Factors associated with food consumption behaviors among high school students in Namdibwittayakom School, Pasang District, Lamphun Province

Abstract

This survey research aimed to study the food consumption behaviors and to examine factors associated with food consumption behaviors among high school students in Namdibwittayakom Schools, Pasang District, Lamphun Province. The conceptual framework based on the PRECEDE-PROCEED model. The samples were 113 high school students. The data collected by using questionnaires divided into five sections; 1)general information, 2) knowledge of food consumption, 3) attitude of food consumption, 4) influence of media advertising on food consumption and 5) food consumption behaviors. The content validity scores of overall questionnaires were 0.67-1.00. The KR-20 reliability score of section 2 in questionnaires was 0.74. The Cronbach’s alpha reliability scores of sections 3-5 in questionnaires were 0.72-0.78. The data analyzed by using the Eta Coefficient and Pearson's Correlation Coefficient set the significance at level 0.05.

            The results found that the food consumption behaviors of most of the sample (69.90%) were at a moderate level ( = 2.34-3.66). Factors statistically significant associated (p-value <0.05) with food consumption behaviors among sample were 1) the knowledge about food consumption (r = 0.186, p-value = 0.048), 2) the attitude on food consumption (r = 0.269, p-value = 0.004) and 3) the educational level of parents (F = 2.453, p-value = 0.001). Therefore, it is imperative to develop the knowledge and attitude towards food consumption in order to promote the appropriate food consumption behaviors among students.