A mixed-methods study on the factors influencing fruit and vegetable consumption of elementary and junior high school students in Bay and Los Banos, Laguna

Date

6-2026

Adviser

Ellen Ann A. Diolata

Principal

Buela, Mabel S.

Abstract

In a modern world where convenience is often prioritized over value, many aspects of society have changed, but one of the most affected is health. Within a capitalist environment, personal health is often deprioritized among the general population, as observed in our everyday lives to ease financial burden. Fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption is overshadowed by the current fixation on convenient foods, which are often lacking in F&V content. This study aims to determine the differences in food consumption habits and factors among economically dependent elementary and high school students in Los Banos and Bay, Laguna. Previous work on F&V has highlighted prior the importance and health benefits of consuming F&V and integrating it into regular eating habits. There still exists a large margin for improvement in research concerning F&V consumption, specifically focusing on smaller, specific demographics such as particular geographical locations or age groups. This study utilized data acquired from elementary and junior high school students in Los Banos and Bay through questionnaires to determine factors that affect their F&V consumption, and with thematic and spearman correlation analysis, interpreted and correlated the results. Notably, it was found that differentiating factors surrounding the respondent is a major component of their habits and preferences towards F&V, wherein the awareness and perception on F&V, the importance of sensory factors, price and the effectiveness of influences such as media and family, all differ between groups, with age differences (grade level), socioeconomic status (enrolled to a public or private school), family type, and other identifiable features contributing to the varying perspectives among respondents. The main social influences found regarding F&V consumption within the demographic of this study are family for elementary students while peers and media for high school students

Language

English

Location

UP Rural High School

Document Type

Capstone

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