Selection of processed and packaged potato-based snacks among university students: a cross-sectional study regarding food environment and dietary behavior

PurposePotato-based snacks (PBS) are widely popular among people of all age groups despite known negative health aspects. University students, due to their busy routines and less familiarity with diets are more prone to selecting unhealthy meals and snacks. The study aims to explore the outlook of university students regarding their consumption of processed and packaged PBS in their daily lives and compares gender’s PBS choices with dietary habits and food environment.Design/methodology/approachA total of 122 students from various universities across Pakistan were included in this study. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire and distributed using the snowball method.FindingsThe university students showed a significant difference in their living habits (p = 0.016), where 25.4% of enrolled male students were hostellers as compared to females (14.8%). Significant differences were noticed in choosing PBS that further depends on the familiarity of the product, (p = 0.030), where 9.0% of female students rated familiarity with the product as being important while 20.5% of males responded familiarity as a critical factor. Studying the usual location/point of purchase for a PBS, a significant difference was observed (p = 0.008%) where more male students (27.9%) choose to buy their PBS from a local convenience store as compared to female students (18.9%). Female students (13.1%) would rather choose to buy their PBS on their weekly grocery runs.Originality/valueThis study concluded that female and male students’ attitudes regarding the consumption of PBS were almost the same regardless of environment and brand repute.HighlightsDietary behavioral studies of consumption of PBSThe environment and brand reputation have no impact on the consumption of PBSGender differences have no impact on the selection of PBSAwareness and healthy selection of PBS are critical factors that need to be focused