Introduction

Obesity had always been one of the threats at concerns the safety of Global health

status. Obesity is classified as a type of malnutrition that is related to the excess amount

of fat in the body and may put the health of an individual in danger. One of the threats

that obesity may expose to the body is the increase in the risk of noncommunicable

diseases (Zatońska et al., 2021). According to the article by the World Health

Organization (2021), it is estimated that obesity has tripled since the year 1975 (“Obesity

and Overweight, 2021). Diets are increasingly becoming a significant determinant in the

increasing growth rate of obesity in the world (Fanzo & Davis, 2019). This phenomenon

is due to the increasing popularity of fast food and high-calorie snacks with low

nutritional value.

Obesity received numerous response action that aims to prevent the lingering

threat that this problem holds. In the Philippines, The Philippine Association for the study

of Overweight and Obesity (PASOO, 1994) is established with the mission and vision of

promoting an obesity-risk-free nation by preventing the increase of the disease and

raising awareness of the public (PASOO, 1994). There are also the likes of the National

Nutrition Council (NNC) and Nutrition Center of the Philippines (NCP) that seek to

address the problem of malnutrition in the Country.

However, the prevalence of obesity in the Philippines is still on the rise.

Department of Science and Technology’s (DoST)—Food Nutrition Research

Institute(FNRI) conducted a survey that shows that for the past 2 decades, the growth rate

of overweight and obesity among adolescents increased from 4.9% in 2003 to 11.6% in

2018 (Everyone Needs to Act to Curb Obesity, 2022, p.3).

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 It is projected that in the year 2030, the percentage of overweight and obese

Filipino adolescents will reach 30% if no minimal action has been implemented

(Landscape Analysis on Overweight and Obesity in Children, Philippines, as cited in,

Everyone Needs to Act to Cub Obesity, 2022, p.5).

Food preference had been stated in numerous studies as one of the determinants

that dictate food consumption (Qiu & Hou, 2020). Food preference refers to the behavior

of an individual towards food and is a critical determinant that defined the food choices

of each individual. Food preferences are often associated with the risk of obesity. It is

stated that those who preferred fatty foods and sweet foods are most likely overweight or

obese (Brunstrom & Shakeshaft, 2009, as cited by, Qiu & Hou, 2020). Thus, focusing on

food preference is advisable to counter the increasing growth of obesity in the global

population.

Snacking had been a part of the meal pattern of every individual in the modern

world. The intake of snacks is usually consumed between the (3) main meals of the day.

Due to this fact, snacks have a possibility of influencing the food preference of

adolescents. It has a possibility of introducing a wide variety of food and taste choices to

the students including those that will benefit them. Although with possibility, the number

of children and adolescents consuming unhealthy snacks such as high-calorie food with

low nutritional value and sweet foods are still higher than that of healthy snacks such as

fruits and vegetable (Roblin, 2007, as cited by, Almoraie et al., 2021).

Strengthening the taste buds of adolescents at an early age is an important aspect

of introducing healthy snacks to their taste preferences. Although parents are the ideal

medium for performing this initiative, School institutions can also be the center of

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strengthening this subject for the adolescent since it is where most of their peers gathered.

There is a possibility that adolescents may be influenced by the snacks that their peers

consume. The school canteen also plays a huge part in performing this initiative because

this is where the adolescents are mostly exposed to the numerous types of snacks wherein

they are in-charged of their choices. However, due to the nature of high-calorie snacks

with low nutritional value being affordable, accessible, and available, the academic

institution often resorts to these food choices than healthy ones.

This food choice will not only affect the health of the adolescence by increasing

their chances of having obesity, but if ever, there is an influence on the food preferences

of the adolescence, this will affect them in the long run. This diet may be engraved into

their preferences thus dictating their food choices. If the students are continuously

exposed to food that is low in nutritional value, this may lead them into having a lack of

possibility on widening their taste choices. It is important to analyze the influence of the

availability of snacks on the food preference of the adolescent to measure the

effectiveness of using snacks as a medium for introducing healthy foods to their food

preference.

Although there is numerous study about the importance of food preference and a

critical role in battling the ongoing threat of obesity, there is a lack of study that focuses

on the importance of snack in building food preferences as a way of battling obesity.

According to the study conducted by Chen & Antonelli (2020), the food choices

are shaped by the interaction of individual factors and environments. This environment

consists of the factors that are within the influence of the microenvironment on personal

choices up to the influences of the macroenvironment on the societal level (Swinburn et

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al., 1999, as cited by, Chen & Antonelli, 2020). With this being said, the food choices

may be restricted by the ability of an individual to purchase snacks due to their

purchasing power.

Assessing the profoundness of the influence of snacks on food preference will

help in formulating a better and healthier food choices in an Educational institution.

