Date
9-25-2025
Department
School of Health Sciences
Degree
Master of Science in Public Health in Epidemiology (MSPH)
Chair
Oswald Attin
Keywords
Ultra-Processed Foods, Health Belief Model, College Students, Dietary Behavior, Public Health
Disciplines
Public Health
Recommended Citation
Muomah, Ginika Rosemary, "Examining Factors Influencing Ultra- Processed Food Consumption Among Liberty University Students Aged 18 And Older" (2025). Masters Theses. 1382.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/masters/1382
Abstract
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are widely consumed among college students and are linked to adverse health outcomes including obesity, poor mental health, and cardiometabolic disease. Despite their rising prevalence, limited research has examined psychosocial and behavioral factors influencing UPF intake within Christian university settings. This study investigated demographic, behavioral, and psychosocial predictors of UPF consumption among Liberty University students, guided by the Health Belief Model (HBM). A cross-sectional survey of students aged 18 and older (N = 337) was conducted. After excluding incomplete or invalid responses, 276 cases remained. The 25-item survey assessed UPF intake, HBM constructs, and demographics. Descriptive statistics summarized consumption patterns, and ordinal logistic regression identified predictors of higher UPF intake, with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
Results: Among the 276 valid responses, 30.4% of students consumed UPFs multiple times daily, despite 80.2% reporting familiarity with the term “ultra-processed foods.” Students who consistently tried to limit UPFs had lower odds of high consumption (OR = 0.047, 95% CI: 0.005–0.455, p = 0.008). Predictors of higher intake included male gender (OR = 24.17), age 21–23 (OR = 3.10), academic stress (OR = 7.03), and frequent fast-food reliance (OR = 13.08). More than 80% of participants cited convenience, affordability, and stress as barriers to healthier eating. UPF consumption among Christian university students is shaped by demographic, psychosocial, and environmental factors. Findings underscore the need for targeted, multidimensional interventions that address barriers, enhance self-efficacy, and promote healthier dietary practices. The application of the HBM provides a valuable framework for faith-based health promotion strategies that unite public health priorities with Christian principles of stewardship and wellness.
