Chapter I

The Problem and Its Setting

Background of the Problem

Nowadays, students usually eat on either what they can afford or what they want. It can

be easily distinguished to a certain choice to make in a way that a students can buy anything

they want if they have money or not. in this case, food preferences is a big gamble. They can

eat any, but not all, because they may get a thing that they don’t want like getting obese or

diseases.

Eating anything is somewhat bad on every individual. Saying that you can buy any food

is a big “no” to your lifestyle. Bragging on how many you can afford can just give you anything

but trouble. Not all food that are displayed of available cannot be consumed in just a day just to

fulfill your desire. In that case, food preference is something important in your everyday life.

According to the gospel of Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for

righteousness, for they will be filled,” everyone can be reminded by the term “righteousness” to

pick foods that are good for all. Not just by telling that it is sweet or it is creamy. But by assuring

that it will fill the needs.

One thing to be reminded on choosing food is nutritional values. Having this knowledge

makes an individual wiser than others in terms of food picking and choice for their everyday

rations. Like for example, avoiding sugary drinks like soft drinks for it causes obesity. Instead,

drink water to cleanse and rehydrate the body according to Kris Grunnar via Healthline.
 However, not at all chance an individual can stop their desires for food. Referred by

others, many individual, especially students, buy foods that are not good to their health. Like

junk foods, milk teas, and whatsoever that is contaminated by chemicals that may harm people

at any costs.

According to the DOH reports, there are more than three million Filipino youths

(including students) are obese and overweight and this is cause by the wrong choice of foods

served in canteens or outside-the-school stores that sells candies, chocolate chips, and any

other sugary foods and drinks.

In observation of this, the DepEd and DOH impose stiffer policies and nutritious

beverages in school as what was observed until now. But the bigger problem was on how

students will like the foods served in their canteens that might not be desirable for their appetite.

Having said that nutrition is better that disease, it is common to be prepared in having a

good, nutritious, and well-balanced meal. Like Mrs. Bae, a parent from Pinagbuhatan

Elementary School, who prepares a sandwich, hard-boiled eggs, and water for her son. She

also wants to inform to other parents that junk foods and soft drinks are not allowed to their

children. It is far better to send them water and sandwich because it is for their strength (UNTV

News and Rescue).

In St. Mary Academy of Ligao, it is far enough to have one canteen at their premise. The

canteen serves food for breakfast, lunch, and even mirienda that satisfies their hunger.

Moreover, the school’s canteen doesn’t sell any sugary drinks that can up their sales. Instead,

they sell water and juices that can relieve everyone’s thirst.

In line with this, the researcher want to conduct a research entitles “food preferences:

engaging to proper food choices of students in St. Mary’s Academy of Ligao” that aims to give
 more emphasis to a proper food preferring to students. In connection, the researcher wants to

add in terms of food served with the help of respondents.

Food Preferences:
Engaging to Proper Food Methodology

Choices of Students in The researcher will give questionnaire

that will be answered by the respondents.
St. Mary’s Academy of The questionnaire has basic information,
Ligao checklists, and recommendations.

Result:
1. The socio-demographic profile of the
respondents may vary.
Statement of the Problem A. Only from gr. 7-12 will answer the
This purpose of the study is to give additional questionnaires.
B. Most of the respondents might be
informations and suggetions regarding the food preferences
female
on the students in St. Mary’s Academy of Ligao. C. Most of them eat during lunch
Specifically, the researcher wants to gather answers to D. Ranging from 50-200
2. There might be some problems affecting the
the questions below:
questions:
1. What is the socio-demographic profile of the A. Most of the respondents want the
respondents in terms of: Menu.
B. There might be some
A. Year Level
unsatisfactory on it.
B. Gender C. There might be a satisfactory on it.
C. Time when you eat most at school 3. Answers may vary.

(e.g. recess, lunch break, after hours)

D. Money (brought everyday)

2. How the respondents are satisfies in terms of:

A. Menu (for breakfast and lunch)

B. Snacks
 Addition of food preferences
C. Juice and other beverages  Suggestions and
3. What are the other products/foods/meals that the recommendations

respondents wants to add at the canteen?