These initiatives will benefit the adolescent population in the long run by creating a

continuous preference for healthy food thus creating a habitual intake of these foods.

Specifically, this will help the following: Students, Parents, Schools, Future

researchers, and teachers.

Rationale of the Study

A certain study found that diets are now increasingly becoming significant in the

increasing prevalence of obesity in the world (Fanzo & Davis, 2019). And food system in

the world had been increasingly promoting unhealthy foods thus changing the diet quality

of the food availability (“Broken Food”,2019). On a micro-level, the school canteen is

affected by these trends thus creating a possibility that this could affect the adolescent’s

food preferences. Therefore, to address this problem, this study will be conducted to

measure the level of influence of snacks that are offered at the school canteen on the food

preference of the adolescents. Specifically, the following includes the question that the

study seeks to answer.

I. In what degree is the influence that the snacks at the canteen could cause

the food preference of the Junior and Senior High School Students at

Reyes Computer Oriented School?

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 II. What is the food preference of the students at the Reyes Computer

Oriented School?

III. What are the most preferred snacks of the students at Reyes Computer

Oriented School?

Objectives of the Study

The purpose of this study is to measure the total amount of the influence of the

snacks available at the canteen on the food preferences of the students at Reyes Computer

Oriented School. Specifically, this study aims to assess the following objectives:

I. To assess the profoundness of the influence of the availability of snacks on the

food preference of the students of Reyes Computer Oriented School.

II. To determine the food preferences of the students at Reyes Computer Oriented
School by considering:
a. Allowance;
b. Student department.
III. To determine the types of snacks that are mostly preferred by the students in the
consideration of:
a. Allowance;
b. Student Department;
IV. To provide a guide that will help in promoting a better snack choice that will
battle the ongoing threat of obesity

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Assumption/Hypothesis

The study focuses on measuring the level of influence of available snacks at the

canteen on the food preference of the students. The following assumptions were made:

1. The researcher assumed that the respondents will be true to their responses to the

questions.

2. The researcher assumed that the respondents will answer the question based on

the influences within the school premises.

3. The researcher assumed that the food choices of the respondents reflect their food

preferences.

Literature Review
This part presents the relevant literature that had been made on the topic for the

past few years. This will serve as a basis for strengthening and supporting the study.

Głąbska et al., (2021), validated that there is an association between food choice

and food preference determinants. Food preference is one of the major and important

determinants of food choices. Most of the scores in the preference of the respondents are

associated with mood, convenience, sensory appeal, natural content, and price.

In a review paper conducted by Chen & Antonelli (2020), about the existing

models that support the influences of change in food preference, by using the database

such as PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar, it is found that the physical

environment which includes the physical availability of food products and social

environment that includes the influence of peers is considered to be part of the most used

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models in studies that are correlated in food choices. Due to this, they are supported by

much evidence that makes them more relevant to the factors that influence food choices.

Castro et al. (2018), conclude in their review that food retails influence the food choices

of an individual on healthy and unhealthy food.

In the study conducted by Borges et al. (2018), about the food sources and its

challenge to the food availability in the urban areas of Judiai, Brazil with the aim of

identifying the inequality of distribution of healthy and/or unhealthy food by the food

retailers, it is found that food retailers that prioritized the sale of ultra-processed food are

higher than that of the food retailers that market mostly unprocessed food. Additionally,

the study also states that the concentration of food retailers that market ultra-process food

is prevalent in middle and low-income areas (Borges et al., 2018).

Similarly, the study about the Socioeconomic inequalities in the food retailers

around the school environment of southern Europe shows that in the city of Madrid,

Spain, in the schools (n=1321) that are surrounded by food retailers (n=6530), about 95%

of them are surrounded by unhealthy food retailers. And schools located in the low–

NSES or low Neighbourhood-level socioeconomic status that is surrounded by unhealthy

food retailers are higher than that of schools in middle– and high-NSES (Díez et al.,

2019).

In a study conducted by Pechey & Marteau (2018), about the comparison of

healthy and unhealthy foods’ impact on food choices, it is concluded that unhealthy food

has a greater impact in influencing an individual’s food choices than that of healthy

foods. As a result, it is concluded that removing unhealthy food than adding healthy food

has a greater impact on shaping a healthier food choice.

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 McKeown & Nelson (2018). Adolescence is the period in life wherein an

individual is starting to develop their independence. Consequently, this development will

also be reflected on the development of their dietary intake. It is concluded that when

adolescents are given a free choice of foods, they tend to consume an unbalanced diet and

some diets that is concerning their health. Additionally, the factors that affect the dietary

choices of adolescents are foods that are high in fat and carbohydrates and low in fruit

and vegetable consumption.

