This document summarizes a study on the eating habits of University of South Carolina students. The researcher observed what and where students ate at different times of day and interviewed students about factors influencing their food choices. Popular fast food options like Burger King and Taco Bell were most common. Healthier options tended to be more expensive. Gender, culture, budget and other factors affected whether students chose healthier or less healthy options.

1. A study of the eating habits of the University of South
Carolina students

2. Did you know?
 Obesity is one of the leading causes of preventable
death in the United States today!
 BUT it is completely avoidable just by watching what
you eat!
 The smallest decisions, like choosing a grilled chicken
sandwich versus a double cheeseburger, can lead you
to a healthier, longer, and happier life

3. Ethnography Topics
 For my ethnography, I researched the subject of food
and how it plays a part in the lives of students at the
University of South Carolina
 I observed where and what students ate and
interviewed students living on and off campus
 I focused on how the location and time of
day, gender, culture, budget, and housing affect the
food choices of students, especially when it comes to
choosing healthy options

4. What’s there to eat?
 My observations took place at the Russell House, a common
eating place for students of all ages, conveniently located in the
middle of the USC campus
 I observed students eating lunch and dinner, around 12:00PM
and 6:00PM
 The 2nd floor offers a good selection of popular fast food choices
such as: Burger King, Chick-fil-a, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and
Marble Slab Creamery, as well as Einstein Bros Bagels and
Santorini’s
 Downstairs has a wide variety including: Pandini’s, Horseshoe
Deli, Freshens, and the Grand Market which is like a cafeteria
consisting of “Garden Toss”, “Classics”, “Mein Bowl Authentic
Asian Cuisine”, “PlanIt Healthy”, and “Ballpark Grill” selections

5. Lunch vs Dinner
 When compared to lunch, there seemed to be less people eating
at the Russell House for dinner
 The food options were the same, except for Einstein Bros, which
closes at 3:30PM
 As with lunch, the most popular choices were Burger King and
Taco Bell. During both time periods I saw that the majority of
students preferred a popular fast food option over a lesser-
known choice. This suggests that culture plays a role in students’
decisions because as Americans, we are always on the go and
more likely to choose what we’re most comfortable with, so the
fast food options are perfect for satisfying our needs!
 I also discovered that the time of day plays a part in what
students eat because most students like to go out to eat; and
visiting restaurants around town gives them the advantage of
socializing and relaxing, away from campus

6. Girls love CFA!
 I did notice a gender difference in where students choose to
eat: there were significantly more females in the Chick-fil-a
line versus males. Although CFA doesn’t offer the most low-
calorie options, their food is probably one of the best
quality choices
 I found most males to be at the “Ballpark Grill” which
offers a more “manly” option of hamburgers and hot dogs
 There was also a noticeable difference in who was choosing
salads- although I observed around 100-150 students, I only
spotted 4 eating salads with only 1 being male! This leads
me to believe that girls might want to choose something
that is better for them because they care more about
physical appearance than males

7. Healthy food is expensive
 Through my observations and interviews I found that a students’
budget is one of the most important factors in what they decide to
eat, and unfortunately the majority of healthy options are the most
expensive, and students are more likely to go with 3 tacos for $1 each
rather than a $6 salad
 One of the healthiest selections the Russell House has to offer is
Einstein Bros Bagels which even lists “Smart Choices”, 14 food options
under 350 calories and 15 grams of fat, but one thin turkey bagel at 310
calories is almost $7! So I can understand when a student would rather
choose a blueberry bagel with cream cheese for $3, although it’s almost
an extra 200 calories more 
 Students who can afford to eat whatever they want, should simply
choose what’s good for them rather than what tastes good. Here is a
table comparing the choices of students to what they could have
gotten:

8. Fast Food Popular Choice Healthier Option
Einstein Bros Bagels Powerbagel- calories: 310, Plain Bagel- calories: 260,
fat: 5 grams fat: 1 gram or Fruit and
Yogurt Parfait- calories: 170,
fat: 1 gram
Burger King Whopper with Cheese- TenderGrill Chicken
calories: 760, fat: 47 grams Sandwich- calories: 470, fat:
18 grams
Chick-fil-a Original Chicken Sandwich Chargrilled Chicken Salad
with Waffle Fries- calories: w/ Honey Mustard
820, fat: 38 grams Dressing- calories: 240, fat:
6 grams
Pizza Hut Personal Pan Pepperoni Personal Pan Cheese Pizza-
Pizza- calories: 610, fat: 26 calories: 590, fat: 24 grams
grams
Taco Bell Beef Soft Taco- calories: 200, Fresco Chicken Soft Taco-
fat: 9 grams calories: 150, fat: 3.5 grams

9. What does all this mean?
 In conclusion, I think students simply go with what
they want and/or what they can afford
 Our culture has almost handicapped us into eating
what’s fast and readily available
 Healthier foods are more expensive, but are less than
the medical bills associated with obesity!
 Eat what you want, but be mindful of what you are
eating- there may be more calories and fat than you
think!