Category: Eating Habits

A healthy, balanced diet is essential for maintaining good health and well-being. From providing us with energy to build and repair our body tissues to reducing our risk of developing chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes, proper nutrition plays a vital role in our lives. However, it can be difficult to make healthier food choices in today’s world due to the abundance of fast food and unhealthy options available. This essay will aim to discuss why nutrition is so essential, outline the components of a nutritious diet, and explore the consequences of poor nutrition. By understanding how our diet affects our overall health, we can strive towards making informed decisions about our food choices and work towards a healthier way of living.

Reasons Why Nutrition Is The Foundation of Life

Nutrition plays a critical role in our overall health for several reasons. 

Providing energy

First of all, it’s important to remember that the food we eat is essentially fuel for our bodies. We need it to keep us running and maintain a consistent blood sugar level in order to keep us focused and active. Without the right nutrients, our systems can’t perform optimally; we’ll feel sluggish and out of sorts.

Food gives us energy, helps with physical activity and also helps to support our metabolism and brain function. It’s no wonder that we tend to think of food as something positive, but sometimes this energy isn’t being used properly. In fact, overeating is associated with many health problems, including obesity and heart disease.

Building and repairing body tissues

Consuming sufficient calories through your diet is crucial to provide your body with the necessary fuel to develop new muscle and bone tissue. Protein plays a significant role in this process, as it enhances muscle mass and sustains their strength. Muscle activity and repair also rely on the carbohydrates in your diet, and many low-carb diets lack enough carbohydrates to fulfill these requirements. Inadequate consumption of carbohydrates can lead to fatigue and weakness, as the brain depends on carbohydrates for energy. Furthermore, carbs regulate metabolism by suppressing appetite after a meal. Therefore, a healthy diet should comprise sufficient protein and carbohydrates in each meal and throughout the day.

Preventing chronic diseases

Incorporating a diverse range of foods into your diet can lower the likelihood of developing chronic ailments, including heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers. Including a wider assortment of food groups in your meals can provide all the essential nutrients required for maintaining good health, while also preventing overconsumption of any particular food group.

Go through challenges

One of the most important things you can do to ensure that you’re eating a healthy diet is to make healthy eating a habit. The best way to do this is to plan ahead so that you have healthy foods on hand and are able to prepare meals quickly and easily when hunger strikes. To help get you started, here are some tips for making it easier to eat healthy:

Make time for meal planning. Planning your meals in advance will save you time when it comes to shopping and cooking. Not only that, but if you write down your meal plan (or create a spreadsheet or list in your phone), you’ll be less likely to forget about it and make unhealthy choices because you’ll know exactly what you need and where it is.

Plan ahead for easy preparation. If you know that an evening out is coming up, don’t wait until the last minute to make plans for dinner. Create a menu ahead of time, buy the ingredients, and then have them ready in your refrigerator or pantry so that all you have to do is cook. Some people even find preparing their lunches the night before leaving for work helpful!

Conclusion

In conclusion, nutrition is a crucial component of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Simply consuming unlimited quantities of any food is not sufficient for maintaining good health. It is necessary to consume a well-balanced diet that contains crucial nutrients like essential vitamins, minerals, and healthy meat sources (such as fish and chicken), as well as appropriate portions of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Reducing the intake of processed foods, and excessive sugar, and avoiding refined flours can also help optimise bodily function. Small alterations to everyday habits can make a significant difference in achieving optimal health.

Food has always been an important part of life. It is a resource for energy and a vital part of survival for all living beings. However, for humans, it goes beyond just the necessities. It is a part of their culture –integrated into art, social settings, etc. Almost anywhere one looks, one will be met with countless photographs of food, from magazine pages to Instagram posts, conversations about going out to grab lunch, television ads, and a restaurant of some sort almost everywhere. With so much focus on food, there are also certain social norms and behaviors that are expected to associate with eating. Yet, there are still those that do not quite follow those expectancies, either indulging in more food than deemed appropriate to society/emotionally eating, or showing little or no interest in this food culture. And of course, there are numerous eating disorders that have become more and more frequent.

Although there is and will continue to be a significant food culture in society, in today’s world there has also been a growing emphasis on nutrition and health. Because of this, those that do not follow the unwritten societal standards of eating are often frowned upon. Those that eat more, especially if they are already on the larger side, are seen as unhealthy and have no self-control. Those that fall on the opposite end of the spectrum, are seen as picky and stuck-up.

However, the issues, if one calls them that, go much beyond a person’s personality and are not behaviors that can be easily “fixed” if the person just acts a different way. The research that took place before this paper occurred to figure out and find the explanations behind why a person may have “abnormal” eating behaviors. While there are still a lot of studies that are and need to be done regarding eating habits, there is no doubt that the issue is much more complex than how it is perceived in society. Eating habits are largely influenced by negative emotions and stress-inducing circumstances, making them out of a person’s control.

This paper was written to shed light on the fact that eating habits are largely influenced by these factors and to make society more aware of the complexities of the issue(s). A lot of times, people may see someone that seems to eat a lot and will look at them with dismay, calling them a pig and other obscenities. On the other hand, if they do not want to eat, they will be seen as body-obsessed and with that, superficial. However, there is much more to a person than one can see just by a glance at their outward appearance, and that should be taken into consideration. It is unfair to make assumptions such as these about a person and give them unwanted “tips” on how to eat more healthily when one does not know how their life is or was.

Imagine suddenly hearing about a loved one’s death. For many people, the shock of such news might make them temporarily unable to eat. On the other hand, imagine suddenly getting a text message from a significant other asking for a breakup. Stereotypically, the expected response is oftentimes the image of someone sitting on the couch with countless pints of ice cream, crying, as can be seen through various television shows. This is especially true when it comes to women. Although the scene seems almost comical sometimes, there is some truth to it. More so, there seems to be a reason that stereotypical response is associated mainly with women. After conducting research, the authors of an article titled “Psychological Determinants of Emotional Eating in Adolescence “, found that “significant associations of perceived stress, worries and tension/anxiety to emotional eating for girls, while only confused mood was related to emotional eating in boys” (Nguyen-Rodriguez, Selena T, et al. par. 1).

Still, although emotional eating is clearly impacted by these negative emotions, they are not the typical response to these emotions. In “Causes of Emotional Eating and Matched Treatment of Obesity”, Gold and Chrousos claim that “the tendency to eat in response to negative emotions or stress is an a-typical stress response, the typical stress response being not eating” (van Strien, Tatjana par. 5). Along with this, in the same article, a statement from Klump declared “This suggests that most young children show the natural response of losing appetite in response to negative emotions or stress and that emotional eating emerges in the transition between childhood and adulthood: the period of adolescence” (van Strien, Tatjana. par 16). So, it is actually natural to respond by not eating when upset or stressed, however, certain individuals may experience the opposite effect and instead indulge in emotional eating. Either way, their eating habits are affected by their emotional state.

Stress is the emotion that has the biggest effect on eating habits. More so, in “Stress and Eating Behaviors”, Yau and Potenza state that “those under chronic stress tend to eat more under acute stress conditions and show a heightened preference for and consumption of hyper-palatable, energy-dense foods high in sugar and fat” (Paragraph 10). So, the amount of stress can also affect a person’s eating habits. Because those going under acute, or short-term stress, are only in the stressful situation for a small amount of time, they show the normal reaction of shutting down and not being able to eat. When someone is put under too much stress, they run the risk of it becoming chronic, and that can alter their eating behaviors, making them binge or emotionally eat.

And while yes, there is always the chance that the stress occurring could have been prevented (such as having anxiety over an exam the next day, but not bothering to study earlier) or combated, there are times when it truly is out of the person’s power. Like, for example, when it comes to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. There is a definite link between those experiencing stress-induced disorder, also known as PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), and those engaging in emotional eating. In “Causes of Emotional Eating and Matched Treatment of Obesity”, Talbot, Maguen, Epel, Metzler, and Neijlan also support this claim by stating that “Emotional eating was associated with posttraumatic stress disorder” (van Strien, Tatjana par. 10). With PTSD, the victim is constantly reliving the stressful experience, whether that of childhood trauma or that of combat (in the case of veterans). Therefore, these individuals are under chronic, or long-term stress, which as mentioned above, causes a person to be more likely to engage in emotional eating. In a sense, emotional eating is a sort of coping mechanism for some people. Using Danese and Tans’, as well as Rodgers’, Lang’s, Laffaye’s, Satz’s, Dresselhaus’, and Steins’ research, the authors of “From Childhood Trauma to Elevated C-Reactive Protein in Adulthood: The Role of Anxiety and Emotional Eating”, Shrepf, Markon, and Lutgendorf, further confirm this fact by claiming that “CT has been linked to later life obesity in multiple studies” (Paragraph 6).

