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TREND AND PATTERN OF FAST FOOD CONSUMPTION AMONG 

STUDENTS OF ENUGU STATE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION (TECHNICAL), 

ENUGU 

 

By  

 

ONU THERESA CHINYERE  

   Department of Home Economics  

Enugu State College of Education (Technical), Enugu Nigeria 

 

Abstract 

This study investigates the increasing trend and pattern of fast food consumption among 

college students with special references of students of Enugu State College of Education 

(Technical), Enugu. Eat healthy and live healthy is one of the essential requirements for 

long life. The consumption of fast and junk foods may pre-disposed individuals to a lot 

of nutritional and metabolic disorders. This work designed to examine the various 

reasons why students indulge in the consumption of fast food and determine the 

perception of students on the health implications of consuming fast foods regularly. Fifty 

(50) students (male and female) participated in the study. Six research questions and two 

bulk hypotheses guided the conduct of the study. It was found out that fast food 

consumption pattern of the students was very high and that convenience and influence of 

friends are the major reasons. The students were either overweight or obese as a result 

of their consumption pattern. It was concluded that there is need to incorporate nutrition 

education into students’ curriculum with a view to equipping them with necessary 

nutritional knowledge on how to make rational and healthy fast food choices. Among the 

recommendation given are that the government should re-introduce the school cafeteria 

system so that college students can have access to good and nutritious foods at affordable 

process. This will enable them to avoid eating without planning and indulging in fast 

food consumption and that parent should be more pro-active to monitor their 

children/wards especially on what they consume. They should encourage their children 

to learn how to prepare their meal by themselves.  

 

Introduction 
Healthy eating and living are part of the essential requirements of life. There are lots of 

foods available in varieties to individuals which can make or mar life. Unfortunately, 

today’s world has been adapted to a system of consumption of foods which has several 

adverse effects on health. Lifestyle changes has compelled people so much that one has 

so little time to really think of how well or right is what one is consuming. Globalization 

and urbanization have greatly affected one’s eating habits and forced many people to 

consume fancy and high calorie fast foods, popularly known as junk foods (Adeniyi, 

2005). Fast food eating is a dietary pattern that used to be foreign but has gradually 



 

 

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become a part of the lifestyle of people in Nigeria especially those in urban areas. Judging 

from the uncontrollable rate and manner at which fast food restaurants are opening almost 

every day in every nook and cranny of the country, the consumption of these foods may 

continue to increase. Rapid urbanization coupled with busy lifestyle and advancement in 

technology has greatly changed the lifestyle of many people including people in the 

developing countries. Eating habits have also undergone changes in parallel with this 

rapid developing technology. People are now more reliant on ready-to-eat meals offered 

by businesses for their daily sustenance (Black, 2004). 

 

Most fast food meals are high in protein (especially the meat and dairy products) but the 

major concern now is that they are also usually high in fat, sugar and sodium; thus 

contributing additional calories, excess body fat and increase body weight. Being 

overweight or obese increases the likelihood of suffering from cancer, coronary heart 

diseases, diabetes, hypertension, osteoarthritis, strokes and obesity reduces life 

expectancy by an average of nine years (World Health Organization (WHO), 2009). E 

Medical Research Council (MRC) observed that diet high in fast foods will increase a 

person’s risk of weight gain and obesity-even though they may feel that they are eating 

no more than they would if they ate natural meal. 

 

Factors Responsible for Increased Consumption of Fast  Food Diet 

The nutritional make up of fast foods seem to encourage people to gorge on it 

unintentionally with a possibility of increasing their risk of weight gain or obesity as a 

result of consuming more calories than the body needs. In Nigeria, has been noted that 

nutritional deficiencies as well as chronic diet related diseases affect the populace and 

that diet related  non-communicable diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases, 

diabetes and others hypokinetic diseases exist or are merging as public health problems 

(2003). Eating out has become a routine for many people mostly students, partly because 

the time for preparing meals at home has reduced due to changing lifestyle. Also some 

Nigerians seem to associate the eating fast foods with high prestige or a high class value 

and as lifestyle of the affluent or a way of displaying affluence. According to Wikipedia, 

the concept of ready-cooked food for sale is closely connected to urban development. 

