Gender Difference in Food Choice and Eating Practice and Their Association with Health among Students of Kathmandu, Nepal

Abstract

Background. Our eating practice is generally based on the food we choose to eat. The selection of unhealthy food, high cost of healthy food items, and easy availability of fast food may have negative impact on our health and eating behaviour. This study aims to access the gender difference in food choice and eating practice and their association with health among students in Kathmandu, Nepal. Methods. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 385 randomly selected undergraduate BBA (Bachelor in Business Administration) students of Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu by using semistructured self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire included sociodemographic characters, health status, behaviour factors, eating practice, and food choice which were measured using Food Choice Questionnaire (FCQ). The data was analysed in SPSS. Frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation were calculated, and chi-square test and logistic regression were used to measure the association between two variables. Results. The study is comprised of 50.4% female and 49.6% male with mean ages of 20.04 and 20.75, respectively. A gender difference was observed in food choice but no gender difference was observed in eating practice. There was no significant association of food choice and eating practice with health. However, food choice and eating practice showed an association with the current living status of the respondents. Sensory appeal and health were the most important food choice motives among males and females, respectively. Conclusion. The study concluded that no gender difference was observed in food choice. However, gender difference was observed in eating practice. There was no association of food choice and eating practice with health.

Understanding Studies on Consumers’ Food Choices Using Food Choice Questionnaire: A Scoping Review and Bibliometric Analysis (ScoRBA)

“…There were gender differences in various food choice factors, particularly in mood, health, natural content, weight control, and convenience, with such distinctions varying across regions (Jáuregui-Lobera & Ríos, 2011) but not in eating practices (Dahal, Basnet, Khanal, Baral, & Dhakal, 2022).…”

“…There was a need to recognize gender distinctions within specific dietary profiles (Dorard & Mathieu, 2021) and the importance of expanding the inclusion of socioeconomic factors and parameters in future research (Jáuregui-Lobera & Ríos, 2011). However, acknowledging the limitations associated with self-reported and memory-dependent data was crucial (Bryła, 2021;Dahal et al, 2022). Hence, future studies should replicate their investigations in diverse cultural contexts.…”

“…Acknowledging gender distinctions in specific profiles like vegetarian (Dorard & Mathieu, 2021) and emphasizing broader inclusion of socioeconomic factors and parameters in future studies (Jáuregui-Lobera & Ríos, 2011). Limitations in self-reported and memory-dependent data (Bryła, 2021;Dahal et al, 2022).…”

Addressing nutritional issues and eating behaviours among university students: a narrative review

“…The interplay of variables such as gender, income and living arrangements is also a potential factor in shaping the dietary choices of students. In a broader context, certain findings related to gender disparities suggest that men, more so than women, may experience the impact of other sociodemographic conditions on their dietary habits (208,209) . For instance, a study conducted among British adults aged over 19 years illustrated that females living alone were more inclined to adopt diets rich in fruits and vegetables and low in fatty foods (210) .…”

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“…The statement of research problem is tilted toward genders having different food choices for diverse reasons; preference and choice for a particular menu have been observed among the female gender compared to the male gender (Kraus et al,2017;Dahal et al,2022) and also there is a dearth in study on customer's food preference at ecotourism destination in South Western, Nigeria. Several studies have been carried out on consumer food behaviour related to preference and one of the earliest researchers was Randall & Sanjur, (1981) developed a conceptual model capturing the relationship between food preference and food consumption and other related variables.…”