This study can be beneficial to my research. One of the purposes of this study was to examine the preferences of college students when given crackers with 2 different kinds of cream cheese, being high-fat and low-fat, spread on it. The results were not shocking, as students favored the taste of the high-fat cream cheese over the low-fat cream cheese. I could use these findings to support my research in that taste plays an important factor in food selection.

I found this study to be extremely valuable to my research. This study examined the effects of high or low stress levels on men and women in their choice of healthy or unhealthy snacking. Results showed that stress levels do, in fact, effect human decision of food choice. Stressful men chose healthier snacks than when they were not stressed, but conversely, stressful women chose unhealthier snacks than when they were not stressed. This factor is extremely beneficial to my research as it may provide an explanation as to why humans make the food choices they do.

This study analyzed the acceptance of a school cafeteria based program called "Kid's Choice", where students are given increased amounts of healthy vegetables and fruits in their lunch meals. Results were compared between those who were overweight and those considered average-weight. The study found that both groups were equally accepting the program and would continue the program after the 1 month trial. This study would help my research because it shows that children who are overweight are, in fact, willing and able to make positive changes in their diets to improve their body weight and overall health.

This research was conducted between 12 young obese male students. A series of mental tests as well as a physical abilities test was administered and results were compared to those of healthy-weighted boys of the same age. Results showed no difference between mental tests of obese and normal boys, however the Wisconsin card sorting test demonstrated that obese boys had more difficulty as the test involved continuous shifting of the body. I do not find this study beneficial to my research. It provides factual information, but I feel that it could only serve to demonstrate how obesity can cause negative effects within young children.

Rolls conducted a unique experiment to test the effect of varying plate sizes on the amount of energy consumed within the chosen servings. This experiment was conducted in a laboratory setting over the course of 2-3 weeks. It was found that there was not a correlation between plate size and the amount of energy consumed. Results did show that overall, men consumed more than women. This study is beneficial to my research because it analyzes the unique factor of plate size and how it relates to food consumption.

Buckley's investigation of consumer choices regarding convenience foods was conducted in Great Britain in 2002. His study included grocery store customers completing a questionnaire that consisted of quantitative response options. The results of this research help the food industry understand the reasons why people make choices for convenience foods. Interestingly, an increase in overall salaries of people in Great Britain have led to more people dining out. The main reason for people choosing convenience foods over healthy foods was found to be a combination of time saving tactics when purchasing foods in the grocery store.

Scheibehenne conducted computerized surveys in a mall food court in Berlin, Germany. In a controlled setting, 20 different platter options of food were presented and customers were able to choose their meal freely. After choosing, they completed a computerized survey called an FCQ of food choice questionnaire. The unique purpose of this study was to determine the level in which humans make food choices based on heuristics, or "rule of thumb" choices. Interestingly, the results from this study show that the heuristic choices that humans make are just as significant as any other reason for making food decisions. This suggests that nutrition labels on a cereal box, for example, may not be influencing humans as much as the heuristic approach to food choice.

Kwate's research primarily served to analyze the density of fast-food restaurants in New York City with a focus on the correlations of race and economic status or income on restaurant density. This research is especially beneficial to me because the data from this source is from the perspective of a United States major city. Results from this study showed that there were more restaurants in black areas than there were in white areas. Also economic status or income of the population did not seem to have a correlation with fast-food restaurant density.

Pearce conducted research throughout the country of New Zealand. The purpose was to study the relationships between how easily accessible fast-food restaurants are to the consumer and the effects of having a proper recommended nutritional diet. Surprisingly, this study suggested that neighborhood access to fast-food restaurants is not a likely factor in unhealthy diets. I may not use this study in my research paper, as I feel that it does not provide conclusive "either or" results.

Morland's research was conducted over a 6 month span in 2003. Telephone surveys were used to call random telephone numbers in the phonebook in the states of North Carolina and Mississippi. These telephone surveys asked the recipients for their address, gender, height and body weight. The height and body weight was used to calculate for obesity. This study is especially useful to my research because it analyzes the addresses of the survey recipients and compares them to the concentration of fast food restaurants in that area. The important information I could use is that the more concentrated the fast food restaurants were, the more obesity was found within that area.

This article is from EBSCO. Research was done to find relationships between ethnicity, gender, fast food walk-ability and physical activity in regards to obesity. The relationships show that there is significant variability among gender and ethnicity in regards to obesity. This article may be helpful for students seeking information on fast food and obesity relationships.

This article is from EBSCO. Researchers examine the relationship, if any, between fast food restaurant density and obesity. This article may be helpful to students who are seeking information about health, specifically obesity.