 Fig1.1 Conceptual Paradigm

Conceptual Framework

The study aims to know the following: to determine the socio-demographic profile in terms of

(a) year level, (b) gender, (c) time when you eat at school and (d) money brought.

In this study, the respondents will answer the questionnaires to be given by the researcher.

As for this case, the basic information will be the first to be answered, seconded by the

checklists and lastly, the recommendations. The selection will be Simple Random Sampling,

meaning any of them from gr.7-12 will be selected with the given sample size.

As for results, the researcher hypothesized the following: for the demographic profile, (a)

only from gr.7-12 will answer, (b) most of the respondents will be female, (c) most of them eat at

lunch and, (d) ranging from 50-200. For the second question, the following are only

assumptions: (a) most of the respondents want the Menu, (b) there might be some

unsatisfactory on it and, (c) there might be satisfactory. For the last question, answer may vary.

And also, some recommendations will be shown after the finalization of the research.

However, this will not be concluded if the data will be analyzed.

Research Hypothesis

This study is held up for these assumptions:

1. The socio-demographic profile of the respondents may vary.

A. Only from gr. 7-12 will answer the questionnaires.

B. Most of the respondents might be female

C. Most of them eat during lunch

D. Ranging from 50-200

2. There might be some problems affecting the questions:

 A. Most of the respondents want the Menu.

B. There might be some unsatisfactory on it.

C. There might be a satisfactory on it.

3. Answers may vary.

Statement of the Problem

This purpose of the study is to give additional informations and suggetions regarding the

food preferences on the students in St. Mary’s Academy of Ligao.

Specifically, the researcher wants to gather answers to the questions below:

1. What is the socio-demographic profile of the respondents in terms of:

A. Year Level

B. Gender

C. Time when you eat most at school (e.g. recess, lunch break, after hours)

D. Money (brought everyday)

2. How the respondents are satisfies in terms of:

A. Menu (for breakfast and lunch)

B. Snacks

C. Juice and other beverages

3. What are the other products/foods/meals that the respondents wants to add at the

canteen?
Definition of Terms

These are some terminologies that may encounter in the following counts of the pages:

Food. Any nutritious substances that people or animals eat or drink, or the plants absorb in

order to maintain life and growth.

Preferences. A greater liking for one alternative over another or others.

Nutritionist. A person who advises others on matters of food and nutrition and their impacts on

human health. Some people specialize in particular areas, such as sports nutrition.

Vareity. The quality or state of being different or diverse: the absence of uniformity, sameness,

or monotony.

Canteen. a restaurant provided by an organization such as school, for their staff and students.

Etiquette. The customary code of polite behavior in society or among members of a particular

profession or group.

Importance of the Study

The researcher is looking forward for this study to be essential in accordance to

the proper food choices in St. Mary’s Academy of Ligao.

This would be meaningful to:

The Respondents. This study will be essential to the respondents, preferably by handing down

informations that the respondents know and also giving them an eye-opener on how to manage
in having a proper food preferences. In case of reading, they might be able to waste their money

on some foods that they desire, but with this study, they can be able to capitalize and monitor

the foods they have to eat and refrain from spending money.

The Students. This study is valuable to them, as the main target of this study is the students.

The study aims to prioritize on giving students proper mannerism towards proper food

consuming. It will be suffice so that not all money will be wasted for anything. Absolutely, the

study procure for the students to immobilize the bloating of obesity and other diseases that

came from unnaturalized eating lifestyle.

The School. Through this research, this may help to emphasize the importance of food

etiquette from thereon. This will help the school to add some interesting dishes and meal

particularly in giving nutritious rations to all individuals in the premises. This will become the

basis to push proper etiquette to all acommodating individuals in the school’s premise.

The Future Researchers. The outcome of this study will be a new basis of the future

researchers gathering information about this topic. It can be also used for references and other

details.

Scope and Limitations of the Study

The study entitles “food preferences: engaging to proper food choices of students in St.

Mary’s Academy of Ligao” focuses on giving help not just in school but to others. The

respondents will be coming from the students of St. Mary’s Academy of Ligao. The respondents

will be given a sheet of questionnaires that will be answered to achieve the objectives of the

study.