However, according to Geliebter and Aversa, “some obese individuals do not engage in emotional eating, while some normal weight individuals do” (Shrepf, Markon, et al par. 6). While one must take note of that fact, there is no doubt that obesity and childhood trauma have a connection. A person who is much more likely to eat foods with high amounts of sugar and/or fat is usually also on the overweight or obese side. And as mentioned above, it was those that engaged in eating high amounts of these foods, albeit them being unhealthy, that were under chronic, or long-term stress.

In “Causes of Emotional Eating and Matched Treatment of Obesity”, the authors also state that ‘while women were more likely to engage in emotional eating, the relationship between emotional eating and elevated BMI was stronger in men” (Paragraph 34). Regarding the fact that there is a stronger association in men in terms of BMI and emotional eating, Shrepf, Markon, and Lutgenford also mention that the reason for this may be because of ‘concern about weight gain and body image which tend to affect women more strongly than men” (Paragraph 34).

Still, women are statistically shown to have higher rates of sexual assault/abuse. Although the severity of the case may vary from circumstance to circumstance, and those in more severe situations may be more likely to experience Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, there is still someone who was in a less severe situation (For example, molestation versus rape) may develop PTSD as well. While one must take into consideration the number of men that actually report their assault cases, in society, it has generally been more common for women to be subjected to sexual harassment, abuse, etc. Thus, the rates of PTSD that are reported are higher in women than men, and seeing as women are more likely to engage in emotional eating, one can conclude that stress and trauma have a definite impact on eating habits.

Of course, the brain plays a huge role in a person’s everyday life, especially when it comes to stress. In Why You Lose Your Appetite When You’re Upset”, Strutner mentions that “In life-or-death situations, the brain produces appetite-suppressing hormones and glands pump out adrenaline to put eating on hold so your body can devote its energy to survival. But even if you aren’t physically in danger, your brain might react as if this were true” (Paragraph 3). Think about this in relation to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. While yes when the person is actually experiencing the stressful event, they are in danger, later on, they are not. Instead, their PTSD symptoms force them to be in a state where they think they are reliving the stressful event, even though they might be completely safe at the time. So, their brain acts as if they are in physical danger even if they are not. This causes the production of hormones to halt hunger. However, if PTSD is prolonged, especially if left untreated, the stress can become chronic since the person is not getting effective help. At this time, a person’s brain may stop halting hunger and instead, as a sort of coping mechanism, force them to give in to emotional or binge eating. The exact reason this change happens, however, is unknown, though the fact that it does occur is shown through various studies, such as those mentioned above.

More so, prolonged untreated PTSD and stress might cause a person to start feeling more hopeless and unable to cope with life. They might also be overcome with negative thoughts. This can then lead to depression. Of course, there are also other causes of depression besides Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. However, regardless of the cause(s), it does not change the fact that one of the main symptoms of depression happens to be drastic weight loss or gain as well. Going with this, in the “Psychological Determinants of Emotional Eating in Adolescence”, Thayer stated “feelings of increased tension and low-energy, “tense tiredness,” as the primary culprit in emotional eating, as it underlies many of the negative moods (for example, depression and anxiety) that have been found to be associated with overeating” (Nguyen-Rodriguez, Selena T, et al. par. 1).

Other regions and activities of the brain also determine a person’s eating habits, which goes to show there is much more to the situation than personality traits. In “Here’s Why You’re Stress Eating And How to Stop Doing It”, Knott explains that “The hormone cortisol rises with chronic stress and can lead to increased appetite (Ducharme par. 5). In another article, titled “Depression-Related Increases and Decreases in Appetite: Dissociable Patterns of Aberrant Activity in Reward and Interoceptive Neurocircuitry”, the authors mention that in the “left anterior insula, the depressed appetite-decrease group demonstrated significantly less activity than the depressed appetite-increase group” (Simmons, W Kyle, et al. par. 19). Furthermore, according to the authors of “Central Nervous System Regulation of Eating: Insights from Human Brain Imaging”, “Homeostatic control by the hypothalamus is currently considered to be primarily responsible for controlling appetite” (Farr, Olivia M, et al. par. 1).

Therefore, as one can see, eating habits cannot easily be changed or “fixed” by a person changing their personality. It is not just a matter of self-control, pickiness, etc. that causes a person to eat differently than how they are expected. Other factors, such as being put in uncontrollable circumstances (for example mourning a death, rape, etc.) can affect the eating habits of a person. Negative emotions, which can also be paired with those uncontrollable circumstances, also influence eating habits. The way a person eats is composed of much more than the way they act.

Works Cited

1. Ducharme, Jamie. “Here’s Why You’re Stress Eating And How to Stop Doing It.” Time, Time, 31 July 2018, time.com/5347612/how-to-stop-stress-eating/.
2. Farr, Olivia M, et al. “Central Nervous System Regulation of Eating: Insights from Human Brain Imaging.” Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental, U.S. National Library of Medicine, May 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4834455/.
3. Nguyen-Rodriguez, Selena T, et al. “Psychological Determinants of Emotional Eating in Adolescence.” Eating Disorders, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2009, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2859040/#R19.
4. Schrepf, Andrew, et al. “From Childhood Trauma to Elevated C-Reactive Protein in Adulthood: The Role of Anxiety and Emotional Eating.” Psychosomatic Medicine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, June 2014, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5660872/.
5. Simmons, W Kyle, et al. “Depression-Related Increases and Decreases in Appetite: Dissociable Patterns of Aberrant Activity in Reward and Interoceptive Neurocircuitry.” The American Journal of Psychiatry, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1 Apr. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4818200/.
6. Strutner, Suzy. “Why You Lose Your Appetite When You’re Upset.” HuffPost, HuffPost, 15 Feb. 2017, www.huffpost.com/entry/stress-and-appetite_n_589bab58e4b04061313b8593.
7. Uddin, Lucina Q, et al. “Structure and Function of the Human Insula.” Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology: Official Publication of the American Electroencephalographic Society, U.S. National Library of Medicine, July 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6032992/.
8. van Strien, Tatjana. “Causes of Emotional Eating and Matched Treatment of Obesity.” Current Diabetes Reports, Springer US, 25 Apr. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5918520/#CR10.
9. Yau, Y H C, and M N Potenza. “Stress and Eating Behaviors.” Minerva Endocrinologica, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Sept. 2013, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4214609/#R18.

I have some very bad eating habits and I need to seriously change that behavior. First off, I think it all started after my football days in High School ended. I didn’t have my routine and support system anymore, therefore I started sliding backward. I’m getting up late at night and eat. I do believe a lot of these late-night habits are due to stress and trying to find a way to get something that’s right for me to do. Other things are; I have no filter on portion sizes, no matter what time of day the meal is. Lastly, I’m feeling guilty about it and it’s making it worse. I don’t see myself trying to throw it up but, I don’t see myself binging either but, the guilt is still there. I don’t want to gain any more pounds on me for reasons like diabetes, non-fatty liver, or just overall obesity. To make matters worse I have this condition called scoliosis, which is a curvature of the spine and it does get worse in time, depending on the percentage of the curve and whether it’s feasible to fix. My gut is getting bigger and it’s putting so much pressure on my back. It’s affecting my sleep patterns as well and I’m not even resting properly. I worry about, heart attacks and cancer knowing that this is shorting my life.

I’ve gone to the Nutritionist and it doesn’t seem to work. I think it’s because the foods they suggest are pricy and I feel you shouldn’t have to pay such a high price to be fit. This makes me frustrated and I just give up. I know that what we eat is probably the main culprit, along with environmental stress. It’s not like it was back in my grandparents’ days when everything was fresh from the farm’s way of life. Everything nowadays has preservatives and fillers, among other chemicals they put in it to make it look good, have texture, and be what they call fresh.

To figure out, what exactly needs to change, I need to collect some data on my eating habits. First, I need to record any food or drink in the last 24 hours. Then, I need to record any food or drink for the next 5 days. Plus, I need to put down the quantity of food. Also, I will use the food frequency questionnaire to obtain information about my portion size and beverage consumption. Finally, I will use a graph to show in detail the collective summary of data obtained.

After all the data has been collected, I will, therefore, make a plan to change my behavior using the Transtheoretical Model (TTM). Before, I didn’t intend to change but, then I started thinking more about the pros part for changing my eating behavior. The Pros: I will become healthier, feel greater, have a Body image (meaning fit into my clothes properly), Live a longer life, and my sleep will become more restful or sounder. On the other hand, I don’t want to change my behavior because I am eating healthy, sometimes and so I’m a little perplexed. Next, I am intended to start changing my eating habits and yes, I am more aware of the pros of changing. I do want to change but, I am too busy with school and the added stress makes it hard to change. I think therefore I will start after the first semester ends, for me personally that the fall semester is usually a stressful one. I know once this takes effect, I will become a much healthier person inside and out. I’ve known people who have changed their overall eating habits and their lives have changed for the better. They have even said they felt better afterward. I do get conversations with my family and others to change my eating habits because they me feel better again. They see the pounds adding on and they are worried about my overall health. They have told me, ‘you’re going to have a heart attack or die young if don’t do something’, even my Doctor has weighed in too. After all these voiced concerns and my inner conscious too, I think therefore I will listen to my family, mostly my mom. I feel that I am ready to change my eating habits and I am most encouraged by my mom. She is not just my parent but, she’s my most trusted friend and will always be there for support. I will tell my mom about my plan to change my eating habits in detail. I will act on this with great conviction and I will not give up.

