Background
Fast food consumption is increasingly prevalent among college students, driven by the decline
of traditional meals, peer influence, accessibility, and marketing. Coupled with sedentary
lifestyles, this trend contributes to poor dietary habits and health issues. This study aimed to
assess and compare students' knowledge, awareness, and practices regarding fast food, and to
explore how gender, academic background, and socioeconomic status influence these
behaviors and consumption patterns.
Methods
A six-month cross-sectional online survey among JIS University students used a validated KAP
questionnaire. Data from 32 pilot responses confirmed the reliability of the questionnaire. Final
data were analyzed using SPSS v20 with descriptive statistics, Mann–Whitney U, Kruskal–
Wallis, and correlation tests to examine demographic associations with KAP scores.
Results
A survey of 202 University students revealed high knowledge (83.17%) and moderate
awareness (47.03%) about the health risks of fast food, though most showed neutral dietary
practices. The mean knowledge, awareness, and practice scores were 16.35 ± 0.31, 20.74 ±0.33, and 38.51 ± 0.51, respectively. Statistical analysis revealed that BMI, gender, and
residence had significant associations with specific KAP scores (p<0.05), while age, field of
study, and income had no significant impact (p>0.05). Pearson’s correlation showed significant
positive relationships among knowledge, awareness, and practice scores, indicating
interdependence among these domains.
Conclusion
The analysis revealed that convenience and peer influence drive fast-food consumption among
students, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to improve knowledge, awareness,
and adoption of healthier eating habits.
Keywords: Cronbach’s alpha, Fast food, KAP, Kruskal–Wallis, Mann–Whitney U, Students
Publication date: 01/06/2026
https://www.ijbpas.com/pdf/2026/June/MS_IJBPAS_2026_10260.pdf
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https://doi.org/10.31032/IJBPAS/2026/15.6.10260
