Factors associated with food choice motivations among urban high school students in Indonesia

Abstract

Background : This study aimed to examine what reasons motivated urban high school students to choose certain foods, and to identify factors associated with food choice motivations. Methods : A cross-sectional study was conducted from April to May 2020 in Depok, Indonesia. A total of 433 high school students in grades 10 e 12 were recruited. Food choice motivations were identi fi ed using a questionnaire, and de fi ned using exploratory factor analysis. Possible factors associated with motivations were evaluated using multiple linear regression. Results : Five food choice motivations were identi fi ed and classed as: F1, health and religion; F2, price and convenience; F3, comfort; F4, weight control; and F5, familiarity. Being physically active was positively associated with F1 ( b ¼ 0.234, P < 0.001) and F4 ( b ¼ 0.284, P < 0.001). Negative associations were observed between F4 and wishing to be fatter ( b ¼ ¡ 0.202, P ¼ 0.05) as well as between F5 and having less knowledge about nutrition ( b ¼ ¡ 0.006, P ¼ 0.04). F2 ( b ¼ 0.042, P ¼ 0.004) and F3 ( b ¼ 0.040, P ¼ 0.02) were positively associated with frequent access to media. F3 was positively associated with students receiving a higher stipend ( b ¼ 0.014, P ¼ 0.003). Conclusions : Our fi ndings highlighted fi ve motivations in fl uencing the daily food selections of high school students. These motivations were associated with physical activity