Food preference of Teenagers

Food acceptance is the problem of food service administrators. An

important predictor of acceptance is food preference. Residence hold

dietitian are responsible not only for the high-quality service,

palatable, attractive food at an economical price, but also for its

acceptance.

Food preferences are the evaluative attitudes that people express toward

foods. It includes the qualitative evaluation of foods, and also how

much people like and dislike them. Food preference is described as

choosing meals based on what a person loves the most, finds most

gratifying, feels most comfortable eating with, and so on, based on the

body's needs and desires (Collen et al., 2021).

According to the study of (Drewnoski,2016), on taste preference and food

intake, he emphasized that sensory responses to the taste, smell, and

texture of foods help determine food preferences and eating habits.

However, sensory responses alone do not predict food consumption. Taste

responses are influenced by a range of genetic, physiological, and

metabolic variables. The impact of taste factors on food intake further

depends on sex and age and is modulated by obesity, eating behaviours.

Food preferences and food choices of populations are further linked to

attitudinal, social, and probably most important economic variables such

as income.

Furthermore, in the study of Wright J.D.(2015) added an idea that human

food choice is influenced by biological, psychological, and cultural

factors. Because humans are food generalist, and because the food

environment in the first world is so different from the ancestral human

environment, innate the predispositions play a minimal role. Humans

principally learn to eat and like certain foods, and avoid others, with
traditions being the main influence. As a result, the pleasures of

eating, have become tempered by a fear of fat and food.

Many children rely on their school canteen for their snacks and lunches

with child obesity levels rising and physical activity level declining

it is important that the canteen provide a range of healthy food.

Whereas, School canteen plays four-fold role in the educational program

school. First, it helps combat malnutrition. Second, it is a center for

teaching health. Third, it helps in the vocational and social and

training of students. And lastly, it presents an opportunity of

correlating teaching experience which is centered of foods. The needs of

teenagers in general are greater than those of children and adults.

Based on the study conducted by A. McKeon & R. Nelson (2018), the

adolescent’s period is the stage in the life cycle in which individuals

begin to develop independent decision making related to their social

environment including their dietary intake. When adolescents are given

free choice they tend to follow an unbalanced diet with some diets

raising concerns for their current and future health. Fifty-seven

percent of respondents displayed serious concerns in their dietary

choice of which 18% were identified as requiring immediate

intervention.The most noticeable factors affecting dietary choice were

the desire to eat foods high in fat and carbohydrates and low in fruit

and vegetable consumption.

Generally, it has been always been emphasized that food habits and

preference of adolescents of 10 to 20 years old. Show that food habits

and tastes are mostly related to age and gender. Girls pay more

attention to dietetics and snack less than boys. Young adolescents ages

10 to 16 prefer bland and familiar foods whereas older ones 17 to 20

learn to appreciate ‘adult’ foods. As they grow older, children snack

more, skip more meals and seem interested in foreign foods.Before

puberty teenagers reject many foods they previously liked. After puberty

they begin to appreciate some foods they didn’t like before. Their food

repertoire widens at this period because of social and cognitive

influences (C, T. Nu, P., Macleod & Barthelme n.d,).

Young adolescents prefer bland and familiar foods whereas older ones

learn to appreciate ‘adult’ foods. As they grow older, children snack

more, skip more meals and seem more interested in foreign foods.Before

puberty teenagers reject many foods they previously liked. After puberty

they begin to appreciate some foods they didn't like before. Their food

repertoire widens at this period because of social and cognitive

influences.

Moreover, in the study of Kovisto and Sjoden n.d, they believed that

compared to young children, adolescents experience greater autonomy and,

thus, their food choices may be influenced by growing independence. Some

researches have shown stability in food consumption patterns and/or

neophobia throughout childhood and adolescence. Sizer et.al (2016) also

believes that eating is an intentional act. Each day, people choose from

the available food, prepare the food, and decides where to act, which

customs to follow and with whom to dine many factors influence food

related choices.

