DOI: 10.4103/ijpam.ijpam_223_25 ISSN: 2352-6467

Purchasing and Nonpurchasing Behavior: A Case of Girls’ Elementary Public Schools in Riyadh City

Amal Aloud, Fridah Abuhadi, Sarah M. Arafsha, Soaad, Rehab Y Alghamdi, Hayat Alzahrani
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Background:

Proper nutrition for children is essential. School plays a major role in shaping their dietary behaviors and habits. This study aims to understand the factors affecting purchasing and nonpurchasing behaviors from elementary school canteens and to identify the types of snacks and drinks bought from school canteens across different public schools in Riyadh city.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted in girls’ elementary public schools in Riyadh City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A total of 895 sixth-grade students participated. Questionnaires filled out either by the students or by their parents on their behalf.

Results:

The majority (76.5%) of students reported buying meals from the school canteen. Older students (10–12 years) were substantially more likely to buy snacks ( P  = 0.046). Purchasing behavior was positively correlated with eating breakfast and carrying snacks from home ( P  = 0.007). Peer pressure significantly influenced the choices of younger students ( P  = 0.001). However, a higher proportion of older children ( n  = 209, 39.73%) bought snacks because they were hungry. Environmental factors such as crowded canteens, high prices, and a lack of diversity affected how students felt about utilizing the canteen. Popcorn and chips were the most popular purchases; younger students bought more sweets and biscuits ( P  = 0.013), whereas older students bought much more water ( P  = 0.000).

Conclusion:

School canteens have a big impact on students’ nutrition, and their purchasing choices are influenced by hunger, age, and peer pressure. Environmental constraints must be addressed to give students healthier and more appealing options.

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