Evaluation of the Nutritional Value of Food and Beverages sold at the canteen

of Far Eastern University – Manila.

Cortes, Patricia P.

Far Eastern University

October 2019
Abstract:

The foundation for a long healthy life is in your childhood to your 20’s, and mostly are spent in
school than at your own home. Some students eat from at the school’s canteen breakfast to
dinner. This explains the need for a research to look more into the nutritional value of the food
and beverages that are served in the canteen. This research aims to evaluate the connection
between food environment in school canteen and the regular consumption of unhealthy food
among the Far Easter University – Manila (FEU – Manila) college students.

The data of the study were mainly attained from the naturalistic observations of what kind of
foods and drinks the four FEU Manila canteens serve and what kind of food and drinks college
students buy and eat. The foods and drinks were categorized into healthy foods and drinks and
unhealthy foods and drinks based from Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos: a prescription to
good nutrition and 2017 Philippine Policy and Guidelines on Healthy Food and Beverage
Choices in Schools.

This is descriptive study aimed to assess the nutritional value of the foods and beverages
served by the four (4) canteens in the Far Eastern University Manila Campus (FEU – Manila).
Results of the study showed that most foods and drinks of the four (4) FEU canteens were
found to be serving unhealthy choices with one canteen serving nearly all unhealthy foods and
drinks. In addition, most college students over all levels consume unhealthy foods and drinks
from these four canteens. The unhealthy choices of food that students eat from these four
canteens are symbolic of the rising trend of unhealthy weight changes in the Philippines and
the global obesity pandemic.
Introduction

As a student, it is no secret that we have a tight schedule, with the constant eating of sweet
sugary snacks for a quick energy recharge, a declining physical activity, getting less and less of
sleep and the inactivity associated with studying while sitting on a hard wooded chair may all
be contributing to the rise of obesity, overweight and underweight or the transition to
overweight to underweight in children and adolescent that remains a worry with dreadful
health consequences.

(Importance of Good Nutrition, 2017) states that even for people at a healthy weight, a poor diet
is an accessory of major health risks that can cause serious illnesses. These include heart
disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and certain types of cancer. Amongst the
complications, the fact that being overweight, obese or underweight are happening in which the
schools have major roles to take part in. Students spend majority of their time in school than
in their own home. They eat from breakfast to dinner in school. (Onurlubas, 2013) It has been
found out that 97.4% of the students consume fast food type nutrition and 2.6% of the
students do not consume this type of food.

Survey research states the belief of tasty food and healthy foods are incompatible (Guerrero,
Olsen, & Wistoft, 2018), which may encourage school meal providers to use (MSG)
Monosodium Glutamate, commonly known as ‘vetsin’ in the Philippines to their served meals
to enhance such flavors of variety of foods such as rice, pork, beef, chicken and vegetables)

Though according to the (Department of Health Bureau of Food and Drugs , 2006) said MSG
has not yet been proven to be hazardous to health. It was also reported (Niaz, 2018) that
common reactions from eating MSG include burning sensation, numbness, tingling, warmth
and weakness in some parts of the body, facial pressure or tightness, chest pain, headache,
nausea, rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, and drowsiness. Considering it is most commonly
used for low budget meals. Since students spend most of their time in school, spend more
eating in school than at home, it is crucial to determine first the nutritional value of foods and
drinks sold at school canteens.

Many college students know that consuming fast food, carbonated drinks, sweetened snacks
and processed foods are unhealthy and contained unhealthy food additives, they indicate that
as a college student, eating green healthy food is not their top priority. They do not have time to
inspect each nutrition facts every time they eat something especially those who are still
adjusting to their new routines, already have tight schedules, so finding time to eat well can be
a huge problem.
Review of Literature

According to the Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos (NGF) revisioned by Food and Nutrition
Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) were made based
on the results of the 2008 National Nutrition Survey (NNS) released in 1990 was composed of
five messages called “Dietary Guidelines for Filipinos.”, now includes 10 basic nutritional and
health message: (1) that we should eat a variety of ingredients every day to get the nutrients
wished by means of the body, (2) breastfeed children exclusively from birth up to six months
and then provide well-balanced meals while persevering with breastfeeding for two years and
for growth and development, (3) eat more vegetables and fruits to get the natural needed
nutrition for daily body processes, (4) eat fish, lean meat, poultry, egg, dried beans or nuts
daily for growth and repair of body tissues, (5) consume milk, milk products, and other
calcium-rich food such as small fish and shellfish, every day for healthy bones and teeth. (6)
consume safe foods and water to prevent diarrhea and other food-and water-borne diseases, (7)
Use iodized salt to prevent Iodine Deficiency Disorders, (8) limitation of salty, fried, fatty, and
sugar-rich foods to prevent cardiovascular diseases, (9) Attain normal body weight through
proper diet and moderate physical activity to maintain good health and help prevent obesity,
(10) be physically active, make healthy food choices, manage stress, avoid alcoholic beverage,
and do not smoke to help prevent lifestyle-related non-communicable disease.

