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Fast food consumer´s awareness about the health risks and factors leading to preference for this type of meals
BENÝŠKOVÁ, Ivetta
Consumption of fast-food style meals increases the risk of occurrence of health problems that might result in some diseases called lifestyle diseases or diseases of civilization. Frequent fast food consumption and related inadequate eating habits lead to increased morbidity and mortality linked particularly to obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and other health problems even from early age. This thesis analyses the problems of eating at fast food restaurants and stands from the point of view of health, proper nutrition and eating habits. The aim of the thesis is to describe objective health risks resulting from regular fast food consumption. Nutritional components and values of fast food meals and their influence on health were described as well as possible risks of development of some lifestyle diseases. The aim of the practical part of the thesis was to map the awareness of health risks resulting from frequent consumption of this kind of food among fast food consumers and the factors that lead them to preference, choice of this kind of nutrition instead of rational nutrition. The research was performed by means of qualitative data collection methods observation of the target group consisting of visitors of fast food restaurants and stands and the method of structured interview with selected fast food consumers. The research was performed with fifteen respondents selected by random selection method. The data collection results were subject to content analysis. The results have shown that Czech fast food consumers are informed on health risks like obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension and gastrointestinal problems caused by frequent fast food consumption and they are aware of the negative nutritional aspects of this type of diet, particularly high content of fat, salt and sugar. The research result have also shown that Czech fast food consumers do not prefer fast food to rational nourishment. If they eat fast food, it is because of haste and lack of time and when they feel they have no other possibility. The consumers prefer fast food when they have real appetite or when they are in a foreign town or country. Social factors have also proven to have influence on fast food consumption. Eating at fast food restaurants with friends is particularly popular among teenagers and children, who even go to fast food restaurants to play, celebrate birthdays etc. The observation results have shown that location of fast food operations have no essential influence on attendance, type of consumers and the factors affecting consumption of this kind of food.
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