Fast food outlet are take-away of take-out providers, often with a “driving  through” 

service which allows customers to order and pick up food from cars; but most also have 

a eaten area in which customers can eat the food on the premises. Many petrol stations 

have convinces stores which sell pre-packaged sandwiches, doughnuts and hurt foods, 

schools have cafeteria where these fast food product are sold. Also traditional street food 

and snacks are available from small operators and independent vendors operating from 

cart, table, containers, roadside nallam (“me sai:), portable grill or motor vehicles.  

 

Today’s fast-paced, technological society has contributed to drastic changes in the way 

of people eat. The dual- career and single parent families are becoming more common. 



 

 

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As people juggle careers, childcare, social and professional meetings, education, religion 

and recreation, the traditional meals at home are often skipped, eating on the run or 

thrown together quickly. As a result, food makers in fast food centers have taken over 

the responsibility of operating foods for families and those who do not have time to 

prepare foods. One of the most remarkable social changes in Nigeria since the turn of 

this century as been the rapid rate of urbanization. The most consequence of these has 

been the creation of a numbers of social, environmental and economic problems. The 

critical among the social has been the inability of the country to provide adequate 

housing. The constant attempt by both the public and private developers to solve the 

housing problems lead to sub-urban residential developers in major cities. The resultant 

effect of this is reflected in the very wide separation between the places of residence and 

those of work and schools. This coupled with long hours at school work (assignment, 

project, term paper preparation) and the insufficient or inadequate transportation system, 

electricity supply at the hotels, most people had to rely on the consumption of foods 

prepared outside the home which is contrary to the traditional African societies setting 

whereby food was always prepared at home. However, urbanization, schooling and office 

work in which women are now involved has led to longer hours of staying off home. 

Thus affect preparation of food at home: some people are more enveloped or engrossed 

with their chores or work, which tend to affect the normal routine of purchase, and 

preparation of food at home. Fast foods serve as a fast means of getting something to eat 

to suppress hunger before the main course. Consequently, people become regular 

patronage of fast food restaurants. There are those who eat fast food because of the sweet 

and delicious taste.  

 

Appealing nature of junk/fast food 

Junk food comprises of anything that is quick, tasty, convenient and fashionable. Clever 

junk food advertising and lure of convenience in addition to taste drag people to junk 

food addition. The following factors according to Bowman and Vanguard (2010), 

generally make it appealing:    

1. Time factor: Junk food addition is so high because of its simplicity. They are easy 

to prepare and ready to consume within no time. 

2. Taste factor: Create taste also, is another important reason to an extent that 

influences to opt for junk food. This taste is active owing to lavish usage of oils, salt 

and/or sugar. 

3. Attractiveness: packaging of such foods has very attractive appearance by adding 

additives and colours in addition to enhancement in flavour.   

4. Advertising has a major role in attracting the public, particularly children and 

adolescents to the junk food selling joints. 

 

 

 



 

 

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Health implication of fast foods   

Fat and sugar in combination are capable of producing a dopamine-driving surge of 

intents pressure in people with a propensity for additive behavior. On the other side, it 

must be noted that they are hazardous to health too. High fat content, particularly 

cholesterol, sugar and salt have their advance effect on health. Soaring calorie content 

with sugar can led to obesity (Andeson and Patterson, 2005). Dense sugar content can 

cause dental cavities and type 2 diabetes mellitus. A short-term adverse effect as a result 

of eating junk foods. Lack of energy which occurs because junk foods does not provide 

essential nutrient, even though they can be very much sufficing, due to which one 

feelings weakened. Unfortunately, meals consisting of junk foods do not feel up for long. 