Previous studies revealed that university students failed to consume the recommended daily
intake of fruits and vegetables and the recommended daily physical activity that are likely to
play an important role in a student’s unhealthy weight changes. (Nelson, Story, Larson,
Neumark-Sztainer, & Lytle, 2012) University students can make their own choice of what food
to eat but lacks the capability in choosing healthy food and drinks. University students go
through unhealthy eating behaviors due to the high priced healthy foods and the wide
availability and affordability of fast food. (Gan, Mohd Nasir, Zalilah MS, & Hazizi, 2011) A
study revealed that medical students are candidates to early exposure for chronic diseases due
to poor nutritional habits (Kagan & Squires, 1984) although medical students had proper
understanding regarding good dietary habits, they failed to apply this awareness into a regular
routine to academic load and tight schedule.

Despite the students’ understanding of the unhealthy factors and long term health risk of fried
foods, it still remains one of the most consumed considered a major factor increasing health
risks such as coronary heart disease (CHD), cancer, diabetes and hypertension. (Saguy &
Dana, 2003)

This research aims to assess the nutritional value of foods and drinks sold and offered by
canteens found inside the school campus of Far Eastern University (FEU). This research also
investigates what kind of foods and drinks the FEU students of the school canteens are buying
and eating. This research attempts to answer these questions: (1) What are the kinds of food
and drinks sold at the FEU Canteens, (2) In what category of healthy foods and drinks and
unhealthy foods and drinks do these foods and drinks that are served from these four (4)
canteens belong to?, (3) In what category of healthy foods and drinks and unhealthy foods and
drinks do the students who are buying and eating from the three (3) canteens belong to?(5)
How regular students consume the healthy and unhealthy foods and drinks from the four
canteens.
This research will benefit college students studying at Far Eastern University. The result of the
analysis would give awareness if the four canteens offer unhealthy foods. This analysis will be
a presentation in suggesting the formulation of healthy food guidelines to be implemented in
these four canteens in the desire to help reduce the burdening unhealthy weight changes in
the country.

This research is attained by naturalistic observation in collecting information. The research has
covered college students, it solely focused on the regularity of foods and drinks they consumed
and eat. This research covered only the four school canteen inside FEU Manila Campus.
Methodology

This study is descriptive. Naturalistic observation is the method used in collecting the data.

On October 4, 2019, the researcher went to Tayuman canteen for observation. The analyst lists
all kinds of foods that were offered and consumed during lunch time by using the Tally
Counter application through a smartphone. Different kinds of foods were recorded such as
junk foods, candies, sodas, fried foods, pastries, and rice meals. The observation went until
1:00 pm. The researcher went back at 4:30 pm to record foods and drinks, again at 6:00 pm to
record foods and drinks offered. On October 5, the same procedure was applied and the same
time was followed in collecting data in Accounts, Business and Finance (ABFB) Canteen.

On October 7, 2019, the analyst observed Nicanor Reyes Hall (NRH) Canteen from 12:00 to
1:00 pm to record the food offered and consumed during lunchtime. The researcher went back
at 2:00 pm and the same approach was applied and the observation ended at 6:00 pm. On
October 8, 2019, the Technology Building canteen was also observed using the identical time
period and procedure used in the previous canteens. The recorded foods and drinks were then
categorized into a healthy category and unhealthy category based on Nutritional Guidelines for
Filipinos: a prescription to good nutrition and 2017 Philippine Policy and Guidelines on
Healthy Food and Beverages Choices in School. The researcher went back to Tayuman canteen
on October 9, 2019, at 12:30 pm to observe students buying and eating at the canteen. The
kind of foods and drinks students from senior high school students to college students who
were consuming was properly recorded in a notebook and Tally Counter application.

