CALGARY – Many adults think teens are risk takers, but when it comes to food, youths like to eat things they recognize and they prefer food their mothers cook at home.
Those were some of the findings of an Alberta Cattle Commission funded study done of teenagers in Calgary and Edmonton last November.
The study reached students from Grades 7 to 12 and gave the cattle commission information it can use in its beef-in-the-classroom program in Calgary and Edmonton. Piloted in the 1993-94 school year, the program is aimed at Grade 10 home economics students. It teaches them the value of beef and how to cook it properly, said Joanne Lemke, the commission’s public affairs manager.
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The study showed young people don’t have a lot of interest in knowing the full story about nutrition and healthiness of beef dinners. For teens, especially girls, weight control is more important.
Most didn’t think their family’s beef consumption has changed much over time because they eat whatever their parents prepare.
Squeezed out by poultry
Those who thought their beef consumption was lower said their mothers served less beef and more chicken or pasta.
One teenager said: “We eat less beef now because we don’t have as much money so we are going to other foods.”
Most said their favorite kind of beef is hamburger.
Junior high boys (Grades 7 to 9) said they eat more hamburgers now than when they were younger, because they have the freedom to go to more fast food restaurants. Some added their parents didn’t approve of them eating at these restaurants because they consider the burgers junk food.
Teens don’t like fatty or undercooked meat or hamburger with “things” in it. That includes onions, marinades or sauces. Boys in particular said they don’t like stir fries, casseroles or stews.
Cooking not their fortŽ
Most teens don’t often cook. They want convenience and will opt for easily prepared items like macaroni and cheese, pre-made hamburger patties, chicken fingers or order a pizza.
While most had some information about where beef comes from and how it’s processed, few were concerned about food safety. However, they were more aware of problems like hamburger disease and how it’s spread.
Of the five percent who claimed to be vegetarian, most said they ate that way to lose weight.
Teens are aware of television commercials featuring beef and had suggestions for improvements. They suggested commercials featuring athletes actually show them eating beef.
They also suggested ideas for ad placements such as in bus shelters. “They should paint a bus like a cow. Kids would want to take the cow bus,”said a senior high school student.
Beef ads could appear on popular TV shows that young people watch, on hockey boards at arenas or spots on rock and roll radio stations.
The students said they would be willing to learn more about beef in home economics or life management courses but they don’t want brochures because they won’t read them. They would prefer to meet a rancher or see a chef prepare beef properly.
