Prediction Factors of food consumption Behavior among First Year Undergraduate Students in Srinakharinwirot University

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to study the food consumption behavior, investigate the predisposing, reinforcing and enabling factors affect the food consumption behavior and analyze the prediction factors of first year undergraduate students at Srinakharinwirot University (SWU). The sample was four hundred and thirty two of first year undergraduate students at SWU by stratified random sampling. The data-gathering instruments used in the research were a questionnaire. The data were analyzed by frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test, one-way analysis of variance, multiple comparison by scheffe’s method, stepwise multiple regression analysis. The results of the study were as follows: 1. Among first year undergraduate students in SWU had overall food consumption behavior level at fair. When considering each of the food consumption behavior, it was found that students eat fresh fruit after every meal, students eat food with cooking methods by steaming rather than frying, students eat the whole 5 groups in everyday and students eat snacks between meals were at a bad level. 2. When classified by predisposing factors were found that different income and different attitudes were affected the food consumption behavior with statistical significance at the level of .05. Whereas it was expressed no differences in factors of gender, major and knowledge. When classified by reinforcing factors were found that the different access of food that promotes food consumption behavior was affected the food consumption behavior at a statistically significant level of .05. However, there are no different places to eat was affected the food consumption behavior. Included when classified by enabling factors were found that the supportive of different media influences were affected the food consumption behavior at a statistically significant level of .05. Nevertheless, it was expressed no differences in getting strong support from family and support from friends. 3. The income of the students and their attitudes, the access of food, and media support can be predicted to operation effectively in the food consumption behavior among first year undergraduate students in Srinakharinwirot University at 17.1% at a statistically significant level of .05.