Next, I am taking these actions to change my eating habits. Here is my plan and I will take these actions in baby-step fashion. I will have 5 small meals each day, instead of three big meals. As I mentioned before, we tend to overeat and the first thing you want to do is sleep. I know, that happens a lot to me. In addition, I’m going to try to reduce my portion sizes by 20%. I will take my time when eating my food and chew properly not, gulp it down. I will eat more vegetables and not be picky about those. I won’t take a second helping like I always do. I need to push myself away from the table. I will also, refuse to eat other people’s meals when they ask, ‘Do you want this, I can’t eat it?’ I will eat more meals with my family at the dinner table but, this choice depends on the mood at the table though. I will teach myself to eat when I am hungry and stop when I am comfortably full. I will eat proper healthy snacks every few hours Lastly, I will stop eating when I am so nervous.

Overall, I will maintain my healthy eating habits. I will seek support from my mom to keep me from slipping back into the old rut. I will increase the rewards that come from positive behavior and reduce those that come from negative behavior. I understand my healthy behavior is an important part of who I am and, what I need to be. I will understand this change through information, education, and personal feedback about my healthy behavior. I will also understand how my unhealthy behavior affects others and how my action could have more positive effects from this change. Finally, by using these strategies I feel I won’t relapse back into my bad eating habits.

In conclusion, by changing my eating habits my overall life will be better, not just for the body but, for the mind as well. To convey on a personal level, I need to lose these stress pounds if I am to become a Strength and Conditioning Coach, I must set an example. I do want to live a long life like my Grandma and my Great Grandmother. My Grandmother is almost 90 and my Great Grandmother lived to be almost 91. Longevity runs deeps in our family, and I’d count myself lucky to be as fortunate as them.

An epidemic plaguing the United States currently is childhood obesity. The problem is extremely significant and it continues to increase at an alarming rate. (Childhood Obesity Facts, 2019), found that 13.9% of children between the ages of 2-5, 18.4% of children 6-11, and 20.6% of adolescent children are obese. If these rates continue to climb in this direction the United States children will enter their adulthood obese. (Finkelstein, et al., 2012), has a prediction of 51% of Americans becoming obese in 2030 and 9% will be severely obese.

The prevalence of obesity increases later in life if a person is obese early in their childhood. Furthermore, reaching adulthood being obese will eventually lead to chronic health problems. There are many common co-morbidities associated with obesity such as hypertension, orthopedic issues, obstructive sleep apnea, asthma, hypercholesterolemia, dental problems, metabolic disorders, and diseases of the liver causing excessive fat buildup (Pulgaron & Delamater, 2014). There are also psychological effects that obesity can have on children that can follow them into adulthood. These children are known to have major depressive disorders along with anxiety problems, bulimia and or anorexia, and even discrimination by peers (Buttitta, Iliescu, Rousseau, & Guerrien, 2014). Obese children have an increased risk of being bullied. Bullying could lead to suicidal behaviors in young and adolescent children.

Another aspect to consider is children’s screen time exposure and how it affects obesity. Screen time is now shown to increase children’s risk to become obese. Robinson et al. (2017), found that the present data points to a link between excessive electronic devices and TV usage to obesity in children and adolescents. The linkage is thought to be related to mindless eating while watching screen devices. While watching one is exposed to the marketing of high-calorie, low-nutritious foods and beverages. With this exposure, children have the impulse to request their parents to purchase these items. With all of the evidence shown linking screen time and obesity education needed to be provided.

Congress recognizes the magnitude of childhood obesity and what the future holds for American citizens. This recognition by Congress permitted an amendment of the Public Health Service Act, to hopefully encourage children to partake in healthy eating and physical activities. According to (Rose-Malm, 2016), The Reducing Obesity in Youth Act of 2018 would revise the Public Health Service Act. In doing so, local organizations will receive five-year grants from the Secretary of Health and Human Services. For those organizations to qualify for the grants one will need expertise in early childhood health and obesity or a facility of higher research or education. This policy paper will start with factors and or rationales that led to this policy. Furthermore, the body of this paper will examine how healthcare can positively gain from this policy, the price associated with the policy, its influence on stakeholder satisfaction, and its impact on clinical results.

Factors Leading to the Development of Policy

Xu and Xue (2015), stated that of the children in America, at least 34% are obese. The first year of life is when eating patterns develop. These patterns develop by the personal experience with food and by noticing the eating habits of others. As children age, they are not eating the nutrients that are needed for a balanced diet. There is an unwillingness to try and accept certain categories of foods. One said rejected food category would be vegetables which lead to uneaten health nutrients (Parental Influence on Children’s Eating Habits, 2012). Another thing to consider is the portion size of meals offered which can lead to increased weight gain.

Parents also play an important part in the relationship children will play with food. Frequently eating at restaurants and fast food establishments more than once a week can also contribute to obesity. The types of food at home can contribute to excess pounds. If sugary, high-caloric foods and nutrient-poor snacks are available this is what a child will prefer. Sugary beverages either soda or juice can also pack on the pounds. Modeling good eating habits will encourage children to eat the proper foods from all food groups. Moreover, eating a well-balanced diet that consists of all basic food groups can help children with the prevention of obesity.

Physical activity is quickly becoming a thing of the past for children. All children need to be physically active each day. Children aged 6 and older should participate for 60 minutes every day and children younger need active play (Energy Out: Daily Physical Activity Recommendations, 2014). When children are lacking regular exercise it can be one of the huge contributing factors linked to obesity. In the story, Neumark-Stainzer, and French stated, (as cited in Sahoo et al., 2015, activity level sect. para. 1), excessive time on electronic devices and TV can correspond with the intake of the advertised goods viewed during screen time activity.

Obese youth can be subjected to bullying and harassment from peers. This can turn to low self-esteem and body dissatisfaction. Seminary, Shim, Mattox, and Holden (2012), showed a difference between obese and normal-weight children and found there is a higher incidence of poorer academic success, anxiety, depression and even increased suicide attempts.

Benefits to healthcare

This policy will help provide education on better eating habits, the benefits of physical activity, and limiting screen time. If children develop better eating habits at an early age it will follow them throughout their lives. When children maintain a healthy weight, they decrease the chances of developing complications associated with obesity. Such complications are type 2 diabetes, hypertension, renal disease, and fatty liver disease (Pandita, 2016). If physical activity is increased it can help prevent hypertension, improve circulation, prevent bone loss, and can increase longevity of life (Why is physical activity so important for health and well-being? 2017). A savings of approximately $147 to $210 billion a year for the United States can be obtained with this bill (The Healthcare Costs of Obesity, n.d.).

Costs related to the policy

Under this policy, qualified bodies will be accoladed by 5-year grants. Children from birth to age five will benefit from said grants. These grants will provide education that promotes better eating habits and physical activity. $4,000,000 will be set aside per fiscal year from 2019-2023. In the fiscal year of 2019, the State must be traced to show how the funds are being used for obesity prevention. Therefore $1,700,000 will be allotted for this task to be achieved. A total of $21,700,00 over five years will be used. The manpower that will be needed for the policy comes in the form of trainers and trainees in early care and education focusing on obesity prevention. Furthermore, it will require more personnel to compile reports no more than 12 months after the program’s inception, to present to congress.

Impact on client satisfaction

The major stakeholder that will gain the most will be the parents and children that the policy targets. This will have the biggest impact because the educational benefits will follow both parents and child into adulthood and this can prevent obesity. Secondly, healthcare providers and insurance companies will have great contentedness with this policy. With parents and children following the obesity educational prevention programs, they will lead healthier lifestyles. Healthier lifestyles will therefore result in cost benefits to insurance companies. Lastly, the federal government will also be a huge benefactor due to the decreased funds that will no longer be required to spend on obesity.

Impact on clinical outcomes

There will be positive clinical outcomes from this policy. Research has shown that if obesity starts early in childhood it will follow and linger into adulthood. With the programs implemented the educational tools provided will help teach things from healthier food choices to becoming more physically active, and limiting screen time. If all of these interventions are set into place it can decrease the obesity rate in children ages birth to five. With the obesity rate reduction in children, healthcare providers will see a decrease in cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol as adults, just to name a few.

Increased physical activity will also have effective clinical outcomes. Some of the benefits include a decrease in heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and certain types of cancer, and better memory and performance in school (Physical Activity Facts, 2018). A further decrease in anxiety and depression will also be an advantage of being more physically active. (Frieden, Dietz, & Collins, 2010), voiced that if children were active early then they would be active throughout adulthood.