Because they are lacking in fiber, and are made of processed foods, they are rated high 

on the glycemic index, which means they provide a quick rise in blood sugar, but this 

also falls quickly, and given raise to hunger. Cholesterol and salt are known to set-off 

blood pressure. Stroke and heart diseases in a chain (Nakayma and Terawaks, 2009). 

 

Excessive salt can affect functioning of kidneys too. Excess fats and oils along with 

species added in these foods act as an irritant to gastric mucosa leading to excess 

secretion of hydrochloric acid, landing in gastritis. Poor concentration is another result 

of junk food habit known to affect in immediate and medium term periods. When a 

sumptuous junk meal reach in oil is taken, there is a feeling of drowsiness and failure to 

concentrate. The junk food taken over a sustained period of time can drop blood secretion 

due to fat accumulation. Lack of vital oxygen nutrient and proteins particularly can stale 

the grey (brain) sells temporary. Most of the times these junk foods contain colours, 

which are often inedible, carcinogenic and harmful to the body. Flavourings and 

colourings can allergic casuing asthma, rashes, hyperactivity. Animal studies on rats have 

demonstrated the ill effects of consuming junk foods during pregnancy which affects the 

health of foetus (Shaikh and Rehman, 2010). 

 

Statement of the Problem 

Food being one of the basic human need for existence play a major role to survive. It is 

share with families and friends and often make it as a central part of celebrations. It is 

shopped for, cooked, read about it, talk about, and sometimes worry about it. In world, 

social demographic changes are driven the growth of food intake due to the rise dual 

income. Eaten meals away from home requires mobility, and fast food is also more 

expensive than home meals. Food eaten away from home may be related to increase 

weight again because energy density is higher in these meals (Bowman, 2010). Studies 

have reviewed that many Americans believe women have purchasing power but less time 

to prepare, cook, eat, cleanup and lack the knowledge in having primary responsibility 

for foods purchasing and preparation within the home (Bowers, 2009). 

 



 

 

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However, because eating meals prepared away from home is related to increase BMI 

among adults, identifying the factors that predict who is likely to eat away from home is 

important. These fast food requirement are not healthful practices, but they do represent 

the reality. Furthermore, when people eat frequently from outside the home, obesity rate 

increases. Obesity being mother to other diseases is one of the most important public 

health problems facing adolescents in many developed countries. Health authorities are 

concern because obese adolescents may suffer a number of healthy problems, are likely 

to remain overweight into adulthood and are at risk of serious, chronic conditions such 

as cardiovascular disease, type 2, diabetes and fatty lever disease. Furthermore, because 

obesity is now a characteristic of operations and not only of individuals, researchers, 

government health organizations, and advocacy groups characterized obesity as an 

epidemic (World Health Organization, 2003). Hence, can the trend and pattern of fast 

food consumption among students of FCE (T) Akoke be reduced? 

 

Purpose of the Study                   

The purpose of the study was to investigate the trend and pattern of fast food consumption 

among student of Enugu State College of Education (Technical), Enugu, Nigeria.  

However, the specific objectives are: 

1. To determine the students who consume fast food and home food. 

2. To find out the frequency of fast food consumption among the students.  

 

Research Question 

The following research questions were raised to guide the study: 

1. What is the percentage of students who consume fast food and home food (cooked 

food in the hostel)? 

2. What is the frequency of fast food consumption among the college students?  

 

Significance of the Study  

The findings of this paper may of significant to the following group of people who may 

benefit tremendously. 

 

The student may become exposed to the reality of health implication of consuming fast 

food and the need to cultivate the habit of preparing food by themselves in the hostels. 

The government through the college authority may see the need to re-introduce the school 

cafeteria system where foods are prepared for students under hygienic conditions and at 

affordable prices in order to prevent the side effect or consequence in the life of the 

students in the future.      

