Abstract
Healthy and nutritious food are being replaced by new commercial food items called Junk Food. These food item are with high calories but with low nutritive values. Excess consumption of junk food is associated with several nutritional problems ranging from underweight to obesity and various Non-communicable diseases. The study was conducted to assess the general junk food consumption habits, pattern and its association with Body Mass Index among adolescents. A descriptive cross sectional design was adopted to collect data among 311 adolescents studying in grade 8 & 9 of selected private school at, Parsa, Nepal using a pretested structured self-administered questionnaire. The obtained data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS 16 version. The result of the study revealed that age range of adolescents was 12-17 years. 37% of the adolescents were in the age group of 15 years. The BMI value was 18.81±2.35 whereas majority 50.5% of the adolescents was having BMI less than normal and were considered underweight. The time of junk food consumption is significantly associated with BMI with (p value 0.02) and amount of money spend on junk food is also associated with BMI with (p value 0.006). Junk food consumption is significantly associated with low BMI among adolescents. Only a limited numbers of adolescents have understood that excess consumption of junk food has negative effects on general health. This study may contribute to provide awareness regarding the consequences of junk food consumption along with setting limits over junk food by parents and teachers to promote healthy dietary habits among adolescents.
Highlights
Junk food is "designed for ready availability, use, or consumption with little consideration given to quality or significance” [1]
The result of the study revealed that age range of adolescents was 12-17 years. 37% of the adolescents were in the age group of 15 years
Based on the findings of study it can be concluded that junk food consumption is significantly associated with under nutrition or low Body Mass Index among adolescents
Summary
Junk food is "designed for ready availability, use, or consumption with little consideration given to quality or significance” [1]. Low intake of nutrients and increased consumption of high-energy foods is known as junk food. It represents a significant proportion (15-40%) of total daily caloric intake of children and has been supposed to be associated with overweight and obesity [2]. Based on BMI, obesity is divided into different classes; normal range (18.5- 24.9), below normal range (< 18.5), preobesity (25-29.9), obesity class I (30-34.9), obesity class II (35-39.9) [3]. In the present world economy, junk food is a global concern. It is an integral part of life in the developed and the developing world, bringing along with it is a gross increase in obesity and associated problems [4]. As lifestyles and dietary habits are changing, people from different age group, society especially children and adolescents are attracted towards consuming fast food [5]
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
More From: International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.