Conclusion

In conclusion, childhood obesity is rapidly on the rise and it is listed as one of the most preventable diseases in the United States. Congress recognized there was a desperate need to intervene and presented The Reducing Obesity in Youth Act of 2018. Senator Tom Carper, a sponsor of this bill stated, “This legislation helps empower our kids by giving them the tools necessary to be their own advocates – learning the importance of staying active and developing good eating habits. When nearly one-third of our kids are already overweight or obese by the time they’re teenagers, all of us – parents, educators, businesses and health officials – need to work together to reverse this dangerous trend and give our kids a healthier future” (Booker, Nelson, Carper, Coons Reintroduce Bill to Combat Childhood Obesity, 2018).

Research has shown that the best way to combat the obesity crisis in the United States is through prevention. If obesity can be prevented it will be worth what children will have to endure as adults suffering from obesity.

References

1. Booker, Nelson, Carper, Coons Reintroduce Bill to Combat Childhood Obesity. (2018, April 23). Retrieved from Cory Booker United States Senator for New Jersey: https://www.booker.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=780
2. Buttitta, M., Iliescu, C., Rousseau, A., & Guerrien, A. (2014). Quality of life in overweight and obese children and adolescents: a literature review. Quality of Life Research, 1117-1139. Retrieved from https://web-a-ebscohost-com.ju.idm.oclc.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=2&sid=911b2742-3707-47ae-a2f5-597f48dd5748%40sessionmgr4006
3. Childhood Obesity Facts. (2019, June 24). Retrieved from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/childhood.html
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Introduction

Food has a unique way of connecting us to our past, evoking vivid memories and transporting us to cherished moments in our lives. In this memoir essay, I will take you on a personal journey through my own food memories, exploring the flavors, aromas, and experiences that have shaped my relationship with food. From the comforting meals of my childhood to the transformative tastes of travel, these food memoirs have become a testament to the power of culinary experiences in shaping our lives and fostering connections with loved ones.

A Taste of Home

The first chapter of my food memoirs takes me back to the warm and comforting meals of my childhood. The aroma of my grandmother’s freshly baked bread, the sizzle of bacon in the pan on Sunday mornings, and the sight of my mother’s homemade pasta sauce simmering on the stove fill my senses with nostalgia. These simple yet flavorful dishes not only nourished my body but also cultivated a sense of belonging and security. The rituals and traditions surrounding these meals created lasting memories and a deep appreciation for the power of food to bring loved ones together.

Culinary Adventures Abroad

As I embarked on my travels, my food memoirs expanded to include culinary adventures in different parts of the world. From savoring street food in bustling Asian markets to indulging in traditional dishes in cozy European cafes, each bite became a passport to new cultures and experiences. The vibrant spices of Indian curries, the delicate layers of French pastries, and the tangy flavors of Mexican street tacos opened my palate to a world of flavors and expanded my understanding of the diverse tapestry of global cuisine. These food memories not only satisfied my taste buds but also sparked a curiosity and appreciation for the rich culinary heritage of different regions.

Love and Connection

In my food memoirs, love and connection emerge as recurring themes. The act of preparing and sharing a meal with loved ones becomes a way to express affection, forge deeper connections, and create lasting memories. From intimate dinners with friends to festive gatherings with family, these moments around the table are infused with laughter, heartfelt conversations, and the joy of shared experiences. The shared meals become a language of love, where the effort and care put into creating a delicious feast reflect the depth of our relationships and the value we place on nourishing both body and soul.

Conclusion

Food memoirs offer a profound glimpse into the essence of our lives. They capture the emotions, memories, and connections that are intricately woven into the fabric of our culinary experiences. From the nostalgic flavors of our childhood to the culinary adventures that expand our horizons, food memoirs invite us to savor not only the tastes and aromas but also the emotions and memories associated with each bite. As we continue to create new food memories and add chapters to our own culinary stories, let us remember to embrace the power of food in fostering connections, preserving traditions, and celebrating the richness of life.

Introduction

Thanksgiving is a cherished holiday that brings families and friends together to express gratitude and share a bountiful feast. However, in recent years, there has been a growing movement to reconsider the traditional centerpiece of Thanksgiving—the turkey. In this persuasive essay, we will explore compelling reasons why we should reconsider consuming turkey on Thanksgiving Day. By embracing compassion, environmental sustainability, and expanding our culinary traditions, we can create a more inclusive and ethically conscious holiday experience.

Compassion for Animals

One of the primary reasons to forgo eating turkey on Thanksgiving is rooted in compassion for animals. Turkeys are intelligent creatures capable of experiencing pain and suffering. By opting for a plant-based feast, we can demonstrate our respect for their lives and well-being. Choosing cruelty-free alternatives, such as plant-based roasts or hearty vegetable dishes, allows us to celebrate Thanksgiving without contributing to the demand for turkey production, which often involves inhumane farming practices.

Environmental Considerations

The environmental impact of turkey farming is another persuasive argument against consuming turkey on Thanksgiving. Turkey production requires significant resources, including land, water, and feed. The intensive farming practices associated with mass turkey production contribute to deforestation, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. By choosing alternative options like plant-based proteins or locally sourced seasonal ingredients, we can reduce our ecological footprint and make a positive impact on the environment.

Culinary Exploration and Tradition

Thanksgiving is an opportunity to explore diverse culinary traditions and expand our palate beyond the confines of a turkey-centric feast. Embracing plant-based dishes, such as roasted vegetables, flavorful grains, and creative meat substitutes, allows us to celebrate the holiday in a way that is inclusive of various dietary preferences and cultural backgrounds. By embracing a more diverse and creative approach to Thanksgiving meals, we can create new traditions that reflect our evolving values and culinary interests.

Health and Well-being

Choosing not to eat turkey on Thanksgiving can also have positive impacts on our health and well-being. Turkey consumption is often associated with overindulgence and excessive calorie intake. By incorporating more plant-based options into our holiday meals, we can promote balance, nutrition, and overall wellness. Plant-based dishes rich in whole grains, legumes, and vibrant vegetables can provide essential nutrients while reducing the risks of certain health conditions, including heart disease and obesity.

Conclusion

As we gather with loved ones to celebrate Thanksgiving, let us embrace a more compassionate, sustainable, and inclusive approach to our holiday feast. By choosing not to eat turkey, we demonstrate our empathy for animals, reduce our ecological footprint, and foster a sense of culinary adventure. Let this Thanksgiving be a time to explore the abundance of plant-based options available and create new traditions that reflect our evolving values. Together, we can make a difference and celebrate a Thanksgiving that is truly aligned with the spirit of gratitude, compassion, and conscious living.

In most primary schools in Trinidad, students are challenged with a chronic illness due to unhealthy eating habits. According to “TT’s Joint Select Committee on Social Services and Public Administration revealed that at least half of TT’s primary school children are overweight and are at risk of becoming diabetics”. Students are not following a healthy diet, they are consuming a vast amount of unhealthy foods on a daily bases with no guidance from their parents. These unhealthy foods are very detrimental to the human body. Unhealthy means something harmful to health.

Our primary school students must understand why it is necessary to follow a healthy diet to produce healthy bodies that are free from chronic illnesses such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and stress. Health and safety are two aspects that are important to the well-being of the nation’s students. Health can be defined as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of diseases or infirmity (World Health Organization, 1948). Additionally, safety refers to freedom from danger and injury. (Definition of the concept of safety, n.d.). Therefore this paper will focus on the effects of students’ unhealthy eating habits. These effects consist of obesity, diabetes, and learning ability. In the world today unhealthy eating has caused a vast increase in obesity. Obesity is one of the major challenges currently faced in all of our school systems.

Obesity is a medical condition that is excess body fat that has accumulated to the extent that it may harm health leading to reduce life expectancy or increased health problems. Also, childhood obesity is a serious medical condition that affects children and adolescents, it occurs when a child is well above the normal weight of his or her age and height. Therefore, when the child eats unhealthy foods such as fast food; burgers, pizza, processed foods, soft drinks, and snacks with high salt and sugar content, it would lead to weight gain, and when this issue is left untreated, this weight gain turns into obesity. The unhealthy food the students consume on a daily bases is the big reason why there has been a steady increase in obese school students. Trinidad and Tobago research have shown that a quarter (25%) of school-age children (5-18 years) are obese. Trinidad is the fifth fattest nation in the world according to a recent report from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) (Annie Boodoo-Balliram, (2013). The cause of this epidemic outburst is the lifestyle the country is living today; working mothers are too busy to prepare healthy meals for their children. They prefer to give the child fast food that may be fried or processed. Hence students are not consuming a balanced diet meal and this outcome can be very alarming to society.

