Food influences one’s self-perception: surveying of students at the university level

1. Food influences one’s self-perception:surveying of students at the university level Azza Ahmed Anisha Ali Arnol Alon Sana Bhatti Jason Lau

2. Problem Statement • The purpose of the study was to determine the correlation between food and self-perception of university students by using the integration of qualitative and quantitative measurements.

3. Literature Review • Consisting mainly of research conducted on • eating disorders • obesity • and food label usage among university students.

4. Research Purpose *Source: 24 Hours Newspaper October 21, 2004

5. Ethical Considerations • Assured total confidentiality. • The survey participant has the right to refuse to answer any question and have the right to discontinue the survey at any time. • Non-surveying research member analyzed the gathered data. • The information collected will not be published.

6. Defining Variables • Self Perception • People decide on their own attitudes and feelings from watching themselves behave in various situations. • Food Choices • The power, right, or liberty to chose the foods available for consumption.

7. Design • Survey consisting of 16 questions. • Format: • Multiple Choice • Fill in the Blanks • Rating • Yes/No • Agree/Disagree • Other (specify) Alternative Choice

8. Setting • The Keele campus of York University • Student Center Cafeteria • Curtis Lecture Halls • Vari Hall

9. Subjects/Sample • A total of 427 students were conveniently selected. • 27 surveys were omitted (listwise deletion) • Sample consisted of 400 participants: • 40 % Males • 60% Females • Between the ages of 18 - 24

10. Statistical Analysis • The association between eating healthy and self-perception • Correlation and Pearson Formula • The association between self-perception and the perception of eating healthy. • Chi-square • The association between gender and their perception of eating healthy. • Chi-square

11. Statistical Analysis • The significant differences between males and females in regards to eating healthy. • t-test 2 • The significant differences between the males and females in regards to self-perception. • t-test 2

12. Other Considerations • The association between age and healthy eating. • The association between gender and how much money is spent per week on food. • The association between gender and healthy eating. • The association between students who are aware of Canada’s Food Guide and what they eat while studying. • The association between students who work out and the perception of York University students.

13. Self-perception vs. Eating Healthy If self perception influences food choices Hypotheses: If self perception is high, people tend to eat healthy Looking at question 6 and 16, if they work out and if they think that they are healthy. Yes and Average Yes and Above 11 5 No and Average No and Above 18 4 Rejected Hypotheses

14. Self-perception vs. Eating Healthy

15. Working Out vs. Eating Healthy Is the person healthy? Hypotheses: if the person works out and eats healthy then they are healthy. Question 4 and 8 No and Healthy No and Junk 3/36 8.3% 9/36 25% Yes and Junk Yes and Healthy 4/36 11.11% 5/36 13.88% Therefore, accept hypotheses

16. Stress vs. Eating Habits Is there an association between people saying that stress influences eating habits and how many meals a day a person eats If a person says that stress influences eating habits then the person should eat many more meals a day then a person that thinks that hunger influences eating habits. stress and 1 stress and 2 stress and 3 stress and 4 0/8 1/8 12.5% 6/8 75% 1/8 12.5% Hand 1 H and 2 H and 3 H and 4 1/21 0.47% 8/21 38% 9/21 42.8% 2/21 9.5% Reject Hypotheses