In a study conducted by Angeles-Agdeppa et al. (2019), about the impact of

Socioeconomic status on the food patterns of Filipino adolescents and children aged 6-18

years old, it is concluded that adolescents from poor households are most likely to

consume food that is low in variety.

Based on recent studies, it appears that due to the developing independence in

adolescence period, there is a possibility that their snack intake may be dictated by the

available food that is present in an environment without restriction on their choices. The

school canteen is one of the key environments that affect the adolescent’s food

preferences. And with the increasing trends of marketing unhealthy foods, and the desire

of the adolescents to consume these types of foods, there is a possibility that this food

availability will reflect on their food preferences and thus may also reflect on their

adulthood. Looking through the origin of the development of food preferences is

important to identify the cause of the widespread of obesity in the population. To

understand the food preference of the adolescents, there is a need to consider their

allowances as shown in many studies that those who have low allowances are likely to

limit their food choices.

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Theoretical Framework

Social Influence Theory

This theory has been proposed by Kelman since 1958, he said that social

influence brings about changes in attitude and actions or thinking that other individuals

cause that changes may occur at different levels. Kelman described three levels of depth

of social influence; identification, compliance, and internalization. Any of those levels

could be the outcome when a group puts pressure on an individual.

Identification is where an individual adopts the induced behaviour to create or

maintain a desired and beneficial relationship because they value the group and wants to

belong to it. the individual might change some behaviour in public as well as in private

but might not agree with all aspects of the group’s behaviour or thinking.

Compliance assumes to occur when an individual accepts influence and adopts

the induced behaviour to gain approval and avoid disapproval.

Internalization occurs when individuals accept influence after perceiving the

content of the induced behaviour as rewarding in which the content indicates the opinion

and action of others.

This theory is related to the main topic of people’s understanding of what food

choice they want to have either an individual or a group of students might influence an

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individual diet in a conscious or unconscious way or ask if they are influenced by the

people that surround them.

Sen’s Entitlement Theory

It has been 20 years since Amartya Sen Published poverty and famines, one does

not find a negative connotation, one learns early on that one is not supposed to feel

entitled to act, and at the same time, we're constantly reminded how great our nation is.

Some believe that food can be available but at some point not accessible. Sen’s also

Argued that the law stands between food availability and access. Food can be available in

the canteen but the students might lack the purchasing power to purchase the food

available in the canteen.

This theory study relates to the topic by knowing what the students can and

cannot purchase that is accessible in the canteen.

Behaviourism Theory

First studied by John B. Watson (1913) believed that individuals were raised in an

environment that they were put in would be the conclusive condition factor for how they

acted and behave. Behaviours are a form of an individual interaction with their exposed

environment, as they can be studied in an organized and observable way of manner.

As claimed by J.B. Watson that stern behaviourist believe that all individual’s

ways of acting are the results of the things they have encountered. Any individual

regardless of their background can be instructed to act in a particular manner given the

fair conditioning of the matter.

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 This theory focuses on what food an individual is offered regularly, it may be

possible that a student might get used to it, by eating the same particular food that is

available.

Theoretical Paradigm

Conceptual Framework

The conceptual framework of the study provides the food preference of junior and

senior high school students in Reyes Computer Oriented School. The flow of this study

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begins by determining the student's preferred snacks in their school canteen. In this

process, the researchers used the food preference questionnaire to determine the food

preferred by junior and senior high school students. The researcher also used the Likert

scale in Analyzing and evaluating the data. The researcher will then ask the respondents

to rate the level of influence of the school canteen that they can be perceived on the

development of their food preferences.

Considering the variable that affects the food availability and food choices, such

as the allowances and social environment influence, lastly, the results and

recommendation of the study will help to improve the food preference of junior and

senior high school students. 

The flow of the conceptual paradigm present 1. The status of students in terms of

food availability and food choices. 2. The level of influence to the students in terms of

food availability and food choices. 3. Determine the most preferred snacks. 4. The

solution that may be recommended to address the problem encountered. 

Conceptual Paradigm

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Scope and limitation

This study considers two (2) main variables: (a.) Food availability and, (b.) Food

preference. The Food availability is subdivided into two (2) sub-variable: (a.) the

Canteen’s perspective and, (b.) the Student’s perspective. On the other hand, Food

preference considers the current food preference of the student.

The Canteen’s perspective is furtherly subdivided into two (2) sub-variable: (a.)

Type of foods, and (b.) Type of beverages. On the other hand, the Student’s perspective

is furtherly subdivided into two (2) sub-variable: (a.) Allowance and, (b.) Social

environment.

