Opinions of GM Foods and Food Grown with Pesticides in Health and Non‐health Major Undergraduate Students
Authors: McDaniels Amanda , Moya Sheila Cortazar , Bilgiç Pelin , Pope Benjamin T. , Ricketts Jennifer , Alcance Klaire Angela Abalos , Lewis Gillian R. , Hongu Nobuko 
Published: November 2023

Background

Our previous study showed that nutritional science students progressively ate healthier throughout their four undergraduate years. The purpose of this study was to examine the opinions of genetically modified (GM) foods and food grown with pesticides in health majors and non‐health majors before taking an introductory nutrition class (NSC 170). We hypothesized that students in health majors have concerns about GM foods and foods grown with pesticides.

Methods

Undergraduate health majors (n=213), non‐health majors (n=121), and undeclared/undecided students (neither health or non‐health major, n=29), aged 18.6 ± 1.3 years, 60.4% white, 18.7% black, 13.8% Hispanic, and 7.1% Asians, completed surveys in the beginning of the semester. The survey had 18 questions regarding their demographic information, daily dietary intakes, consumption of pre‐prepared food (including fast food), perception of own health, consumption of organic foods, and concerns with GM foods and foods grown with the use of pesticides. The data was analyzed with descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression.

Results

77% of students (n=281) in the study reported they do not have any special dietary restrictions and 84.6% of students (n=308) felt their diet was somewhat healthy. The median vegetable and fruits consumptions were both two servings per day. Students in both health and non‐health majors were moderately concerned with GM foods (n=168, 46.2%) and foods grown with the use of pesticides (n=190, 52.2%). It was also found that older students were more concerned with GM foods and pesticides (p<0.05). After adjusting for age, although not significantly, males were more concerned with GM foods and pesticides than females. There were no significant associations between major types and concerns with GM foods and pesticides. However, undecided majors were less concerned about GM foods and pesticides. (p<0.05) When asked how often they bought organic produce, 37.9% of students (n=139) answered they bought organic produce a few times a month, 22% of students (n=80) bought most of the time, and 14.6% of students (n=53) bought only a few times a year. There was a significant correlation between purchase of organic foods and concerns with GM foods and pesticides (p<0.0001).

Conclusions

In regards to concerns with GM foods and pesticides, half of the students surveyed were moderately concerned. There was no significant association between health majors and non‐health majors. It was interesting to find that male, older students were more concerned about GM foods and pesticides. Also, there was a significant correlation between concern with GM foods and pesticides and purchase of organic foods. In the future study, we will examine the changes of concerns of GM foods and food grown with pesticides upon completion of the introductory nutrition class (NSC 170) with the same group of students.

Support or Funding Information

University of Arizona, Honors College