 

 

 

 



 

 

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Methodology 

Design of the Study 

This paper adopted descriptive survey research design. The population consisted of all 

male and female NCE students of Enugu State College of Education (Technical), Enugu. 

The sample for the study comprised twenty-five (25)  male and twenty-five (25) female 

students that was selected through simple random sampling in each of the six (6) schools 

in the college. A well structured questionnaire was used to gather data from the 

respondents. The questionnaire items were made up of four likert scale options which 

represented the likely opinion of the respondents on the issues arise on fast/junk food. 

Data obtained were statistically analyzed with the use of sample percentage and frequent 

distribution. 

 

Presentation and discussion of findings    

The demographic data of the respondents are presented on table 1 

Table 1. Demographic Characteristics of respondents  

Characteristics Frequency Percentage (%) 

Male 23 46 

Female  27 54 

Total  50 100 

Age Group   

16-20yrs 18 36 

21-25yrs 22 44 

26 & above yrs 10 20 

Total  50 100 

 

Adult presented table 1 showed the distribution of the (respondents) based on their gender 

and age contribution. The data showed that the male students were represented by 46 

percent while female students were represented by 54 percent. On the basis of their age 

contribution, 36 percent are between the age group 16-20, 44 percentage are between 21-

25 years. While only 20 percent within 26 years and above. This information implies that 

respondents are youthful and youth population has been described as active in inviting 

fast food joint. 

Table 2: Pattern of Consumption of Fast and Home Food among the Students      

Pattern  Frequency Percentage (%) 

I consume fast food 

regularly 

32 64 

I prefer to cook my food 

in the hotels 

18 36 

 



 

 

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Data analysis in table 2 showed that higher percentage 2 (64percent) of the students 

indulge in fast food consumption and they do it on a regular basis while only 

18(32percent) of the students were prefer to cook and eat their food in the hostel. The 

implication of these is that the fast food consumption pattern of the students is very high. 

 

Table 3: Frequency of fast food consumption of respondents  

Frequency of  Frequency Percentage (%) 

Consumption every day  8 16 

2-3 times a week  12 24 

Once a week 16 32 

2-3 times a month 9 18 

Once a month 5 10 

Total 50 100 

 

Data in table 3 showed how frequent the students visit fast food joint 8(16percent) of the 

students visit and eat fast food everyday, 12(24percent) visit at least 2-3 times in one 

week and 16(32percent) visit at least once in a week. The result showed that 72 percent 

of the students cannot do without visiting the fast food joint on the weekly basis, 

28percent of the students visit at least once in every month.    

 

Conclusion 
Based on the findings, it was concluded that the trend and pattern of fast food 

consumption among the students of Enugu State College of Education (Technical), 

Enugu is very high. 

 

Recommendation 
The paper recommended that 

- Students need to cut down on the increasing consumption on fast food and imbibe 

the habit of preparing food on their own. 

- Students should be enlighten on the side effect and health problems associated with 

the frequent and regular consumption of fast foods as indicated by Ojo (2003), in 

order to live healthily  

  



 

 

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Black. J.O. (2004). Eating well while eating out. The Nemours Foundation. Retrieved 

December 14, 2004 from http:/kidhealthcare.org.  

Bowman. S.A.  & Vinguard BT. (2010). Fast food consumption of USA. Adult: impact 

on energy and nutrient intakes and overweight status. . J Am Coll Nutr; 23:163-

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Bowers. D.E. (2009). Cooking trends echo changing roles of women. Food review, 23 

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Nakayama. K., Nakayama, M., Terawaki, H., Murata, Y., Sato, T. & Kohno, M. (2009). 

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Sheikh, S.A. & Rehman, M. (2010). Determinants of choice for dining out to fast food 

and traditional food. Journal of Independent Studies and Research. 

World Health Organization (2009). Obesity: preventing and managing the global 

epidemic. WHO Technical Report Series. 894,Geneva:WHO.   

 