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 The Reyes Computer Oriented School is specifically chosen as a locale of this

study. Specifically, the School canteen and the department of Junior and Senior High

School are to be chosen as the focus of the study. The respondents of the study seek to

gather data from adolescents aged 12-18 years old. The study seeks to analyze the

students of Junior high school and Senior high school with a total population of 215.

However, the study is limited to the consideration of regular packed snacks and

beverages and will not include the food that is cooked within the canteen. This study will

not include the snacks that are purchased and/or bring outside the school premises.

The study is also limited within the confined space of department levels and will

not include the relation of each department and their possible influence on each other as

well as the food preference of each grade level. This will also not directly consider the

possible influence on food preference outside the school premises due to the lack of time.

Significance of the study

Assessing how much snacking affects people's food preferences will help

educational institutions make better, healthier food decisions. Long-term benefits of these

activities include fostering a preference for healthy diets among adolescents and fostering

a habitual intake of these foods.

Specifically, this study will help with the following:

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 Students. In this study, the students would be able to widen the taste choices which

would help them to have a preference for healthier food. This would also strengthen

their body due to their diet not being restricted to high-calorie food with low

nutritional value.

Parents. This study will help them by having an additional medium that will

introduce healthy foods to their children. It will be easier for them to educate their

children about the benefits of healthy foods to the body of their children.

School. This study will help them to formulate an initiative for promoting healthy

food choices. This will give them insights into formulating affordable healthy snacks

that are based on the preference of the students.

Researcher. This study will help the researcher to better understand the phenomenon

in the field of nutrition. Additionally, by conducting this study, the researcher will be

able to give a recommendation based on the findings.

Future researcher. This will aid them in conducting a further study for battling

obesity by using food preferences. This will help them in focusing on the snacks as

another way for this problem to be solved.

Teachers. This study will help the teachers in lecturing the students about the right

nutritional intake. They will be able to know the preferred food of their students thus

helping them to focus.

Definition of terms

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 To define a clearer understanding of terms, it is defined conceptually and

operationally:

Food preference. the appraisal viewpoint of individuals and is distinct regarding

nourishment. This is the dependent variable of the study.

Snacks. food that is consumed in the middle of the regular diet. This contributes

to the independent variable.

Obesity. refers to the immoderate build-up of body fat that damages well-being.

This is a long-term problem in society. This will partially benefit and contribute to

solving the problem of the study.

Global Health Status. a global impact on any piece of concern regarding the

well-being of all people. Its goal is to improve the health of humankind in the country by

advocating fitness and getting rid of avoidable illnesses.

Methodology

Research Design

This study utilizes the descriptive research design using the Quantitative research

method. This design is specifically made to describe an investigation based on the

population and/or phenomenon. It answers the question that starts with What, How,

When, and Where. In the study, this design is chosen by the researcher to infer the

gathered data and describe the influences of the variables.

Research Instrument

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 The study will utilize a survey questionnaire to gather data. The survey

questionnaire will use a specialized test called the “Food Preference Questionnaire”. This

questionnaire will use a 5-point Likert scale wherein (1) refers to strongly dislike and (5)

to Strongly like.

The questionnaire will be divided into two (2) parts. The first part includes the

profile of the respondents including the Name (optional), Age, Grade level, and average

allowance in a week. The grade level and age is the indicator of the respondents is

qualified for the survey. The second part includes the following: the 24-hour recall of the

respondents on what type of snacks they consumed at the School Canteen, the actual test

wherein the respondents are asked to rate their preference for the foods that are being

asked, And the last part which includes asking the respondents to rate the influence of the

school canteen in developing their preferences.

The second part of the questionnaire includes the following question: (1.) What

snacks did you buy and consume within the 24 hours in the School Canteen, (2.) Rate

your preference for the foods, (3.) How much does the school canteen influence the

development of your preferred food?

Data Gathering Procedure

A request letter to carry out the study was prepared and sent to the administrator’s

office. then the researcher will request permission from room advisers who will be

reached as part of the research. The researcher will ask for the consent of those interested

in responding and will evaluate if they are qualified to take the test. The researcher will

go through the questionnaire in detail and clarifies certain terms to enable the respondent

17
to provide an informed response to the study. The researcher will then distribute the

questionnaire, and gather the questionnaire after the respondents take the test.

Respondents of the study

The respondents of the study include adolescents aged 12 to 18 years old. In the

Reyes Computer Oriented School, the site of the study, the study includes Junior (n=117)

and Senior (n=98) High School students (n=215). The following shows the number of

respondents at each level:

Grade Level No. Of Respondents

Grade 7 32

Grade 8 19

Grade 9 15

Grade 10 15

Grade 11 26

Grade 12 32

Total Respondents 139

Sampling Technique

The study will utilize a stratified sampling method. The respondents will be

subdivided based on their respective sections and will then use random sampling in each

section. With a total population of 215, using the 5% margin error and 95% confidence

rate, the sample size needed in the study is 139. An average of 15-16 students per section

will be given the questionnaire.