The periodicity of each kind of food or drink was also recorded by using the Tally Counter
application. On the same day, the researcher went back to Tayuman canteen and again
conducted observations for 2 hours using the same procedure. The researcher also conducted
the identical method of observations to Nicanor Reyes Hall (NRH) Canteen and Technology
Building Canteen on October 10 and October 11 respectively using the same procedures. The
recorded foods and drinks were then categorized into healthy foods and unhealthy foods,
healthy drinks and unhealthy drinks.
Case results and Discussion

Healthy Unhealthy

Sports Drink
Sweetened Fruit
Purified water Candies
Shakes
Whole wheat Fresh buko Instant Noodles
RTD (ready to
bread water Chocolates
Tayuman drink) Juice
Oat bread Soymilk Junk Foods
Drinks
Nuts Fresh milk Frozen Foods
Caffeine
(nuggets, siomai,
Processed Fruit
hotdogs)
Shakes
Donuts
Sports Drink
Candies Sweetened Fruit
Rice Meals Instant Noodles Shakes
Vegetables Meal Purified water Frozen Foods RTD Juice Drinks
ABFB
Fish Meals (nuggets, siomai, Caffeine
Grilled Meals hotdogs) Processed Fruit
Deep fried foods Shakes

Candies Sports drink

Rice Meals
Instant Noodles Sweetened fruit
Pasta
Purified water Frozen Foods shakes
NRH Vegetables Meal
(nuggets, siomai, Milk tea
Fresh green salad
hotdogs) RTD juice drinks
Deep fried foods
Candies Sports drink
Instant Noodles Sweetened fruit
Rice Meals
Frozen Foods shakes
Tech Grilled Meals Purified water
(nuggets, siomai, Milk tea
Building Vegetables Meals
hotdogs) RTD juice drinks
Pastries Caffeine
Deep fried foods
Frequency

Level Tayuman ABFB NRH Tech bldg

Healthy Un Healthy Un Healthy Un Healthy Un
Junior –
Senior 61 58 53 41 54 39 68 57
College 51% 49% 56% 44% 58% 42% 54% 46%

Freshman - 37 74 36 52 44 45 49 71
Sophomore 33% 67% 41% 59% 49% 51% 41% 59%

109 132 89 93 98 84 117 128

Total
45% 55% 49% 51% 54% 46% 48% 52%

The results revealed the same availability and accessibility of unhealthy foods and drinks to
FEU students. Tayuman canteen has the most serious case as to the accessibility of unhealthy
food given it provides mainly on the go products for students could have a quick grab in
between classes. Tayuman offers three more kind of healthy drink which are Fresh Buko juice,
soy milks and fresh milk that according to Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos: a prescription to
good nutrition, we need to consume every day for healthy bones and teeth. On the contrary,

All four canteens mostly offers purified water as the only healthy drink, the rest was
sweetened and has artificial flavoring. This study (Vaida, 2013) confirms the conclusion that
private schools might have contributed to over nutrition and obesity as a result of the amount
of unhealthy foods and drinks their canteens offered.

In the result, the junior and senior college students have the lowest rate of eating unhealthy
foods and drinks and the highest rate of consuming healthy foods and drinks. This is probably
the result of the fact that junior and senior college students are more cautious and understand
more how healthy diets affects their performance as a student.
Conclusions and Recommendation

The school canteen is one of the places where students usually eat. This research showed that
it may be the unhealthy choices of food offered in these four canteens that may contribute to
adolescent unhealthy weight changes. The main causes of unhealthy weight changes found
among students who were decreased in physical activity, increased levels of calorie intake and
sedentary life style.

This issue of increasing unhealthy weight changes should get the attention that needs as soon
as possible by the coordinated efforts of both the students and the food providers in the school.
College should attempt to have an active life style and consume the recommended daily fruits
and vegetables to for a healthy and free from the health consequences. It is important to
improve diet quality by reducing the consumption of energy dense foods such as those high in
fat sugars and by increasing the intake of fiber, right amount of carbohydrates, protein and the
right amount of fat. The research support the increasing trend of unhealthy weight changes in
the Philippines and the obesity pandemic many countries are being forced to contend with all
over the world.

In result of the research, the analyst recommends the following:

1. Organize assessment program or seminar on the nutritional value of foods on all food
establishments inside and around the area of Far Eastern University - Manila.
2. Encourage the food providers inside the school to lessen the sugar-sweetened drinks.
3. Position healthier choices up front at eye level.
4. Have at least once a week a vegetarian day in selected canteen
5. Encourage food providers in school to list and display the ingredients they used cooking
their food (home cooked meals)
6. Manage the exhibits and selling of all unhealthy foods inside FEU – Manila.
7. Provide a suggestion box by the counter for students to give feedback about the food
and to know what they would like to see next on the menu
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