Obesity can also be caused by genetics; born into a family that is obese or has an abnormal hormone problem. The effects of childhood obesity can lead to chronic diseases, for example, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, mental issues, etc. Following research, the concerns of the high level of obesity beginning from childhood and continuing into adulthood will further contribute to the overall increased risk of the different types of diabetes among our people. Additionally, this will lead to increased limb amputation, heart attack, kidney diseases, and blindness, which are increasing health care costs. Childhood obesity is a growing concern for children in Trinidad that requires the full support of schools, communities; families as well as children to help decrease the epidemic. In the world today unhealthy eating will also result in another chronic disease known as diabetes. According to the Trinidad newspaper which reads that diabetes is a lifestyle disease and can only be prevented as one gets older. Young students are not aware of the danger their body undertakes as they consume unhealthy foods. Hence, the reason why most primary school students of Trinidad are currently facing diabetes is due to the ingestion of more than the required amount of sugars and simple carbohydrates ( such as candy, fruit juice, white bread, white flour, soft drinks, etc. ).

According to statistics Trinidad and Tobago have a high rise of diabetes cases and the nation is not taking this disease very seriously. According to research diabetes is known as a chronic disease, which occurs when the human body cannot regulate its use of insulin. Additionally, insulin is a hormone released by our pancreas (organ sitting behind the stomach), which controls the amount of glucose (sugar) in our blood. In other words, diabetes is a metabolic disease in which a person has high blood sugar due to the body not producing a hormone known as insulin. There are three main types of diabetes such as type1 diabetes; result from the body’s failure to produce insulin where the person has to inject insulin, type 2 diabetes; result from insulin resistance, which is a condition where the cells fail to use insulin properly or does not make enough insulin and this causes sugar to build up in the blood instead of using it as energy, and lastly gestational diabetes; this is a temporary condition which only occurs during pregnancy. Some primary students are diagnosed and living with type 1 and 2 diabetes and still attend school. For example, According to an article from the Trinidad Newsday where the President of the Diabetes Association of TT (DATT) Andrew Dhanoo explained that “Type 1 diabetes is the rarest of the forms of diabetes and is affecting children who are two or three-year-olds and there have also been increasing cases of Type 1 diabetes in children.

Trinidad and Tobago Newsday, (2019). Another case is that of five years old, Alvin Gabriel Daniel, who is living a normal life with “Type 1” diabetes. His parents could not believe that diabetes could affect young children. . They assumed it only affected older people. Registered dietician Janelle Zakour said a 2010 study entitled The Diabetes Epidemic in TT stated that 450 children had Type 1 diabetes and, as she had been working with diabetic children for the past two years, she was certain the numbers had increased since then. Trinidad and Tobago Newsday, (2019). To reduce the massive increase of diabetes in primary school an article from The Trinidad Express states “The Ministry of Health is banning the sale of sugar-sweetened drinks at all Government and Government-assisted schools. This commenced in April 2017. Furthermore, the effects of diabetes if not treated will result in diseases that are fatal to the human body, for example, heart diseases, stroke, kidney damage, and amputation of limbs. Therefore with the assistance of parents working with the teachers should educate the students about diabetes which will help prevent an increasing epidemic of students living with this fatal disease. In today’s world, unhealthy eating habits could hinder the learning ability of the nation’s primary school students.

The term learning ability also known as mental ability is the ability to comprehend or understand what a concept entails. In other words, this is about how the individual uses their brainpower to understand and then apply that knowledge. The student’s learning ability can be affected by the unhealthy food they consume. These food items are loaded with sugar, caffeine, sodium, and many other chemicals that affect the student by making them tired and lose focus; while the teacher is teaching, sick, behaving, and nervous. An unhealthy diet has also affected the student’s academic performance. Studies suggest that foods with a high level of saturated fat and sugar could have more effect on how the students learn and understand. (How Diet and Nutrition Impact a Child’s Learning Ability | PublicSchoolReview.com, 2008) For example, when the students of primary school start their day consuming sugary and highly saturated snacks before commencing the day’s class time, most students are tired, lack concentration, and produce disruptive behavior while the teacher is teaching.

The teacher may have to use strategies that will increase students’ focus. This process may affect the teacher mentally. According to the Society for Neuroscience, recent studies reveal that diets with high levels of saturated fats impair learning and memory. Furthermore, the foods are available at the school’s cafeteria and are the basic snacks students devour on a daily bases. Some parents are poor and belong to a low socio-economic background and are led to purchase cheaper snacks rather than healthy fruits and vegetables; which may be somewhat expensive. However, on the other hand, working-class parents may not have the time to prepare healthy meals so they replace healthy foods with processed and fried foods; foods that are unhealthy for the human body and mine. It is important to establish healthy eating behaviors early, as evidence shows that eating habits and patterns track into adulthood. Therefore healthy eating habits should be introduced at an early stage of the student lives as early as childhood to prevent an outburst of health issues that may be of great concern to our national school students as they develop into an adult. As it shows that healthy eating habit contributes to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, and provides protection against chronic diseases such as obesity, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, learning abilities, etc.

Healthy nutrition improves learning ability which leads to better academic performance. The national schools can provide an important opportunity for prevention as they can provide the most effective way of reaching large numbers of people including the students themselves, school staff families, and community members. Additionally, according to research, the schools have been a popular setting for the implementation of health promotion and prevention interventions, as they offer continuous, intensive contact with children and that lifelong health and well-being begins with promoting healthy behaviors early in life. This is because a school is a place of learning and the Ministry of Education has school policies that will assist in promoting the nutritional well-being of the nation’s students with the assistance of different stakeholders (teachers, parents, students, community, health officials, M.O.E). (Ministry of Education, n.d.)Therefore, primary schools should be required to promote and model healthy eating habits through school programs and activities, such as activities that maintain physical fitness with regular sports and activities, enhancing healthy food diet and nutritional food fairs, lecturers or, a dietician from the Ministry of Health lecturing on proper health care and diet, etc. These are positive recommendations and interventions that would help decrease the epidemic of life-treating diseases.

Students need a positive role model that allows them to feel safe and healthy and also they learn by examples; if they are influenced by negative examples then their characteristics will be displayed negatively. Therefore, as a teacher, it is required to display a positive influence to ensure the student follows the right path. Also with the collaboration of the school cafeteria, they should also work with the school and (M.O.E.) to ensure that the students are consuming healthy snacks and drinking a lot of water which is a better choice. It should be recommended that parents be involved in school food and nutrition programs to ensure they are aware of preparing healthy meals and snacks for their children to take to school. The school curriculum should emphasize strictly the education of good nutrition and personal health as it consists of developing responsibility for healthy lifestyle habits. Utilizing this recommendation can save the lives of our primary students and further protect and prevent them from experiencing fatal lifelong chronic diseases. Piaget his views on the nutritional well-being of students were talking about children’s cognitive development and their different stages in development. The pre-operational stage (2-7 years) is when children learn many concepts and develop lifelong habits. So children can start learning about appropriate and balanced nutrition and acquire good eating habits for later years. It can be also used as a guide in nutritional education as it helps to design effective nutrition appropriate for the developmental stages of childhood. It can be concluded when it concerns the health and safety, of the primary students of Trinidad about the chronic illness of obesity, diabetes, and learning ability, due to unhealthy eating habits. Therefore, this can result in various health issues as mentioned above. Healthy nutrition improves learning ability which leads to better academic performance. Therefore healthy eating habit contributes to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight and provides protection against chronic diseases such as obesity, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, learning abilities, etc. Positive recommendations and interventions that would help decrease the epidemic of life treating diseases such as physical fitness with regular sports and activities, enhancing healthy food diet and nutritional food fair, lecturers or, a dietician from the Ministry of Health lecturing on proper health care and diet, etc are some ways to help manage the health and safety of the nation’s primary students.

References

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Introduction

Today, eating out is part of the modern lifestyle or can be said a necessity of the modern age. Fast food is mainly targeted to youngster who is providing fast food restaurants the most revenue. The high fast foods taste good to these youngsters, which in turn makes them believe that fast food is quick, easy, and satisfying. Fast food restaurants are now making “value” meals. Fast food has become a fashion, as customers are not only eating, they are enjoying the environment not only adults, but children are also fond of going to fast food restaurants to celebrate their memorable occasions like birthdays, and even get-together parties.

Pakistan, which is growing at a very fast pace explains the challenges faced by management to compete in the era of globalization while upholding the specialty of their origin. Although the literature shows very limited work on this industry in Pakistan by the study of the pattern of customers’ perception in this industry and the owner’s considerations the literature review shows the cross-culture differences in the consumption of fast food and how the people belonging to different countries adopting this food as an important aspect of their daily life. Fast food is the most attractive thing for the youngster and Children.

This research also the light on the buying behavior of customers. Perceptions of the brands and buying behaviors usually change from person to person. So it is important to find out the consumer behavior changes. The consumers’ intention to buy products depends upon various factors including the desire, perception, experience, and the features of goods and services among other tangible and intangible traits concerned with the individuals.