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Study Site

This study was conducted at Reyes Computer Oriented School, a private school in

Purok 1, Brgy 21, Binanuahan West Legazpi City, Albay, in the school year 2022 – 2023

Based on the Junior and Senior High School students of Reyes Computer Oriented

School regarding the influence of the availability of snacks at the canteen on the food

preference of the Junior and Senior High School students.

Data Analysis Plan

Descriptive Statistics will be utilized to infer the gathered data of the study into a

comprehensible statistic. The Descriptive statistic will utilize the measure of frequency to

show the data in mean and frequency. The following includes the clarification and the

formula for the statistic:

1. Mean – Sum of all the values in a data set that is divided by the number of values

in a data set.

2. Frequency – shows how often data appear in a data set.

3. Ratio – refers to the proportion of a quantitative relation of two or more values.

Mean Formula:

Mean = Σ f (x)/n

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 Wherein the f was cases of occurrence in a group, x was the weight of each score,

and n was a total number of respondents. The weight of the mean is based on the 5-point

Likert scale.

The data analysis plan on the gathering of the respondents’ food preferences will

be subdivided into four (4) parts: crisp snacks, biscuit snacks, sweets, and sweet

beverages.

Results

This part delves into the gathered data from the respondents: The Reyes Computer

Oriented School Junior and Senior High School Students aged 12-18 years old (n=139).

The gathered data is elicited through the help of a survey questionnaire containing the

specific question in answering and resolving the research objectives. The gathered data is

presented in a total of seven (7) tabulated forms: the Junior and Senior high school

20
students each sub-divided into three (3) clusters of allowance spectrum; (1.) >250

allowances per week, (2.) 251-650 allowance per week, and (3.) 651> allowance per

week.

21
 Question Total Mean Rating
Do you like Piatos? 3.87 Like
Do you like Bread Pan? 3.56 Like
Do you like Cracklings? 3.56 Like

22
Do you like Nova? 3.75 Like
Do you Vcut? 4.60 Strongly like
Do you like Bingo? 3.18 Moderately like
Do you like Cream-O/Oreo? 3.87 Like
Do you like Hansel? 3.56 Like
Do you like Combi? 2.56 Moderately like
Do you like Wafrets? 3.43 Moderately like
Do you like Beng-Beng? 3.37 Moderately like
Do you like Choco mallows? 3.43 Moderately like
Do you like Flat tops? 3.68 Like
Do you like Pochi? 2.81 Moderately like
Do you like Fres Candy? 3.31 Moderately like
Do you like Choc-o/Chuckie? 3.43 Moderately like
Do you like Mountain Dew? 3.81 Moderately like
Do you like C2? 3.81 Moderately like
Do you like Zesto? 3.68 Like
Do you like Coke? 4.87 Like
Figure 6 (>250)

Question Total Mean Rating

Do you like Piatos? 3.71 Like
Do you like Bread Pan? 3.61 Like
Do you like Cracklings? 3.09 Moderately like
Do you like Nova? 3.07 Moderately like
Do you Vcut? 3.76 Like
Do you like Bingo? 3.38 Like
Do you like Cream-O/Oreo? 3.76 Like
Do you like Hansel? 3.71 Like
Do you like Combi? 3.76 Like
Do you like Wafrets? 3.76 Like
Do you like Beng-Beng? 3.85 Like
Do you like Choco mallows? 4.00 Like
Do you like Flat tops? 4.04 Like
Do you like Pochi? 3.76 Like
Do you like Fres Candy? 3.04 Moderately like
Do you like Choc-o/Chuckie? 4.23 Like
Do you like Mountain Dew? 3.95 Like
Do you like C2? 3.90 Moderately like
Do you like Zesto? 3.47 Moderately like
Do you like Coke? 3.85 Like
Figure 7 (251-650)

Question Total Mean Rating

Do you like Piatos? 3.93 Like
Do you like Bread Pan? 3.18 Moderately like
Do you like Cracklings? 3.00 Moderately like
Do you like Nova? 4.31 Like
Do you Vcut? 4.18 Like
Do you like Bingo? 3.18 Moderately like

23
Do you like Cream-O/Oreo? 3.75 Like
Do you like Hansel? 2.62 Moderately like
Do you like Combi? 2.87 Moderately like
Do you like Wafrets? 3.00 Moderately like
Do you like Beng-Beng? 3.31 Moderately like
Do you like Choco mallows? 4.00 Like
Do you like Flat tops? 3.75 Like
Do you like Pochi? 3.87 Like
Do you like Fres Candy? 3.18 Moderately like
Do you like Choc-o/Chuckie? 4.31 Like
Do you like Mountain Dew? 3.93 Moderately like
Do you like C2? 3.93 Moderately like
Do you like Zesto? 3.68 Like
Do you like Coke? 4.00 Like
Figure 8 (651>)

