DOI: 10.70650/rvimj.2025v2i100004
DOI URL: https://doi.org/10.70650/rvimj.2025v2i100004 Published Date: 03-10-2025 Issue: Vol. 2 No. 10 (2025): October 2025 Published Paper PDF: Download
Abstract: This study investigates the relationship between food cravings and eating habits among Bengali adolescents in West Bengal, India, and Bangladesh. The research aims to identify patterns of craving frequency, duration, and food preferences, as well as their impact on perceptions of healthy eating and engagement in unhealthy dietary practices. Particular attention is given to the influence of gender, cultural context, and socio-economic background on craving behaviours. Media exposure is considered as both an opportunity for discovering new food cultures and promoting healthy lifestyles, and as a risk factor for reinforcing unrealistic body ideals and unhealthy eating patterns. A structured survey was conducted with a diverse adolescent sample, and the data were analysed using statistical methods. The study employed the Food Cravings Questionnaire (FCQ–T, FCQ–S, and modified versions), recognised for their construct validity and sensitivity to situational changes such as food deprivation and intake. Findings highlight the significant role of cravings in shaping adolescent dietary practices, while also revealing cultural and socio-economic influences. The study concludes by recommending awareness campaigns and educational interventions to promote healthier eating behaviours and to mitigate the negative impacts of cravings within this demographic.
KeyWords: Food Cravings,Dietary Behaviour,Adolescent Nutrition, Psychophysiological Factors,Cross-Cultural Study (India–Bangladesh).
