When Fast Food Becomes Identity: Exploring the Eating Behaviors of Egyptian Female University Students
Published in Healthcare & Nursing, General & Internal Medicine, and Public Health
Research often begins with numbers, but this study began with conversations. As nursing researchers working closely with university students in Egypt, we repeatedly noticed how fast food had become deeply embedded in students’ everyday routines. Meals were no longer simply about hunger or nutrition. Fast food represented convenience during stressful academic days, social connection with friends, emotional comfort, and sometimes even a sense of identity.
This observation inspired our recently published study, “Adult Women Identities on the Menu: Deconstructing Fast-Food Consumption among University Students,” published in BMC Nutrition. In this work, we wanted to move beyond the traditional discussion of calories and unhealthy eating habits. Instead, we asked a more complex question: why do female university students continue consuming fast food even when they are aware of its health risks?
To answer this question, we conducted a mixed-methods study among female university students at Mansoura University in Egypt. We included students from both practical and theoretical faculties to capture a broader picture of university life and eating behaviors. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior as a framework, we explored how knowledge, attitudes, perceived behavioral control, subjective norms, and behavioral intentions influenced fast-food consumption.
What made this study especially meaningful for us was the realization that food choices are rarely driven by knowledge alone. Many participants understood that frequent fast-food consumption could contribute to obesity and long-term health problems. Yet awareness did not necessarily change behavior. Taste, affordability, time pressure, cravings, and social influence often outweighed nutritional concerns.
One of the most striking findings was the contradiction between awareness and practice. Many students recognized the negative health consequences of fast food, but they still described it as enjoyable, convenient, and emotionally satisfying. Several participants explained that fast food became part of their social identity. Gathering with friends in restaurants, sharing meals after lectures, or ordering food during stressful study periods became normalized experiences linked to belonging and comfort.
Family influence also emerged as a powerful factor. We initially expected peers to play the dominant role in shaping eating behavior among university students. Surprisingly, family attitudes toward food remained highly influential. Many students reported that family members indirectly encouraged fast-food consumption because of busy schedules, limited cooking time, or changing modern lifestyles.
Another important insight involved perceived behavioral control. Many participants expressed a desire to eat more healthily but felt unable to maintain healthy habits because of lack of time, academic stress, emotional eating, or limited cooking skills. This highlighted an important reality: healthy eating is not simply a matter of willpower. Environmental and social conditions strongly shape daily choices.
Collecting the data also reminded us how deeply personal food-related discussions can become. During interviews and discussions, participants spoke openly about stress, body image concerns, social expectations, and the pressure to balance academic demands with personal well-being. These conversations revealed that fast-food consumption among young women cannot be understood only through a nutritional lens. It is also connected to emotions, identity formation, self-expression, and social belonging.
As nursing researchers, this perspective was especially important. Nursing is not only about treating illness but also about understanding human behavior, lifestyle, and the social determinants of health. We believe our findings reinforce the need for more holistic health education programs that address emotional, social, and behavioral dimensions of eating habits rather than focusing solely on information delivery.
Another memorable aspect of this project was the collaborative effort behind it. Conducting surveys, organizing interviews, validating tools, and analyzing both quantitative and qualitative findings required patience, teamwork, and continuous reflection. Working with students from different faculties also gave us a richer understanding of how university environments shape health behaviors differently across academic disciplines and social contexts.
Perhaps the most important lesson we learned is that unhealthy eating behaviors among young adults should not simply be framed as poor choices. These behaviors often reflect adaptation to stressful schedules, social pressures, emotional needs, and rapidly changing lifestyles. Understanding this complexity allows healthcare professionals, educators, and policymakers to design interventions that are more realistic, empathetic, and effective.
We hope this research encourages wider conversations about nutrition, identity, and student well-being in Egypt and beyond. Universities are not only places for academic development; they are environments where lifelong habits and identities are formed. Supporting healthier eating behaviors therefore requires understanding the human stories behind the statistics.
Our article is available in BMC Nutrition:
“Adult women identities on the menu: deconstructing fast-food consumption among university students.”Adult women identities on the menu: deconstructing fast-food consumption among university students BMC Nutrition Adult Women Identities on the Menu: Deconstructing Fast-Food Consumption among University Students
Dr. Basma W. Elrefay, PhD, RN, is a Lecturer of Obstetrics and Gynecology Health Nursing at the Faculty of Nursing, Delta University for Science and Technology, Egypt, and Director of the Continuous Professional Training Unit. Her academic and clinical expertise focuses on maternal and women’s health, nursing education, healthcare quality, and evidence-based practice.
Dr. Elrefay serves as an Editorial Board Member and peer reviewer for several international peer-reviewed journals, including the American Journal of Nursing Science. She is also a Book Editor with IGI Global Scientific Publishing, contributing to scholarly work in maternal healthcare and emerging healthcare technologies.
Her research interests include maternal and reproductive health, nursing education, healthcare innovation, and the integration of artificial intelligence in healthcare systems. She has authored and reviewed several indexed scientific publications and is committed to advancing excellence in nursing research, education, and clinical practice.
• PhD in Obstetrics and Gynecological Health Nursing, Mansoura University, Egypt.
• Director of the Continuous Professional Training Unit, Faculty of Nursing, Delta University for Science and Technology.
• International Professional Trainer in Nursing Sciences and Infection Control.
• Editorial Board Member and peer reviewer for international peer-reviewed journals.
• Book Editor with IGI Global Scientific Publishing.
• Research interests: maternal and reproductive health, nursing education, healthcare quality, artificial intelligence in healthcare, and evidence-based nursing practice.
• Author and co-author of indexed publications in maternal health, nursing education, and AI integration in healthcare systems.
• Certified in healthcare management, total quality management, and professional nursing training.
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BMC Nutrition
BMC Nutrition is an open access, peer-reviewed journal that considers articles on all aspects of nutritional sciences.
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