?

1.5 Significance of the Study

The study will:

1. Provide insights into the patronage and consumption of fast food among the study
sample, which can be used to make inferences about university students. This information
will be of interest to nutritionists, dietitians, and other health practitioners, as well as
stakeholders of students' well-being, and it will be useful in developing effective
interventions aimed at promoting healthy eating habits and preventing diet-related
diseases among the University of Ghana students.

2. Add to the literature on the consumption of fast food in Ghana and serve as a reference
for students, researchers, and policymakers.

1.6 Delimitation of the Study

This study will focus on the University of Ghana students and their dietary habits, with a
particular focus on the consumption of fast food. The study will be conducted within the
University of Ghana campus, and the findings may not be generalizable to other universities or
populations outside of the university setting.
1.7 Limitations of the Study

Limitations of this study include the potential for social desirability bias in self-reported dietary
habits and the possibility of recall bias when asking students to recall their fast-food
consumption patterns. Additionally, the study may be limited by the sample size, as it will only
include students who are willing to participate in the study.

1.8 Organization of the Study

The research study is divided into five chapters. The first chapter introduces the research
problem, providing context and background information to understand the study. It also outlines
the scope of the study, explaining what will be covered and any limitations that may impact the
results. Additionally, the first chapter discusses the significance of the study and the objectives
that the researchers hope to achieve through their work.

The second chapter is a literature review, which examines previous research on the topic and
identifies any gaps in the current knowledge. This chapter also presents the research hypotheses,
which are educated guesses about the potential outcomes of the study. The third chapter
discusses the methodology used for the research, including the research design, the target
population being studied, the sample size and sampling technique, the research instruments used
to collect data, and the mode of data collection and analysis.

The fourth chapter is where the results of the study are presented and analyzed. This chapter
includes a thorough examination of the data collected and the research approach used to interpret
it. Finally, the fifth chapter concludes the research, discussing the implications of the findings,
any challenges faced during the study, and any limitations that may have impacted the results. It
also provides recommendations for future research on the topic
References

Grandviewresearch.com. (2020). Fast Food Market Size, Share, Segmentation | Industry Report,
2020. [online] Available at: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/fast-food-
market.

‌Klein, C. (2012, July 13). The Automat: Birth of a Fast-Food Nation. HISTORY.
https://www.history.com/news/the-automat-birth-of-a-fast-food-nation

‌Kelly, K. (2015). White Castle Hamburgers: The Story. [online] America Comes Alive.
Available at: https://americacomesalive.com/white-castle-hamburgers-the-story/.

Scanlon, D. (2010, April 15). McDonald’s Bar-B-Que? [Review of McDonald’s Bar-B-Que?].

‌Vaughn, D. (2015, February 18). The History of the Pig Stands. Texas Monthly.
https://www.texasmonthly.com/bbq/the-pig-stands/