This paper examines the issue of consumer behavior with specific reference to the fast food industry not as an identifiable research problem but as a growing phenomenon that has spread, to many countries at a much lower level of development. There is a reasonably vast body of literary work on the matter of consumer behavior, especially about the purchase of household and other products advertised intensively on television and other media. However, the literature on the purchasing behavior of consumers of fast foods is now emerging as a field of interest largely because of the global penetration of the major fast food chains, and the health issues that are arising especially among young people. Data were collected from peer-reviewed journals and a content analysis was conducted to identify the major and emerging themes about purchasing behavior and the fast food industry. The purchasing behavior of consumers is becoming the subject of considerable research as the economies of established and emerging countries adopt the consumption Model of economic development as pioneered.

Faisalabad people’s changing life style and preferences welcome fast food warmly. It became one of the growing industries in Faisalabad as in the rest of Pakistan. Now the target of fast-food restaurants is not only youth but also adults and children.

The modern increasing trend in fast food is to target young children (Pettigrew & Roberts, 2006). Fast food is a product of modern lifestyles and busy schedules of people (Davies & Smith, 2004).

The purpose of this paper is to present the major issues related to consumer behavior and the fast food industry and to examine the implications for small countries of the current level of consumption.

Literature review:

(Schlosser, et al,.2001)The fast food industry, originally conceived in Southern California during the 1940s, not only the eating habits of Americans but also those in many other countries around the world, including Asian countries. In Pakistan, a fast food center was opened in 1997 that was KFC. Fast food centers are found on the corners of streets, off the side of interstates, airports, malls, schools, gas stations, local shopping centers, and even in hospitals. There have been some factors behind the growing industry of fast food in Pakistan.

(Nelson, 1992). “A model of factors affecting consumer decision making regarding food products: a case study of USA and Japan” scrutinized that there are many factors like values, eating habits, family structure, tastes, and fondness affecting consumer food choice decision making between the countries and even within countries

(Anand, 2011). Food buying behaviors checked up as part of a “cultural ideology,” that can be prejudiced by Material and social requirements, dependent more on history, routine, disinterest, and a visual sensibility to form consumption patterns Not only adults but children have been fonder of going to the fast food restaurants for having fun on occasions like birthdays, results and even get together parties. Fast foods taste good to those youngsters, which makes them believe that fast food is quick, easy, and satisfying fast food centers have been making “value” meals for children that are increased in portion sizes and becoming a fashion, as customers are not only eating but enjoying the environment.

Goyal and Singh (2007) concluded in their study that now people want more and more information about the food contents regarding the nutritional and hygiene values rather than just having fun with fast food. So the competition is regarding the quality and service provided.

(Nelson, 1992) Eleven characteristics were provoked from the past studies and they are price, responsiveness of employees, diversity of menu, service swiftness, calorie content, cleanliness/Environment of the outlet, convenience; business hours/elimination of meal gap; delivery service; inventiveness for children; seating facilities, all these elements are directly dealing with the correspondence of students, employees or other authorities in the working place. Specifically, young adults like fast food more than other age groups. They like to have a meal at lunch time because it’s a quick service process, fast food items take less time to prepare and they can joy their break time in relaxation and conversation with others, which have a positive impact on the mind of customers of fast food.

Every person is directly or indirectly engaged in the consumption of fast food, so advertisement has a great influence on its customers. The fast food makers are effectively providing the same type of food or material in different ways with different sorts of varieties.

The fast food makers are generally focusing on students by advertising their product in such a way, that fast food makers distribute their discount coupons, especially in schools, colleges, and universities. They allow consumers to buy their products in groups or bulk quantities to take discounts, buy one and get one free, combos, In that case, if two or three people would like to eat fast they will prefer to buy in groups. However, they also agreed for some other colleagues to join them by which they can also attain the discount offers. In this process, fast food makers get benefits in the shape of increasing customers.

Fast food makers are facilitating their customers by providing free home delivery service by which customers get their meals at their doorstep. It significantly doesn’t matter where he is, food will be delivered to him by the fast food makers. Fast food makers earn benefits from consumers because of their inconvenience, especially at night. They provide special mid-night deals and discounts in specific time durations to attain their discount on various deals. Those persons who can not go outside after 11 clock, simply call restaurants and order their favorite meals. In Faisalabad, fast food makers earn high benefits from their female customers by providing free home delivery services, because there is a major issue in inconvenience for females also there is an issue of privacy, So they call and order their meals and it will be delivered at home, as previous research showed that there had been a constant rise in the demand for convenience foods.

(McNeal, Stem, Jr. and Nelson, 1980; Miller, and Ginter, 1979; Louviere, 1984) helped to govern the multi-feature criteria on which consumers differentiate fast-food Restaurants. The fast food restaurants offer a play area for children, In this case, parents can consume food easily while their children are playing.

(Ragavan, 2003) “Food in a globalized world” has concluded that food is a means of life but it has become a meaningful investment for business. Due to the high interest of public in the fast food consumption, businessman keeps working on the advertisement to maintain and also gets new consumers. In particular, fast food chains like McDonald’s, KFC, etc are globalizing their brands and directly hitting the elite class because they are brand-conscious and only consume branded products.

In recent years crackdown by the Punjab Food Authority( PFA), many fast food restaurants were sealed and fined for providing unhygienic food to their customers which significantly disturbed the interest of consumers in the consumption of fast food. On the other hand, after the completion of the action by PFA Fast food restaurants upgraded their kitchens hygienically which retrieves the interest of their consumers.

In the processing of action by the Punjab Food Authority, McDonald’s allows the general public to open the kitchen facility due to this step everyone can visit and check the quality of products that are prepared in McDonald’s kitchen. With the help of the Open kitchen facility McDonald’s highly satisfied their customers and also benefited in the making of new customers as well.

We select the best of the best vegetables that are continuously monitored for freshness, high nutrients, and safety, to maintain top quality standards. We use regional/local suppliers to ensure that the freshness and high quality are delivered to you in all our products. McDonald’s proved this statement by offering an “open door” kitchen tour.

References:

1. Anand, R. (2011), “A study of determinants impacting consumers food choice concerning the fast food consumption in India” Society and Business Review, Vol. 6 No. 2, pp 176-187.
2. Anita Goyal and N.P. Singh (2007), Consumer perception about fast Food in India: an exploratory study British Food Journal Vol. 109 No. 2, 200 pp.182-195Emerald Group Publishing Limited 0007
3. Davies, G. J. Smith, J.L. (2004), “Fast food: dietary perspectives”, Nutrition & Food Science, Volume 34. Number 2. pp. 80-82
4. Keynote (2003), Fast Food and Home Delivery Outlets, Market Intelligence Report, Keynote, London, April
5. McNeal, J.U., Stem, D.E. Jr. and Nelson, C.S. (1980), “Consumers’ nutritional ratings of fast-food meals”, Journal of Consumer Affairs, Vol. 14 No. 1, pp. 165-79.
6. Nelson, D.L. (1992), “A model of factors affecting consumer decision making regarding food products: a case study of the United States and Japan”, Ph.D. thesis, Washington State University, Washington, DC.
7. Nelson, D.L. (1992), “A model of factors affecting consumer decision making regarding food products: a case study of the United States and Japan”, Ph.D. thesis, Washington State University, Washington, DC.
8. Pettigrew, S. & Roberts, M. (2006),” Mothers ‘attitudes towards toys as fast food premiums”, YOUNG CONSUMERS Quarter 3.
9. Raghavan, P. (2003), “Food in a globalized world – a cultural perspective”, Journal of International University Centre, I.I.A.S. Shimla, Vol. 10 No. 1, pp. 143-56.
10. Schlosser, E. (2001), Fast Food Nation, Houghton Mifflin, New York, NY.
11. Traill, B. (1994), New Food Consumption Patterns and Product Quality in Europe and Adaptation of Agricultural Production, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, Rome.

In most primary schools in Trinidad, students are challenged with a chronic illness due to unhealthy eating habits. According to “TT’s Joint Select Committee on Social Services and Public Administration revealed that at least half of TT’s primary school children are overweight and are at risk of becoming diabetics”. Students are not following a healthy diet, they are consuming a vast amount of unhealthy foods on a daily bases with no guidance from their parents. These unhealthy foods are very detrimental to the human body. Unhealthy means something harmful to health.

Our primary school students must understand why it is necessary to follow a healthy diet to produce healthy bodies that are free from chronic illnesses such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and stress. Health and safety are two aspects that are important to the well-being of the nation’s students. Health can be defined as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of diseases or infirmity (World Health Organization, 1948). Additionally, safety refers to freedom from danger and injury. (Definition of the concept of safety, n.d.). Therefore this paper will focus on the effects of students’ unhealthy eating habits. These effects consist of obesity, diabetes, and learning ability. In the world today unhealthy eating has caused a vast increase in obesity. Obesity is one of the major challenges currently faced in all of our school systems.