Question Total Mean Rating

Do you like Piatos? 4.00 Like
Do you like Bread Pan? 3.58 Like
Do you like Cracklings? 3.53 Like
Do you like Nova? 3.64 Like
Do you Vcut? 4.07 Like
Do you like Bingo? 3.51 Like
Do you like Cream-O/Oreo? 4.12 Like
Do you like Hansel? 3.58 Like
Do you like Combi? 3.46 Moderately like
Do you like Wafrets? 3.69 Like
Do you like Beng-Beng? 3.87 Like
Do you like Choco mallows? 4.02 Like
Do you like Flat tops? 4.17 Like
Do you like Pochi? 3.92 Like
Do you like Fres Candy? 3.70 Like
Do you like Choc-o/Chuckie? 4.17 Like
Do you like Mountain Dew? 4.30 Like
Do you like C2? 4.23 Like
Do you like Zesto? 4.12 Like
Do you like Coke? 4.28 Like
Figure 9 (>250)

Question Total Mean Rating

Do you like Piatos? 3.92 Like
Do you like Bread Pan? 3.92 Like
Do you like Cracklings? 3.17 Moderately like
Do you like Nova? 3.96 Like
Do you Vcut? 3.92 Like
Do you like Bingo? 3.71 Like
Do you like Cream-O/Oreo? 4.39 Like
Do you like Hansel? 3.57 Like
Do you like Combi? 3.60 Like
Do you like Wafrets? 3.60 Like

24
Do you like Beng-Beng? 4.03 Like
Do you like Choco mallows? 3.85 Like
Do you like Flat tops? 4.07 Like
Do you like Pochi? 4.00 Like
Do you like Fres Candy? 4.07 Like
Do you like Choc-o/Chuckie? 4.50 Strongly like
Do you like Mountain Dew? 4.10 Like
Do you like C2? 4.64 Strongly like
Do you like Zesto? 4.10 Like
Do you like Coke? 4.42 Like
Figure 10 (251-650)

Question Total Mean Rating

Do you like Piatos? 3.70 Like
Do you like Bread Pan? 3.61 Like
Do you like Cracklings? 3.40 Moderately like
Do you like Nova? 4.05 Like
Do you Vcut? 4.11 Like
Do you like Bingo? 3.44 Moderately like
Do you like Cream-O/Oreo? 4.33 Like
Do you like Hansel? 4.17 Like
Do you like Combi? 3.61 Like
Do you like Wafrets? 3.90 Like
Do you like Beng-Beng? 4.22 Like
Do you like Choco mallows? 4.33 Like
Do you like Flat tops? 4.00 Like
Do you like Pochi? 4.33 Like
Do you like Fres Candy? 4.00 Like
Do you like Choc-o/Chuckie? 4.39 Like
Do you like Mountain Dew? 4.33 Like
Do you like C2? 4.28 Like
Do you like Zesto? 4.17 Like
Do you like Coke? 4.50 Strongly like
Figure 11 (651>)

Question Total mean Rating

How much does the school canteen
influence in the development of your 3.35 Moderately severe
preferred food?
Figure 12

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 Analysis

This part will serve as an interpretation of the figures mentioned previously. The

interpretation will start by analyzing the Senior High Data (Figure 6-8); Secondly, the

Junior High Data (Figure 9-11); and Lastly, the overall response of the respondents

regarding the level of canteens’ influence on the development of their food preference

(Figure 12).

Senior High Students with >250 allowance per week. (Figure 6).

The results show that the respondent has moderately high to very high preference

for the snacks that are offered within the School Canteen with a ratio of 10:9:1.

Specifically, the respondent within this cluster have a higher preference for crisp snacks

with the rating within high to very high (4:1), next is the biscuits and sweet beverage with

the tied rating of moderately high to high (3:2), and lastly, the sweets having a ratio of

(4:1) for

moderately high to high respectively.

Senior High Students with 251-650 allowance per week. (Figure 7).

The result shows that the respondents in this cluster have a moderately high to

high preference for the snacks that are offered in the school canteen of the locale with a

ratio of 5:15 respectively. They have a high preference for biscuit snacks (5:0),

moderately high to high preference for sweets (4:1), and moderately high to high

preference for crisp snacks and sweet beverages each with a ratio of (2:3) respectively.

