USAF Food Habits Study. Part I. Method and Overview
Abstract
Two data collection efforts at Travis AFB were undertaken to provide minority food preference and weight gain data to Air Force menu planners and individuals interested in the issues concerning body weight. White males, white females, black males and black females were administered a new Food Preference Survey (FPS), a Food Selection Questionnaire (FSQ), and two kinds of arguments that conveyed nutritional information and encouraged either the inclusion or exclusion of certain food from a meal. Provided in the present report are basic food preference data, validity and reliability data, and the results of the nutritional information experiment. Foods are ranked by decreasing hedonic mean and by decreasing frequency mean for each of the subpopulations, and the results of an analysis of variance on each the 194 foods are given. Foods in the analysis are arranged by overall decreasing hedonic mean and 31 food groups, thus permitting easy access by menu planners. The FSQ was found to be a valid instrument for assessing food selection and a moderately valid instrument for assessing the number of portions selected. The FPS was found to be moderately valid but highly reliable. Results are interpreted in light of the large number of variables that were not controlled. The selection of carrot sticks was increased either by argumentation or by making personnel aware that the item was available. Arguments encouraging the exclusion of desserts from a meal had no effect. Detailed analyses of food preferences and weights of personnel are reserved for later reports.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA085876
Entities
People
- Day Waterman
- Herbert L. Meiselman
- Kerry W. Wyant
Organizations
- United States Army Soldier Systems Center