The preferences for certain foods is one aspect of food habits, and its

importance as an expression of the consumer’s interests in different

foods. Food habits are not always as stable as one may expect. Many

factors influence food Preferences. However,In the study of Carnell &

Wardle (2018), the authors emphasized that appetite training is one of

most important factors that play a role in children food preferences,

which can determine children food choice. Taste plays an influential

role on the selection of food. Different sensory receptors in the tongue

are responsible for sensory tasting plays an important role to draw a

conclusion for each type of food.

In addition, the study of Furst et,.al (2017) discussed about the

appearance of food is the key factor that affects food preferences.In

the study of Nederkoorn, A. Jansen & R, C. Havermans, it has been stated

that children who are very picky in eating frequently refuse the intake

of foods. This rejection is not only based on the evaluation of taste,

but also on tactile qualities of foods. It matters whether food is

crispy or slimy, consistent, or with bits and pips. It is hypothesized

that children who are more sensitive to touch and dislike the feel of

various tactile stimuli in general, are also more dismissive of tactile

stimulation in their mouth and therefore more selective in their eating.

Theoretical Framework

This study is anchored to the Expectancy theory of motivation proposed

by Victor H. Vroom(1964).The expectancy Theory of Motivation that
concentrates on motivating customer loyalty with results. He defines
motivation as a process that governs choices among those alternative
forms of activties that is being controlled by the individual.
According to this theory, an individual is driven to perform or behave a
certain way in order to achieve a desired outcome. Customers need to see
why visiting your store is worthwhile and how their participation will
benefit them. It makes customers want to engage more if they know
they’ll get something valuable in return.
This theory has three (3) components (Expectancy, Instrumentality, and
Valence)that can separately influence an individual’s motivation, but
when combined, these components can have a powerful effect. Expectancy
is defined as a “momentary belief concerning the likelihood that a
particular act will be followed by a particular outcome”. This explains
that a Customer’s effort should be understood to mean any action that a
customer takes in the process of interacting with a brand therefore, a
performance is the expectation by which it occurs when a customer
achieves the desired result of their applied effort. Instrumentality is
the second component of expectancy theory that is concerned with the
relationship between performance and outcomes. Outcomes are the events
or results that a customer experiences at the end of a given interaction
with a brand. Whereas customer effort starts with an interaction, and
outcomes finish them. Valence is the third component that affective
orientation (value) toward particular outcomes explains how much the
customer value the outcome.
The sellers of businesses inside the school canteen can utilize
expectancy theory to understand what motivate learners when classified
into sex and grade level to prioritize a product and services being
offered as this main variables was considered to have a different factor
in choosing products and services to consume during break time. And how
learners as customers make decisions regarding their efforts based on
the degree to which the learners value the outcome of their
efforts(Valence). Understanding the degree to which the learners value
those outcomes could play a key factor in predicting
effort(Instrumentality). According to this process, understanding this
theory of expectancy of motivation can help the sellers of businesses in
the School canteen more accurately predict performance by knowing
whether the learners as their customers value the effort they applied to
satisfy the learners(Expectancy).
According to Vroom’s Expectancy Theory (1964), three perceptions
(valence,instrumentality, and expectancy) can separately influence an
individual’s motivation, but when combined, these perceptions can have a
powerful effect. Valence refers to affective orientations (value) toward
particular outcomes. An outcome is said to be positively valent for an
individual if he or she prefers attaining it to not attaining it. An
outcome which a person would prefer to avoid is said to be negatively
valent. An outcome can beperceived as having value in itself or because
of its instrumentality in achieving other valued ends. Valence is a
function of an individual’s needs, goals, values and sources of
motivation (Vroom, 1964). Instrumentality is the personal belief that
first-level outcomes lead to second level outcomes (Porter & Lawler,
1968; Vroom, 1964). In other words, ifan individual believes that a high
level of performance is instrumental for the attainmentof other outcomes
that he expects will be rewarding (such as a pay increase, forexample),
and/or if he believes that a high performance level will be instrumental
foravoiding other outcomes that he wishes to avoid (such as being
fired), then thatindividual will place a high valence upon performing
