First Name:
Kalie
Last Name:
Peyton
Major Department:
Nutrition
Thesis Director:
Martin Root
Date of Thesis:
May 2013
Sugar, fat, and salt are the main ingredients the processed food industry relies on for appeal of their products, and the three main ingredients largely blamed for the rapidly declining health of Americans. The history of how these products evolved into what they are today, from the controversy and through the legal battles, is intriguing and provides the ever-changing perspectives of the American public. The characteristics of these chief components that make up processed foods seem irreplaceable and irresistible, much to the dismay of health advocates across the country. This thesis will explore the roles of these three food pillars, which sturdily uphold the billion-dollar food industry, as well as their contribution to the "obesity epidemic" based on past and present research. All the while, looking for the good in what seems to be all bad news. Using multiple resources, it will draw a cause-and-effect diagram between processed foods and health, while exploring all sides of the arguments to create an overall picture.
This thesis will also explore the beliefs and knowledge of a small sample population to illustrate a personal perspective of these ideas. The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the college student population's interest and knowledge of the obesity epidemic relating to processed foods. College students are in a unique position of new-found freedom, including their food choices. According to the data collected, the vast majority of students were able to identify processed foods, and have had exposure to nutrition information. However, convenience, taste, and price were listed as the top motivating factors when making these daily dietary choices. The findings suggested that many college age students have the knowledge to differentiate between processed foods and whole foods, but may have other factors influencing their decisions to make healthy choices on a daily basis.