Obesity is a medical condition that is excess body fat that has accumulated to the extent that it may harm health leading to reduce life expectancy or increased health problems. Also, childhood obesity is a serious medical condition that affects children and adolescents, it occurs when a child is well above the normal weight of his or her age and height. Therefore, when the child eats unhealthy foods such as fast food; burgers, pizza, processed foods, soft drinks, and snacks with high salt and sugar content, it would lead to weight gain, and when this issue is left untreated, this weight gain turns into obesity. The unhealthy food the students consume on a daily bases is the big reason why there has been a steady increase in obese school students. Trinidad and Tobago research have shown that a quarter (25%) of school-age children (5-18 years) are obese. Trinidad is the fifth fattest nation in the world according to a recent report from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) (Annie Boodoo-Balliram, (2013). The cause of this epidemic outburst is the lifestyle the country is living today; working mothers are too busy to prepare healthy meals for their children. They prefer to give the child fast food that may be fried or processed. Hence students are not consuming a balanced diet meal and this outcome can be very alarming to society.

Obesity can also be caused by genetics; born into a family that is obese or has an abnormal hormone problem. The effects of childhood obesity can lead to chronic diseases, for example, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, mental issues, etc. Following research, the concerns of the high level of obesity beginning from childhood and continuing into adulthood will further contribute to the overall increased risk of the different types of diabetes among our people. Additionally, this will lead to increased limb amputation, heart attack, kidney diseases, and blindness, which are increasing health care costs. Childhood obesity is a growing concern for children in Trinidad that requires the full support of schools, communities; families as well as children to help decrease the epidemic. In the world today unhealthy eating will also result in another chronic disease known as diabetes. According to the Trinidad newspaper which reads that diabetes is a lifestyle disease and can only be prevented as one gets older. Young students are not aware of the danger their body undertakes as they consume unhealthy foods. Hence, the reason why most primary school students of Trinidad are currently facing diabetes is due to the ingestion of more than the required amount of sugars and simple carbohydrates ( such as candy, fruit juice, white bread, white flour, soft drinks, etc. ).

According to statistics Trinidad and Tobago have a high rise of diabetes cases and the nation is not taking this disease very seriously. According to research diabetes is known as a chronic disease, which occurs when the human body cannot regulate its use of insulin. Additionally, insulin is a hormone released by our pancreas (organ sitting behind the stomach), which controls the amount of glucose (sugar) in our blood. In other words, diabetes is a metabolic disease in which a person has high blood sugar due to the body not producing a hormone known as insulin. There are three main types of diabetes such as type1 diabetes; result from the body’s failure to produce insulin where the person has to inject insulin, type 2 diabetes; result from insulin resistance, which is a condition where the cells fail to use insulin properly or does not make enough insulin and this causes sugar to build up in the blood instead of using it as energy, and lastly gestational diabetes; this is a temporary condition which only occurs during pregnancy. Some primary students are diagnosed and living with type 1 and 2 diabetes and still attend school. For example, According to an article from the Trinidad Newsday where the President of the Diabetes Association of TT (DATT) Andrew Dhanoo explained that “Type 1 diabetes is the rarest of the forms of diabetes and is affecting children who are two or three-year-olds and there have also been increasing cases of Type 1 diabetes in children.

Trinidad and Tobago Newsday, (2019). Another case is that of five years old, Alvin Gabriel Daniel, who is living a normal life with “Type 1” diabetes. His parents could not believe that diabetes could affect young children. . They assumed it only affected older people. Registered dietician Janelle Zakour said a 2010 study entitled The Diabetes Epidemic in TT stated that 450 children had Type 1 diabetes and, as she had been working with diabetic children for the past two years, she was certain the numbers had increased since then. Trinidad and Tobago Newsday, (2019). To reduce the massive increase of diabetes in primary school an article from The Trinidad Express states “The Ministry of Health is banning the sale of sugar-sweetened drinks at all Government and Government-assisted schools. This commenced in April 2017. Furthermore, the effects of diabetes if not treated will result in diseases that are fatal to the human body, for example, heart diseases, stroke, kidney damage, and amputation of limbs. Therefore with the assistance of parents working with the teachers should educate the students about diabetes which will help prevent an increasing epidemic of students living with this fatal disease. In today’s world, unhealthy eating habits could hinder the learning ability of the nation’s primary school students.

The term learning ability also known as mental ability is the ability to comprehend or understand what a concept entails. In other words, this is about how the individual uses their brainpower to understand and then apply that knowledge. The student’s learning ability can be affected by the unhealthy food they consume. These food items are loaded with sugar, caffeine, sodium, and many other chemicals that affect the student by making them tired and lose focus; while the teacher is teaching, sick, behaving, and nervous. An unhealthy diet has also affected the student’s academic performance. Studies suggest that foods with a high level of saturated fat and sugar could have more effect on how the students learn and understand. (How Diet and Nutrition Impact a Child’s Learning Ability | PublicSchoolReview.com, 2008) For example, when the students of primary school start their day consuming sugary and highly saturated snacks before commencing the day’s class time, most students are tired, lack concentration, and produce disruptive behavior while the teacher is teaching.

The teacher may have to use strategies that will increase students’ focus. This process may affect the teacher mentally. According to the Society for Neuroscience, recent studies reveal that diets with high levels of saturated fats impair learning and memory. Furthermore, the foods are available at the school’s cafeteria and are the basic snacks students devour on a daily bases. Some parents are poor and belong to a low socio-economic background and are led to purchase cheaper snacks rather than healthy fruits and vegetables; which may be somewhat expensive. However, on the other hand, working-class parents may not have the time to prepare healthy meals so they replace healthy foods with processed and fried foods; foods that are unhealthy for the human body and mine. It is important to establish healthy eating behaviors early, as evidence shows that eating habits and patterns track into adulthood. Therefore healthy eating habits should be introduced at an early stage of the student lives as early as childhood to prevent an outburst of health issues that may be of great concern to our national school students as they develop into an adult. As it shows that healthy eating habit contributes to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, and provides protection against chronic diseases such as obesity, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, learning abilities, etc.

Healthy nutrition improves learning ability which leads to better academic performance. The national schools can provide an important opportunity for prevention as they can provide the most effective way of reaching large numbers of people including the students themselves, school staff families, and community members. Additionally, according to research, the schools have been a popular setting for the implementation of health promotion and prevention interventions, as they offer continuous, intensive contact with children and that lifelong health and well-being begins with promoting healthy behaviors early in life. This is because a school is a place of learning and the Ministry of Education has school policies that will assist in promoting the nutritional well-being of the nation’s students with the assistance of different stakeholders (teachers, parents, students, community, health officials, M.O.E). (Ministry of Education, n.d.)Therefore, primary schools should be required to promote and model healthy eating habits through school programs and activities, such as activities that maintain physical fitness with regular sports and activities, enhancing healthy food diet and nutritional food fairs, lecturers or, a dietician from the Ministry of Health lecturing on proper health care and diet, etc. These are positive recommendations and interventions that would help decrease the epidemic of life-treating diseases.

Students need a positive role model that allows them to feel safe and healthy and also they learn by examples; if they are influenced by negative examples then their characteristics will be displayed negatively. Therefore, as a teacher, it is required to display a positive influence to ensure the student follows the right path. Also with the collaboration of the school cafeteria, they should also work with the school and (M.O.E.) to ensure that the students are consuming healthy snacks and drinking a lot of water which is a better choice. It should be recommended that parents be involved in school food and nutrition programs to ensure they are aware of preparing healthy meals and snacks for their children to take to school. The school curriculum should emphasize strictly the education of good nutrition and personal health as it consists of developing responsibility for healthy lifestyle habits. Utilizing this recommendation can save the lives of our primary students and further protect and prevent them from experiencing fatal lifelong chronic diseases. Piaget his views on the nutritional well-being of students were talking about children’s cognitive development and their different stages in development. The pre-operational stage (2-7 years) is when children learn many concepts and develop lifelong habits. So children can start learning about appropriate and balanced nutrition and acquire good eating habits for later years. It can be also used as a guide in nutritional education as it helps to design effective nutrition appropriate for the developmental stages of childhood. It can be concluded when it concerns the health and safety, of the primary students of Trinidad about the chronic illness of obesity, diabetes, and learning ability, due to unhealthy eating habits. Therefore, this can result in various health issues as mentioned above. Healthy nutrition improves learning ability which leads to better academic performance. Therefore healthy eating habit contributes to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight and provides protection against chronic diseases such as obesity, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, learning abilities, etc. Positive recommendations and interventions that would help decrease the epidemic of life treating diseases such as physical fitness with regular sports and activities, enhancing healthy food diet and nutritional food fair, lecturers or, a dietician from the Ministry of Health lecturing on proper health care and diet, etc are some ways to help manage the health and safety of the nation’s primary students.

