semmelweis university - Faculty of Physical Education and Sport ...

Zoltán Farkas
University of Pécs, Institute for Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Hungary
Supervisor: Dr. Márta Wilhelm, associate professor
Do we like organic food?
Organic food is more and more important in modern societies. People caring for their natural
surroundings and health look for these products. In my study I was intersted in the knowledge
and consumption of organic food among university students. I invented a questionnare, and
asking Hungarian, Romanian and non-Hungarian students living and studying in Hungary.
150 Hungarians, 50 Romanians and 110 resident non-Hungarian students answered fully. The
international students were coming from many different countries. Questions in three
categories asking about (1) shopping habits, (2) consumption of organic food and (3) about
physical activity, preferred sports of the students were invented. I was testing if there is any
correlation between physical activity and healthy eating habits. The question in this respect
rises if a student is eating organic food or not, if organic food is preferred instead of regular
food products, and if the answering person is doing any regular exercises or not. A
randomised control group (pedestrians on the streets) were also asked. In Hungary both
resident and Hungarian students know the word and meaning of organic (above 80%), while
Romanian students miss general knowledge, only 28% said they know the word. In each
country those who know the word also buy organic products (78%), and choose them instead
of regular goods. From those who do not buy organic goods, do for one special reason (62-
80%). Most of consumers of organic products buy meat and dairy goods. 81% of Romanian
students cook their own meal from the organic goods, while in Hungary only 38% of the
students cook at home. While is most question the resident non-Hungarian students seemed to
choose bio-products, they did not know that organic food has positive effects on the health
status (only 41% said, it correlates with health, while 70% of the Hungarians, and 50% of
Romanians correlated these terms with each other). Most of the students exercise, but the
resident students exercise only regularly, and often (91%). For the question if they use organic
products in case of a sickness 72% of Romanian students answered with yes, while only 40%
of resident non-Hungarian students choose healthy food or organic products in curing
sicknesses.
Altogether it is safe to say that in Europe organic products are generally known, but their
usage and importance is not equal in different cultures. Some people use them regularly,
without knowing their effects, while in other societies preferences are very important in
regular consumption.
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