26
Senior High students with 651> allowance per week. (Figure 8).

The results show that the respondents rate that they have a moderately high to

high preference for the snacks that is available in the school canteen with the ratio of

10:10. They show moderately high to a high interest for the crisp, sweets, and sweet

beverages with the tied ratio of (2:3), and moderately high to high interest to the biscuits

with the ratio of (4:1).

Junior High students with >250 allowance per week. (Figure 9).

The results show that the respondents show a moderately high to high preference

for the snacks in the school canteen of the said locale with a ratio of 1:19 respectively.

Specifically, the respondents show a high preference for crisp snacks, sweets, and sweet

beverages each with a ratio of (5:0) while, on the other hand, they show a moderately

high to high preference for biscuits with a ratio of (1:4).

Junior High Students with 251-650 allowance per week. (Figure 10).

The results show that the respondents show a moderately high to a very high

preference to the snacks that are offered in the school canteen with a ratio of 1:17:2.

Specifically, they rate the sweet beverage with the rating ranging from high to very high

preference (3:2), next the biscuits and sweets with the high preference rate each with the

ratio of (5:0), and lastly, the crisps with the rating from moderately high to high (1:4).

Junior High Students with 651> allowance per week. (Figure 11).

The results show that the respondent within this group has a moderately high to

very high preference for the snacks that are offered within the school canteen (2:17:1).

27
The ratings show that they have a high to very high preference for a sweet beverages with

a ratio of (4:1), sweets with the rating of high (5:0), and lastly, crisps and biscuit snacks

with the rating of moderately high to high spectrum each with the ratio of (1:4).

Level of perceived influence of the school canteen to the food preference of

respondents. (Figure 12).

The result shows that according to the respondents (n=139), the total mean of the

perceived influence of the school canteen on the development of their food preference is

3.35 wherein it falls within the rating of moderately severe.

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 Discussion

This part of the study includes the discussion, conclusion, and recommendation

based on the acquired data.

The gathered data suggest that the Junior and Senior high school Students have a

moderately high to very high preference on the foods that are offered in the school

canteen of Reyes Computer Oriented School while they also agreed that the school

canteen of the said school has a moderately high influence in the development of their

food preference.

According to Mckeown & Nelson (2018), the adolescence stage is a period

wherein an individual start to become independent in their day-to-day decision and take

charge of developing their likes. It is found in the gathered data that the respondents (age

12-18) have a range of moderately high to very high preferences for the pre-packed

snacks that are offered in the school canteen. There is also an evident pattern that

suggests that as the adolescents move to the higher department, their preference to snacks

decreases wherein the Senior high student has a significantly higher “moderately like”

rating than those students from the Junior high department. In total, the Senior high

students like the snacks in the following sequence from most like to least like: Crisp

snacks, Biscuits, Sweets, and Sweet beverages. While, on the other hand, Junior high

students like the following sequence of snacks in the same manner: Sweet beverages,

Crisp & sweets, and biscuits. Both departments seem to also consume the cooked snacks

29
and water that is offered within the school on the 24-hour recall of their consumed

snacks.

Chen & Antonelli (2020). It is stated that the physical environment, specifically

the food availability, remains one of the considered factors that influence the food choice,

or connectively the variable that is mainly influenced by food preference (Głąbska et al.,

2021). The gathered data shows that the respondents (age 12-18 years old) thinks that the

school canteen of Reyes Computer Oriented School played a role in developing their

food preference with a total mean of 3.35 or a rating of moderately severe.

With this, we can infer that the school canteen plays an important role in honing

the food preference of adolescents. It is also probable that the students in the Junior

departments share an influence on each other thus explaining their high preference on the

snacks than that of the Senior high department wherein they have discovered their

preferred food. However, there is no causality between the allowance and the type of

foods that the students consumed and liked in school. The school campus in general play

an important role in the development of adolescents especially in discovering themselves

because the school is an environment wherein the adolescents can mostly decide on their

own. This development is also applicable in the discovering their preferred foods. This

newly acquired preference may probably be reflected up to their adulthood.

This finding offered insight from the perspective of the field of Food science into

the three (3) theories: The Social Influence theory, The Sens’ Entitlement theory, and the

Behaviourism theory. Specifically, on the Social Influence theory, it is suggested that an

individual may also pose an intentional and/or unintentional influence in the early

development of the food preference of another individual. On the Sens’ Entitlement

theory, the findings suggest that at a micro-level, or from an individual’s perspective, it

30
solidifies the claims of the theory wherein each person has an “entitlement” to the food

(snacks) that they have access to. On the Behaviourism theory, an individual learns or

acquires a preference on the foods (snacks) that they have access to such as the snacks at

the school canteen for the adolescents.

