Abstract
BACKGROUND: Fast food is being increasingly consumed in the modern world. This raises urgent questions about its impact on our health. There is a large body of research examining the factors contributing to fast food consumption but few studies have been conducted in Saudi Arabia among university students. Moreover, there is almost a total lack of qualitative studies in this area to explore the details and contexts of these factors. This study aims to address this gap by conducting a qualitative investigation into the factors associated with fast food consumption in the daily lives of Saudi college students. METHODS: The subjects of this qualitative study were 22 students from a university in Al Madinah Province, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Data was collected over 10 weeks through diary entries and semi-structured interviews, which were held virtually. Thematic analysis was then conducted on the data, with an inductive strategy used to identify emerging themes. RESULTS: The factors previously found to contribute to fast food consumption, such as taste and convenience (time, effort, and money-saving qualities) were confirmed in this study. Moreover, the research found that the growing social narrative around fitness and health has led to a rise in the public's concerns about health, which, in turn, has prompted many people to think again about their consumption of fast food. This study also reveals the effect of culture on fast food consumption, illuminating interesting perspectives on the lack of this consumption in various ritual and cultural situations. CONCLUSION: The results of this qualitative study reveal important findings about the contributing factors associated with fast food consumption among the under-researched study population of university students. The contributing factors identified are taste, convenience, health concerns, and cultural influences. By developing our understanding of these factors, such as the details of their contextuality and their impact on people's eating behaviors, we can develop more effective public health interventions. Both health practitioners and policymakers can then use this comprehensive understanding of these factors to create interventions that respond to people's cultural contexts and personal preferences, enhancing health outcomes for the public.