Publication:

A study of food fads and overweight in adolescents from an urban area

Background Faulty dietary habits in modern era hamper the nutritional health of adolescents. Trend of consuming fast food have worse effect on children and youth often more than adults. This is because most of the fast foods are targeted towards children and there is a sustained pattern of eating fast foods and eating out. The objective of the study was to study the association between fast food consumption and development of overweight in adolescents from an urban area.

Methods This is a cross-sectional study. 1500 students from 5th-10th class schools from urban area of Sangli-Miraj-Kupwad Municipal corporation area were selected for study. A study period was from July 2012-Sept 2014. Pre-designed and pretested questionnaire were used as study tools. Statistical analysis was done by using Chi-square test.

Results Among the 1500 children, overweight was seen more in boys, belonging to age group of 17 years and children living in nuclear families. The significant association was found between overweight & children consuming fast food always. Total 9.2% children found overweight.

Conclusions Increase consumption of dry snacks and fast food hamper the nutritional status of adolescents and may lead to overweight.