Conclusion

In the recollection of the objective of the study, the following contains the said

part:

The purpose of this study is to measure the total amount of the influence of the

snacks available at the canteen on the food preferences of the students at Reyes Computer

Oriented School and to also determine its effects on the student’s food preference.

Specifically, this study aims to assess the following objectives:

I. To assess the profoundness of the influence of the availability of snacks on

the food preference of the students of Reyes Computer Oriented School.

II. To determine the food preferences of the students at Reyes Computer

Oriented School by considering:

a. Allowance;

b. Student department.

III. To determine the types of snacks that are mostly preferred by the students
in the consideration of:
a. Allowance;
b. Student Department.

Based on the gathered data, the researchers are able to deduce the following findings:

31
 I. The School Canteen of Reyes Computer Oriented School have a

moderately high influence to the Food preference of both Junior and

Senior High School students.

II. The preference of the Junior and Senior high students range from

moderately high to high to the crisp snacks, biscuits, sweets, and sweet

beverages. There is no causality between the allowance and the preferred

food while there is an evident difference between the Junior and Senior

high students’ size of their “like” food.

III. The type of snacks that are mostly preferred by the Junior high students

are Sweet beverages, followed by Crisp snacks & Sweets, and Biscuits,

while, on the other hand, Senior high students preferred the line up of

Crisp snacks, Biscuits, Sweets, and Sweet beverages. Otherwise, some

enjoy cooked foods such as Turon, Fries, and siomai being the top pick.

Due to these findings, we can infer that the school environment, specifically the

school canteen can be an alternative bridge in developing the food preference of an

individual. Thus, using this bridge as a way in introducing a healthier food choices to an

adolescent will contribute to widening the food choices of an individual in adulthood thus

helping in bringing down the progress of obesity. Focusing on the young adolescents

(ages 12-16) in introducing this initiative can result in a better outcome due to them

showing a willingness to try any foods (based on the high rating of their gathered data).

Following the lineup of the types of food that are mostly preferred by the students in re-

32
inventing the snacks into a healthier food may have a better results in picking the interest

of the students.

Focusing on the role of the school in reflecting the dietary intake of an individual

is needed in the following research to contribute in decreasing the chances of an

individual in acquiring obesity in the long run. The theory and practice of decreasing

obesity should focus more on the early factors that builds up to the obesogenic behaviour

than that of focusing on the present action.

Recommendation

It is necessary for focusing on the development of food preferences on the school

premises, specifically the school canteen, to address the problem of increasing obesity in

an individual as well as the country to look through it in an early stage. With the

synthesis of the findings, the following recommendation is created:

I. Due to the results gathered in the “level of influence of available snacks to

the food preference of the students” showing a moderately high rating,

exposing the students to food such as vegetables and fruits as part of

widening their food choice in the healthy options is effective.

II. Nutrition Education will be effective in teaching the groups of adolescents

on the foods that will benefit them in the future. With this initiative, the

adolescents can be taught the importance of healthy foods as well as

sharing their healthy preferred snacks with the other adolescents thus

giving them the idea to try this food.

III. Following the taste categories of the type of snacks that they mostly prefer

to eat in devising alternative healthy foods is effective in helping the

students to adjust to any alteration of foods that is possible to be altered.

33
 This recommendation will benefit the school of Reyes Computer Oriented School

in promoting a healthy lifestyle diet to the students.

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 Appendices

Letter of Request

37
 SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE

The Level Of Influence Of Available Snacks At The Canteen To The Food Preference Of Junior And Senior High
School Student Of Reyes Computer Oriented School

I. Respondent Profile.
Please answer accordingly.

What is your name? (Optional)

What is your age?

What is your Grade level?

What is your average allowance in a week?

II. Questionnaire Part.

Direction: Please answer accordingly.

1. What snacks did you buy and consume within the 24 hours in the School Canteen?
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

2. Write (x) to the column of your chosen answer.

Fairly Strongly
Question Strongly like Fairly like Neutral
dislike dislike
Do you like Piatos?
Do you like Bread Pan?
Do you like Cracklings?
Do you like Nova?
Do you Vcut?
Do you like Bingo?
Do you like Cream-O/Oreo?
Do you like Hansel?
Do you like Combi?
Do you like Wafrets?
Do you like Beng-Beng?
Do you like Choco mallows?
Do you like Flat tops?
Do you like Pochi?
Do you like Fres Candy?

38
Do you like Choc-o/Chuckie?
Do you like Mountain Dew?
Do you like C2?
Do you like Zesto?
Do you like Coke?

3. Read the question carefully and rate (x) from 1-5 wherein (1) as least severe and (5) as most severe.

Question 1 2 3 4 5
How much does the school canteen influence in the
development of your preferred food?

White Forms

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40
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