Abstract
PurposeThis study explored how food allergies have affected food-related behaviors and quality of life of college students with food allergies and identified factors influencing food choice decisions among this group of individuals.Design/methodology/approachOne-on-one interviews were conducted with 26 college students with self-reported or clinically diagnosed food allergies, recruited from two universities located in the southern region of the United States. The participants were asked a series of questions based on a semi-structured discussion guide. Each interview lasted about 30 min; all interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The transcriptions were coded independently by three researchers, and themes were identified.FindingsFood allergies affected the participants' food-related behaviors, including eating, food preparation and shopping, as well as some aspects of their quality of life. Individual factors, such as mood, other diseases, cultural background and sensory properties, also influenced food choices. Friends and families were the two most important social influencers of food choices. Regarding physical environmental factors, cost, convenience, value and variety were considered important in selecting food. However, the participants' food choices were less influenced by food advertisements and social media. Additionally, experiences and complex cuisines were also key factors in making food choices.Research limitations/implicationsTheoretically, this qualitative study applied a food choice decision framework in the context of college students with food allergies. Practical recommendations are provided, particularly to campus dining facilities, to fulfill the needs of college students with food allergies.Originality/valueThis study advanced the understanding of the complexity of food choice decision-making among college students with food allergies. A path diagram specific to food choice among college students with food allergies was developed based on the results of this study. This study also highlighted that food allergy management would involve various behavioral changes and revealed that the food choices are influenced by a wide range of factors.
Subject
Food Science,Business, Management and Accounting (miscellaneous)
Reference81 articles.
1. Qualitative analysis of perceived impacts on childhood food allergy on caregiver mental health and lifestyle;Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology,2020
2. The young and the restless: socializing trumps sleep, fear of missing out, and technological distractions in first-year college students;International Journal of Adolescence and Youth,2017
3. Attitude-behavior relations: a theoretical analysis and review of empirical research;Psychological Bulletin,1977
4. Factors impacting parental burden in food-allergic children;Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health,2015
5. Allergic Living. (2021), “College dining alert: shortages affecting supply of allergy-safe foods”, available at: https://www.allergicliving.com/2021/09/22/campus-dining-alert-shortages-affecting-supply-of-allergy-safe-foods/ (accessed 13 April 2022).
Cited by
2 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献