| چکیده انگلیسی مقاله |
Background: Junk food consumption has been linked to various health hazards like childhood obesity, hypertension, and juvenile diabetes.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among children and adolescents in the urban and rural field practicing area of Aarupadai Veedu Medical College. The cluster sampling technique was used, followed by age and gender stratification in each cluster interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire in a field practice area of about 360 samples. The statistical analysis used was nonparametric (chi-square test) and multiple logistic regression done.
Result: The prevalence of junk food consumption in children (5-12years) and adolescents (13-18 years) was 40% (n=144) and 25% (n=90), respectively. The most common junk food eaten by the participants in children and adolescents was chocolate, 38.88% (n=173), and chips, 38.02% (n=73), respectively. There is a statistically significantly higher junk food consumption daily and less than 3 days a week compared to the weekly thrice and 4 times frequency of junk consumption per week. The age category of 5-8 years had 2.73 higher junk food consumption compared to the age category of 13- 18 years of age and statistically significant (P=0.001). The unemployed mother had 2.35 higher junk food consumption when compared to the employed mother and was statistically significant (P=0.002). Urban had 2.41 higher junk food consumption when compared to rural, which is statistically significant (P=0.001).
Conclusion: The most common junk food, fast food, instant food, and street food is eaten by children and adolescents were chocolate and chips, samosa, noodles, and golgappaa/pani puri, respectively. Junk food consumption were more in children and urban when compared to adolescents and rural, respectively. The literate father and unemployed mother were associated with increased. In a formal system, all schools should encourage balanced diets and draw attention to the adverse effects of junk food.
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