Application of the theory of planned behaviour to assess junk food consumption patterns among college students using online food delivery apps in India: A cross-sectional study
Kasthuripriya Kuppusamy, Vishnukumaran Asokan, Pavithra Ramasamy, Akhil Changanath, Shrienitha Dhanaraj Nirmala, Rubian H. KaderBACKGROUND:
Junk food, characterized by high caloric value and low nutritional content, poses a growing public health concern, especially among adolescents and young adults. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) offers a structured framework for understanding health-related behaviors, including dietary choices. This study aimed to evaluate junk food consumption behavior among college students through the lens of TPB, specifically in the context of online food delivery app usage.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 327 college students from various academic disciplines using a multistage random sampling method. A structured, pretested questionnaire comprising 28 items across six TPB domains was used. Data were compiled using Microsoft Excel and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics (v21.0). Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, Unpaired
RESULTS:
Among the participants, 58.1% had a normal BMI. Female students demonstrated higher mean attitude (27.8 ± 3.93) and perceived behavioral control (PBC) scores (11.96 ± 3.60) compared with men (attitude: 27.4 ± 4.6; PBC: 11.4 ± 3.91). Conversely, men had a higher mean subjective norm score (5.57 ± 1.87) than women. A significant positive correlation was observed between subjective norms and frequency of ordering junk food (
CONCLUSION:
The findings suggest gender-specific differences in TPB constructs related to junk food consumption. While women showed greater attitude and control toward avoiding unhealthy foods, men were more influenced by social norms. Enhancing perceived behavioral control and addressing peer influences may be effective strategies to reduce junk food intake among college students.