well. When individuals perceivethat valued rewards follow all levels of
performance, then instrumentality is low (Pinder,1984)
Expectancy is defined as “a momentary belief concerning the likelihood
that aparticular act will be followed by a particular outcome” (Vroom,
1964). This belief, orperception, is generally based on an individual’s
past experience, self efficacy, and the
perceived difficulty of the performance standard or goal (Porter &
Lawler, 1968). Vroom(1964) suggests that expectancies,
instrumentalities, and valences interactpsychologically within an
individual’s beliefs to create a motivational force which in
turninfluences behavior. Further, Vroom maintains that when deciding
among behavioral options, individuals select the option with the
greatest motivation forces
Gender differences in consumer behavior have been a topic of interest
for marketers and researchers alike. Understanding how gender influences
customer loyalty is crucial for businesses aiming to tailor their
marketing strategies effectively. This literature review examines
several studies that delve into the relationship between gender and
customer loyalty.
According to Smith, J., & Johnson, A. (2018). The Impact of Gender on
Customer Loyalty: This synthesized findings from 20 studies
investigating the influence of gender on customer loyalty across various
industries. Results revealed that gender significantly moderates the
relationship between customer satisfaction and loyalty, with males
showing higher loyalty levels in certain contexts. However, the effect
size varied across industries, suggesting nuanced gender dynamics in
consumer behavior.
Research consistently indicates that gender plays a significant role in
shaping consumer behavior and preferences. For instance, studies have
shown that men tend to prioritize relational aspects of service
encounters, such as personalized interactions and emotional connections,
while women often focus more on transactional factors like convenience
and efficiency.
Understanding these gender dynamics can inform targeted marketing
strategies aimed at enhancing customer loyalty and satisfaction. Further
research exploring additional moderators and mediators of this
relationship is warranted to develop a comprehensive understanding of
gender influences on consumer behavior.
Many studies have made the differences between the sexes (gender) the
subject, especially concerning their attitudes and behavior. Gender
differences can be explained from a biological and social perspective
(Teeroovengadum, 2020). However, in this study, the gender differences
in question are those that lead to a social perspective. Social
variables may explain gender differences according to their position in
society, so knowledge of gender disparities can be used in the consuming
process. Gender differences in consumer behavior have been a topic of
interest for marketers and researchers alike. Understanding how gender
influences customer loyalty is cruial for businesses aiming to tailor
their marketing strategies effectively. This literature review examines
several studies that delve into the relationship between gender and
customer loyalty.
According to Smith, J., & Johnson, A. (2018). The Impact of Gender on
Customer Loyalty: This synthesized findings from 20 studies
investigating the influence of gender on customer loyalty across various
industries. Results revealed that gender significantly moderates the
relationship between customer satisfaction and loyalty, with males
showing higher loyalty levels in certain contexts. However, the effect
size varied across industries, suggesting nuanced gender dynamics in
consumer behavior.Research consistently indicates that gender plays a
significant role in shaping consumer behavior and preferences. For
instance, studies have shown that men tend to prioritize relational
aspects of service encounters, such as personalized interactions and
emotional connections, while women often focus more on transactional
factors like convenience and efficiency.
Likewise, (Teeroovengadum, 2020). observed that female customers tended
to be more interested in their interactions with service employees,
whereas men were more interested in their convenience.(Kusuma, 2018).
revealed that consumer behavior is influenced by gender, which is the
basis for differences in attitudes or norms, so the level of
satisfaction and loyalty between men and women may be different (Kusuma,
2018). There are many differences in men's and women's spending
expectations and consumption behavior (Wang & Kim, 2019).
Gender is a factor that affects buying behavior and has a certain
tendency. Men tend to follow the quick and easy process of
utilitarianism, making decisions based on data and facts. In contrast,
women tend to be hedonistic and prefer emotionally determined hunting.
People are loyal to a brand because they associate it with a positive
experience, such as great customer service, feeling connected to brand
values and ideals, or consistently high product quality.
Understanding these gender dynamics can inform targeted marketing
strategies aimed at enhancing customer loyalty and satisfaction. Further
research exploring additional moderators and mediators of this
relationship is warranted to develop a comprehensive understanding of
gender influences on consumer behavior.