ByDr. Leena Leon

Asst. Professor, Department of Home Science,St. Teresa’s College, Ernakulam

Fast Food Consumption Among Adolescent Girls in Ernakulam

Fast Food — A DefinitionFast food is any food that:

Is quick and convenientLowest in nutritional qualityHigh in saturated fatHigh in sodium and sugar contentLow in fiberLow in vitamins and mineralsNot made at homeContains of artificial colors and flavoring agentsProcessed or semi-processed

ObjectivesStudy the fast food habits and preference of

adolescentsTo compare present nutrient intake with RDA of ICMR

to assess the nutritional status of adolescent girlsFind out factors that leads adolescents to fast foodsDetermine the extent of fast food consumptionDetermine the awareness level of the health hazards

of fast food consumption

Why the study?Increasing consumption of fast food among

adolescents Increasing health problems among adolescents Lack of interests in games, extra curricular activities, …Problems like obesity, cardiovascular risk, low

immunity levels, …Increased threat to adolescent girls…Are adolescents aware of the health hazards of fast

foods?

How the study was conducted?Preliminary Study:Population – Adolescent girls (13-18)Area – Ernakulam District, KeralaNo. of students – 5672 (8 Schools)Fast food consumers (at least once a week) – 4380 (77.22%)Target Population (at least 3 times a week) – 3302 (58.22%)

Low income (less than Rs.100000 p.a.) – 860 students (26.04%)Middle income (above Rs.100000 & below 250000) – 1882

students (57%)High income (above Rs.250000) – 560 students (16.95%)

Research MethodologyMethod – SurveyTarget population – 3302Sampling method – Proportionate Stratified SamplingStrata – LI, MI, HIEach strata is further divided into 3 groups based on

age – 13 and 14, 15 and 16 17 and 18Simple random samples selected from each stratum

Study DesignSemi structured questionnaire was used to collect

data regarding general and fast food habits, preferences, awareness, frequency consumption and factors influence fast food consumption

Dietary recall of 3 consecutive days to estimate nutrient consumption

Data collected through personal interview of the participants.

Sample and Sample sizeTarget population –Adolescent girls between the age

of 13–18Selection criterion – Adolescents who consumed fast

food three or more times in a weekPopulation identified by – Pilot studyParticipants – From eight different educational

institutions in ErnakulamSample size – 554

Participants’ Profile

General Dietary Habits

Comparison of Mean Nutrient Intake with RDA

Comparison of Mean Nutrient Intake with RDA

Nutritional Status using NHANES BMI Age/Sex Percentiles

Mode of Introduction

Fast Food Sources

Reasons for Fast Food Consumption

Sources of Information

ConclusionThe study highlighted the dangers of the fast food trap that the

adolescents are in. Majority of the participants consumed fast foods without knowing the

health impacts and long term health implications. The parents as well as the children were equally unaware of the

potentials health problems that could arise from regular consumption of fast food.

The importance of a balanced diet and regular and good eating habits were often ignored due to a host of reasons from ignorance to lack of time. So the necessity of awareness programs targeted at parents and children became evident.

The media should play its role by stopping the glorification of fast foods through celebrity advertisements and instead try to educate the audience about good food habits, good foods and why it is important to stay away from fast foods.

Thank you very much…LEENA LEON