References

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Introduction

Today, eating out is part of the modern lifestyle or can be said a necessity of the modern age. Fast food is mainly targeted to youngster who is providing fast food restaurants the most revenue. The high fast foods taste good to these youngsters, which in turn makes them believe that fast food is quick, easy, and satisfying. Fast food restaurants are now making “value” meals. Fast food has become a fashion, as customers are not only eating, they are enjoying the environment not only adults, but children are also fond of going to fast food restaurants to celebrate their memorable occasions like birthdays, and even get-together parties.

Pakistan, which is growing at a very fast pace explains the challenges faced by management to compete in the era of globalization while upholding the specialty of their origin. Although the literature shows very limited work on this industry in Pakistan by the study of the pattern of customers’ perception in this industry and the owner’s considerations the literature review shows the cross-culture differences in the consumption of fast food and how the people belonging to different countries adopting this food as an important aspect of their daily life. Fast food is the most attractive thing for the youngster and Children.

This research also the light on the buying behavior of customers. Perceptions of the brands and buying behaviors usually change from person to person. So it is important to find out the consumer behavior changes. The consumers’ intention to buy products depends upon various factors including the desire, perception, experience, and the features of goods and services among other tangible and intangible traits concerned with the individuals.

This paper examines the issue of consumer behavior with specific reference to the fast food industry not as an identifiable research problem but as a growing phenomenon that has spread, to many countries at a much lower level of development. There is a reasonably vast body of literary work on the matter of consumer behavior, especially about the purchase of household and other products advertised intensively on television and other media. However, the literature on the purchasing behavior of consumers of fast foods is now emerging as a field of interest largely because of the global penetration of the major fast food chains, and the health issues that are arising especially among young people. Data were collected from peer-reviewed journals and a content analysis was conducted to identify the major and emerging themes about purchasing behavior and the fast food industry. The purchasing behavior of consumers is becoming the subject of considerable research as the economies of established and emerging countries adopt the consumption Model of economic development as pioneered.

Faisalabad people’s changing life style and preferences welcome fast food warmly. It became one of the growing industries in Faisalabad as in the rest of Pakistan. Now the target of fast-food restaurants is not only youth but also adults and children.

The modern increasing trend in fast food is to target young children (Pettigrew & Roberts, 2006). Fast food is a product of modern lifestyles and busy schedules of people (Davies & Smith, 2004).

The purpose of this paper is to present the major issues related to consumer behavior and the fast food industry and to examine the implications for small countries of the current level of consumption.

Literature review:

(Schlosser, et al,.2001)The fast food industry, originally conceived in Southern California during the 1940s, not only the eating habits of Americans but also those in many other countries around the world, including Asian countries. In Pakistan, a fast food center was opened in 1997 that was KFC. Fast food centers are found on the corners of streets, off the side of interstates, airports, malls, schools, gas stations, local shopping centers, and even in hospitals. There have been some factors behind the growing industry of fast food in Pakistan.

(Nelson, 1992). “A model of factors affecting consumer decision making regarding food products: a case study of USA and Japan” scrutinized that there are many factors like values, eating habits, family structure, tastes, and fondness affecting consumer food choice decision making between the countries and even within countries

(Anand, 2011). Food buying behaviors checked up as part of a “cultural ideology,” that can be prejudiced by Material and social requirements, dependent more on history, routine, disinterest, and a visual sensibility to form consumption patterns Not only adults but children have been fonder of going to the fast food restaurants for having fun on occasions like birthdays, results and even get together parties. Fast foods taste good to those youngsters, which makes them believe that fast food is quick, easy, and satisfying fast food centers have been making “value” meals for children that are increased in portion sizes and becoming a fashion, as customers are not only eating but enjoying the environment.

Goyal and Singh (2007) concluded in their study that now people want more and more information about the food contents regarding the nutritional and hygiene values rather than just having fun with fast food. So the competition is regarding the quality and service provided.

(Nelson, 1992) Eleven characteristics were provoked from the past studies and they are price, responsiveness of employees, diversity of menu, service swiftness, calorie content, cleanliness/Environment of the outlet, convenience; business hours/elimination of meal gap; delivery service; inventiveness for children; seating facilities, all these elements are directly dealing with the correspondence of students, employees or other authorities in the working place. Specifically, young adults like fast food more than other age groups. They like to have a meal at lunch time because it’s a quick service process, fast food items take less time to prepare and they can joy their break time in relaxation and conversation with others, which have a positive impact on the mind of customers of fast food.

Every person is directly or indirectly engaged in the consumption of fast food, so advertisement has a great influence on its customers. The fast food makers are effectively providing the same type of food or material in different ways with different sorts of varieties.

The fast food makers are generally focusing on students by advertising their product in such a way, that fast food makers distribute their discount coupons, especially in schools, colleges, and universities. They allow consumers to buy their products in groups or bulk quantities to take discounts, buy one and get one free, combos, In that case, if two or three people would like to eat fast they will prefer to buy in groups. However, they also agreed for some other colleagues to join them by which they can also attain the discount offers. In this process, fast food makers get benefits in the shape of increasing customers.

Fast food makers are facilitating their customers by providing free home delivery service by which customers get their meals at their doorstep. It significantly doesn’t matter where he is, food will be delivered to him by the fast food makers. Fast food makers earn benefits from consumers because of their inconvenience, especially at night. They provide special mid-night deals and discounts in specific time durations to attain their discount on various deals. Those persons who can not go outside after 11 clock, simply call restaurants and order their favorite meals. In Faisalabad, fast food makers earn high benefits from their female customers by providing free home delivery services, because there is a major issue in inconvenience for females also there is an issue of privacy, So they call and order their meals and it will be delivered at home, as previous research showed that there had been a constant rise in the demand for convenience foods.

(McNeal, Stem, Jr. and Nelson, 1980; Miller, and Ginter, 1979; Louviere, 1984) helped to govern the multi-feature criteria on which consumers differentiate fast-food Restaurants. The fast food restaurants offer a play area for children, In this case, parents can consume food easily while their children are playing.

(Ragavan, 2003) “Food in a globalized world” has concluded that food is a means of life but it has become a meaningful investment for business. Due to the high interest of public in the fast food consumption, businessman keeps working on the advertisement to maintain and also gets new consumers. In particular, fast food chains like McDonald’s, KFC, etc are globalizing their brands and directly hitting the elite class because they are brand-conscious and only consume branded products.

In recent years crackdown by the Punjab Food Authority( PFA), many fast food restaurants were sealed and fined for providing unhygienic food to their customers which significantly disturbed the interest of consumers in the consumption of fast food. On the other hand, after the completion of the action by PFA Fast food restaurants upgraded their kitchens hygienically which retrieves the interest of their consumers.

In the processing of action by the Punjab Food Authority, McDonald’s allows the general public to open the kitchen facility due to this step everyone can visit and check the quality of products that are prepared in McDonald’s kitchen. With the help of the Open kitchen facility McDonald’s highly satisfied their customers and also benefited in the making of new customers as well.

We select the best of the best vegetables that are continuously monitored for freshness, high nutrients, and safety, to maintain top quality standards. We use regional/local suppliers to ensure that the freshness and high quality are delivered to you in all our products. McDonald’s proved this statement by offering an “open door” kitchen tour.

References:

1. Anand, R. (2011), “A study of determinants impacting consumers food choice concerning the fast food consumption in India” Society and Business Review, Vol. 6 No. 2, pp 176-187.
2. Anita Goyal and N.P. Singh (2007), Consumer perception about fast Food in India: an exploratory study British Food Journal Vol. 109 No. 2, 200 pp.182-195Emerald Group Publishing Limited 0007
3. Davies, G. J. Smith, J.L. (2004), “Fast food: dietary perspectives”, Nutrition & Food Science, Volume 34. Number 2. pp. 80-82
4. Keynote (2003), Fast Food and Home Delivery Outlets, Market Intelligence Report, Keynote, London, April
5. McNeal, J.U., Stem, D.E. Jr. and Nelson, C.S. (1980), “Consumers’ nutritional ratings of fast-food meals”, Journal of Consumer Affairs, Vol. 14 No. 1, pp. 165-79.
6. Nelson, D.L. (1992), “A model of factors affecting consumer decision making regarding food products: a case study of the United States and Japan”, Ph.D. thesis, Washington State University, Washington, DC.
7. Nelson, D.L. (1992), “A model of factors affecting consumer decision making regarding food products: a case study of the United States and Japan”, Ph.D. thesis, Washington State University, Washington, DC.
8. Pettigrew, S. & Roberts, M. (2006),” Mothers ‘attitudes towards toys as fast food premiums”, YOUNG CONSUMERS Quarter 3.
9. Raghavan, P. (2003), “Food in a globalized world – a cultural perspective”, Journal of International University Centre, I.I.A.S. Shimla, Vol. 10 No. 1, pp. 143-56.
10. Schlosser, E. (2001), Fast Food Nation, Houghton Mifflin, New York, NY.
11. Traill, B. (1994), New Food Consumption Patterns and Product Quality in Europe and Adaptation of Agricultural Production, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, Rome.