Comparative Analysis of the Demand for Food Between UPLB Undergraduate Students Commuting from Home and Staying within UPLB Dormitories using the Pinggang Pinoy Meal Model, 2024

Date

6-2025

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics

College

College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Julieta A. Delos Reyes

Committee Member

Geny F. Lapiña, Maria Angeles O. Catelo

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Abstract

This study investigated the comparative food demand and consumption patterns of University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) undergraduate students living in UPLB dormitories and commuting from home, using the Pinggang Pinoy meal model. Nutrition is vital for academic performance, yet no study has assessed food demand in UPLB using the Pinggang Pinoy model. This study compared data on food utilization gathered through online survey between 41 dormitory students and 30 commuters, employing descriptive statistics, Fisher’s Exact Test, and market-basket analysis.

The study characterized the respondents, assessed their knowledge and attitude toward proper nutrition, explored differences in dietary habits, analyzed food demand factors, examined interdependence among the GO, GROW, and GLOW food groups, and provided policy recommendations based on the results of the study.

Results revealed that dormers were predominantly female, had higher allowances, and came from mixed urban–rural households. On the other hand, commuters had a balanced gender mix, more scholarships, and mainly live in rural, higher-income homes. Both groups demonstrated poor nutrition knowledge and had neutral attitudes towards nutrition. They under consumed GLOW foods (fruits/vegetables) and overconsumed GO (carbohydrates) and GROW (proteins): commuters favored GROW foods while dormers favored GO foods. Commuters maintained regular, home-cooked meals with balanced intake, while dormers relied on external sources with less variety. Market-basket analysis showed dormers had stronger GO–GROW/GLOW associations (lift up to 3.06) versus commuters’ perfect-confidence but lower-lift patterns. Among dormers, significant relationships emerged between GO food consumption, sex of the household head (p = 0.045), school allowance (p = 0.009), scholarship (p = 0.092), degree program and GROW food consumption (p = 0.025), and number of units enrolled and GLOW food consumption (p = 0.095).

The study concluded that nutritional gaps exist, particularly, there is an overconsumption of GO and GROW foods and severe underconsumption of GLOW foods across the main meals of the day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). It recommends that the university administration promote access to balanced meals, enhance nutritional awareness, improve dormitory cooking facilities, implement food accessibility programs, and monitor and support student nutrition. These aim to improve students' adherence to the Pinggang Pinoy meal model, fostering better health and academic outcomes helping the university’s mandate of excellence.

Language

English

LC Subject

Food consumption—Philippines, Nutrition--Evaluation, Food preferences

Location

UPLB College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Call Number

LG 993.5 2025 A14 R65

Notes

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Document Type

Thesis

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